Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Daniel Hurford
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Chair's Introduction (13.30 - 13.40) Paper 1 – Minutes from 12 October meeting Minutes: § The
Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mike Redhouse joined virtually. § The
Chair introduced Kate Innes, the Senedd Commission’s Chief Finance Officer, to the Board. § The
minutes of the meeting on 12 October were agreed. Action: §
The Board’s Secretariat will publish the minutes for the meeting held on 12 October. |
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Economic Update (13.40 - 14.00) Paper 2 – Economic Forecasting Minutes:
Decision:
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PPSA Thematic Review Update (14.00 - 14.15) Paper 3 – Support for Political Parties’ Allowance Thematic Review Update Minutes:
Decision:
Action:
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Staffing Review Update (14.15 - 14.30) Paper 4 – Staff Pay and Grading Review Update Minutes:
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Real Living Wage (10.30 - 10.45) Paper 5 – Real Living Wage Implications for MSS Pay Levels Minutes:
Decision:
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Provide
for a temporary uplift of Band 3 Pay Point 1 to the level of the Real Living
Wage from 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2024. This raises Band 3 Pay Point 1 to
£23,088. This change will be reflected in December salary payments to those
affected. -
Provide
for a one-off payment to Support Staff who received the Band 3 Pay Point 1
salary in November 2023, calculated individually for each member of staff,
equal to the difference between the salary received for November 2023 and the
salary that would have been received if the Real Living Wage had been applied
from 1 November 2023. This will be included in December’s salary payments. The
effect is that staff will receive payments as though they were paid at the Real
Living Wage level from 1 November.
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Cost of Living (10.45 - 11.15) Paper 6 – Cost of Living Payment for Support Staff 2023 Minutes:
Decision:
Action:
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Annual Review of the Determination for 2024/25 (11.15 - 12.30) Paper 7 – Annual Review of the Determination on Members’ Pay and Allowances 2024-25 Minutes: §
The Board considered the draft proposals on the Annual Review of the
Determination 2024/25. §
The Board considered the proposed
increases to seven of the allowances in the Determination relating to the costs
incurred by Members in the performance of their duties. § The
Board agreed to consult on the proposal to increase those allowances by the CPI
rate in January. They also agreed to a proposal to maintain the level of the essential
repairs allowance at its current level. § The
Board noted that Members’ salaries will increase by 3% in line with the
application of ASHE Wales, subject to the cap and collar mechanism at paragraph
3.2.2. in the Determination on Members’ Pay and Allowances 2023/24. § The
Board considered a proposal to disapply the cap on staff salaries at paragraph
7.2.2. in the Determination and to increase salaries by the ASHE Wales figure
of 5.7%. § The
Board noted that the cost of living payment awarded in this financial year of £600 will be consolidated into each pay point from 1 April 2024. § The
Board considered a
number of proposals for changes to the Determination that arose from evidence gathering during the simplification thematic review, are a direct response to feedback from Members and staff and suggestions from the Chief Executive and Clerk to the Senedd in her
correspondence. Decision: §
The Board agreed to
include those proposals in the Annual Review. §
The Board agreed that the
Annual Review of the Determination 2024/25 will be published for consultation
on 15 December. Action: §
Secretariat to produce
the consultation document, and the associated correspondence. §
Members and their staff
will be alerted to the publication and
also advised of the closing date for the consultation of 26 January. |
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Members' Remuneration (13.30 - 14.15) Paper 8 – Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support Review Minutes: § The
Chair, the thematic review Board lead, provided the background to the Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support thematic review and the Board considered its approach, scope and draft terms of reference for the review. Decision: §
The Board agreed to the proposed scope, key topics, engagement and timeline for this thematic review. § The
Board agreed to consult Members and the Chief Executive on the draft Terms
of Reference. Action: § Secretariat
to include the Terms of Reference for consultation as part of the Update paper. |
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Senedd Commission Update regarding Dignity & Respect Policy Review (including Mandated Policies) (14.15 - 14.45) Paper 9 – Dignity and Respect Minutes: §
The Board considered the
findings of the Commission’s review of the Senedd’s Dignity and Respect Policy.
Board members noted
the significant progress made to promote dignity and respect within the Senedd since
the policy was agreed in 2018. §
The Board gave initial
consideration to whether the grievance and disciplinary procedures it has put
in place for Members’ offices should be reviewed in
light of the findings of
the Commission’s review. § The
Board noted that the Standards of Conduct Committee is undertaking an inquiry into dignity and respect and that
its consultation was
open until 8 January 2024. Decision: §
Given the Standards of
Conduct Committee’s ongoing consultation, the Board agreed to write to the
Committee to seek further engagement before determining the next steps regarding any review of the grievance and disciplinary procedures for Members’ Support Staff. |
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Update Paper (14.45 - 14.50) Paper 10 – Update Paper Minutes: §
The Board noted updates
on various matters relevant to its work and
also its forward work programme. § The
Board noted
correspondence received since the last meeting. § The
Board noted it was intended
that a further meeting between the Chair and the Llywydd would be organised before Christmas. § The
Board received an update on the constituency office visits that have been held with Members and their
Support Staff since the last
meeting. They also confirmed which visits are still to be undertaken. § The
Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting which is to be held on
Thursday 22 February 2024. |