House of Commons Commission bulletin – 15 July 2015

This bulletin updates Members on the work of the House of Commons Commission.

Governance of the House of Commons: The Commission again considered implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on House of Commons Governance and agreed the following written statement that was made on 15 July.

Following the House's agreement on 9 July 2015 to a motion appointing Sir Paul Beresford, Tom Brake, Nicholas Brown and Stewart Hosie to the House of Commons Commission, the Commission met on 13 July for the first time since the House of Commons Commission Act 2015 took effect.  The majority of the meeting focused on progress with implementation of the recommendations of the Select Committee on House of Commons Governance.

The Commission noted that the final interviews for the new post of Director General of the House of Commons had been held on 2 July, and hoped that it would be possible to announce an appointment shortly.

The Commission agreed a delegation under the terms of paragraph 5 of schedule 1 of the House of Commons Administration Act 1978 to establish an Executive Committee to replace the Management Board and to set out the authority for senior appointments.  This delegation is appended to the "decisions" of the meeting, which are published on the Parliament website on the House of Commons Commission homepage.

The new Executive Committee's main delegated responsibilities will be delivery of the strategy to be agreed by the Commission and ensuring that the terms and conditions of staff are consistent with the Commission's statutory duties. Pending the outcome of a Senior Management Review, the Executive Committee will comprise the Director General of the House of Commons (once appointed) as chair, the Clerk of the House of Commons, the head of the Department of Chamber and Committee Services, the head of the Department of Facilities, the Director of Finance, the head of the Department of Human Resources and Change and the head of the Department of Information Services. In addition the Executive Committee may co-opt the Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service and/or the Parliamentary Security Director into its membership. 

The Commission agreed that Tom Brake would act as its spokesperson, and that he would answer all questions tabled to the Commission and the Members Estimate Committee.

The Commission agreed that to improve transparency, it would publish its agendas on the Parliament website prior to its meetings.

The Commission agreed to begin the process of recruiting its external members in September. In the meantime, the former external members of the Management Board will continue to attend by invitation.

The Commission also up-dated its statement of membership, functions and practice to reflect the changes that have occurred as a result of the Governance Committee's report. In particular, it agreed that its quorum should increase from three to five, to include four Members and one official.

Education Centre: The Commission noted that the new Education Centre would be officially opened on 15 July (attendance by invitation).  Drop-ins and tours of the Education Centre for Members and staff of both Houses will be available as follows: Monday 20 July, 9am to 3pm, Members and staff of both Houses; Monday 20 July, 3pm to 6pm, Members of both Houses only. 

Commission membership: Mr Speaker (Chair), Sir Paul Beresford MP, Tom Brake MP, Nicholas Brown MP, Angela Eagle MP, Chris Grayling MP (Leader of the House), Stewart Hosie MP, the Clerk of the House (David Natzler) and the Director General of the House of Commons (post vacant).  Dame Janet Gaymer and Barbara Scott are attending the Commission pending the appointment of its two external members.

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