Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales meeting: 10 February 2023

• Frances Duffy, Chair
• Saz Willey, Vice Chair
• Bev Smith
• Leighton Jones, Secretariat

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (the Panel) met on Friday 10 February.

The aim of the meeting was to agree the final annual report for 2023, discuss the draft communications and engagement strategy, consider the draft strategic plan for the next 2 years and analyse the evidence and research plan. The Panel also examined the compliance returns submitted by local authorities and discussed the budget and work plan for 2023 to 2024.

Below summarises the Panel’s discussions and decisions.

The Panel reviewed the amendments made from the draft report and agreed to sign off the annual report for 2023. This will be published by the end of February. An email will be circulated to all stakeholders which include a pdf version and website link to the report.

The Panel considered the draft communications and engagement strategy. This outlined the approach together with the principles and direction for development of the strategy. The strategy will be finalised in April.

The Panel discussed the strategic plan for the next 2 years. The plan summarised the principles and objectives that the Panel will work to. This will be finalised at the March meeting and published on the website once agreed.

The Panel reviewed a paper on the evidence and research plan. This paper was presented to ensure that the decisions of the Panel are informed and transparent. The Panel considered and agreed the data, comparators and evidence to be used in order to help their future decision making.

The Panel looked at Payments returns for 2021 to 2022 and Schedules of Remuneration for 2022 to 2023. The Panel also discussed the information that is required to be present within each of the compliance requirements.

The Panel considered the draft plans for the budget and work scheduled over the next financial year. The work plan will be finalised at the March meeting and reported each month by the Secretariat, alongside the budget expenditure.

The Panel agreed future Panel dates for 2023.

The next meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales will take place on Tuesday 14 March.

Should you have any matters you wish to raise with the Panel, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the Secretariat by emailing IRPMailbox@gov.wales.