COMMENTARY ON SECTIONS
Section 3: Functions of the Board
11.This section provides that the Board’s main functions are those conferred on it by sections 20, 22, 24, 53 and 54 of the Act as amended by this Measure. Sections 20 and 22 of the Act (as amended) give the Board the function of making determinations relating to Assembly Members’ salaries, allowances and pensions. Section 24 (as amended) gives the Board the function of making determinations regarding payments to political groups of Assembly Members. Sections 53 and 54 (as amended) give the Board the function of making determinations relating to the First Minister, Welsh Ministers and Deputy Ministers and the Counsel General.
12.Subsection (2) sets out three objectives that the Board must seek to achieve when exercising its functions: firstly, providing Assembly Members with a level of remuneration which fairly reflects the complexity and importance of the functions which they are expected to discharge and which does not deter, on financial grounds, persons with the necessary commitment and ability from seeking election as Assembly Members; secondly, providing Assembly Members with adequate resources to enable them to exercise their functions as Assembly Members and, thirdly, ensuring that public money is spent with probity, accountability, value for money and transparency.
13.Subsection (3) places a duty on the Board to keep under review the extent to which these objectives are being achieved by the Board’s determinations. When doing so, the Board must take into account how those determinations have operated, any changes in the functions of Assembly Members and any other relevant changes in circumstances.
14.The Board may, on its own initiative or at the written request of the Clerk of the Assembly, consider any other matter relevant to the discharge of its functions.
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