The National Assembly for Wales Commission

Budget for 2009-10

The Assembly Commission's budget for 2009-10 was laid on 15 October 2008, and approved by the Assembly on 22 October 2008.

May 2007 saw the creation of the Assembly Commission under the Government of Wales Act 2006.  The Commission is responsible for the provision of property, staff and services to support the National Assembly for Wales, and its purpose is to make the Assembly an accessible and effective parliamentary body that inspires the confidence of the people of Wales.

The budget is used to meet the running costs of the National Assembly for Wales and consists of Assembly Members’ and Office Holders pay and allowances; the salaries of the staff of the Assembly – committee clerking teams, researchers, staff supporting the legislative processes, parliamentary translation and reporting staff, legal advisers, visitor services and outreach staff and those in operational support services such as security, accommodation, HR, finance and ICT; and the cost of goods, services and facilities used in the day to day operation of the Assembly.

The Commissioners are mindful of the current economic conditions and the resulting pressures on the public sector and people in Wales.  In response, the Commission has restricted its proposed budget increase for 2009-10 to 3.4%, establishing a resource budget of £47.751m.  This will be challenging against current levels of price inflation, and is also below the overall 4.8% estimated increase in funding coming to Wales for the year.  However, Commissioners took a view that they should seek to limit expenditure where possible now and to plan for a period of consistent but prudent expenditure over the next three years.  They have therefore reduced or removed some elements of the original budget proposals to achieve this. The final budget includes resources at a level sufficient to deliver their key objectives, while also delivering value for money and efficiency.

We have produced a briefing document for the Assembly Commission's budget for 2009-10.

Related documents: guidance document on the National Assembly for Wales Commission's budget for 2008-09.

23 October 2008