Welsh Representation in Brussels

At the December meeting of the European and External Affairs Committee, I undertook to make a written statement at the appropriate time about the move to new premises in Brussels, and about arrangements to represent Welsh interests following the decision by the Wales European Centre (WEC) to cease operations at the end of this year.

The move to new premises in Brussels is prompted by the unsuitability of the current building for continued, modern office accommodation, particularly from a health and safety and disabled access/facility perspective.  The current premises at Rue Joseph II could not meet our requirements.

The Assembly Government has taken a lease of the 6th floor of 11, Rond point Schuman, Brussels 1040 .  The property is located on the Schuman roundabout in the heart of the EU institutions area in Brussels and is ideally located for doing business with the EU.  The premises satisfy health and safety and disabled access/facilities requirements, and provide modern office accommodation.

The premises will be occupied by 10 Welsh Assembly Government staff.  The Assembly Parliamentary Service (APS) will also be located in the new premises with provision for 2 staff and 2 hot-desks for visiting Assembly Members.  All staff will be connected to the IT network.  Visiting Assembly Members will be able to access their own profiles remotely from the hot desks.  Part of the move, will involve the upgrading of the Assembly’s IT network, which will provide a quicker, more reliable link for both staff and visiting Assembly Members.

The Welsh Local Government Association will also be located in the new premises at 11 Schuman, on a sub-tenancy basis.  The higher education sector in Wales will also have a presence in the new premises, final details of which are being discussed with Higher Education Wales.

The new premises will also provide 6 hot desks and meeting/conference facilities for other Welsh interests that may wish to have access on a temporary or infrequent basis to office facilities in Brussels.  The move to the new premises is currently scheduled to take place at the end of November.

Following the decision by the WEC to cease operations at the end of the year, officials have held discussions with the principal WEC members about how their interests might be served in the future.  The Welsh Development Agency, the Wales Tourist Board, ELWa and the Welsh Language Board will be merged with the Welsh Assembly Government and those organisations will receive support direct from the Government's office in Brussels, as do other Government Departments currently.  The Government office will also offer support to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission on a mutually agreed basis.  Those organisations will be able to make use of the hot-desk and meeting facilities at the new premises, as agreed with the Government office, without charge.  Environment Agency Wales has decided to rely on corporate Environment Agency arrangements for representation in Brussels.  

I believe the co-location of the Welsh presence in the new premises, and the collaborative working arrangements that have been agreed, will ensure the maintenance of a strong Welsh presence on the ground in Brussels to protect and promote Welsh interests in the heart of the EU.