Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Through our work we often see a lack of openness and transparency about programme progress,...
Conclusion
Through our work we often see a lack of openness and transparency about programme progress, performance and decision-making. In January 2021, we concluded it was vital that Parliament’s own major project, the Restoration and Renewal Programme, was an exemplar of an open and transparent project which welcomes full scrutiny.93 84 HC1100 Q 116; Sponsor Body, Restoration and Renewal Programme: Essential Scheme: initial assessment of cost and schedule; and continued presence: impact study, DEP2022–0145, 23 February 2022 85 HC49 Q4 86 RRP0003 87 HC49 Q 38 88 HC1100 Qq 106, 108–109 89 HC1100 Q 132 90 Joint report from the House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions, 14 June 2022, pg 23 91 HC49 Qq 55–57 92 HC49 Q 59 93 Public Accounts Committee, Lessons from major projects and programmes, Thirty-Ninth Report, Session 2019– 21, HC 694, 29 January 2021 Restoration and Renewal of Parliament 19
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
First bullet – sponsor reporting The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: the target date for implementing the new two-tier governance structures, and therefore revised arrangements for reporting to Parliament, is the end of the calendar year. Quarterly R&R progress reports will be published by the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments after this date. Quarterly R&R progress reports will continue to be published. These will be issued by the two Clerks at the point that they become the Accounting Officers for R&R. The Public Accounts Committee will be notified of the publication of each report. Parliament will be engaged throughout the R&R programme and the two Houses will be asked to take decisions at different junctures. The proposed new governance model will also endeavour to ensure regular engagement and information-sharing and feedback sessions with Members of both Houses. Second bullet – publication of minutes and advice to Commissions This recommendation is not directed to any of the four accounting officers providing this response. It is a matter for the Commissions of each House as to what they publish and where. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments undertake to raise the Committee’s request at the next meeting of their respective Commissions. Third bullet – engagement with parliamentary domestic committees The CEO of the Sponsor Body and the CEO of the Delivery Authority accept this recommendation. The domestic committees of the two Houses are key stakeholders for the R&R programme of works and have an important role advising the Commissions on the discharge of their functions. The Sponsor Body has valued the input of domestic committees in both Houses on a range of issues over the past two years. Under the new arrangements, engagement with parliamentary committees, including domestic committees, is likely to be overseen by the Client Team, based in the new parliamentary joint department, with the Delivery Authority’s close support and involvement. We intend to build on previous positive examples of engagement with domestic committees, for example for the R&R Programme Strategic Review in 2021, as well as the engagement currently taking place as part of the surveys programme. As recommended by the Committee, the Client Team and Delivery Authority will integrate engagement with parliamentary domestic committees into future planning schedules related to the works, as well as other key engagement and governance bodies such as the Programme Board. Fourth bullet – safety escalation and reporting protocols The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments have recently reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements within Parliament, implementing the improved protocols on 6 April 2022. The risk-based protocols, which were developed in consultation with the Trade Unions, incorporate trigger points for escalation based on Health and Safety Executive best practice and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Training has been delivered to key staff in Parliament on these arrangements to ensure they become embedded. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. Any subsequent changes will be communicated to the Commissions. For the House of Commons’ Commission, this is via the regular safety updates provided at each Commission meeting. The Clerk of the Parliaments will continue to provide the House of Lords’ Commission with oral updates on a range of issues as appropriate and will do so on safety matters where necessary. Fifth bullet – Government engagement This recommendation is directed to the Government. Target implementation date: this is not a matter for the Accounting Officers. A separate response will be provided by the Government. However, all four Accounting Officers are committed to continued engagement with Government.