Agenda item

Paper 3 – Overview

Paper 4 – Chapters 3, 7 and 8 – Member and Support Staff remuneration and Support for Political Parties Allowance

Paper 5 – Chapter 4 – Residential Accommodation Expenditure

Paper 6 – Chapter 6 – Office and Constituent Liaison Fund and the Policy, Research and Communications Fund

Paper 7 – Miscellaneous Issues

 

Paper 3 - overview

2.1         The Board considered all responses received and welcomed the high level of engagement from Members, Support Staff and groups on its consultation.

2.2         As part of its consideration, the Board acknowledged that we are living in exceptional times and that several of the consultation proposals, agreed by the Board in November 2021, are ‘behind the curve’ of the situation currently being faced.

2.3         The Board agreed to publish a consultation report and supporting evidence alongside the new Determination, which must be laid by 1 April 2022.

Action: The Secretariat to:

·                     prepare the revised Determination and report and make arrangements for its laying and publication by 1 April 2022.

·                     draft responses to all respondents of the consultation and issue said responses as soon as possible, and in any event by the Easter recess.

 

Paper 4 – Chapters 3,7 and 8 member and Support Staff remuneration and Support for Political Parties

2.4         The Board considered and agreed that staff salaries should increase by 3 per cent (consolidated), for both Member staff and staff employed by the Party Groups, and not increase by ASHE Wales which for this year was due to be 0.4%.

2.5         In coming to this decision the Board recognised the exceptional economic circumstances, and specifically how they impact on Member support staff.  Given the current and future economic context, an increase of 3 per cent was deemed appropriate. The Board also recognised the value placed on support staff by their employing Members.  This decision related to Proposal 7.

2.6         The Board agreed that in relation to Members’ salaries, no change will be made to the Determination. Member’s salaries will increase according to ASHE Wales, which for this year is 0.4 per cent.

2.7         The Board agreed to consider a paper at the next meeting in relation to the Support Staff Pension scheme in order to compare it with other schemes, including the Civil Service pension scheme provision.

2.8         The Board agreed to make provision for paid and unpaid time off for public duties. The decision taken for Reservists was to afford them up to 15 days per annum paid special leave for compulsory training.  The Board agreed not to seek to recover the double payment element in respect of any member of staff granted paid time off for reservist training where they also receive remuneration from the MOD. This decision related to Proposal 9.

2.9         The Board agreed to increase the proportion of the Support for Political Parties Allowance in 2022-23 that related to staffing expenditure by 3% rather than 0.4%.  This decision related to Proposal 10.

Paper 5 – Chapter 4 Residential Accommodation Expenditure

2.10       The Board considered and agreed to uplift the allowance by applying the most recent CPI figure available to them of 5.5 per cent (January 2022) as opposed to that which had been proposed (3.1 per cent).

2.11       The Board agreed that this uplift would apply to both the quantum of the annual allowance for the rental of flats for outer area and intermediate area members. This decision related to Proposals 1 and 4.

2.12       The Board also agreed that the same uplift will apply to the quantum of the allowance for those Members with caring responsibilities.  This decision related to Proposal 2.

2.13       The Board agreed that there would be no change to the allowance for essential repairs.  This decision related to Proposal 3.

2.14       The Board agreed that the CPI uplift of 5.5 per cent would apply to the maximum nightly amount that may be claimed for hotel accommodation.  This decision related to Proposal 5.

Paper 6 – Chapter 6 Office and Constituent Liaison Fund and the Policy, Research and Communications Fund

2.15       The Board commissioned external research by Avison Young on the rental market of offices across Wales. The Board took evidence from Avison Young during the meeting.

2.16       The Board considered the Avison Young report useful as it illustrated the wide variances across Wales and the report will be helpful for the Board to inform future thinking on its review of the Office and Constituent Liaison Fund.

2.17       The Board agreed that the report should be published in the spirit of openness.

2.18       In terms of the quantum of the allowance, the Board agreed to apply the increase as at the September CPI rate of 3.1per cent. 

2.19       The Board agreed to keep a close eye on energy prices and seek evidence from Members, via Member Business Support, of the increase in energy costs for Members’ offices so as to make a more accurate and appropriate adjustments to the allowance to reflect these.

2.20       The Board agreed that the Policy Research and Communications Fund (PRCF) of £2,500 be subsumed into the Office and Constituent Liaison Fund. Members may therefore use the increased OCLF allowance to claim reimbursement for any items currently available only via PRCF as well as usual expenditure permitted under OCLF.

2.21       The Board agreed that the Office and Constituent Liaison Fund, including the subsumed PRCF, will increase in accordance with the index of CPI as at September 2021 (3.1 per cent).  These decisions related to Proposals 6 and 8.

2.22       The use of the PRCF has been published in the Board’s annual report. However, in line with the Board decision, there is no longer a need for separate publication of these items.

2.23       The Board also agreed that there will be no requirement for prior approval for research by Member Business Support. As set out in the Determination three quotes will be needed for items over £750.

2.24       The same rules will be applied to research being conducted by Party Groups from any remaining balance in their budgets, as currently set out in the Determination.

2.25       Members will also be able to claim for joint research between Members or a Member and Group.

2.26       Currently, claims from PRCF are not allowed 4 months prior to an election. The Board agreed that this rule was unnecessary given other safeguards in the Determination and the Accounting Officer’s Rules on the Use of Resources.  

Paper 7 – Miscellaneous Issues

2.27       The Board considered enhanced security measures recommended by the Senedd Security service on Members main homes should not be subject to the exceptional expense process but instead be treated in the same way as claims for security requirements for offices and residential accommodation.  This decision related to Proposal 11.

2.28       The Board noted the security update and welcomed the additional support provided to Members, but were concerned at the pace of rolling out the support as reported to them by several Members. 

2.29       In relation to childcare provision on the Senedd estate, the Board noted that the Chief Executive has agreed to review options. The Board agreed to consider the matter further in the light of the Commission’s consideration.

2.30       A review of the regulatory framework was called for by two respondents and the Board noted that it was not a matter for the Board to initiate.  However, it would welcome participation in such a review, should Members decide it is necessary.  The Board also agreed to undertake a mid-term effectiveness review (to be conducted by the internal audit team).

2.31       The Board decided the cost of supplying broadband to Members’ homes should be paid from the Determination (Members are already entitled to claim broadband costs for rented accommodation in Cardiff). The Board also requested an update on the Senedd Commission’s discussions with HMRC in relation to the tax on broadband charges.