The National Assembly for Wales is made up of 60 Assembly Members; 40 representing each of the 40 Welsh constituencies, and 20 representing one of the five regions of Wales. The 40 Constituency Assembly Members are elected by a first-past-the-post ballot, whilst the Regional Members are elected by a form of proportional representation known as the ‘Additional Member System’. Jonathan is a Constituency Assembly Member and represents the Cardiff North constituency.

For additional information, visit the National Assembly for Wales website (www.assemblywales.org)

The role of an AM

An Assembly Member represents all of his or her constituents at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay. They deal with all matters relating to their constituency. Jonathan can help you with any issues that are devolved and that are dealt with at the National Assembly. These include:

• Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
• Ancient monuments and historic buildings
• Culture
• Economic development
• Education and training
• Environment
• Fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety
• Food
• Heath and health services
• Highways and transport
• Housing
• Local government
• Public administration
• Social welfare
• Sport and recreation
• Tourism
• Town and county planning
• Water and flood defence
• Welsh language

As devolution is an on-going process, this list is growing.

Jonathan is able to do a number of things to help with a constituent’s problem. He can write to Ministers and Officials, and he can raise matters with Ministers in person. He can ask oral and written questions to Ministers and raise issues during debates on the floor of the Assembly.

Anyone can watch these debates from the public gallery in the Senedd, or on the Senedd TV website.