Work-day Assembly Commission courses including pottery, felt-making, fused glass and recycled jewellery have been labelled ‘inappropriate’ and ‘badly chosen’ by Welsh Conservative Assembly Members.
Each two hour course ran between 10:30 and 12:30 during the week of May 21st – 25th. Along with a separate course in willow work, the total cost was 863 pounds.
Responding to a written question from North Wales Assembly Member Antoinette Sandbach, the Commission said: ‘Based on the number of delegates, this amounted to approximately 16 pounds per head.’ A spokesman also said the workshops were provided as part of Learning at Work Day.
Most took place in a craft centre in Cardiff Bay.
According to an agenda previously published on the Assembly’s website, a taster course in the ‘Alexander Technique’ was also run on Wednesday May 16th. On its official website, this is described as a ‘way of learning to move mindfully through life’.
Brief descriptions of the craft making courses were also published online:
Recycled Jewellery
Using everyday materials such as buttons, bead, wire and ribbon to create wearable individual designs
Pottery
Learn the basics to create a pot or other item
Fused Glass
Using coloured glass and other materials, create a design for a coaster or other item
Feltmaking
Learn about the art of feltmaking to create a small item such as brooch or case/purse for your mobile
Ms Sandbach said:
“While personal development and on-going training is paramount in the workplace, I don’t understand how making pots, beads and brooches will help these staff in their everyday roles.
“Outside work, the creation of coasters with coloured glass, or purses with felt, may well be a very enjoyable pastime. During working hours, taxpayers will rightly question the benefits to the successful running of the Assembly.
“At best, these courses are badly chosen. At worst, they are inappropriate and wasteful.”
Shadow Minister for Finance, Paul Davies AM, said:
“It is quite right that the use of public money in these circumstances should be scrutinised, and the courses offered during May are a cause for concern.
“The development of staff within the workplace is vitally important. However, courses – particularly those run during the working day – should provide at least some provision for the progression of an individual within their role.
“On the face of it – the creation of jewellery from recycled items or the formation of a pot – do not appear to offer this.”
