Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 38
38
To work quickly, Parliament and the Sponsor Body agreed that parliamentary domestic committees, such as...
Conclusion
To work quickly, Parliament and the Sponsor Body agreed that parliamentary domestic committees, such as the finance committees for each house who support the Commissions, would not scrutinise and endorse the Programme’s assessment of the Programme costs and the impact of continued presence before this material was shared with the House Commissions.102 The Sponsor Body does not have a statutory obligation to engage these committees.103 The Sponsor Body explained the intention was to share its analysis of the continued presence option with the domestic committees after an initial discussion with the House Commissions.104 The domestic committees do not have a statutory role, but whatever succeeds the Sponsor Body may still need their endorsement to progress work on the Programme and supporting projects.105
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
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