Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

The Llywydd paid tribute to the late Hefin David and noted his valuable contribution to the work of the Commission. The Llywydd further noted that the Commission expressed its sincere condolences to those close to Hefin.

There were no declarations of interest.

Commissioners sought clarity on the need for individuals affected to declare an interest when discussing budget provisions pertaining to decisions of the Independent Remuneration for Members standing down.

Commissioners agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 14 July 2025.

Matters arising: At the last meeting Commissioners discussed options for software provision and agreed to consult their Groups. The feedback received from Party Groups was summarised in a note provided.

Commissioners considered the feedback and agreed the software allocation for the 7^th Senedd – to increase the provision as recommended.

Commissioners considered the proposed 2026-27 Draft Budget.

The Draft Budget had been further developed since the Commission considered the Medium-Term Resourcing Framework in the meeting of 2 June.

Commissioners discussed the proposals and agreed:

a)          the pay award for Commission staff in 2026-27;

b)         a Project Fund (including £500k of capital) of £2million;

c)          To reduce the budget for Members’ Pension Finance costs from £1million to £400k; and

d)         To replace reference to the ‘Ways of Working’ Programme to the ‘Bay 32’ project.

Commissioners considered aspects of the budgetary provision for costs resulting from the election. They approved the draft Explanatory Memorandum as attached at Annex A, subject to changes to be finalised; and noted the letter from the Finance Minister.

The agreed Draft Budget would be laid before the Senedd and provided to the Finance Committee.

Commissioners received an update on the three major Ways of Working projects: Cardiff Bay 32, Siambr 2026 and Tŷ Hywel 2026

Commissioners gave in-principle approval (subject to consideration of a detailed paper later in the year) to the plan to enter into a Pre-Development Agreement with the supplier of the preferred future accommodation solution as part of the Bay 32 project.

They further considered the updated Bay 32 requirements catalogue and the changes made since the catalogue was last considered, and the rationale for these refinements. The requirements would be provided to the bidders in the Bay 32 competitive dialogue process, to inform the submission of their final proposals in October.

Commissioners approved the updated requirements catalogue for the Bay 32 procurement process, including the refinements as set out, for issue to bidders ahead of their final submissions.

Commissioners reviewed the options proposed for the acoustic panels and seating in the newly refurbished Senedd Siambr, and confirmed the preferred option to purchase 110 Humanscale Freedom task chairs for Members’ seating.

The acoustic panels would require urgent additional testing and the proposed final option would be presented to Commissioners out of meeting.

Commissioners considered a paper outlining that the Member Security team had seen an increase in online security threats and abuse on social media targeting elected representatives, and an increase in concerns being raised by Members relating to abuse online.

They reviewed how the UK and Scottish Parliaments address this and the proposed options for a similar service at the Senedd, and what further steps the Commission could take to support and protect the safety of elected representatives and their staff whilst engaging with constituents in a digital space.

Commissioners agreed the recommendations:

·       that the Commission undertake a trial, up to six months, using the existing social media monitoring platform PULSAR to monitor social media platforms for a select number of Members (up to 8), focusing entirely on threats and abuse above the criminal threshold.

·       that the Members’ Security Team

-       further explores the feasibility of defensive monitoring and Online Vulnerability Assessments; and

works with the Senedd Police Unit to further develop an option to work more collaboratively with South Wales Police and the three other Welsh forces, specifically investigating the feasibility of developing a process to report instances of malicious communications directly to the police when threats and abuse above the criminal threshold are detected.

Commissioners noted the re-introduction of the Commission Loans Pool for the temporary re-deployment of employees during the dissolution and post-election period of the Senedd.

Commissioners noted the work being undertaken to deliver improvements to ease in-person access to Commission services by Members for the Seventh Senedd, through the provision of a dedicated space.

Commissioners noted the letter from the Chief Executive to the Permanent Secretary in response to the request for information on the potential administration costs and savings of the Welsh Government’s forthcoming Member Accountability Bill.

Commissioners noted the routine update about ARAC meetings provided to the Commission.

Commissioners noted the routine summary of recruitment decisions provided to each Commission meeting.

• Member Survey

Commissioners were reminded that the Member Survey (also open to MSS) was open, along with the Dignity and Respect Survey. Commissioners were requested to remind their group members about it.