Agenda and minutes
Venue: Tŷ Hywel
Contact: Lleu Williams
Expected timing | No. | Item |
---|---|---|
(09.00 - 10.15) |
Chair's introduction Minutes: 1.1
The
Chair welcomed the Board members to the meeting. 1.2
The
Board agreed the minute of the meeting on 5 July 2018. 1.3
The
Board agreed the terms of reference for the Governance Group of the National
Assembly for Wales Assembly Members’ support staff Pension scheme. The Board welcomed
the Assembly Commission’s nomination for its Director of Finance to represent
the Commission on the Board alongside the Commission’s Head of Pensions and a
member of the Remuneration Board. 1.4
The
Board noted that there was still a vacancy on the Pension Board for the
Assembly Member Pension Scheme following the resignation of Caroline Jones AM
from this role. The Board agreed to write to the Assembly Commission, asking
that the Commission nominates its representative to the Pension Board as soon
as possible in order to ensure a continuity to the membership. 1.5
The
Board noted the inquiry into
pregnancy, maternity and work in Wales undertaken by the Equality, Local Government and
Communities Committee. The Board agreed to consider the relevant issues
raised as part of this inquiry in its forward work programme where appropriate. Action point: The secretariat to publish the minute
of the meeting on 5 July 2018. |
|
(10.15 - 12.30) |
Item for decision: Staffing Support for Assembly Members Minutes: 2.1. The Board considered the evidence it
had received as part of the review and agreed: -
which
issues it would defer to its upcoming review of the Determination for the Sixth
Assembly; -
which
issues it would consult upon as part of this review; -
the
next steps following its consultation on flexibility of the allowances
surrounding the Support for Political Parties Allowance. Issues to be considered
within the Board’s other workstreams 2.2.
The
Board considered the evidence it had received on a number of issues and agreed
that some of these issues would be considered as a part of its review of the
Determination for the Sixth Assembly. Action point: The
Board to consider the evidence received as part of its review of the
Determination for the Sixth Assembly. Consultation on the
outstanding issues 2.3. The Board considered the evidence it
had received surrounding the following provisions: -
funding
the employment of family members; -
terms
and conditions of support staff; -
salary
of support staff. 2.4. The Board agreed it had received
sufficient evidence on these issues to consult on a number of proposals to
amend the provisions which are outlined below: -
removing
the funding for Assembly Members to employ family members and partners from the
next dissolution; -
removing
the funding for any new family members appointed (or promoted or have changes
made to their current contract) after 24 October 2018; -
adjusting
support staff salaries in April of each year by the change in the ASHE survey; -
introducing
privilege days for support staff; -
introducing
a new compassionate leave policy for support staff. 2.5. The closing date for the consultation
would be 13 December 2018. Action points The
secretariat to: -
issue
and promote the consultation; -
prepare
a summary of the responses for the Board’s consideration. Consultation on
flexibility of the allowances surrounding the Support for Political Parties
Allowance 2.6. The Board considered the consultation
responses received and agreed to implement the following changes: -
removing
the provision within the Determination for any new virement of funds from the
Member’s Staffing Allowance to the Support for Political Parties Allowance from
1 October. Those Members who currently vire from their Staffing Allowance to
their respective Political Parties Allowances will be permitted to continue to
vire up to the same amount annually until the end of the Fifth Assembly; -
budgeting
the Support for Political Parties Allowance at actual pay points from 1 April
2019; -
publishing
the expenditure each Political Party makes on its Support for Political Parties
Allowance from 1 April 2019. Action points: The
secretariat to: -
inform
Members and support staff of the upcoming changes; -
prepare
a revised Determination for publication. |
|
(13.15 - 15.15) |
Item for decision: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Scope of the review Minutes: 3.1. The Board considered and agreed its
forward work programme for reviewing its Determination for the Sixth Assembly
which would meet its objective to publish the Determination in May 2020, one
year before the next election. 3.2. The Board noted that the Assembly’s
electoral reform agenda may impact its work programme, and agreed to monitor
the development of this work. 3.3. The Board agreed to share further
information with Members and support staff regarding the work programme,
including details on how they can share their views with the Board, in due
course. Action
points: The
secretariat to: -
monitor
the development of the Assembly’s electoral reform agenda; -
share
further information with Members and support staff when appropriate. |
|
(15.30 - 16.15) |
Item for decision: Discipline and Grievance procedures Minutes: 4.1. The Board considered the feedback
received on the Disciplinary Procedure and Grievance Procedure and agreed to consult
to amend both procedures to ensure they are up to date and align with the
Assembly’s Dignity and Respect policy. 4.2. The closing date for the consultation
would be 13 December 2018. 4.3. The Board agreed to review the
support staff Code of Conduct once the review of the Code of Conduct for Assembly
Members has been completed to ensure a consistent approach where necessary. Action points: The
secretariat to: -
issue
and promote the consultation; - prepare a summary of the response for the Board’s consideration. |
|
Papers to note Minutes: 5.1 The Board noted the correspondence from the
Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services and the Electoral Commission
regarding the report by the Wales Governance Centre, “Unpacking
Diversity: Barriers and incentives to standing for election to the National
Assembly for Wales”. 5.2 The Board noted the written
statement by the Llywydd, “Creating a Parliament for Wales” and the
accompanying report
outlining the finding of the recent public consultation. 5.3 The Board noted the report
by the Electoral Reform Society, “New Voices: How Welsh Politics can begin to
reflect Wales”. |