Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 28
28
In our October 2020 report, we noted that success for the Programme depended on factors...
Conclusion
In our October 2020 report, we noted that success for the Programme depended on factors outside the Sponsor Body’s control.73 The NAO’s January 2022 report reported 64 Committee of Public Accounts, Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, Nineteenth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 549, 2 October 2020 65 C&AG’s Report, Figure 1 66 HC1100 Qq 98–100 67 HC1100 Q 95 68 HC49 Q 26, 67 69 Joint statement from the House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions, 18 March 2022 70 HC1100 Qq 132, 142 71 HC49 Qq 55–7 72 Joint report from the House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions, 14 June 2022, pages 46 and 57 73 Committee of Public Accounts, Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, Nineteenth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 549, 2 October 2020 Restoration and Renewal of Parliament 17 that the most significant interdependent projects beyond the Sponsor Body’s control were delayed or paused.74 This included work to rehouse staff and heritage collection artefacts out of the House being paused for eight months and there being no viable option for a Commons decant location having been developed.75 The House of Commons currently has responsibility for providing accommodation for the House of Commons on the parliamentary estate during the works. To produce a credible business case, the sponsor will need to understand the costs, timing and risks of the decant project to house the House of Commons.76 The Clerk of the House told us he is confident that the Commons Chamber will need to be decanted for a significant period of time, but when the decant option is needed and where it will be is still to be determined.77
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
First bullet - Structures to achieve a single set of objectives and requirements The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation although note it is for both Houses to ultimately agree the programme’s objectives and requirements Target implementation date: 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. The Commissions’ report sets out a proposed new two-tier structure for the governance of the R&R Programme that would oversee the development of a single set of objectives and requirements guided by a long-term vision for the Palace. The Programme Board, as envisaged by the report, would support the long-term vision and oversee the process for engaging with the whole parliamentary community, which includes Members and parliamentary committees, to achieve a single set of requirements for both Houses. The Client Board, enabling the Commissions to act and make decisions jointly, would have overall ownership of the objectives and requirements. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments will facilitate a move to these new structures if endorsed by both Houses of Parliament.