Strategic Work Programme
Our strategic work programme, which was agreed in 2022, sets out the our approach for the remainder of the Senedd term. The programme will inform the annual reviews of the Determination as well shaping a new Determination for the Seventh Senedd, set in the context of proposed Senedd Reform.
The Strategic Work Programme includes five thematic reviews, each coordinated by a lead Board member:
- Ways of Working – Sir David Hanson
- Simplification – Hugh Widdis
- Staffing Support – Mike Redhouse
- Support for Political Parties’ Allowance – Jane Roberts
- Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support – Elizabeth Haywood.
Ways of Working
This review, led by Sir David Hanson on behalf of the Board, is focused on identifying how Members’ allowances should evolve to accommodate changes to Members’ ways of working, in particular the Office and Constituent Liaison Fund.
Determination Allowances - Home and Hybrid Working
Simplification
This review, led by Hugh Widdis on behalf of the Board, is to simplify the Determination and provide flexibility for Members to determine their own priorities with proportionate safeguards, in co-operation with the Senedd Commission.
Staffing Support
This review, led by Mike Redhouse on behalf of the Board, considers the staffing support requirements of Members of the Senedd.
Phase one of the review consisted of an independent evaluation of the current pay and grading framework for Senedd Support Staff. Following a competitive tendering exercise one of the UK's leading job evaluation and training consultancies, Beamans, were commissioned to gather evidence on the existing pay and grading framework and make recommendations on any changes required.
Beamans conducted the review during October 2023-March 2024 including engagement with a significant number of Members and Support Staff, and submitted its final report at the end of March. The report and the Board's response to the report can be found below.
The Board consulted with Members, Support Staff, trade unions and the Senedd Commission on the Board's preferred model for a new pay and grading framework. The Board will be seeking external expertise to help design and develop the new pay and grading framework for the Seventh Senedd.
Alongside this work the Board will also commence consideration of the Members' Staffing Allowance for the Seventh Senedd, based on Members' staffing support requirements.
Summary of Consultation Responses
Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support
Terms of Reference for Members’ Remuneration and Personal Support
Thematic Review Evidence Papers
The Board’s thematic reviews are underpinned by a robust evidence-base. This includes desk-based research to explore how other legislatures across the UK and globally support Members to fulfil their roles and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to understand how provisions in the current Determination are working, and might need to change for a reformed Seventh Senedd.
Below links are included to key evidence papers that have shaped the Board’s thinking.
Ways of Working
Office and Communication Funding: International Comparison January 2024
This paper considers how legislatures across the UK and internationally provide support to parliamentarians for constituency offices and engagement activities with constituents.
In many political systems around the world, constituency work is a recognised part of parliamentarian’s work. Financial support to cover the costs of running a constituency office and to engage with constituents is therefore a common feature in the examples considered for this paper. The scope, scale and model of this support however, varies.
OCLF Expenditure in the Sixth Senedd July 2024
This paper provides a summary of Office and Constituent Liaison Fund (OCLF) expenditure during the Sixth Senedd. The analysis is based on Members expenditure data provided by the Commission, which is also routinely published on the Senedd website. Data has been provided for three full financial years of the Sixth Senedd – 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.
PPSA Review
Support for Parliamentary Groups: UK and International Comparisons October 2023
This paper considers different approaches to supporting party parliamentary groups, drawing on evidence from across the UK and internationally. Parliamentary groups are a feature of many legislatures, but there does not appear to be an agreed definition of what the purpose of these groups should be, nor the extent to which they should be supported by the parliament in which they operate. There are also differences between the statutory provisions for funding of groups, political parties or policy development.
While the comparison in this paper therefore cannot provide a consensus view, it does provide some indication of the key issues that a review of PPSA should consider, and a steer on the key points of convergence or divergence between parliaments.
Members’ Pay and Personal Support Review: Residential Accommodation Expenditure and Travel
Accommodation and Travel Support for Parliamentarians December 2023
This paper considers how legislatures across the UK and internationally provide accommodation and travel support for Members. The role of parliamentarian is unique in that it often requires members to spend part of their week away from their main home. As such, many legislatures make provision for members to claim the costs of accommodation close to the parliament itself. Travel costs for members are also commonly covered, for journeys to parliament and within constituencies.
This paper provides an insight into how these provisions are designed and operate. Direct comparison of the monetary value of such support is challenging, as each parliament will be making decisions related to the economic context in which they operate. This comparison however, can support discussions about the model of support that Members of the Senedd may require in the Seventh Senedd and the principles on which such support could be designed and reviewed.