Meetings

1.       

2.       

2.1.      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.

2.2.      The Board agreed to return to the issues raised at its next meeting.

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

4.1.     The Board considered the feedback received on the Disciplinary Procedure and Grievance Procedure and agreed to consult to amend both procedures to ensure they are up to date and align with the Assembly’s Dignity and Respect policy.

4.2.     The closing date for the consultation would be 13 December 2018.

4.3.     The Board agreed to review the support staff Code of Conduct once the review of the Code of Conduct for Assembly Members has been completed to ensure a consistent approach where necessary.

Action points:

The secretariat to:

-        issue and promote the consultation;

-        prepare a summary of the response for the Board’s consideration.

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

4.1.     The Board agreed to trial a new application form for Members who wish to make an application for exceptional expenses under section 2.4 of the Determination.

Action points:

The secretariat to:

-     publish the application form;

-     monitor any feedback received on the form.

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

5.      

6.      

6.1.     The Board agreed to establish a designated body that would be responsible for making decisions on behalf of support staff.

6.2.     The Board also agreed the body:

-     would comprise of the Head of Pensions and a representative from both the Board and the Commission;

-     should meet on an annual basis.

Action point:

The secretariat to establish the body and to keep the Board informed of its activities.

1.      

2.      

3.      

3.1.     The Board was informed of the current employment tribunal.

1.   

2.   

2.1.  The Board considered the scope of the review of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly and agreed:

-     which provisions within the Determination may require particular attention during the review;

-     how it may wish to group the issues raised for consideration;

-     to consider the most appropriate means of engaging with stakeholders on a case by case basis.

2.2.  The Board agreed to consider the implications of the Commission’s Assembly reform programme on the Determination once more information is available.

2.3.  The Board confirmed its intention to publish the Determination for the Sixth Assembly one year in advance of the general election.

2.4.  The Board agreed to consider a more detailed work programme for the review at its next meeting.

Action point:

The secretariat to prepare a detailed work programme for the Board’s consideration at its next meeting.

1.     

2.     

3.     

4.     

4.1.    The Board considered the issues raised as part of its mid-term review and agreed it was content the internal operation of the Board.

Action point

The Board to undertake a full review of its effectiveness towards the end of its term in office.

1.     

2.     

3.     

4.     

5.     

5.1.    The Board noted the revised Dignity and Respect Policy was approved by the Assembly during Plenary on 16 May.

5.2.    In light of the Policy being approved, the Board agreed to review the policies for which is responsible for. The Board agreed this work would be undertaken once the Standards of Conduct Committee has completed its inquiry into the Review of the Code of Conduct for Assembly Members.

Action point

The secretariat to inform the representative groups of the work the Board will be undertaking.

1.     

2.     

3.     

4.     

4.1.    The Board reviewed its past, current and future work programme against the four strategic priorities it agreed in its January 2017 report.

Action point:

The Board to publish a summary of its discussion in its annual report for 2017-18.

1          

2          

3          

4          

5          

6          

6.1         The Board considered the report by the Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform, A Parliament that Works for Wales, and received an updated on the Commission’s intention on taking the work forward.

6.2         The Board agreed to await the outcome of the public consultation and any subsequent legislation which may be introduced as a result of the consultation before considering the implications on its work.

1.     

2.     

2.1.    The Board agreed with the statement issued by the Llywydd, the Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee and the leaders of the party groups at the National Assembly for Wales that inappropriate behaviour has no place at the Assembly.

2.2.    The Board noted the Assembly Commission’s commitment to work with the Standards of Conduct Committee to develop a Respect and Dignity Policy.

2.3.    Following the completion of this work the Board will consider if it needs to undertake any further work to strengthen the provisions for Support Staff for dealing with any complaints between staff members, incorporate the same standards of fairness, thoroughness and support as in cases involving Members.

1.  

2.  

3.  

4.  

4.1. The Chair welcomed Professor Laura McAllister, Chair of the Expert Panel on Assembly electoral Reform, and Helen Finlayson, Clerk to the Panel, to the meeting.

4.2. Professor McAllister provided an overview of the Panel’s work which may be of relevance to the Board’s Determination for the Sixth Assembly.

Action point:

The Board to consider the implication of the Panel’s report and any legislative proposals which may be introduced by the Commission on the Board’s forward work programme.

3.1 The Board considered a paper outlining the work scheduled to be undertaken and forthcoming key decision required. The Board considered the work plan for the spring/summer term 2016.

3.2 Board member provided their views on the drop-in session held during the Plenary session on 6 July. The Board agreed that it was a useful exercise and that it should be repeated in the future to enhance relations with Assembly Members.

Enterprise Bill

3.3 The Board discussed the implications of the Enterprise Act 2016  . The Act imposes restrictions on “exit payments” to, among others, Assembly Members and members of the Welsh Government. At its previous meeting, the Board agreed to monitor discussions on how the arrangements under the Act will work in practice and to receive regular updates.

3.4 Subject to the response to matters raised by the Presiding Officer with the UK and Welsh Government, the Board agreed to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to raise concerns about provision in Part 9 of the Act , which conflict with the remit of the Remuneration Board and other remuneration panels in the UK.

3.5 The Board agreed that protection of the independence of the Board was a requirement of the  legislation which established the Board.

Pensions

3.6 The Board noted that the final pension scheme rules, including the contribution rate agreed by the Board, have been approved by HM Treasury.

3.7 The content of the new pension scheme rules have been communicated to Assembly Members via the document ‘The new Pension Scheme – what you need to know’.

Meeting dates

3.8 The Board agreed to consider dates for meetings after March 2017. The Secretariat to propose dates to Board members in May, July, September and November in 2017 and January and March 2018.

·        Update and Work Programme – Paper 2

2.1        The Board considered a paper outlining the work scheduled to be undertaken and forthcoming key decision required. The Board considered the work plan for the spring/summer term 2016.

Enterprise Bill

2.2        The Board discussed the outcome of discussions on the Enterprise Bill.

2.3        The Board noted that the Legislative Consent Motion was agreed by the Assembly, alongside assurances by the Minister for Public Services that the Government would not seek to exercise this power.

2.4        The Board outlined concerns with the principle that the Bill did not reflect the Remuneration Board’s role and remit in Wales.

Action point:

·         The Board agreed to monitor discussions on how the arrangements under the Bill will work in practice and seek an update from the Presiding Officer as to any commitments made by the Treasury.

Pensions

2.5        The Board noted that HM Treasury were considering the final pension scheme and that it was anticipated that formal approval of the scheme would be obtained in the coming weeks.

2.6         Following discussions between Michael Redhouse and the Government Actuary Department (GAD), the Board agreed to advise GAD that the contribution rate in the new pension scheme should be 10.5% for Members and 15.6% for the Assembly Commission. This would be reflected in the final scheme to HMT for approval.

2.7        The Board noted that the recruitment process for the appointment of an independent Chair of the new Pension Board for the National Assembly for Wales Member Pension Scheme was underway. Although Michael Redhouse was the Board’s representative on the recruitment panel, the Board noted that it was required to formally appoint the successful candidate following the recruitment exercise.

AMSS Job descriptions

2.8         The Board noted responses to the Members’ Business Support (MBS) consultation on AMSS job descriptions which would help them enhance the recruitment process and reflect the range of AMSS positions across Members’ offices and Groups. 

2.9        The Board agreed that the existing standard template for job descriptions for AMSS was fit for purpose.

 Update on Board finances and forecasting for the 2016/17 financial year

2.10     The Board noted the financial update for its work and the overall budget for Assembly Members.

2.11     The Board agreed that it should receive bi-annual reviews of its budget and the overall budget for Assembly Members. 

Action point:

·         The Board requested further information on the under-spend in the overall Members’ budget.

Proposals for a strategic away day in September

2.12     The Board agreed that it would hold its strategic away day in the Assembly’s Colwyn Bay Office to engage with AMSS based in constituency offices in North Wales.

2.13     The Board agreed that the away day should consist of inviting AMSS to attend a drop in session and individual visits to constituency offices to experience first-hand the challenges faced by AMSS. 

2.14     The Board agreed to consider a draft programme for the away day at its next meeting. This should include areas which the Board will wish to consider to help inform its decisions leading up to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2