Agenda and minutes

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Angela Burns AM had sent their apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

paper 1

The minutes of the 7 July meeting were agreed.

paper 2

The draft budget document, previously considered at the July Commission meeting, had been updated.  As anticipated, further information had been included on the expected increased cost of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme for Commission staff, and the inclusion of indicative funding for future periods. A lower than anticipated figure for employer contributions to the PCSPS pension has been confirmed by the UK Government, removing the need for an exceptional item.

The Commissioners considered that the draft budget was entirely in line with both the needs of the Commission and the Finance Committee's expectations. Commissioners felt it will deliver a robust platform for the Fifth Assembly to work from and reflects the goals and strategic targets already agreed. Commissioners agreed the draft budget for 2015-16 and gave approval to lay the document on 25 September 2014.

The draft budget will be scrutinised by the Finance Committee on 2 October.

The next meeting will be held on 29 September. Commissioners will be focussing on performance issues, discussing the Corporate Performance report for the April to June period and the results of the Members and AMSS survey.

Peter Black will be appearing before the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee on 23 September to give evidence on the Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Secretariat

September 2014