Agenda item

·        Update and Work Programme – Paper 2

 

2.1        The Board considered a paper outlining the work scheduled to be undertaken and forthcoming key decision required. The Board considered the work plan for the spring/summer term 2016.

 

Enterprise Bill

 

2.2        The Board discussed the outcome of discussions on the Enterprise Bill.

 

2.3        The Board noted that the Legislative Consent Motion was agreed by the Assembly, alongside assurances by the Minister for Public Services that the Government would not seek to exercise this power.

 

2.4        The Board outlined concerns with the principle that the Bill did not reflect the Remuneration Board’s role and remit in Wales.

 

Action point:

 

·         The Board agreed to monitor discussions on how the arrangements under the Bill will work in practice and seek an update from the Presiding Officer as to any commitments made by the Treasury.

 

Pensions

 

2.5        The Board noted that HM Treasury were considering the final pension scheme and that it was anticipated that formal approval of the scheme would be obtained in the coming weeks.

 

2.6         Following discussions between Michael Redhouse and the Government Actuary Department (GAD), the Board agreed to advise GAD that the contribution rate in the new pension scheme should be 10.5% for Members and 15.6% for the Assembly Commission. This would be reflected in the final scheme to HMT for approval.

 

2.7        The Board noted that the recruitment process for the appointment of an independent Chair of the new Pension Board for the National Assembly for Wales Member Pension Scheme was underway. Although Michael Redhouse was the Board’s representative on the recruitment panel, the Board noted that it was required to formally appoint the successful candidate following the recruitment exercise.

 

AMSS Job descriptions

 

2.8         The Board noted responses to the Members’ Business Support (MBS) consultation on AMSS job descriptions which would help them enhance the recruitment process and reflect the range of AMSS positions across Members’ offices and Groups. 

 

2.9        The Board agreed that the existing standard template for job descriptions for AMSS was fit for purpose.

 

 Update on Board finances and forecasting for the 2016/17 financial year

 

2.10     The Board noted the financial update for its work and the overall budget for Assembly Members.

 

2.11     The Board agreed that it should receive bi-annual reviews of its budget and the overall budget for Assembly Members. 

 

Action point:

·         The Board requested further information on the under-spend in the overall Members’ budget.

 

 

 

Proposals for a strategic away day in September

 

2.12     The Board agreed that it would hold its strategic away day in the Assembly’s Colwyn Bay Office to engage with AMSS based in constituency offices in North Wales.

 

2.13     The Board agreed that the away day should consist of inviting AMSS to attend a drop in session and individual visits to constituency offices to experience first-hand the challenges faced by AMSS. 

 

2.14     The Board agreed to consider a draft programme for the away day at its next meeting. This should include areas which the Board will wish to consider to help inform its decisions leading up to the Sixth Assembly.

 

Action point:

 

·         The Board requested further information on good practice and principles adopted by other EU countries in supporting Members and their staff to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

 

Meeting dates

 

2.15     The Board confirmed the away day in September would now take place on 15 and 16 September.

 

Communications

 

2.16      The Head of Communications at the Assembly Commission facilitated a discussion on media relations and the profile of the Board, in particular leading up to the Assembly election.

 

Remuneration of Committee Chairs

 

2.17     The Board noted that it would need to consider remuneration for Committee Chairs at its meeting on 6 July.

 

2.18     The Board considered arrangements for payment of Committee chairs prior to the decision being taken on the remuneration of Committees later in the year. The Board agreed that no payments should be made in the interim period and that the remuneration should be backdated once the Board makes its determination.

 

Action points:

 

·         The Board requested further information on the previous Board’s decision on the remuneration of Committee Chairs in the Fourth Assembly.

·         The Board requested further information on the additional responsibilities that new Committee Chairs would have in comparison to Chairs in the Fourth Assembly.