Meetings

Commissioners noted information being provided to the Public Accounts Committee in response to a request that the Commission write by September 2021 to set out what engagement it has carried out with other public bodies, and the steps it intends to take to improve expenditure with Welsh suppliers as a result.

Commissioners noted the Commission’s response to the PAC report, which had been provided since the last meeting.

Commissioners noted the PAC report, published on 26 November, and agreed that the response be agreed out of meeting by the portfolio holder.

Commissioners noted additional information which had been provided to the Public accounts Committee  following the evidence session relating to scrutiny of the 2019-20 budget, in September.

Commissioners considered proposals for a supplementary budget, in the region of £0.35 million, to be included in the Welsh Government’s budget motion.

The primary drivers for the supplementary budget were:

•          Underspend on the Remuneration Board’s Determination (reduce the allocation to meet the Determination costs by £0.500 million); and

•          The mid-year IAS19 pension finance cost calculation (increase the Pension finance Cost Budget by £0.150 million).

Commissioners noted and approved the Explanatory Memorandum which will decrease the 2019-20 Budget by £0.35 million; and a letter to the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Paper 6 - Assembly Commission 1st Supplementary Budget 2019-20 Explanatory Memorandum

5.1 The Committee noted that the previous version considered on 15 May 2019 was submitted in error and agreed the correct version of the Assembly Commission’s First Supplementary Budget 2019-20.

Paper 10 – Assembly Commission 1st Supplementary Budget 2019-20 Explanatory Memorandum

5.1 The Committee considered and noted the First supplementary budget request from the Assembly Commission.

Commissioners were presented with a paper explaining the impact of the increases to employer pension contributions to the Civil Service Pension Scheme which took effect on 1 April 2019.

The paper confirmed information had been received from Cabinet Office that employer pension contributions to the Civil Service Pension Scheme will increase on average from 21% to 28%.

Commissioners noted the written statement by the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd. They considered the need for a supplementary budget to meet this need and agreed to submit an Explanatory Memorandum which will increase the staffing budget (pension contributions) by £0.965million.

Commissioners noted/agreed the letter to the Chair of the Finance Committee

The Explanatory Memorandum (Supplementary budget) will be laid in accordance with Standing Orders, during May/June 2019.

Commissioners were updated on the progress of the Assembly Commission Budget for 2019-20 through its scrutiny process. The Finance Committee had reported and Commissioners agreed a Commission response to the recommendations raised in the Finance Committee Report. Commissioners agreed the final budget document for 2019-20 will be laid on 7 November 2018. This will debated in Plenary on 14 November.

Commissioners considered two changes made to the draft budget since their 9 July Commission meeting. These related to the pension finance cost and the Remuneration Board’s Determination budget. 

Finance Committee scrutiny of the draft budget is expected on 3 October, and the Commission will consider the Committee’s report at the 5 November Commission meeting.

Commissioners approved the Assembly Commission 2019-20 Draft Budget, and agreed for it to be laid by 30 September, in line with the requirements of Standing Orders.

As part of the continuing development of the Commission Budget for 2019-20, Commissioners considered a number of emerging aspects of their approach to budgeting, and provided direction in order that preparation of the draft budget could continue in readiness for their consideration in September.

Their considerations included:

•        agreeing a response to the consultation letter from the Chair of the Remuneration Board to the Llywydd on their second consultation on proposals arising from a review of staffing support for Members;

•        forecasts for 2018-19;

•        presentation of the draft budget 2019-20, in light of recommendations from the Finance Committee; and

•        potential priority projects for 2019-20.

The Commission agreed this working paper should not be published.  The draft budget will be laid following the Commission’s final consideration in September.

Commissioners were updated on the progress of preparations of the Assembly Commission Budget for 2019-20. Their deliberations included the Finance Committee inquiry report and the Remuneration Board consultation, and an accounting change for next financial year, relating to leases, was outlined.

Commissioners noted the outcome of the Remuneration Board consultation; and indicative priority projects to be included in the budget document. They also agreed to respond to the Finance Committee recommendations and provided a further steer for continuing work on the budget plans for 2019-20.

The draft budget will be laid following the Commission’s final consideration in September.