Meetings

• Paper 4 – Update paper

• The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

§  The Board discussed the possibility of provision of a Handbook for Members of the Senedd.

Paper 7 – Update paper

§  The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme.

§  The Board noted correspondence received and issued since the last meetings.

§  The Board noted updates on the McCloud remedy, and the new Policy Advisory Group for the Support Staff Handbook.

Paper 5 – Update paper

§  The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

Item 10 – Update paper

·       The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

Paper 6 – Update Paper

§  The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

§  The Board noted the Senedd Commission’s internal audit of Members’ expenses for the financial year 2023/24 confirmed that there was ‘substantial’ level of assurance. The Board considered the internal audit proposal to strengthen the policy by specifying a list of admissible expenditure.  

Decision:

• The Board agreed that, in line with its principles and objective of simplification, the Determination did not require the inclusion of a specified list of relatively low value admissible items of expenditure.  

Action:

§  The Board to respond to Business Committee re consultation on Members’ Bills.

§  Secretariat to inform the Board when the Senedd Commission has approved the appointment of new Board members.

Paper 9 – Update paper (including Budget report update from Finance and quarterly review of Board budget)

§  The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

Paper 7 – Update paper (including Budget report update from Finance and quarterly review of Board budget)

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.

Paper 8 – Update paper (including Budget report update from Finance and quarterly review of Board budget)

§    The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

§    The Board asked for an update on the recruitment for new Board members and requested a copy of the skills matrix.

Action:

§    Secretariat to arrange the current Board’s final meeting on 11 September 2025.

Paper 8 – Update paper

§    The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme.

§    The Board noted correspondence received and issued since the last meeting.

Action:

§    Secretariat to liaise with the Senedd Commission regarding a date in the early Autumn for the next meeting to progress Board/Commission dialogue.

Any Other Business

§    The Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting to be held on Thursday 26 September 2024.

Item 8 – Update Paper (including Budget report update)

The Board noted the update paper and forward work programme.

Decision:

The Board agreed its programme of activity and meeting schedule for the next 12 months in order to develop, consult and publish the Determination for the Seventh Senedd by July 2025.

Any Other Business

The Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting to be held on Thursday 4 July 2024.

Paper 9 – Update Paper

§    The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and its forward work programme.

§    The Board noted correspondence received and issued since the last meeting.

§    The Chair updated the Board on recent meetings held with stakeholders.

Paper 5 – Update paper

• The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme. 

• The Board noted correspondence received and issued since the last meeting. 

Paper 10 – Update Paper

§  The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme.

§  The Board noted correspondence received since the last meeting.

§  The Board noted it was intended that a further meeting between the Chair and the Llywydd would be organised before Christmas.

§  The Board received an update on the constituency office visits that have been held with Members and their Support Staff since the last meeting. They also confirmed which visits are still to be undertaken.

§  The Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting which is to be held on Thursday 22 February 2024. 

Paper 8 – Update paper

§    The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme.

§    The Board noted an update on the McCloud Remedy for the Members Pension Scheme and the recruitment of a new Chair of the Pension Board.

§    The Board received an update from the Members’ Business Support Team and will receive an update in due course regarding the return of equipment and assets.

§    The Board received an update from Sir David Hanson on the constituency office visits that he undertook in September, visiting both Members and support staff.

§    The Chair welcomed Natasha Davies (Senior Researcher) to the team and noted the new team structure for the Board’s Secretariat.

§    The Board noted correspondence received from the Chief Executive and Clerk relating to budget planning for 2024-25.

§    The Board discussed the October 2023 budget report update with Lisa Bowkett (Acting Head of Finance) and Craig Griffiths (Head of Member Support and Engagement).

Paper 7 - Update paper

§    The Board noted updates on various matters relevant to its work and also its forward work programme.

§    The Board noted an update on the anticipated introduction of legislation on Senedd Reform in the autumn term and considered the possibility that the Board may be invited to provide evidence to Committees scrutinising the Bill. 

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

§    The Board received an update from the Members’ Business Support Team on issues arising including 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.  

§    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, in light of information on the work to be undertaken by the Standards Committee in respect of this Policy.

Action:

§    The Secretariat to seek information on the timetable for scrutiny of the anticipated Senedd reform legislation.

§    The Secretariat to arrange a meeting for the Board with the new Chair of the Pension Board following their appointment.

§    The Board to liaise with the Standards Committee on the work it intends to carry out in respect of the Dignity and Respect Policy.

Any Other Business

§    The Board agreed to review the process for administering Exceptional Expense claims made under 2.5 of the Determination, to ensure Members are clear on the process and that the Board receives sufficient information to be able to determine claims.

Paper 9 - Update paper

9       Update paper

- The Board noted the update paper and forward work programme.

- The Board agreed it needed more information on Committee remit before deciding on the salary for the new Chair of the Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee.

- The Board agreed to meet in Cardiff in July and October 2023 and committed to visit Members’ offices in the regions over the next year.

Action:

-       Secretariat to seek further information on the Committee.

-       Secretariat to incorporate plans for regional visits into the Communications and Engagement paper for July.

10     AOB

-       The Chair asked for an update on the Dignity and Respect policy review, noting that the Commission will consider an update at its next meeting on 19 June.

-       The Board noted that a recent Exceptional Expenses claim had come to an end on 8 May.

Action:

-       Secretariat to share Dignity and Respect documentation with Chair as an aide memoire.

-       Research to prepare economic forecast update for the July Board meeting.

Paper 7 - Update paper and forward work programme

7.1 The Board noted updates on:

·         the Annual review of the Determination;

·         the Board’s forward work programme;

·         the resourcing of the Board;

·         the Board’s Member engagement programme;

·         Senedd reform;

·         the home working allowance;

·         energy costs;

·         correspondence from the Chief Executive and Clerk (Members’ security arrangements and childcare provision); and

·         the Board’s finances. 

7.2 The Board agreed to schedule its next formal meeting for Thursday 7 July, in Cardiff.

Paper 8 – Update paper

Paper 8 – update paper

3.1         The Board noted updates on: 

-      the impact of Covid-19 arrangements on Senedd business;

-      the Board’s Member engagement programme;

-      the work of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform;

-      the Members’ Pension Scheme; and

-      finance.

3.2         The Board agreed to schedule its next formal meeting for Thursday 26 May.