25 Accepted

When we reported on this Programme in October 2020, we found the Sponsor Body had...

Conclusion
When we reported on this Programme in October 2020, we found the Sponsor Body had not engaged sufficiently with Members, Peers, Officials, and staff to clarify how it would reconcile the range of individual views within Parliament. While the Sponsor Body should consider Members’ differing perspectives as much as is realistically possible, excessive political interference may muddy the waters, making progress more difficult. We reported that re-opening decisions risked delaying the Programme with increasing risks to personal safety, the Palace structure and taxpayer’s money.64 In January 2022 the NAO found that these risks remained.65
Government Response Summary
The Clerks agree with the committee, proposing a new two-tier governance structure for the R&R Programme by the end of the calendar year, which aims to develop a single set of objectives and requirements by engaging the parliamentary community and providing oversight through Programme and Client Boards.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
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.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 4.1 yrs
Report published 29 Jun 2022