Fifty-Second Report - Restoration & Renewal of the Palace of Westminster – 2023 Recall

The government agrees with the need for public engagement and confirms that a comprehensive engagement plan is in place for 2023, including a separate plan specifically addressing external engagement to properly inform the public.

The Clerks agree, recognizing the need for excellent health and safety performance. They commit to utilizing the Programme Delivery Agreement to set explicit expectations for contractors regarding asbestos management and will implement a robust monitoring framework and assurances. Improvements to incident reporting are ongoing, and a new Director of Parliamentary Safety is being recruited.

The Clerks agree, committing to use the Programme Delivery Agreement to set explicit health and safety expectations for contractors, seek assurances on performance, and establish a robust monitoring framework. Improvements to incident reporting are already underway, and a new Director of Parliamentary Safety is being recruited.

The Clerks agree, committing to reiterate health and safety importance and ensure contractors meet standards through the Programme Delivery Agreement and a robust monitoring framework. They confirm improvements to incident reporting and the ongoing recruitment of a Director of Parliamentary Safety to expedite safety structure improvements.

The Clerks agree on the need for robust safety structures and are implementing a Programme Delivery Agreement to ensure high safety standards with contractors. They are also continuing to improve incident reporting and plan to appoint an interim Director of Parliamentary Safety shortly.

The government outlines key milestones for the R&R programme, including presenting a strategic case to both Houses by December 2023 and approving the Delivery Authority budget by March 2024, with regular quarterly progress reports.

The government agrees it is critical to present a strategic case for the R&R programme this year, confirming it will be presented to both Houses by December 2023. It notes further detailed proposals will follow, with timing for a decision in 2024/2025 subject to a general election.

The government agrees with the committee's findings on ongoing uncertainties and commits that the R&R Client team will present cost and time estimates in ranges within the strategic case and costed proposal, with the first due in Autumn 2023.

The government agrees with the committee's observations and confirms that the R&R Client team will present cost and time estimates in ranges as part of the strategic case and costed proposal, due for consideration in Autumn 2023.

The government acknowledges the uncertainty in the work's scope and confirms that the R&R Client team will present cost and time estimates in ranges within the strategic case and costed proposal, with the first due for consideration in Autumn 2023, to aid decision-making.

The R&R Client team commits to presenting cost and time estimates in ranges in the strategic case and costed proposal, due to be considered by the Programme Board and Client Board in Autumn 2023.

Acknowledging the uncertainties in cost estimates, the R&R Client team commits to presenting cost and time ranges in the strategic case and costed proposal, with the first due for consideration in Autumn 2023.

The government agrees on the importance of transparency and details ongoing efforts, including the upcoming annual progress report, regular quarterly reports, published meeting agendas/minutes, and the publication of Independent Advice and Assurance Panel reports.

The Clerks and Client Team agree with the committee's observation on transparency and confirm that commitments for regular reporting are being fulfilled, including annual and quarterly progress reports, published meeting minutes, and Independent Advice and Assurance Panel reports.

The government agrees with the committee's observation on the importance of Member consensus and outlines a comprehensive plan for internal engagement, including direct communications, focus groups, party group engagement, and an information hub, to address this challenge.

The government agrees with the committee's observation on past insufficient parliamentary engagement and outlines a new, prioritized approach with senior resources and a comprehensive internal engagement plan with Members.

The Clerks and Client Team agree on the importance of engagement with political stakeholders and detail a comprehensive plan of ongoing engagement activities with Members, committees, and party groups through various channels.

The government agrees with the importance of Member engagement, detailing a comprehensive engagement plan for the remainder of 2023, including regular internal engagement, direct alerts to Members, and an information hub, leading up to the strategic case vote.

The Corporate Officers acknowledge their new overall legal responsibility for the building works under the Act, and detail the mechanisms they will use, such as formally recording disagreements, to manage their duties, especially in the event of significant concerns.

The Clerks acknowledge their legal and statutory responsibilities, including fire safety, and state they would formally record disagreements or object to proposed actions on grounds of propriety, value for money, or feasibility, ensuring their professional views are not constrained.

The Clerks acknowledge their significant responsibilities and state they would record disagreements in formal minutes or correspondence if asked to undertake unwise or high-risk works. They also confirm they would not support construction presenting unmitigated risk.