Meetings

Commissioners considered a proposal that a Supplementary Budget should be laid, to reduce the Commission’s 2020-21 budget from £61.411 million to £59.575 million.

This was to reflect the announcement by HM Treasury that the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 16 – Leases is to be delayed for 12 months until 1 April 2021. This does not alter the Commission’s 2020-21 cash requirement of £56.075 million.

Commissioners agreed to submit an Explanatory Memorandum (Appendix one), to reflect the announcement by HM Treasury, and noted the change to the scrutiny timetable associated with the Welsh Government budget timetable. The Explanatory Memorandum would be laid in the usual way.

Commissioners were updated on the progress of the Assembly Commission Budget for 2020-21 through its scrutiny process. They accepted adjustments that had been made to provide information about costs relating to the Standards Commissioner more clearly. They also agreed that further adjustment should be made to reflect the recent Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings (ASHE) estimates published by the Office for National Statistics, and used in the Determination.

Commissioners noted the timetable for budget activity during November 2019, and agreed their response to the recommendations raised in the Finance Committee Report and their Final Budget for 2020-21, subject to the adjustment above being reflected in both.

Commissioners gave further consideration to their proposed draft budget 2020-21 in preparation for laying it no later than 1 October.

They discussed changes in the operational and overall budget along with project fund priorities. They also noted amendments required to account for the new International Financial Accounting Standard (IFRS) 16 – Leases and a letter sent from the Finance Minister to the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Commissioners discussed and approved the 2020-21 Draft Budget, subject to some minor narrative adjustments.

Commissioners continued consideration of their proposals for the budget strategy for financial year 2020-21.

The two main areas discussed were the overall budget requirement for 2020-21; including the impact of the 2019-20 first supplementary budget for pension costs; and the emerging Commission investment priorities for 2020-21. They discussed a number of themes including archiving, the website and engagement activities.

Budget proposals will be laid in line with Standing Orders in September.

Commissioners began initial discussions about their approach to the budget strategy for financial year 2020-21.

Commissioners discussed proposals for the budget strategy and the overall budget requirement for 2020-21 and the following 2 years. Specifically, this discussion centred around the Commission’s priorities for the final year of this Assembly and Commissioner’s noted that a further discussion would be needed on the increase to the Employer Pension Contributions to the Civil Service Pension Scheme, when more information is made available.

They also agreed a response to the Finance Committee’s request for views on budgetary guidance.

The Commission’s ‘20-21 budget will be laid in accordance with the requirements of Standing Orders, in September.