Meetings
The Determination for the Fifth Assembly
This page gives details of any meetings held which will, or did, discuss the matter, and includes links to the relevant Papers, Agendas and Minutes.
Note: Meeting Agenda can change at short notice. Particularly where future meeting dates are indicated more than a week in advance. Please check before planning to attend a Committee Meeting that the item you are interested in has not been moved.
Meeting: 28/01/2016 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 6)
Policy, Research and Communications Fund: Consideration of draft guidance for Assembly Members
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 2
Minutes:
6.1
The
Board discussed the draft guidance on the Policy, Research and Communications
Fund, which would come into effect from the start of the Fifth Assembly.
6.2
The Board noted that, when the
former Board came to consider the use of the Fund as part of its review of the
Determination for the Fifth Assembly, it agreed on two principal changes:
·
that the level of funding
available to each Member would be increased from £2,000 per annum to £2,500 per
annum; and
·
that the fund be expanded to
permit Members to engage with their constituents, hence the change of the title
from ‘Policy & Research Fund’ to the ‘Policy, Research & Communications
Fund’
6.3
The
Board noted that the Commissioner for Standards had been consulted on the draft
rules and guidance and his feedback had been incorporated into the latest draft
of the guidance.
6.4
The
latest draft includes points to note:
·
the communications element is not
available to political parties; there will be a moratorium on the use of the
fund from January in the year of a National Assembly for Wales election until
that election.
6.5
The
Board agreed that there should be an explicit prohibition on Members being able
to award contracts to family members through the fund.
6.6
The
Board noted there will be a formal review period after 12 months to ensure that
the Fund is being used appropriately and achieving its aims.
6.7
Members’
Business Support agreed to provide information on all applications during this
period.
Meeting: 24/04/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Draft Determination for the Fifth Assembly: Responses to consultation
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 5
- Restricted enclosure 6
- Restricted enclosure 7
Minutes:
4.1
The
Board considered the responses on the Draft Determination for the Fifth
Assembly Including a letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee. The
Chair stated that he had replied to each of the respondents.
4.2
The
Board considered the Draft Determination for the Fifth Assembly and the
accompanying report and agreed its final position, taking account of decisions
reached earlier in the meeting.
4.3
The
Board considered the Equality Impact Assessment as part of the Report. It noted
that Diverse Cymru had appointed a new Chief Executive and agreed that the
Chair should write to congratulate him and give him the opportunity to make any
final comments Equality Impact Assessment.
4.4
The
Board agreed to consider new passages containing the new decisions, and any
other amendments to the Draft Determination and the accompanying report via
email.
4.5
The
Board agreed its approach to publishing and communicating the Determination and
Report on 22 May.
Action
points:
·
Write to the new Chief Executive
of Diverse Cymru
·
Write to Chair of the Petitions
Committee regarding the petition on the Board’s proposals for Assembly Members’
salaries in the Fifth Assembly (Ref: P-04-613).
Meeting: 24/04/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Group Support: Responses to consultation
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 10
Minutes:
2.1 The Board considered
all responses to the consultation on the Group Funding.
2.2 The Board agreed a
revised model for Group Funding in the Fifth Assembly, details of which would
be published with the final Determination for the Fifth Assembly on 22 May
2015.
2.3 The Board agreed that
the rationale of the Board’s decision on Group Funding should be included in
the report on the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Meeting: 20/02/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Determination for Fifth Assembly: Group Support
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 13
Minutes:
3.1
The
Board considered a paper on Group Support for the Fifth Assembly, which
outlined the current system of financial support for political groups and
sought the Board’s decision to include in the consultation on the
Determination.
3.2
The
Board discussed feedback received from Party Groups, which had been gathered
through informal discussions with the Chair and the Clerk.
3.3
The
Board agreed to consider further models for Group Support before agreeing a
proposal for inclusion in the Draft Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Action
points:
·
Monojit
to provide a variety of different models for Group Support by Monday 23
February.
Meeting: 20/02/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 7)
Determination for the Fifth Assembly: Consideration of Determination for consultation
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 16
- Restricted enclosure 17
- Restricted enclosure 18
Minutes:
6.1
The Board noted progress in preparing the Draft
Determination for the Fifth Assembly and the accompanying report, pending the
decisions reached earlier in the meeting.
6.2
The Board agreed to consider new passages containing the new decisions, and any
other amendments to the Draft Determination and the accompanying report via
email.
Action
point:
·
The Secretariat to complete and
amend the draft Determination and accompanying report accordingly and circulate
the Board for comment.
6.3
The
Board noted the draft Communications Plan for
the consultation on the Determination for the Fifth Assembly, and discussed the
key messages it wished to convey.
Meeting: 16/01/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Determination for the Fifth Assembly: Remaining issues for inclusion in Determination and the Equality Impact Assessment report
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 21
- Restricted enclosure 22
Minutes:
4.1
The Chair invited Charles Willie and Adele Goodwin from Diverse Cymru to the
meeting.
4.2
The Chair thanked Diverse Cymru for awarding the Board runner up in the
‘Excellence in Equality – public sector’ category.
4.3
The Board considered in discussion with Diverse Cymru, a paper on the overview
of the Determination for the Fifth Assembly and a ‘work-in-progress’ Equality
Impact Assessment report.
4.4
The Board noted that the findings of the Equality Impact Assessment report would
be mainstreamed throughout the Determination and the follow-up to ‘Fit for
Purpose’.
4.5
The Board discussed issues for inclusion in the Determination for the Fifth
Assembly.
Action points:
- MBS to provide more data on the numbers
of Assembly Members Support Staff attending party political conferences
and the benefits of them attending the conferences.
Meeting: 16/01/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Determination for the Fifth Assembly: Group Support
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 25
Minutes:
5.1
The Board considered a paper on Group Support for the Fifth Assembly.
5.2
The Board agreed that it should make a decision which ensures that all groups
have sufficient support to effectively operate in the Assembly.
5.3
The Board agreed to state that it is considering the issue and will run an
informal consultation shortly.
Action points:
- The Secretariat to arrange informal
drop-in sessions with parties before the meeting on 20 February to receive
soundings on initial thoughts.
Meeting: 16/01/2015 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Determination for the fifth year of the Fourth Assembly: Consultation
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 28
Minutes:
2.1 The Board noted and
discussed the paper setting out the changes to the Determination for the final
year of the Fourth Assembly.
2.2 The Board discussed
the proposal to increase AMs office costs allowances by 25% by viring funds
from their staffing costs allowance.
2.3 The Board emphasised
that viring should not be permitted in the other direction – from office costs
to staffing allowance costs.
Action
point:
·
Consult
on the proposed changes to the Determination for fifth year of Fourth Assembly
via the letter to Assembly Members & AMSS.
Meeting: 12/12/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Determination for Fifth Assembly: Group Support
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 31
Minutes:
4.1 The Board noted the
paper highlighting the current system of financial support for political
groups.
4.2 The Board looked in
greater detail at the support available to groups, focusing on the principles
of why the board offers support to groups.
4.3 The Board agreed
there were two fundamental aspects of the support for groups:
- to
enable and encourage effective scrutiny of the government;
- to
ensure that groups have sufficient administrative support to operate in a
co-ordinated and efficient manner.
4.4 The Board will
consider this matter further at its next meeting and consult in the spring
term.
Meeting: 28/11/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 4)
Determination: Equality Assessment Group on proposals for Assembly Member Pension Arrangements, Allowances and Support
•
Comments from Diverse Cymru Equality Assessment Group on proposals for AM
Pensions, AM Allowances and AM Support – Paper 5
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 34
Minutes:
4.1 The Board noted the
paper provided by Diverse Cymru, which highlighted their observations on
consultations on AM pensions, AM Allowances and level of support available to
AMs.
4.2 The Board agreed its
considerations on pension arrangements, allowances and support for Assembly
Members to feed into the final Equality Impact Assessment for the
Determination.
Meeting: 16/10/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Assembly Member staffing and Assembly Members Support Staff pay
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 37
Minutes:
Senior Advisor
5.1
After careful consideration of the responses to the consultation, the Board
agreed that it would proceed with its proposal to introduce a Senior Advisor
role into the staffing structure.
Policy and Research Fund
5.2
The Board agreed that provison for the Policy and Research Fund was critical
for engagement purposes.
5.3
The Board agreed that they would use the first year of the PRF as a pilot, with
the possibility of increasing the fund after reviewing the first year.
Apprentice scheme
5.4 The Board agreed to
discuss practical points of proceeding with the Apprenticeships Scheme with the
Assembly Commission.
Level of support for political
groups
5.5
The Board agreed to consider the level of support for political groups at a
later date.
Pensions and Death in Service
benefit
5.6
The Board agreed that this benefit would be introduced at the earliest possible
opportunity rather than wait for the Fifth Assembly.
AMSS Salaries
5.7
The Board agreed that it would make proposals on AMSS pay following careful consideration
of the responses to proposals for AM salaries. Proposals for AMSS pay could be
included in a consultation on the total remuneration package.
Redundancy arrangements
5.8 It was noted that AMSS indicated that they would prefer
double statutory redundancy payments, as offered by IPSA in Westminster, and
that this should replace the current 1.5* statutory redundancy offered to
Support Staff in the Assembly.
5.9 The Board agreed that a period of notice 1.5* statutory
is sufficient. However, the Board acknowledged that where support staff lose a
job as a result of their Member suffering an election defeat – for example –
redundancy can come out of the blue. The Board acknowledged that this can be a
traumatic experience. Consequently the Board agreed to propose to pay
2*statutory for those AMSS who lose their jobs in this way. The Board agreed
that this would be introduced in advance of the forthcoming election in May
2016 so support staff whose Member is defeated would receive payment at the
higher level.
Support staff standard contract
and notice period
5.10
The Board agreed that extending the initial longer notice period for employee
and employer to one month would be beneficial.
5.11
The Board agreed that there should be a review of the handbook and code of
conduct prior to the beginning of the Fifth Assembly.
Action: Secretariat
to arrange an AMSS Representative Group meeting in early November.
Meeting: 19/06/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
AMSS - Staffing Expenditure Allowance
·
AMSS
Expenditure Allowance – Paper 6
·
AMSS
Redundancy Pay, Pension Provision and Death in Service – Paper 7
·
AMSS
Continuous Service – Paper 8
·
AMSS standard
contract of employment – Paper 9
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 40
- Restricted enclosure 41
- Restricted enclosure 42
- Restricted enclosure 43
Minutes:
AMSS – Staffing Expenditure Allowance
Discussion:
2.1
The Board
considered papers on AMSS – Staffing Expenditure Allowance AMSS redundancy pay, pension
provision and Death in Service, AMSS Continuous Service, and AMSS standard
contract of employment, which had been provided by the Assembly Commission.
2.2
The Board
agreed that Assembly Members should be given the right resources to enable them
to do their job effectively and efficiently.
Decision:
2.3
The Board agreed to consult Assembly Members and Assembly
Member Support Staff on the following proposals:
·
To introduce the role of Senior Adviser;
·
The introduction of an apprenticeship scheme;
·
Review the use of the policy and research fund, and
the support for groups;
·
Support for political groups;
·
The introduction of a death in service benefit for AMSS
2.4
The Board
agreed to maintain their policy to prevent any difference between actual
spending and maximum permitted staffing allowance to be used, in year, to fund
additional staffing support.
2.5
The Board
agreed to maintain the 111 hours cap on permanently employed staff.
2.6
On the Policy
Research Fund, the Board agreed to consult on proposals to increase the size of the fund and for Members
to indicate what size they feel would be most helpful. The Board also proposed
to broaden the Policy Research Fund to cover the cost of materials and
activities that would support Members’ capacity to engage with the public – Members
would need to demonstrate accountability with the Fund and it would need to be
carefully monitored to ensure that it is not being used for campaigning or
explicitly for party political purposes.
2.7
The Board agreed to invite the Standards Commissioner to
share his views on the proposals for the Policy Research Fund.
2.8
The Board agreed that, before reaching any conclusions
on funding support to political groups in the Fifth Assembly, it would seek Members’
views on the current approach. The Board agreed to give consideration to the potential
impact of different party dynamics at the next Assembly when reviewing the
final Determination.
2.9
The Board agreed that the policy on the overlapping of
pay bands for AMSS should remain.
2.10
The Board
stated that the consultation should make reference to the additional support
required of an AMSS who supports an office holding AM.
AMSS redundancy pay, pension provision and Death in Service
Discussion:
2.11
The Board
considered a paper on AMSS redundancy pay, pension provision and Death in
Service, which had been provided by the Assembly Commission.
2.12
The Board
agreed that the main core of the pension arrangements for AMSS should not change.
However, it felt that Assembly Members and AMSS should be consulted on proposals
to change the Death in Service provision in the scheme.
2.13
After comparing
the Assembly’s redundancy arrangements with those of other Legislatures, the
Board concluded that the existing arrangements were sufficient and more
generous than Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Decision:
2.14 The Board agreed to consult Assembly Members and Assembly Member Support Staff on proposals to introduce a Death ... view the full minutes text for item 2
Meeting: 21/03/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Possible changes to transitional provisions - resettlement grant post 2016, mortgaged properties
Minutes:
2.4 The Board
considered submissions from AMs and agreed to increase the maximum
reimbursement for residential accommodation for those Members living in the
Outer Area from £700 to £735pcm. Office costs will rise in line with the OBR’s
forecast of CPI (1.9 per cent).
2.5 The Board agreed
to remove the resettlement grant for Members elected prior to 2011who elect to
stand down in two stages.
Meeting: 21/03/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 6)
Equality Impact Assessment
·
Charles Willie, Chief Executive, Diverse Cymru
Minutes:
6.1 The Board
welcomed Charles Willie, Director of Diverse Cymru.
6.2 The Board agreed
that an Equality Impact Assessment should be conducted for the full
Determination package for the fifth Assembly and it looked forward to reviewing
the contribution made by Diverse Cymru.
Action:
·
Secretariat to write to all Assembly members updating them on
the issues discussed and decisions made by the Board at this meeting and
requesting a response to issues raised in the note.
Meeting: 20/03/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 1)
Building a Strategic approach to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly: Chatham House discussion sessions
Assembly Commission (9:00 – 9:45)
Sandy Mewies AM, Assembly
Commissioner
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM,
Assembly Commissioner
Party Leaders
Andrew RT Davies AM, Leader,
Welsh Conservatives (9:45 – 10:30)
Leanne Wood AM, Leader, Plaid
Cymru (10:30– 11:15)
Break
Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer (11:30
– 12:30)
Dame Rosemary Butler AM,
Presiding Officer, National Assembly for Wales
David Melding AM, Deputy
Presiding Officer, National Assembly for Wales
Lunch
Independent expert advice on whole Determination
(13:30 – 14:30)
Professor Laura McAllister,
Liverpool University
Professor Richard Wyn Jones,
Wales Governance Centre
Chief Executive (14:30 – 15:00)
Claire Clancy, Chief
Executive, National Assembly for Wales
Break
Minutes:
Assembly
Commissioners
1.1 The Chair
welcomed Sandy Mewies and Rhodri Glyn Thomas to the meeting.
1.2 The Board
discussed issues relating to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Party
Leaders
1.3 The Chair
welcomed Andrew RT Davies to the meeting.
1.4 The Chair
welcomed Leanne Wood to the meeting.
1.5 The Board
discussed issues relating to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Presiding
Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer
1.6 The Chair
welcomed Dame Rosemary Butler and David Melding to the meeting.
1.7 The Board
discussed issues relating to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
External
advice
1.8 The Chair
welcomed Laura McAllister and Professor Richard Wyn Jones to the meeting.
1.9 The Board
discussed issues relating to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Chief Executive of the National Assembly for Wales
1.10 The Chair
welcomed Claire Clancy, Chief Executive of the National Assembly for Wales, to
the meeting.
1.11 The Board discussed
issues relating to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
Meeting: 20/03/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Strategic approach to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly - Conclusions and actions
·
Review the meeting with Party Leaders; the Presiding Officer;
the Deputy Presiding Officer; Assembly Commissioners and the Chief Executive
and agree a way forward – Paper 1
·
Discussion on the implications of Silk Commission 2 – Paper 2
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 52
- Restricted enclosure 53
Minutes:
2.1 The Board
considered the issues raised during the meeting and discussed its strategic
approach to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly.
2.2 The Board agreed
its strategic approach to the Determination for the Fifth Assembly, including
how and when it would consult stakeholders.
Meeting: 31/01/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 2)
Possible changes to transitional provisions
·
Resettlement grant, mortgaged properties (oral item)
Minutes:
2.11 The Board discussed the transitional
provisions for Assembly Members elected prior to 2011, including resettlement
Grants and mortgaged properties.
2.12 The Board agreed to consider transitional
provisions including the resettlement grant and mortgaged properties throughout
its review of the full Determination.
Meeting: 31/01/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 5)
Equality Impact Assessment
·
Equality Impact Assessment - Paper 5a
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 58
Minutes:
5.1 The Board considered a paper setting out
options for conducting an Equality Impact Assessment, which had been provided
by Holly Pembridge and Hannah Johnson.
5.2 The Board agreed that an Equality Impact
Assessment should be conducted for the full Determination package for the fifth
Assembly.
5.3 The Board also agreed that the Equality
Impact Assessment should be conducted by Assembly Commission staff. However, it
agreed that an external body should be commissioned to review the Equality
Impact Assessment and provide advice.
Meeting: 31/01/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
Pay & Determination for the Fifth Assembly
Meeting: 31/01/2014 - Remuneration Board (2010 - 2020) (Item 3)
The Determination for the Fifth Assembly
·
Consideration of the fundamental approach to remuneration and
allowances after the next election – Paper 3a
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure 63
Minutes:
3.1 The Board considered a paper prepared by
the Members’ Business Support on the Determination for Assembly Members for the
fifth Assembly and discussed its strategic approach.
3.2 The Board agreed to invite key
stakeholders, including party leaders, to its meeting on 20 March to take
evidence on aspects of the current determination and the development of the
Determination for the fifth Assembly.