Agenda and draft minutes

Item 1 – Minutes from 13 and 14 March meeting

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mike Redhouse joined virtually.

The Board reflected on the meetings held with the Representative Groups, the Members’ Drop in and meeting with the Chief Executive.

Decision:

The Board agreed the minutes of the meeting on 13 and 14 March.

Action:

Secretariat to publish the minutes for the meeting held on 13 and 14 March - the March meeting minutes have been published.

The Board agreed to receive a briefing updating them on the work, timing and remit of the Standards Committee’s inquiry on dignity and respect in the Senedd - further information about the Standards Committee’s work on dignity and respect is provided in Paper 8 - Update Paper, Annex C.

Item 2 – Phase 2 Scoping

The Board considered the final Phase One report produced by Beamans, including the options for a revised pay and grading framework and its approach to the next steps of this review.

Decision:

The Board agreed to publish the report as soon as possible. The Board also agreed to publish its response to the report indicating its preferred option to introduce a job families framework, Option 2 - the report was published on Thursday 23 May.

The Board agreed to consult with Members, Members’ staff, trade unions and the Senedd Commission, on its preferred option with a final decision to be taken at the July meeting – the consultation ran from 11-27 June and an update on consultation responses is provided in Paper 2 – Staffing Support Phase Two.

The Board agreed to proceed with Phase Two of the review to develop the new framework and associated materials, with a view to replacing the existing pay and grading framework for Support Staff with a new framework for the Seventh Senedd.

The Board agreed to approach Beamans to undertake Phase Two of the review via a direct award arrangement – Beamans were formally approached on Tuesday 25 June with a specification setting out the requirements for Phase Two of the Staffing Support Thematic Review. The deadline for a response is 12.00 on Tuesday 9 July.

The Board agreed that Phase Three of the staffing review aimed at determining the Staffing Allowance to be provided for within the Determination for the Seventh Senedd, should be undertaken concurrently with Phase Two of the review. The Board agreed to consider the proposed approach for Phase Three at its July meeting - an update is provided in Paper 3 – Staffing Support Phase Three scoping.

Action:

Secretariat to prepare the final Beamans report and response for publication and issue for consultation closing on 27 June - an update on consultation responses is provided in Paper 2 – Staffing Support Phase Two.

Secretariat to draft the proposed approach for Phase Three of the review for consideration at the July meeting - an update is provided in Paper 3 – Staffing Support Phase Three scoping. 

Item 3 – Workstream Three: Loss of Office

The Board reflected on research undertaken on loss of office payments and considered the feedback from the drop-in sessions with Members held the previous day.

Decision:

The Board agreed to consider policy options further at the July and September meetings with a view to proposals being consulted on in the Autumn - an update on policy options is provided in Paper 5 – Loss of Office.

PPSA Update -presentation

The Board considered feedback from Jane, as Board lead for the review on research and findings to date having held a number of meetings with senior group and backbench Members to discuss their views on PPSA.

Decision:

The Board agreed to consider policy options further at the July and September meetings with a view to proposals being consulted on in the Autumn - PPSA will be on the agenda for the September Board meeting ahead of Autumn consultation.

Senedd Reform oral update

The Board were due to have an oral update on the progress of an Amendment tabled for Stage 2 proceedings of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill.

The Committee had not reached that part of proceedings during the Board meeting and so the Board agreed to receive an update after the meeting.

Action:

Secretariat to update the Board following the meeting on the progress of the Amendment - an update on Senedd Reform is provided in Paper 8 - Update Paper.

Item 6 – Update

The Board considered whether or not to review the Grievance and Disciplinary policy ahead of the Standards Committee completing its inquiry on Dignity and Respect in the Senedd.

The Board noted the feedback received at the Staff Representative Group meeting the day before, that the policy needed to be reviewed and specific issues were raised regarding handling of matters informally and involvement of trade union representation.

Decision:

The Board agreed to await the outcome of the Standards Committee’s inquiry into dignity and respect prior to any review of the Grievance and Disciplinary Policies - further information about the Standards Committee’s work on dignity and respect is provided in Paper 8 - Update Paper, Annex C.

The Board agreed to clarify and respond to the issues raised in the Staff Representative Group via the Update Letter - the Update Letter was published on Wednesday 12 June.

Item 7 – Cover paper

Annex A - Draft Annual Report

Annex B - Effectiveness Review Action Plan

The Board agreed its Annual Report which will be published in the next few weeks. The Board also noted the update on the effectiveness review action plan.

Action:

Secretariat to arrange publication and laying of the Annual Report - the Annual Report was published on Wednesday 12 June.

Item 8 – Update Paper (including Budget report update)

The Board noted the update paper and forward work programme.

Decision:

The Board agreed its programme of activity and meeting schedule for the next 12 months in order to develop, consult and publish the Determination for the Seventh Senedd by July 2025.

Any Other Business

The Board Members confirmed attendance for the next meeting to be held on Thursday 4 July 2024.