In a new report it has called for an update from the Assembly Commission – the corporate body responsible for providing things like office space for Assembly Members, support services including legal and research advice, and committee clerking staff – on what work it has undertaken to prepare for the new fiscal and legislative powers which are expected to be devolved in the next few years.
The Committee has been examining the Commission’s draft budget for the forthcoming financial year in which it has asked for an increase, in cash terms, of £1.1 million – up from £50.9 million, in 2015-16, to £52 million.
An additional one-off payment of £2.5 million has also been requested to cover costs associated with next year’s Assembly election. A further £15.5 million is required to meet the recommendations concerning AM pay and expenses set out by the independent Remuneration Board.
In supporting the approach taken by the Commission, Finance Committee members also wanted clarity as to what happens to any left-over funds not accessed by Assembly Members.
The Committee also recognised the progress made in ICT services since provision was brought in-house rather than handled by an external contractor, but recommended that issues associated with the Assembly’s website are reviewed as a matter of priority.
In all the Committee makes six recommendations in its report. The Assembly Commission’s draft budget will now be debated and decided on during a meeting of the full National Assembly next month.
