MINUTES OF THIRD MEETING OF THE ALLOWANCES REVIEW PANEL ON 10 DECEMBER 2007 AT 10.00AM IN ROOM Q3.02, THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Present:
Sir Alan Langlands (Chair)
Alastair MacNish
Isobel Sharp
Tom McCabe MSP
Lord Selkirk of Douglas
In attendance:
Ian Leitch
Huw Williams
Lynda Towers
Lori Gray (minutes)
1. Minutes
1.1. The Panel agreed the minutes of the second meeting held on 19 October 2007.
2. Accommodation
2.1. The Panel discussed a paper detailing the practical and legal issues in obtaining a standard security from any qualifying Member wishing to purchase property in Edinburgh and claiming assistance to meet the mortgage interest payments from an Allowances Scheme. In considering the paper, the Panel did not think that the practicalities in setting up a standard security were such that they would make this option unworkable. If this were to be pursued as the recommendation to the SPCB it was agreed that any new scheme would have to involve tight conditions on trading up and equity release. The main issues remained value for money for the public purse together with a reasonable quality of life for Members.
2.2. A final decision would be taken at the next meeting on this matter. The Panel called for the following to be provided to assist them in reaching a decision:
a draft standard security so that the wording and scope may be further discussed
advice on what transitional arrangements may be put in place for existing Members
any further information to inform the value for money argument
3. Staffing
3.1. The Panel discussed the re-issue of a paper setting out suggestions on separate staffing support within an Allowances Scheme and an accompanying paper detailing the decisions reached so far.
3.2. To clarify the decision reached for on meeting the costs of staff salaries, it was agreed that costs should be assigned to the Member as the employer and met from a central fund through the SPCB payroll.
3.3. To enable further decisions to be reached the Panel called for the following information:
The number of full time staff currently employed by each regional Member
Whether SPCB staff pay a contribution towards Childcare Vouchers
4. Party Leaders Allowance
4.1. The Panel heard a brief presentation on the Party Leaders Allowance before holding a general discussion on the subject. It was agreed that the Secretariat will invite Party Leaders to submit their views on the allowance to the Panel before any decisions are reached.
5. Travel
5.1. The Panel discussed a paper detailing travel provision for Members and their staff and agreed there was a need to simplify the administration of this expenditure.
5.2. The Panel agreed to the following:
Abolish the existing Family Travel Allowance
Adopt the mileage rates as advised by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Consider abolishing the reimbursement of home to local office travel
Provision to be made for staff travel. This would not be subject to any capped limit, but any claims would need to be certified by the employing Member.
Travel outwith Scotland, but within the UK, should be permitted without the need for the Member to obtain prior permission from the SPCB
5.3. Lord Selkirk of Douglas put on record that he did not think it appropriate for him to be associated with the decision to abolish Family Travel because he has had a prior interest during his time at the House of Commons as well as a current interest at the House of Lords.
6. Office Costs
6.1. The Panel discussed a paper on office costs and agreed the principle that local offices may only be used for parliamentary purposes in support of the electorate for the area a Member has been elected. Members should ensure that the arrangements for office accommodation are above reproach and that there can be no grounds for public money being used for the benefit of a political organisation or for personal gain.
6.2. The Panel saw no reason to change the areas of expenditure currently met by the office costs allowance.
6.3. It was agreed that the cost of adapting an office to make it as accessible as possible should be met centrally.
6.4. It was also agreed that the equipment, furniture and office supplies currently provided through the Equipment and Furniture Scheme should be funded centrally. It was expected that the new arrangements would provide transparency while remaining flexible and responsive to Members needs.
6.5. The Panel discussed the issue of regional variations in the cost of leasing suitable office accommodation and agreed that Members may make representation to the SPCB to request an increase to the office costs budget to take account of this where it was considered appropriate to do so.
7. Winding Up
7.1. The Panel discussed the paper on proposed winding up provisions and agreed that the allowance must be sufficient to cover statutory redundancy costs for staff. If a Member has entered into a contractual obligation to pay their staff more than the statutory amount, the Panel considered the Member must meet the difference in cost personally.
7.2. The Panel also agreed that the winding up provision should not be capped but all expenditure must be supported by receipts.
8. Engagement
8.1. It was agreed to discuss the paper on Engagement at the next meeting.
9. Any Other Business
9.1. Sir Alan advised the Panel that it was his intention to provide a first draft of the Report at the next meeting in January.
10. Date of Next Meetings
10.1. It was agreed that the Panel would next meet on Friday 25 January at 10.00am.
10.2. The meeting in January is currently the last one scheduled but the Chair acknowledged that there may be a need to arrange further meetings of the Panel.
Secretariat
December 2007