Consultation display

Review of staffing support for Members and the review of the Disciplinary Procedure and Grievance Procedure

Purpose of the consultation

This consultation contains proposals on two of the Remuneration Board’s workstreams:

Review of the staffing support for Members

Purpose of the consultation

At its meeting on 11 October the Board considered the evidence received during its review of staffing support for Members on the issues it had yet to undertake a decision on. The Board agreed:

  • it hadn’t received sufficient evidence on some areas of the terms of reference and therefore didn’t propose to make any changes to those provisions;
  • to defer consideration of some of the areas of the terms of reference to its review of the Determination for the Sixth Assembly;
  • to consult on any outstanding areas of the terms of reference.

The Board considered the suitability of the current terms and conditions of support staff and agreed to consult on amending or adjusting a number of provisions. A summary of these proposals are noted below:

  • adjusting support staff salaries in April of each year by the change in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings;
  • introducing privilege days for support staff;
  • introducing a new compassionate leave policy for support staff.

The Board also considered the funding arrangements for Assembly Members who employ family members and agreed to consult on removing the ability of Members to fund the employment of family members and partners from the Determination.

Terms of reference

The Board will review existing and new evidence relating to the staffing allowances provided for Members, to ensure that the financial support available supports the strategic purpose of the Assembly and facilitates the work of its Members as well as ensuring that the system of financial support for Member is robust, clear, transparent, sustainable and represents value for the taxpayer.

The review will consider:

  • the adequacy of the level of support provided to Members;
  • the flexibility and prescriptiveness of the current support system for Members;
  • the suitability of the current terms and conditions of support staff.

Implementation of the Dignity and Respect policy

Purpose of the consultation

Issues of harassment, bullying and inappropriate conduct relating to support staff are dealt with according to the processes outlined in the Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures. As such, the Board has agreed that these documents need to be reviewed immediately to ensure they are up to date and align with the Dignity and Respect policy. At its meeting on 11 October the Board considered the initial feedback it had received on the Disciplinary Procedure and Grievance Procedure and agreed to consult on a number of changes to ensure both procedures are up to date and align with the Assembly’s Dignity and Respect policy. 

Terms of reference

Following the adoption of the Assembly Commission’s Dignity and Respect policy the Board committed to review all appropriate documents and policies within its remit to support cultural change and ensure that inappropriate conduct is not tolerated and is suitably dealt with. The following documents and policies fall within its remit:  

  • Support staff Code of Conduct; 
  • Support staff Disciplinary Procedure;
  • Support staff Grievance Procedure. 

Providing written evidence

The National Assembly for Wales has two official languages, Welsh and English.

In line with the Assembly’s Official Languages Scheme, the Board requests that documents or written responses to consultations intended for publication or use by the Board are submitted bilingually. When documents or written responses are not submitted bilingually, they will be publish in the language submitted, stating that it has been received in that language only.

The Board expects other organisations to implement their own standards or schemes and to comply with their statutory obligation.

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered how the Board will use your information before submitting information to the Board. This is noted in the annex of the consultation document.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 13 December 2018. It may not be possible to take into account responses received after this date.

Supporting documents

Contact details

Should you wish to speak to someone regarding this consultation, please use the below contact details:

Remuneration Board
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN

Email: Remuneration@senedd.wales
Telephone: 0300 200 6565