Meetings

7.1 The Board considered a paper outlining the impact of the new Determination and other matters that have arisen since the start of the Fifth Assembly. The Board made these decisions based on the remit and responsibilities set out in the Remuneration (2010) Measure.

Residential Accommodation Expenditure (RAE)

7.2 The Board noted that the Determination does not provide Members whose main home is not within Wales with the same support as is available to other Members to exercise the office to which they have been elected by the people of Wales.

7.3 The Board noted that neither Welsh Legislation or electoral law identify any residential qualification to stand for election as an Assembly Member.

7.4 The Board agreed that it should ensure that all Assembly Members have appropriate and reasonable resource in place to represent their constituents to the very best of their ability.

7.5 The Board considered its approach to consultation. The Board agreed to consult Assembly Members and the public.

7.6 The Board agreed to consider the responses to the consultation and make a decision outside Board meetings in order for a decision to be implemented as close as possible to the beginning of the autumn term 2016.

Furniture Allowance

7.7 The Board noted that New Members are entitled to make a one-off requisition for office furniture to equip their new office, to a maximum cost of £5,000.

7.8 Members’ Business Support have had representations to expand this definition beyond furnishings to cover items not payable by the landlord but admissible within the office costs budget that improve the working environment for staff and visitors.

7.9 Board members agreed that MBS should have additional flexibility in interpreting the definition of the furniture allowance for Members in this way.

Security in constituency and regional offices

7.10 The Board noted that, following the tragic death of Jo Cox MP, the Assembly Commission had requested a briefing paper on the current security provisions for Assembly Members, particularly the support available when they are away from the Assembly estate. The Board noted that many simple precautions could be made to ensure the safety and security of Assembly Members.

7.11 Board Members indicated that they would prioritise any security matters highlighted by the Assembly Commission which were within the Board’s remit.

Individual Business Cases

7.12 The Board considered individual Business Cases from Members’ in response to their exceptional circumstances.

Action point:

·         Letters would be sent to those affected by the Board’s decisions. Members Business Support to feed back the Board’s decisions to the Assembly Members who made business cases.