Meetings

4.1 The Board considered the matter of the Residential Accommodation Expenditure and the responses to its consultation on whether to amend the Determination so that Members whose main home is outside Wales are eligible for residential accommodation expenditure. 

4.2 In coming to its decision, the Board was guided by its remit and duties under the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 to ensure that no Member is impeded from undertaking the role they have been elected to do by putting in place a system of financial support that enables them to carry out their work effectively.

4.3 The Board noted that it had received 41 consultation responses. The Board also noted that there was significant opposition to the proposal by the Board to amend the Determination.

4.4 The Board agreed that it was a matter for the legislature in setting eligibility requirements for candidates to be an AM, and a matter of judgement for the electorate in deciding whom to elect. It would therefore not be a matter over which the Board has authority. The Board agreed that its functions were to set reasonable allowances for those who have been elected to the National Assembly for Wales.

4.5 Taking into account the responses to the consultation, the Board concluded that it would not change the Determination.

4.6 The Board agreed to exercise its discretion to deal with the exceptional circumstances of a Member whose main home is outside Wales on a case by case basis by paying for any expenses necessarily incurred in connection with the performance of their role as a Member.

4.7 The Board agreed to maintain the existing arrangements to reimburse hotel accommodation where necessarily incurred in connection with Assembly duties in Cardiff, which had been working satisfactorily to date. The Board agreed that well established controls were in place to ensure that such claims are reasonable and provide value for money.

Action points:

·         The Board agreed to write to the Members concerned directly to inform him of its decision.

·         The Board to write to all Assembly Members informing them of its decision and publish the letter on its web site.

8.1        The Board had an initial discussion on whether the Residential Allowance for Members should be revised.

8.2        The Board agreed to consider it further at its meeting in January, when it will consult Assembly Members with proposals.

Action:

·         Members’ Business Support to provide further information on whether Members’ contracts for residential accommodation include uprating mechanisms.

·         Paper 11 – Note provided by Commission staff

3.1     The Board noted that the Chair had received a request asking the Remuneration Board to review the Residential Accommodation Expenditure available to Members whose main homes are located in the outer area.

3.2     The Board considered whether the current limit of £8,400 per annum is sufficient, and whether it should be subject to either immediate review or included as part of the annual review of the Determination in April 2014.

3.3     The Board noted that there is a large range of rental prices in Cardiff and agreed that further research of the rental market in Cardiff should be completed for a more accurate assessment in the New Year.

Action:

·         Members’ Business Support Team to review the range of rental prices for properties in Cardiff within the current limit of £8,400 per annum and report back to the Board.

·         Paper 8, Annex A, B & C – Note from Clerk on the Interim Chair’s meeting with the Standards Commissioner, including a suggested response to Standards Commissioner letter

6.1     The Board considered correspondence from the Standards Commissioner, Gerard Elias QC, regarding the process in place for Assembly Members to claim overnight allowance.

6.2     The Board decided that the current procedures on overnight allowances were sufficiently robust and agreed not to amend the Determination.

6.3     The Board agreed that the Members’ Business Support team should issue a reminder to AMs that claims can only be made to reimburse expenses “necessarily” incurred “in connection with the performance of their role as Assembly Members.”

Actions:

·         Interim Chair to write to the Standards Commissioner explaining the Board’s decision to maintain the current procedure on overnight allowances;

·         Members’ Business Support Team to write to Assembly Members reminding them of the procedures in place to claim overnight allowances.