Terms of reference

The National Commission will provide independent advice to the Welsh Government on Wales’s constitutional future, to support informed debate and decision-making.

• The commission will operate in an advisory, non-statutory role.
• It will be a standing commission. Members shall be appointed for a 3-year term with an opportunity to extend to a second term if mutually agreed by Welsh Ministers and the member. 

1.  Advising on devolution priorities and the wider agenda

• Provide evidence and analysis to inform Welsh Government engagement with the UK government on the devolution of the Crown Estate, rail infrastructure, and justice and policing.
• Monitor and provide advice on progress across the wider devolution agenda.
• Recognising that responsibility for negotiation and delivery rests with the Welsh Government.

2. Supporting a national conversation

• Engage citizens in an ongoing national conversation about Wales’s constitutional future.
• Take into account expert advice on best practice, including the work of the Innovating Democracy Advisory Group.
• Support inclusive and informed public debate.

3. Building the evidence base

• Undertake and commission research into key political and economic questions relevant to Wales’s constitutional future.
• Build on the work of previous commissions and existing evidence.

4. Informing future constitutional reform

• Provide evidence and advice to support consideration of Wales’s constitutional future.
• Identify key questions and evidence to inform future policy, further developing the work of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales which identified enhanced devolution, Wales in a federal UK, and independence as 3 long term viable constitutional options.
• Consider the balance of responsibilities across different levels of government in Wales, and to assess the scope to transfer further responsibilities to regional or local levels.

• Gather evidence and engage with the public on constitutional matters, drawing on expert input and specialist groups where appropriate.
• Publish outputs to support transparency and public understanding.
• Operate independently, within an allocated budget, in line with its terms of reference, supported by a Welsh Government secretariat working to the direction of the co-chairs, and produce reports and advice that reflect the views of the commission.

• Reports, advice and evidence to support public debate, policy development, and future constitutional reform.