16 December 2021

Decisions of the Commons Executive Board meeting, 16 December 2021.

Attendees

Those present: 

Mostaque Ahmed, Finance Director and Managing Director of Finance, Portfolio and Performance 
John Benger, Clerk of the House [Chair]
Isabel Coman, Managing Director of In-House Services and Estates
Marianne Cwynarski, Director General (Operations) 
Sarah Davies, Clerk Assistant and Managing Director of the Chamber and Participation Team
Mandy Eddolls, Managing Director of People and Culture
Alison Giles, Director of Security for Parliament
Tracey Jessup, Chief Digital and Information Officer
Colin Lee, Managing Director of the Select Committee Team
Saira Salimi, Speaker’s Counsel
David Smith, Managing Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service
Penny Young, Librarian and Managing Director of Research and Information 

In attendance:

Gbonju Akintola, WENs Strategic Lead [item 1.d]
Anne Foster, Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Clare Jennings, Director of Communications    
Markos Koumaditis, Human Resources Director
John Owen, Director of Strategic Business Resilience [item 2]
Tim Parkin, Programme Manager, People and Culture [item 1.a]
Reg Perry, Director of Employee Engagement [item 1.c]
Reece Pope, I&D Manager, House of Lords [item 1.d]
Mary Savvides, Acting Head of Risk Management [item 2]
Richard Shoreland, Human Resources Director [item 1.c]
Katharine Williams, Governance Manager and Secretary to the Commons Executive Board
Rachel Williams, Head of Inclusion & Diversity, House of Lords [item 1.d]

Meeting

1. Quarterly theme: People

a) People Strategy delivery report

The CEB noted progress to date to implement the strategy. The CEB broadly endorsed the continuing focus on the People Strategy outcomes as currently framed and the next areas of focus for 2022 but also made some suggestions that it referred to the HR Policy and Strategic Working Group to look into:

Adding an outcome on developing performance management
Prioritising the areas of focus
Accelerating delivery of the HR data system
Designing smart measures for delivery of the strategy

b) Trade union relationships

The CEB discussed its understanding of the relationship between the House Service and the unions, a topic which would be explored further in the forthcoming meeting on employee engagement.

c) Pay reform and pay negotiations 2022-23

The CEB endorsed the proposed scope and approach to pay reform and the illustrative structuring of a pay deal for 2022, subject to points made in the meeting.

d) Review of Workplace Equality Networks

The CEB approved the key recommendations arising from the WEN review as set out in the paper but agreed that the guidance relating to internal and external communications needed some further clarification. This would be informed by the forthcoming policy on impartiality.

2. Risk

a) Risk Working Group terms of reference

The CEB agreed the terms of reference.

b) Escalations

No risks were escalated to the CEB this month.

3. Monthly updates

a) Director General

The CEB took note of an update from the Director General (Operations).

b) Parliamentary business

The CEB took note of an update from the Clerk Assistant and the Managing Director of the Select Committee Team.

c) Finance

The CEB took note of an update from the Managing Director of Finance, Portfolio and Performance.

d) Major projects

The CEB took note of an update from the Managing Director of In-House Services and Estates.

e) Security

The CEB took note of an update from the Director of Security for Parliament and the UK Parliament Chief Digital and Information Officer.

f) Sub-boards

The CEB took note of an update from the Managing Director of the Governance Office and Secretary to the House of Commons Commission.

4. Reflections, updates and AOB

a) Culture reflection

The CEB reflected on the impact that prolonged uncertainty had on culture and what could be done to help with this.

5. Take note papers

The CEB took note of the following papers:
a) CEB decision and action log / minutes
b) Reports from the Commission and Domestic Committees
c) Sub-board agendas and minutes
d) Internal audit: Procurement cards
e) Pass checking review - update
f) Review of Workplace Equality Networks – full report