Dear Members,

cc Group and Support Staff

SUMMARY OF THE REMUNERATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON 6 JULY 2023

The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd met on Thursday 6 July, following meetings with the Support Staff Representative Group and an engagement event with Members and Support Staff on 5 July.

I would like to thank the Members and staff who took the time to meet with the Board during 5 and 6 July and we very much valued your opinions and suggestions for the Board’s future work. The Board is keen to continue to engage and meet with Members and Staff and will be arranging further meetings in the Autumn, including visits to Members’ constituency offices in due course. Further information about the Board’s work during the past year is available here and our strategic work programme for the remainder of this term is available here.

This letter provides a summary of the Board’s discussions and decisions. It will be published on the Board’s website along with summaries of previous meetings.

Support for Political Parties Allowance thematic review

As part of its strategic work programme for the Seventh Senedd, the Board has recently commenced a review of the Support for Political Parties Allowance (known as the PPSA). The Board received a summary of the history and purpose of the Support for Political Parties Allowance and comparisons with the funding provided to parties / groups in other legislatures.

The Board agreed to review the principles and purpose of the PPSA at a future meeting and to also consider the balance of the support available to Members through their own individual offices, Group Offices and the Senedd Commission.

The Board agreed to engage with Political Groups in the Senedd during the autumn as part of its review of the PPSA.

Communications and Engagement

The Board considered its communications and engagement strategy with a particular focus on its internal stakeholder engagement. While broadly content with its current engagement activity the Board noted the need to reach out further to Support Staff outside of the Cardiff area and asked the Board’s Secretariat to engage with Chiefs of Staff on how best to achieve this aim.

The Board noted the need to take account of the Senedd Commission’s engagement activity on Senedd reform as it plans its own engagement and consultation activity.

Remuneration of Chair(s) of the Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee

The Board considered information on the establishment of the Covid Committee and the implications of co-chairs for the Committee, a novel arrangement for Senedd committees,  as part of a discussion on deciding the additional salary to be paid to the co-chairs. The Board agreed that further information on the co-chairing protocol in development and the Committee’s work programme was required in order to inform the Board’s decision.

The Board also noted the Senedd’s intention to establish a new committee to scrutinise Senedd reform legislation, and that a decision on the salary of the chair of that committee would need to be taken in due course.  

Dignity and Respect Policy Review

The Board considered correspondence received from the Chief Executive and Clerk relating to the Commission’s review of the Dignity and Respect Policy. The Board agreed to consider the implications of the findings of the review of the Dignity and Respect Policy on its own policies, as recommended to the Board by the Senedd Commission, for example the Grievance Policy and Disciplinary Policy.

Work Programme and Budget planning

The Board reviewed progress against its Strategic Work Programme and considered the resource requirements for its thematic review work in the next financial year. The Board agreed to inform the Commission as soon as possible of any additional funding requirements to help inform the Commission’s budget planning for 2024-25.

Residential Accommodation Expenditure

The Board considered information relating to increased hotel costs in Cardiff when major events are held in the city and the impact of this on the affordability of hotel stays for Members who live in the Intermediate Area. This matter will be explored as part of the Board’s thematic review of Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support, to be commenced later this year.  

Board governance

The Board considered and agreed changes to its Charter on ‘Governance Principles and Guidance on the Conduct of Business’ in light of the recommendations of the recently completed mid-term review of the Board’s effectiveness. The Charter, which explains the relationship between the Board and Senedd Commission, will be shared with the Commission for review and then published on the Board’s website.

New Chair of the Pension Board

The Board noted an update on the ongoing recruitment of a new Chair of the Pension Board Trustees and agreed to seek a meeting with the new Chair once appointed.

These updates will be provided to you following each meeting of the Board. In the meantime, should you have any matters you wish to raise with me or the Board, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing remuneration@senedd.wales.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Elizabeth Haywood

Chair, Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd

Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.