The Assembly of Wales

Outline

The first minister: Rhodri Morgan (Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan AM), he was appointed by the Queen following the elections in May 2007. The first minister can appoint the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Welsh Assembly Government).


Members: there are 60 seats for Assembly members, and the elections be held on a four year cycle. They represent specific area of Wales.
 
About the Tour to Senedd--home of the National Assembly for Wales
 
When we got into the building for the first time, I felt a little bit surprised. It seems to be complicated and serious that we had to take off our coats before go through the security check-in gate, and scaned for security inspection. But when you have realized that you are entering a government building, it is not that complicated, for we Chinsese students don't have many opportunities to walk in a government place. The Wales Assembly is open to us.
 
The building Senedd must be one of the symbols that Welsh would be proud of. The tour guide told us that it is called a environmentally friendly building. It is designed in a sustainable way. First one is, the beautiful roof, despite of the wooden material, the roof can go for at least 100 years. Second one is, people use recycled rain water to fush the toilet which collected by pipes outside the building. Third one is, electronic lights are unnecessary at day time, because there is no wall but glass all around the building. Furth one is, geothermy is applied to keep the building warm in winter, so that minimises using air conditions. The guide told us that, in spite of the high costs to build such a beautiful and environmental buiding, it can save 50% expence on energy.
 
The Siambr was the second place we visted. I'm not sure about the word 'Siambr', but after our viste, I know that it is a place to hold conferences. The guide told us assembly members meet every week, and every one can be a sitter-in to some of the members' discussions. The subjects that might be discussed in the Siambr can be health, environment, education, transport, housing ect.
 
We were so luckey that we meet one of the Assembly members, Mr. Franks, a regional member account for South Wales. When we asked him about the drawbacks of Wales Assembly, he said he hope the Assembly to have more power, such as to make local laws for Wales and to solve Welsh education problems which are specific.