Agenda and minutes

1.1     The Interim Chair welcomed the Board back to the meeting.

·         Paper 10 – Note on Carers Allowances provided by Research Service

2.1     The Board considered a paper provided by the Research Service which outlines the current support available in the National Assembly for Wales and how it compares to the other Legislatures in the UK. The paper also outlines potential models for support.

2.2     The Board agreed that challenges experienced by a fuller spectrum of carers should be considered during the Board’s deliberations on a Determination for the fifth assembly.

2.3     The Board agreed not to consult Assembly Members on options to support Members with caring responsibilities at this time, but to return to the issue as part of the package for the 5th Assembly.

·         Paper 11 – Note provided by Commission staff

3.1     The Board noted that the Chair had received a request asking the Remuneration Board to review the Residential Accommodation Expenditure available to Members whose main homes are located in the outer area.

3.2     The Board considered whether the current limit of £8,400 per annum is sufficient, and whether it should be subject to either immediate review or included as part of the annual review of the Determination in April 2014.

3.3     The Board noted that there is a large range of rental prices in Cardiff and agreed that further research of the rental market in Cardiff should be completed for a more accurate assessment in the New Year.

Action:

·         Members’ Business Support Team to review the range of rental prices for properties in Cardiff within the current limit of £8,400 per annum and report back to the Board.

·         Paper 12 – Note on exceptional allowances provided by Legal Services

4.1     The Board noted that the Chair had received a request asking the Remuneration Board to review exceptional expenses incurred, or to be incurred, in connection with the performance of the duties of Assembly Members.

4.2     The Board considered a paper clarifying the existing practice and setting out a possible way forward which seeks to balance the need for discretion for the applicant, with clear and sound governance, which had been provided by Legal Services.

4.3     The Board agreed that the Determination should be amended and that a consultation should not be issued to Assembly Members. However, the Board agreed that Assembly Members should be informed of any changes made on exceptional expenses in the Determination.

Action:

·         Secretariat or Members’ Business Support to amend the Determination to reflect proposals in the paper.

·         Paper 13 – Work Programme

5.1 The Board noted the work programme for the Remuneration Board up to early 2015 which includes activity taking place in between meetings.

5.2 The Board agreed that the meetings on 21 March and 20 June should be provisionally arranged as two day meetings, owing to the amount of work to be considered during those two days.

5.3 The Board agreed that the 12 week period for public consultation on AM salaries in the fifth Assembly must be factored into forthcoming work programmes to be considered by the Board.

Action:

·         Secretariat to write to all Assembly members updating them on the issues discussed and decisions made by the Board at this meeting.