House of Commons Commission decisions – 16 June 2014

1. Financial remit 2015/16-2018/19

The Commission agreed the following remit for the current financial planning round:

The financial remit for the planning round 2015/16 to 2018/19 assumes zero growth in real terms and that the House will absorb day to day upward cost pressures other than inflation. In agreeing the remit the Commission notes that there should be an on-going challenge to deliver efficiencies through a process of continuous improvement, and suggests that the Finance and Services Committee should continue to look for opportunities to make further efficiencies and ensure value for money in the delivery of services. The Commission also notes that significant enhancements to scrutiny and related functions and the resource implications of major building refurbishments should not necessarily be funded from within existing budgets.

2.   Diversity up-date

The Commission took note of a report from the Head of Diversity and Inclusion.

3.   Legal costs

The Commission agreed to enforce award of costs relating to the recent High Court case concerning pay progression in the House of Commons Service but to waive the first £20,000.

4.   Recruitment of Clerk and Chief Executive

The Commission noted the composition of the selection panel and agreed that, in future, all aspects of recruitment of a Clerk/Chief Executive would be explicitly agreed in advance by the Commission.

5.   Any other business

The Commission agreed that part of its July meeting could be filmed for the documentary Inside the House of Commons.

6.   Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Commission/MEC will take place on Monday 14 July at 5.00 pm in Speaker’s House.