Meetings

-          The Board noted recent correspondence from the Chief Executive of the Senedd Commission and from the Llywydd.

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

5.      

6.      

6.1.     The Board noted the report by the Standards of Conduct Committee and agreed to consider the issues raised as part of its review of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly.

1.1.      The Board noted the correspondence from the Llywydd and the implications of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill to the Board.

Action point:

The Board to respond to the Llywydd.

5.1   The Board noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services and the Electoral Commission regarding the report by the Wales Governance Centre, “Unpacking Diversity: Barriers and incentives to standing for election to the National Assembly for Wales”.

5.2    The Board noted the written statement by the Llywydd, “Creating a Parliament for Wales” and the accompanying report outlining the finding of the recent public consultation.

5.3    The Board noted the report by the Electoral Reform Society, “New Voices: How Welsh Politics can begin to reflect Wales”.

1.      

2.      

3.      

4.      

5.      

6.      

7.      

7.1.     The Board noted the:

-     the correspondence from the Labour Group and agreed to respond to the issues raised;

-     the Dignity and Respect survey statement and results report.

Action point:

The Board to respond to the Labour Group.

1.     

2.     

3.     

4.     

5.     

6.     

6.1.    The Board noted the correspondence from IPSA on its consultation on MPs’ remuneration and IPSA’s publication policy.

Action point:

The Board to respond to the letter to request that it be kept informed of the outcome of the work being undertaken given the direct relevance to its work.

1          

2          

3          

4          

5          

6          

7          

7.1         The Board noted:

-             the correspondence from the Finance Committee regarding its inquiry into the Remuneration Board’s Determination Underspend;

-             the report by the Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform, A Parliament that works for Wales.

1.  

2.  

3.  

4.  

5.  

6.  

7.  

7.1. The Board noted the correspondence from Lord Bew, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

4.1 The Board noted the:

·         correspondence by the Llywydd regarding the Commission’s intention to introduce legislation to change the name of the Assembly and the consequential change to the Board’s name (Paper to note 1);

·         Digital Taskforce’s ‘Creating a Digital Dialogue’ report to aid the Board’s discussion on its future engagement strategy (Paper to note 2);

·         Commission on Parliamentary Reform ‘Report on the Scottish Parliament’, in particular the recommendations regarding the remuneration of Members (Paper to note 3).

5.1 The Board noted the Gorwel’s report ‘Has Wales developed a political elite?’.

5.1 The Board noted the Wales Governance Centre and Electoral reform Society report ‘Reshaping the Senedd – How to elect a more effective Assembly’.

10.1 The Board noted the Northern Ireland Assembly Independent Financial Review Panel annual report 2015-16 and the appointment letter from the Presiding Officer to the new Assembly Commissioners.

The Paper was noted.

• Correspondence from Presiding Officer following the Assembly Commission meeting - Paper 9

6.1 The Board noted the correspondence from the Assembly Commission and agreed to respond. The Chair emphasised the importance of responding to the Assembly Commission and queries from all individual Assembly Members.

8.1 The Board noted the Northern Ireland Assembly Independent Financial Review Panel Annual report 2013/14 and the correspondence on Residential Accommodation Expenditure.

5.1 The Board noted the letter from the Chief Executive of the National Assembly for Wales on the Policy and Research Fund.

5.2 The Board noted the response from the Standards Commissioner on the policy and research fund for local communication and engagement after the next election.

5.3 The Board noted the letter from the Presiding Officer on the Strategic priorities of the Assembly Commission and agreed to respond highlighting issues which would be useful to discuss at its meeting in November.

5.4 The Board noted the letter from the Counsel General’s Private Office regarding his responsibilities and agreed to approach the Welsh Government to ask for further details on his remit.

·        Determination for the final year of the current mandate of the Northern Ireland Assembly – Paper 12

·        Consultation on NI Assembly Members’ constituency office rents – Paper 13

6.1 The Board noted the papers from the Northern Ireland Assembly on their Determination for the final year of the current scheme and their consultation on constituency office rents.

·         Work Programme 2014-15 – Paper 6a

·         Review of Support for Committees – Paper 6b

·         IPSA report on MP’s pay and pensions – Paper 6c

6.1     The Board noted the work programme for the Remuneration Board, the report on the Review of Support for Committees, and the IPSA report on MP’s pay and pensions.

Action:

·                     Secretariat to write to all Assembly members updating them on the issues discussed and decisions made by the Board at this meeting and requesting a response to issues raised in the note.