Meetings

§  Paper 2A – Determination: Policy Matters

§  Paper 2B – Determination: Final Determination

§  Paper 2C – Report on the Consultation on the Determination

§  Paper 2D – Commission Guidance

·         Paper 2 – Summary of Consultation Responses and Issues to Consider (PowerPoint) Summary

·         Paper 3 – Consultation Responses (full responses)

·         Paper 4 – Determination and Publications - Branding

Paper 2 – Employment of Family Members

• The Board noted that recent legal advice was consistent with previous advice received.
• The Board noted recent correspondence with Members who employ family members.

Oral item

• The Board noted the briefings ahead of the Member and staff representative group meetings, and the Member drop-in.

Paper 1 – Consultation responses on proposal to extend implementation of the pay and grading framework

• The Board considered responses to the consultation on extending the implementation of the new pay and grading framework.
• The Board discussed the concerns relating to 'fire and rehire' and latest legal advice received.
• The Board agreed to extend the deadline for the staffing review implementation to 30 June 2026.

Action:

• Secretariat to confirm Board’s decision to extend the deadline for implementation of the pay and grading framework to the end of June.

·         Paper 3A – Draft Determination for the Seventh Senedd: Annual Uprating and Policy Proposals

·         Paper 3B – Draft Determination and consultation

·         Annex A – Draft consultation document

·         Annex B – Draft Determination for the Seventh Senedd

• The Board noted it had already taken and published its core policy decisions for the Determination for the Seventh Senedd in July.
• The Board has agreed to consult further on a limited number of further policy proposals, including those related to staffing matters.
• The Board agreed the consultation document and draft text of the Determination for the Seventh Senedd. The consultation will be issued on 15 December and concludes on 4 February 2026.

Action:

• Secretariat to publish the consultation on the Draft Determination for the Seventh Senedd.

·       Paper 6A - Determination for the Seventh Senedd: Policy Matters

·       Paper 6B - Drafting of the Determination: Principles and Draft Chapters

·       Annex A – Current Determination Principles

·       Annex B – Comparison of Principles

·       Annex C – Draft chapters

·       Annex D - Letter from the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd

·       The Board noted it had already taken and published its core policy decisions for the Determination for the Seventh Senedd in July. It considered some further policy matters and data relating to inflationary uplifts for 2026-27. The Board agreed to receive further information at December’s meeting.

·       The Board considered a detailed review of the principles in the draft Determination alongside comparisons from other UK parliamentary remuneration bodies.

·       The Board reviewed the latest revised draft Chapters of the draft Determination, which reflected policy decisions previously taken by the Board, and the drafting style introduced through the simplification review.

·       The Board confirmed that it will publish a full draft Determination for the Seventh Senedd for consultation in December. The Board will seek views on the clarity and interpretation of its drafting alongside the remaining policy changes.