Meeting Venue:
Conference Room C - Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
Meeting time: 9:00 - 14:30
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Category |
Names |
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Board Members:
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Dr Elizabeth Haywood (Chair) Michael Redhouse (Virtual) Dame Jane Roberts Hugh Widdis (Virtual) |
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Secretariat: |
Daniel Hurford, Clerk Martha Da Gama Howells, Second Clerk Huw Gapper, Second Clerk Ruth Hatton, Deputy Clerk Gwenno Day, Support to the Board |
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Officials Present: |
Anna Daniel, Senior Adviser to the Board, Head of Strategic Transformation Service (Virtual) Kate Rabaiotti, Legal Adviser Gareth Howells, Legal Adviser Craig Griffiths, Head of Members’ Business Support Martin Jennings, Research Service Lisa Bowkett, Head of Finance Simon Hart, Interim Chief Finance Officer |
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The Chair reflected on the meetings held with the Representative Groups, the Members’ Drop in, the Chief Executive and the Commission.
The Chair welcomed Simon Hart to the start of the meeting as Interim Chief Finance Officer. Simon updated the Board on the Commission’s supplementary budget consideration.
Decision:
The Board agreed the minutes of the meeting on 26 September 2024.
Action:
Secretariat to publish the minutes for the meeting held on 26 September 2024.
The Board discussed and agreed the wording and approach to the consultation. The consultation will focus on initial proposals on Overnight Accommodation, Constituency Office and Engagement and Support for Senedd Groups. The consultation will be published on 25 October and close on 6 December.
Action:
The Secretariat to prepare the consultation for publication and circulation.
The Board received an update from Martin Jennings (the Research Team’s Head of Financial Scrutiny) on the current economic climate and forecasts including public sector pay awards in Wales. The Board considered the potential implications for the Determination.
The Board agreed on the scope of the annual review for 2025/26 and its approach to the consultation.
Decision
The Board agreed the scope of the review for further consideration at the November meeting.
The Board considered the letter from the Chief Executive on the interpretation of the Determination. The Board agreed with the Commission’s interpretation.
Decision:
The Secretariat to draft a response to the Chief Executive.
The Board considered the decision it is required to make on the additional salary to be paid to the Chair of the Future Senedd Committee.
The Board noted that the Chair of the Future Senedd Committee is already in receipt of an additional office holder salary, and will therefore not receive a second additional salary.
Decision:
The Board agreed that the Chair of the Future Senedd Committee should be paid at the higher rate.
The Board agreed ahead of the Seventh Senedd to considered the higher and lower rates of additional salary for Committee Chairs currently provided for in the Determination.
Secretariat to draft decision letter to the Llywydd, on the Board’s decision of higher rate for the Chair of the Future Senedd Committee.
The Board considered the update from the Senedd Security Team.
Decision:
The Board agreed to continue to receive annual updates from Security.
The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.
The Board noted and appreciated the work and effort the secretariat and wider team have given in order for consideration of issues by the Board.
Action:
Secretariat to arrange the current Board’s final meeting on 11 September 2025.
Any Other Business
The Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting to be held on Thursday 28 November 2024.
The Board wished to note its thanks to members of the secretariat team who have recently left the team and to formally thank Sir David Hanson who recently resigned from the Board.