Meetings
Review of the Determination for the Sixth Senedd
This page gives details of any meetings held which will, or did, discuss the matter, and includes links to the relevant Papers, Agendas and Minutes.
Note: Meeting Agenda can change at short notice. Particularly where future meeting dates are indicated more than a week in advance. Please check before planning to attend a Committee Meeting that the item you are interested in has not been moved.
Meeting: 02/04/2020 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for decision: Review of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly
·
Summary of consultation responses – Paper 5
·
Outline of draft report for review – Paper 6
· Publication of review – Paper 7
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 2
- Restricted enclosure 3
- Restricted enclosure 4
Minutes:
4.1
The Board considered the responses it received
to its consultation on the draft Determination for the Sixth Senedd. The Board
noted its thanks for all those who provided responses. The Board considered all
the response and options with care.
4.2
The Board noted its intention, circumstances
allowing, to publish the Determination for the Sixth Senedd by the end of May
2020.
Action
point:
- The
secretariat to prepare the Determination for the Sixth Senedd and accompanying
report for the Board’s agreement.
Meeting: 16/01/2020 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Item for decision: Outstanding issues on the determination for the Sixth Assembly
·
Additional
advice on R.A.E, Office Costs and Travel – Paper 3
·
Additional
advice on Staffing Support for Members and Political Parties – Paper 4
·
Additional
advice on Members’ remuneration, Additional Support and Members leaving office
– Paper 5
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 7
- Restricted enclosure 8
- Restricted enclosure 9
- Restricted enclosure 10
- Restricted enclosure 11
- Restricted enclosure 12
- Restricted enclosure 13
Minutes:
2.1
The Board welcomed Sulafa Thomas to the meeting.
2.2
The Board discussed proposals for R.A.E., Office
costs, travel, staffing support and Members leaving office.
2.3
The Board discussed the transfer of Commission funded
stationery costs to the Determination and agreed that it was too early to do so
now. It was minded to agree that the transfer would occur from the start of the
Sixth Assembly
2.4
The Board considered the draft Determination
line by line and agreed to consider the amendments and approve the final draft
for consultation via email.
2.5
The Board considered the draft consultation
document and agreed to consider amendments and approve the final version via
email.
2.6
The Board agreed to commission Diverse Cymru to
conduct an Equality Impact Assessment on the Determination to inform the final
version.
Meeting: 16/01/2020 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Item for decision: Consultation on the Determination for the Sixth Assembly
·
Overview of the draft Determination – Paper 6
·
Annex A - Full Determination
·
Annex B - Draft consultation document
· Publication of consultation – Paper 7
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 16
- Restricted enclosure 17
- Restricted enclosure 18
- Restricted enclosure 19
Minutes:
3.1
The Board considered options for how it wishes
to publish its consultation on the draft determination.
3.2
The Board considered and agreed the key messages
and the timescales of the consultation on the Determination.
Action point:
-
Secretariat to publish the draft Determination
and issue the attached documents for consultation in accordance with the
communication strategy agreed by the Board.
Meeting: 21/11/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: initial consideration of full consultation on Determination
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 22
- Restricted enclosure 23
Minutes:
5.1 The Board undertook it initial
consideration of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly in its entirety along
with remining issues to capture as part of the final consultation process in
January.
5.2 The Board agreed to consider the Determination line by line
as amended ahead of issuing consultation at the end of January.
Meeting: 21/11/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Part three consultation responses
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 26
- Restricted enclosure 27
- Restricted enclosure 28
- Restricted enclosure 29
Minutes:
4.1 The Board considered the responses received to its consultation of part three of the review of the Determination.
4.2 The Board agreed to
implement Proposal 1 to maintain Members’ remuneration under the current arrangements
and to continue to index Members’ salaries to ASHE.
4.3 The Board agreed to
implement Proposal 2 to make provision for the remuneration of Counsel General
Designate.
4.4 In considering the
above for consistency within the Determination the Board agreed to consult of
proposals to remunerate a First Minister Designate. The Board agreed to consult
on the provision as part of the consultation on the full Determination in
January.
4.5 The Board noted the
support from all responses for Proposal 3 to develop a new chapter in the
Determination to provide support for Members with disabilities and agreed to
consult on specific text as part of the consultation of the full Determination
in January.
4.6 The Board agreed in
principle to develop Proposal 4, looking at support for Members with childcare
and caring and agreed to consult on proposals as part of the consultation on
the full Determination in January.
4.7 In agreeing the
above the Board also agreed to implement proposal 5 to publish costs on an anonymous
and aggregated basis.
4.8 The Board also
agreed to develop provision in relation to Proposal 6, support for Members
taking maternity, adoptive or shared parental leave. The Board agreed to
consult on the details of the provisions as part of the full Determination in
January.
4.9 In considering a
response about providing support for Members aged over 65 the Board that the
changes and additions made to the Determination as a result of this part of the
review would cover the needs of Members aged 65 and over.
Action point:
-
The
secretariat to issue the Board’s decision letter as soon as possible.
Meeting: 21/11/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly - Part two summary of consultation responses
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 32
- Restricted enclosure 33
Minutes:
3.1 The Board considered the responses to its consultation.
3.2 In relation to Proposal 1 the Board agreed to implement the proposal for the Sixth Assembly and the remainder of the Fifth Assembly so that there is no restriction on the ability of Members to recruit on fixed term contracts longer than six months up to a period of 18 months in duration to be subject to a fair and open recruitment process.
3.3 Further to the implementation of Proposal 1, for the Sixth Assembly, the Board also agreed that in relation to fixed term contracts for maternity leave these should aligned with statutory provisions of maternity leave and up to a period of 12 months.
3.4 Considering Proposals 2 and 6 relating to allowing a Member or Party Leader to determine starting salary and decide incremental pay rises following probation, the Board agree to implement for the Sixth Assembly. The Board also agreed to recommend the next Board reviews the process 12 months after implementation.
3.5 The Board agreed with the responses calling for consultation on the guidance relating to the starting salary criteria and agreed for the secretariat to liaise with Representative Groups in developing the guidance.
3.6 The Board agreed to implement Proposals 3, 7 and 8 and agreed that as outlined in the Proposals the circumstances of support staff being made redundant would be unexpected and therefor a 100 per cent uplift should apply.
3.7 Considering the responses the Board also agreed that 100 per cent uplift to redundant staff should also apply as a result of ill health as this could also be an unexpected circumstance.
3.8 The Board did not however agree to apply 100 per cent uplift to redundant staff affected by the Boards’ previous decision in April 2019 concerning the employment of family members, as this circumstance would be expected.
3.9 The Board agreed to implement Proposals 4 and 9 relating to higher education placements for longer than four weeks to be paid a salary equivalent to the band three minimum. The Board also agreed to develop guidance for internships and believes that this approach would assist in meeting the objectives of equality, openness and fairness.
3.10 The Board agreed to implement Proposals 3 and 10 relating to introducing a procedure for volunteer placements in Members and Group offices.
3.11 In relation to Part two of the consultation focusing on proposals to amend the Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme Rules, the Board agreed to implement the changes. The Pension team will now instruct Eversheds on the Board behalf to make the necessary changes to the Pension Scheme’s Rules.
3.12 The Board also considered other matters raised in consultation responses to this part of the review.
3.13 The Board considered issues raised in a number of responses concerning the salary levels of support staff. The Board remains of the view that there is no additional evidence for the Board to consider at this time, following on from the Board’s recent Review of Staffing Support ... view the full minutes text for item 3
Meeting: 19/09/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 36
- Restricted enclosure 37
Minutes:
5.1 The Board considered updates on the
Political Parties Support Allowance and the Employment of Political Group
Staff.
5.2 The Board agreed not to consider any changes
in relation to the identity of the employer of group staff at this time. They
agreed that any decisions in respect of the identity of the employer of group
staff would best be undertaken as part
of the wider review of Assembly reform.
5.3 The Board noted that legislation on the
size of the Assembly is not expected to
be introduced until the next Assembly term, and agreed that this issue should
be highlighted in it legacy report for the new Board in 2020.
5.3
The Board agreed to consider the Political Parties Support Allowance as part of
its annual review of the Determination for the remainder of the Fifth Assembly.
5.4 The Board agreed that any changes to
formula or structure of the allowance would need to be considered in the
context of Assembly reform. Therefore, it was agreed that this should be
highlighted in the Board’s legacy report to the new Board in 2020.
Action
points:
-
To
consider the Party Political Support Allowance as part of the annual review of
the Determination at a future meeting.
-
To
include in the Board’s legacy report to be published in summer 2020.
Meeting: 19/09/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Consultation proposals part three
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 40
Minutes:
4.1 The Board considered the issues which fall
under part three of the review regarding salaries of Members,
office holders, leaving office and additional support.
4.2 The Board agreed to consult on its
proposals to amend these chapters of the Determination.
4.3 The closing date for the consultation will
be 11 November 2019.
Action
point:
-
Issue
and promote the consultation;
-
Prepare
a summary of responses for consideration at a future meeting
Meeting: 04/07/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Part One consultation responses
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 43
- Restricted enclosure 44
Minutes:
2.1
The Board considered the responses to its consultation.
2.2
In relation to Proposal 1 the Board agreed to consider a form of words to
remove interest payment on mortgages in 2026, but to honour existing current
contractual arrangements. The Board also agreed to consider this issue further
in the final consultation of the Determination in the new year.
2.2
The Board agreed to implement Proposal 2 as outlined.
2.3
In relation to Proposal 3, the Board agreed to replace the word ‘Esteem’ with
‘Reputation’ and delete the words ‘mandatory’. The Board also agreed to remove
the reference to ‘public transport’ and change to ‘easily accessible and
reachable to the public’.
2.4
In considering the responses to Proposals 4 and 5 the Board agreed not to
provide separate funding for lease valuation at this stage but to bear these changes
in mind when considering the total value of the allowance at the end of the
review.
2.5
Considering the responses to Proposals 6 and 7 the Board agreed to amend the
wording to provide clarification that Members are not constrained to purchasing
through the Commission although if Members choose to purchase from other
suppliers then there will be no Commission support available.
2.6
The Board agreed to implement Proposals 8 and 9 as drafted.
2.7
The Board agreed to issue a letter outlining its decisions as soon as possible.
Action
point:
The
secretariat to issue the Board’s response to the consultation as soon as
possible.
Meeting: 04/07/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Second consideration of part three
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 47
Minutes:
4.1 The Board undertook its second
consideration of the issues which fall under part three of the review regarding
salaries of Members, office holders leaving office and additional support.
4.2
The Board agreed to return to these issues at its next meeting.
Meeting: 04/07/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Consultation proposal part two
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 50
- Restricted enclosure 51
- Restricted enclosure 52
Minutes:
3.1
The
Board considered the provisions within the staffing support allowances chapters
of the Determination which fall under part two of the review.
3.2
The
Board agreed to consult on its proposals to amend these chapters of the
Determination.
3.3
The
closing date for the consultation would be 11 October 2019.
3.4
The
Board considered issues related to the Political Party Support Allowance and
agreed to return to this issue at its next meeting.
Action
point:
The
secretariat to :
-
issue
and promote the consultation;
-
prepare
a summary of the responses for the Board’s consideration at a future meeting
Meeting: 23/05/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Second consideration of issues arising under part two
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 55
Minutes:
4.1 The Board undertook its second consideration of the issues which
fall under part two of the review regarding the support provided to both
Members and Political Parties, chapters 7 and 8 of the Determination.
4.2 The Board agreed to return to these issues
at its next meeting
Meeting: 23/05/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: First consideration of part three
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 58
Minutes:
5.1
The Board undertook it first consideration of the issues which fall under part
three of the review focusing on salaries of Members and office holders leaving
office and additional support.
5.2
The Board agreed to return to these issues at its next meeting.
Meeting: 21/05/2019 - Standards of Conduct Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 6)
6 Remuneration Board: Review of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly
SoC(5)-07-19
Paper 6 – Consultation Document
Supporting documents:
Minutes:
6.1
Members noted the consultation for the Determination for the Sixth Assembly.
6.2
It was agreed that the Chair would submit a response on a number of points
raised by the Members.
Meeting: 21/03/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 6)
Item for discussion: Evaluation of the Senior Advisor role: Report by Capital People (continued)
Minutes:
6.1.
As
item 5.
Meeting: 21/03/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: First consideration of part two (continued)
Minutes:
4.1.
As
item 3.
Meeting: 21/03/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: First consideration of part two
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 69
Minutes:
3.1. The Board undertook its first
consideration of the issues which fall under part two of the review regarding
the support provided to both Members and Political Parties, chapters 7 and 8 of
the Determination respectively.
3.2. The Board agreed to return to these
issues at its next meeting.
Meeting: 21/03/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Item for discussion: Evaluation of the Senior Advisor role: Report by Capital People
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 72
- Restricted enclosure 73
Minutes:
1.1. The Board welcomed Paul Clayton and
Joe Glover, who were representing Capital People, to the meeting.
1.2. The Chair invited Paul and Joe to
provide an overview of the report to the Board and to respond to the points of
clarification raised.
1.3. The Board agreed to return to the
issue at a future meeting.
Action point:
The
secretariat to liaise with Capital People on behalf of the Board to agree the
next steps.
Meeting: 21/03/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Item for decision: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Third consideration of part one
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 76
- Restricted enclosure 77
Minutes:
1.1. The Board considered the provisions
within the Residential Accommodation Expenditure, Members’ travel and the Office
Costs chapters of the Determination which fall under part one of the review.
1.2. The Board agreed to consult on its
proposals to amend these chapters of the Determination.
1.3. The closing date for the consultation
would be 7 June 2019.
Action points:
The
secretariat to:
-
issue
and promote the consultation;
-
prepare
a summary of the responses for the Board’s consideration at a future meeting.
Meeting: 17/01/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Second consideration of part one (continued)
Minutes:
1.1.
As
item 3.
Meeting: 17/01/2019 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Second consideration of part one
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 82
- Restricted enclosure 83
- Restricted enclosure 84
- Restricted enclosure 85
Minutes:
3.1. The Board considered the provisions
within the Residential Accommodation Expenditure, Members’ travel and the
Office Costs chapters of the Determination which fall under part one of its
review.
3.2.
The
Board agreed to return to the issues raised at its next meeting.