Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room A - Tŷ Hywel. View directions

Contact: Lleu Williams 

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's introduction

Minutes:

1.1        The Chair welcomed Board members to the meeting.

1.2        The Chair thanked Rebecca Hardwicke and Craig Stephenson for their work in supporting the Board and wished them every success in their future endeavours.

1.3        The Board agreed the minutes of 23 May meeting.

1.4        The Board noted the update provided on the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill currently at Stage 1, in the Assembly.

1.5        The Board noted an update on the next phase of Assembly Reform.

1.6        The Board noted an update on the procurement of personal security devices for Members.

1.7        The Board noted an update on a recent tribunal hearing and subsequent judgement in relation to contracts for group staff.

1.8        The Board noted an update on the recent internal audit of Members’ Business Support.

1.9        The Board noted an update following the publication of the Dignity and Respect survey results.

1.10     The Board considered and agreed its work programme for the autumn term.

 

Action points:

-     The secretariat to publish the minutes from the May 2019 meeting.

-     The secretariat to write to group staff informing them of the impact of the judgement on their contracts.

 

2.

Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Part One consultation responses

Minutes:

2.1 The Board considered the responses to its consultation.

2.2 In relation to Proposal 1 the Board agreed to consider a form of words to remove interest payment on mortgages in 2026, but to honour existing current contractual arrangements. The Board also agreed to consider this issue further in the final consultation of the Determination in the new year.

2.2 The Board agreed to implement Proposal 2 as outlined.

2.3 In relation to Proposal 3, the Board agreed to replace the word ‘Esteem’ with ‘Reputation’ and delete the words ‘mandatory’. The Board also agreed to remove the reference to ‘public transport’ and change to ‘easily accessible and reachable to the public’.

2.4 In considering the responses to Proposals 4 and 5 the Board agreed not to provide separate funding for lease valuation at this stage but to bear these changes in mind when considering the total value of the allowance at the end of the review.

2.5 Considering the responses to Proposals 6 and 7 the Board agreed to amend the wording to provide clarification that Members are not constrained to purchasing through the Commission although if Members choose to purchase from other suppliers then there will be no Commission support available.

2.6 The Board agreed to implement Proposals 8 and 9 as drafted.

2.7 The Board agreed to issue a letter outlining its decisions as soon as possible.

 

 

Action point:

The secretariat to issue the Board’s response to the consultation as soon as possible.

3.

Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Consultation proposal part two

Minutes:

3.1        The Board considered the provisions within the staffing support allowances chapters of the Determination which fall under part two of the review.

3.2        The Board agreed to consult on its proposals to amend these chapters of the Determination.

3.3        The closing date for the consultation would be 11 October 2019.

3.4        The Board considered issues related to the Political Party Support Allowance and agreed to return to this issue at its next meeting.

 

Action point:

The secretariat to :

-        issue and promote the consultation;

-        prepare a summary of the responses for the Board’s consideration at a future meeting

 

4.

Item for discussion: Determination for the Sixth Assembly: Second consideration of part three

Minutes:

4.1     The Board undertook its second consideration of the issues which fall under part three of the review regarding salaries of Members, office holders leaving office and additional support.

4.2 The Board agreed to return to these issues at its next meeting.

 

5.

Item for decision: Annual Report

Minutes:

5.1.    The Board considered the draft Remuneration Board Annual Report for 2018-19 and, subject to minor amendments, agreed to publish the report, and lay it before the Assembly, in due course.

 

Action points:

The secretariat to:

-     reflect the changes requested by the Board in report;

-     prepare the report for publication.

6.

Item for discussion: Pension consultation

Minutes:

6.1        The Board proposed changes to the Members’ Pension Scheme Rules following legal advice regarding potential age discrimination implications.

6.2        The Board agreed to consult on its proposals to amend the Pension Scheme Rules.

6.3        The closing date for the consultation would be 11 October 2019.

 

Action point:

The secretariat to :

-        issue and promote the consultation;

-        prepare a summary of the responses for the Board’s consideration at a future meeting