Issue - meetings

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Elwyn Edwards will propose as follows:-

Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff.

In 2017, the Labour Party established a commission to look at the possibility of transferring the responsibility for this in Wales to the Welsh Government. The commission was led by Lord Thomas of Cwmigedd, the former chief officer for Justice in England and Wales.  His robust recommendation to the government was that there was an actual need to devolve the Justice Service in Wales to Wales, establishing a separate Welsh jurisdiction. 

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own Justice system, but Wales is attached to England. Wales is the only country in the world that has the legislation, but not the authority to implement this.

Although there is increasing demand to create a separate Welsh Jurisdiction and to devolve powers to the Welsh Government, neither the Tory nor Labour Governments have made any shift towards achieving this.

Therefore, we ask the Labour Government in Westminster to act on the recommendation made by Lord Thomas.

We ask all Welsh councils for their support.

Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on the Welsh Government and all Welsh Councils for their support.

The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Elwyn Edwards, in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on all Welsh Councils for their support.

The member set out the context to his motion, noting:-

·         In 2017, the Labour Party established a commission to look at the possibility of transferring responsibility for the Justice Service in Wales to the Welsh Government.  The commission was led by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the former chief officer for justice in England and Wales, and his firm recommendation to the government was that 'there was a real need to devolve the Justice Service in Wales to Wales and establish a separate Welsh jurisdiction.

·         Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own Justice system, but Wales is attached to England, and Wales is the only country in the world that has the legislation, but not the authority to implement this.

·         Although there is increasing demand to create a separate Welsh Jurisdiction and to devolve powers to the Welsh Government, neither the Tory nor Labour Governments had made any shift towards achieving this.

⁠The proposer further noted that he should have included 'and also call on the Welsh Government for its support' as part of his motion.

Another member proposed an amendment to that end.  The proposer and seconder agreed to the amendment and there was no objection to this from the floor.

RESOLVED to adopt the amended motion, namely:-

Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on the Welsh Government and all Welsh Councils for their support.