[Edit] Enhanced powers: The Government of Wales Act 2006

Main article: Government of Wales Act 2006

The Government of Wales Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 25 July 2006. It confers on the Assembly legislative powers similar to other devolved legislatures through the ability to pass Assembly Measures, although legislative competence requests will be subject to the veto of the Secretary of State for Wales, House of Commons or House of Lords.

The Act reforms the assembly to a parliamentary-type structure, establishing the Assembly Government as an entity separate from, but accountable to the National Assembly. It enables the Assembly to legislate within its devolved fields.

The Act also reforms the Assembly's electoral system. It prevents individuals from standing as candidates in both constituency and regional seats. This aspect of the act was subject to a great deal of criticism, most notably from the Electoral Commission.

The Act has been heavily criticised. Plaid Cymru, the Official Opposition in the National Assembly from 1999–2007, attacked it for not delivering a fully-fledged Parliament. Many commentators have also criticised the Labour Party's allegedly partisan attempt to alter the electoral system. By preventing regional Assembly Members from standing in constituency seats the party has been accused of changing the rules to protect constituency representatives. Labour had 29 members in the Assembly at the time, all of whom held constituency seats.

The changes to the Assembly's powers were commenced on 4 May 2007, after the election.^[10]

[Edit] Buildings [edit] Senedd

Main article: Senedd

See also: Senedd on television

The debating chamber in Cardiff Bay, the Senedd (English:Senate), was designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership and built by Taylor Woodrow, with environmental and MEP design by BDSP Partnership. It uses traditional Welsh materials such as slate and Welsh Oak in its construction, and the design is based around the concepts of openness and transparency. The Timber ceiling and centre funnel, manufactured and installed by BCL Timber Projects (sub-contracted by Taylor Woodrow) is made from Canadian sourced Western Red Cedar.

The Senedd houses the debating chamber (Welsh: Siambr) and Committee Rooms. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on St. David's Day, 1 March 2006.^[11]

The Senedd is designed to be environmentally friendly: it uses an Earth Heat Exchange system for heating; rainwater is collected from the roof and used for flushing toilets and cleaning windows, and the roof features a wind cowl which funnels natural light and air into the debating chamber below.^[12]

[Edit] Tŷ Hywel, Pierhead Building and Cathays Park Buildings

Main articles: Tŷ Hywel, Pierhead Building, and Crown Building, Cathays Park

The debating chamber was initially based in Ty Hywel, next to the site of the present building. The offices of Assembly Members are still in this building which is connected to the Senedd by a skyway. The National Assembly for Wales Commission is also responsible for the Pierhead Building, which is the location of "The Assembly at the Pierhead" exhibition, and is the Visitor and Education Centre for the National Assembly for Wales as well as housing a small giftshop. The exhibition (currently still in the process of being updated following May's election) provides visitors with a unique opportunity to access the most up-to-date information on who's who, what's happening and how the Assembly works. Cathays Park consists of two buildings; the older building contains offices for the First Minister for Wales and senior civil servants, whilst the newer building is a large modern building built as an extension to the older building.