Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
In terms of the Clerks’ role, Members of both Houses value their expertise in terms...
Conclusion
In terms of the Clerks’ role, Members of both Houses value their expertise in terms of procedural knowledge, but they may not have the requisite skills to oversee the delivery function (the Delivery Authority) in a complex programme with multiple interdependences. There is no evidence that the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments have either the expertise or the capacity to successfully oversee such a large and complicated infrastructure project. The Clerk of the House described it as, in cost terms, sitting “somewhere between the London Olympics and Crossrail”. When asked, the Clerks could not set out how they would manage these responsibilities alongside their full-time roles.42
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Second bullet - skills and expertise The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments commit to implement this recommendation. Target implementation date: Not applicable, as this recommendation is ongoing. As noted in paragraph 27 of the Commissions’ report, the Delivery Authority will remain in place, and will remain independent, under the Commissions’ proposals. It is worth noting that the vast majority of the people working on the programme are employed by the Delivery Authority or its supply chain. The CEO of the Delivery Authority will remain accountable for the skills and expertise to deliver the Programme, and their independence remains unchanged. The creation of the Client Team as a new Joint Department within Parliament is the responsibility of the Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the House, and they will be responsible for ensuring it has the right capabilities. An interim CEO was announced on 26 May 2022. Dr Patsy Richards has been seconded from the House of Commons to provide the leadership and stability needed by the sponsor function at this time. The interim CEO is assessing capability and capacity gaps within the sponsor function to ensure it has the necessary skills and expertise. This exercise will be completed by the end of the summer recess. Proposals by the two Clerks regarding the application of TUPE legislation to transfers of those staff working in the Sponsor Body aim to mitigate the risk of losing staff with the right experience and skills. Paragraph 42 of the Commissions’ Report sets out that the Programme Board “will bring together Parliamentary and lay members, with the right skills and expertise, especially in major programmes, to fulfil its remit.” The Client Board, once established, will consider proposals for the membership of the Programme Board and appoint its members. Subject to endorsement by both Houses of Parliament, the target date for implementing the new two-tier governance structure is the end of the calendar year.