Agenda and minutes

1.   The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.   The Chair provided the Board with a brief update on her recent meeting with Richard Lloyd, Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

3.   The Board agreed the minutes of the 30 September 2021 meeting.

Paper 2

1.1        The Board received an update on Members’ physical security from Dave Tosh (Director of Resources), Kevin Tumelty (Head of Security) and James Attridge (Senior Security Manager), and an update on Members’ cyber security from Mark Neilson (Head of ICT and Broadcasting).

1.2        The Board welcomed the security reviews being undertaken for Members by Senedd Security and the steps being taken to recommend improvements. It noted estimated costs for the anticipated improvements and agreed that sufficient funds must be set aside from the Determination central funds to deliver recommendations deemed essential by Senedd Security for Members’ offices, residential accommodation in Cardiff Bay and main homes.

1.3        The Board welcomed the proposal for the Commission to appoint a Coordinator(s) to assist Members with implementing Senedd Security recommendations.

1.4        The Board clarified that, in relation to the administration of claims for work in Members’ main homes, section 2.4.1A of the Determination should be interpreted as the Board’s “pre-authorisation” for recommendations deemed essential by Senedd Security to be implemented and funded from Determination central funds, subject to the Determination’s overarching tests of value for money and reasonableness. The Board agreed to consult as part of its Annual Review of the Determination for 2022-23 on amending provisions so that it is clear that these claims are no longer dealt with under the exceptional expenses provisions, but handled in the same way as claims for offices/outer area Members’ residential accommodation.

1.5        The Board agreed to fund one additional personal security device per office (in addition to the one per Member already allocated) and to consider any future advice on – or evidence of – increasing needs of Members and support staff.

1.6        The Board reiterated its willingness to cover tax liabilities relating to security enhancements on Members’ main homes where costs are met by the Determination central funds. It requested that further work be undertaken to pursue appropriate arrangements in this context with HMRC.

1.7        The Board agreed to schedule annual reviews of the security provisions and support available to Members funded by the Determination to ensure that they remain sufficient.

1.8        The Board noted an update from Senedd ICT on ongoing work to ensure Members’ cyber security.

Actions: The Secretariat to:

·         Include in the consultation on the Annual Review of the Determination for 2022-23 a proposal to amend provisions as they relate to security enhancements for Members’ main homes so that it is clear that these claims are no longer dealt with under the exceptional expenses provisions but handled in the same way as claims for offices/outer area Members’ residential accommodation.

·         Programme an annual review of security provisions available to Members funded by the Determination to ensure that provisions remain appropriate.

Paper 3

1.1        The Board considered an update from Mark Neilson (Head of ICT and Broadcasting) and Joanna Grenfell (Information Governance Manager and the Board’s Data Protection Officer) on the current arrangements for the Board in relation to its own cyber security.

1.2        The Board agreed to use Senedd e-mail accounts provided by ICT for future Board business.

1.3        The Board also agreed to re-visit at a future date whether Senedd supplied hardware would be required, and agreed to consider advice on a case-by-case basis in the interim. 

Action: The Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements with Board members and ICT to set up Senedd provided accounts.

Paper 4 

1.1        The Board considered a revised Strategy following initial consideration at the September meeting and agreed to consider final minor amendments by email.

1.2        The Board agreed to publish its Strategy as soon as possible.

Action:  The Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements for publication and promotion of the Strategy in December 2021.

Paper 5

1.1        The Board considered requirements and policies currently mandated by the Board.

1.2        The Board gave consideration to the steps needed to improve clarity in relation to Board mandated requirements as part of its Annual Review of the Determination. The Board noted that its aim is to be clear that it will make decisions in relation to particular policies where the relevant matter has a direct financial consequence – any further detail will usually be a matter for the Senedd Commission to provide as additional guidance and/or templates of good practice for Members as employers.

1.3        The Board also agreed to:

-      consult on the details of mandated requirements for time off for public duties as part of the Annual Review of the Determination for 2022-23 (to be agreed by email after the meeting);

-      give further consideration to key points relating to volunteers at a future date;

-      return to the Board’s Disciplinary and Grievance procedures once the current Dignity and Respect Review being undertaken by the Senedd Commission had concluded, given its relevance.

Actions: The Secretariat to:

·         programme consideration of the Volunteer, Disciplinary, and Grievance policies at a future meeting;

·         include in the consultation on the Annual Review of the Determination for 2022-23 details of proposals relating to requirements for time off for public duties.

·         Annual Review of the Determination: Approach and consultation – Paper 6

·         Annual Review of the Determination: Residential Accommodation Expenditure – Paper 7

·         Annual Review of the Determination: Members’ remuneration, staffing support for Members and support for political parties – Paper 8

·         Annual Review of the Determination: Office and Constituent Liaison Fund – Paper 9

·         Miscellaneous amendments to the Determination – Paper 10

Paper 6 – Approach and consultation;

Paper 7 – Residential Accommodation Expenditure;

Paper 8 – Members Remuneration, staffing support and support for political parties;

Paper 9 – Office and Constituent Liaison Fund;

Paper 10 – Miscellaneous amendments to the Determination;

1.1        The Board considered a number of issues related to its Determination for the next financial year (2022-23).

1.2        In relation the Residential Accommodation Expenditure the Board agreed to consult on the following proposals:

-      For “outer area” Members, an uprate in the allowance in accordance with the September 2021 CPI rate (3.1 per cent);

-      For the “carer’s allowance”, an uprate in accordance with the September 2021 CPI rate (3.1 per cent);

-      For the “essential repairs” allowance, to maintain it at its 2021-2022 level;

-      For “intermediate area” Members, an uprate in the allowance in accordance with the September 2021 CPI rate (3.1 per cent);

-      To increase the maximum nightly amount that may be claimed for hotel accommodation by 3.1 per cent, in line with the September 2021 CPI rate.

1.3        In relation to Members’ salaries, the Board noted the latest ASHE figure for Wales, published on 26 October 2021, of 0.4 per cent. The Board further noted that this would result in a 0.4 per cent increase being applied to Members’ and office holders’ salaries for 2022-23, in accordance with the annual indexation mechanism outlined in section 3.2 of the Determination.

1.4        In relation to support staff salaries, the Board agreed that the need to maintain a consistent approach to determining allowances, coupled with the volatility in the relevant indices that exists, makes the continued application of the annual indexation mechanism (including its provision for a minimum and maximum adjustment) appropriate. On that basis, the Board noted that a 0.4 per cent increase (ASHE) will apply to support staff salaries for 2022-23, in accordance with the annual indexation mechanism outlined in sections 7.3 and 8.4 of the Determination.

1.5        In relation to the Support for Political Party Allowance, the Board agreed that it should consult using the same methodology as used in 2021-22 for increasing the total value of the allowance, so that: the proportion of the total amount that is spent on salaries (86.3* per cent of the total allowance) is increased by the ASHE index of 0.4 per cent; and the remainder of the allowance (13.7* per cent) is adjusted by the September 2021 CPI rate of 3.1 per cent, meaning an increase in the total value of the Allowance for 2022-23 of 0.77* per cent.

[*Figures used in the papers considered by the Board were corrected in written correspondence from the Clerk on 17 December 2021 and agreed by the Board via email]

1.6        Reviewing the Office and Constituent Liaison Fund, the Board agreed to consult on a proposal to uprate the Fund by the September 2021 CPI rate (3.1 per cent). The Board further agreed to re-visiting this rate before the Determination for 2022- 23 is finalised and published, in order  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Paper 11

1.1        The Board noted updates on: 

-      arrangements relating to the Board’s Data Protection Officer;

-      the impact of Covid-19 arrangements on Senedd business;

-      the motion to approve the Commission’s Budget for 2022-23;

-      the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform;

-      the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales;

-      the Youth vote in Wales;

-      written statements form the Welsh Government relevant to the Board’s work;

-      correspondence to the Llywydd from the Electoral Commission;

-      the rules for lobbying in Westminster;

-      issues related to the Members’ Pension Scheme; and

-      a finance update.

1.2        The Board noted its forward work programme.