Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme Resolution

That the Parliament, recognising that the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (the SPCB) carried out a review of the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme approved by Resolution of the Parliament of 12 June 2008 (as last amended by a Resolution of the Parliament on 24 April 2020)-
(a) in exercise of the powers conferred by section 81(2), (5)(b) and 85(5) of the Scotland Act 1998-
(i) confers functions on the SPCB to reimburse members in respect of expenses and cost incurred in each financial year in accordance with the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme (the Scheme) annexed as Annex 1 to this Resolution and confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme;
(ii) determines that the various limits on expenses or costs under the Scheme are as set out in the Schedule of Rates annexed as Annex 2 to this Resolution and that such limits are applicable until the SPCB exercises its power under the Scheme to uprate or vary them;
(iii) confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme; and
(iv) approves the Scheme;
(b) determines that the Scheme shall come into effect on 6 May 2021;
(c) rescinds, with effect from 6 May 2021, the Resolution of the Parliament of 12 June 2008 (as last amended on 24 March 2020).
Annex 1
Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme
Sgeama Ais-phàighidh Cuibhreannan nam Ball
CONTENTS
                     INTRODUCTION
1.                 GENERAL RULES
        1.1.            The Principles of the Scheme
        1.2.            Administration of the Scheme
        1.3.            Publication of Expenses
        1.4.            Submission of claims and Verification of Expenditure
        1.5.            Review of Decisions and Improper Claims
        1.6.         Virement
        1.7.           Pools
        1.8.         Miscellaneous Provisions
2.                 ACCOMMODATION
        2.1.            Accommodation in Edinburgh
        2.2.            Overnight Accommodation outside Edinburgh
        2.3.            Shared Leased Accommodation
3.                 STAFF COSTS
        3.1.       Introduction
        3.2.       Staff Salary Costs
        3.3.      Employer’s National Insurance and Employer’s Pension Contributions
        3.4.       Temporary Staff Cover Costs
        3.5.      Incidental and Ancillary Employment Costs
        3.6.       Redundancy Costs
        3.7.       Employment of Close Family Members of Another Member
4.                  OFFICE COSTS
         4.1.      Introduction
         4.2.      Start Up Provision
         4.3.      Reimbursement of Office Costs for Members who Establish and Run Local Parliamentary Offices
4.4.      Reimbursement of Office Costs for Members who do not Establish and Run  Local Parliamentary Offices
        4.5.       Members Working from Home
5.                  ENGAGEMENT PROVISION
6.                  COST OF TRAVEL
7.               DISABILITY
8.               ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
       8.1             Interpretation, Translation and Similar Costs
       8.2             Exceptional Expenses
9.                  WINDING-UP
      9.1             Introduction
      9.2             Staff Costs
      9.3             Staff Redundancy
      9.4             Accommodation, Office and Associated Costs
      9.5            Member Change of Status
      9.6             Time Limit for Submission of Claims
10.               DEFINITIONS
ANNEXESGroups of Constituencies for Entitlement to Accommodation in Edinburgh Constituencies and Regions for Entitlement to Overnight Accommodation Outside Edinburgh
Schedule of Rates
INTRODUCTION
The Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme as set out below is given effect by resolution of the Scottish Parliament. 
 
The Scheme sets out the provisions available to support members in carrying out their parliamentary duties and the principles and rules members must abide by in making a claim for reimbursement under the Scheme.
 
Ro-ràdh