Journal de la 844ème séance plénière du Forum
In this Act “the Parliamentary building works” means—
works for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster,
works relating to the Parliamentary Estate, other than works within paragraph (a), that are designated for the purposes of this paragraph by the House Commissions with the agreement of the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority, and
works in connection with the restoration of the Palace of Westminster that—
relate to land that does not form part of the Parliamentary Estate on the first day on which any provision of this section comes into force,
are not within paragraph (b), and
are not designated as excluded from this paragraph by the House Commissions.
References in this Act to “Palace restoration works” are to—
works within subsection (1)(a), and
works within subsection (1)(c).
If either House of Parliament is located somewhere other than the Palace of Westminster while the Parliamentary building works are carried out, the functions under this Act in relation to the works must be exercised with a view to facilitating the return of that House to the Palace of Westminster as soon as is reasonably practicable.
A body corporate called the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (referred to in this Act as “the Sponsor Body”) is established for the purpose of having overall responsibility for the Parliamentary building works.
Regulations 3 and 4 of the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (Abolition) Regulations 2022 abolish the Sponsor Body (established by subsection (1) of this section, which was repealed by those Regulations) and transfer its functions to the Corporate Officers; and regulation 9(7) of those Regulations provides for references to the Sponsor Body in this Act to be treated as references to the Corporate Officers.
The Sponsor Body's duties are—
to determine the strategic objectives of the Parliamentary building works;
to make strategic decisions relating to the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works;
to form the Delivery Authority (see section 3);
to fund the Delivery Authority (see section 9);
to require the Delivery Authority to formulate proposals relating to the design, cost and timing of Palace restoration works;
to require the Delivery Authority, when considering the award of a contract in respect of the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works, to have regard to—
the prospective contractor's policy relating to corporate social responsibility, and
the prospective contractor's policies and procedures relating to employment (including in relation to the blacklisting of employees);
to oversee the activities of the Delivery Authority in connection with the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works;
to deal with matters relating to completion of the Parliamentary building works, including the making of arrangements for the handing over of the buildings to which those works relate;
to promote public understanding of the purposes of the Restoration and Renewal Programme.
In performing the duties under subsection (2)(a) and (b) in relation to Palace restoration works, the Sponsor Body must consult members of each House of Parliament in accordance with the strategy under section 5.
In performing the duties under subsection (2)(a) and (b), the Sponsor Body must make arrangements for seeking the views of—
people employed in or for the purposes of either House of Parliament,
people working for members of either House of Parliament (whether or not for payment), and
members of the public.
In exercising its functions, the Sponsor Body must have regard to—
the need to ensure that the Parliamentary building works represent good value for money;
the need to ensure that the Parliamentary building works are carried out with a view to ensuring the safety and security of people who work in Parliament and members of the public;
the need to protect the environment and to contribute to achieving sustainable development;
the need to ensure that any place in which either House of Parliament is located while the Parliamentary building works are carried out is accessible to people visiting the place for the purpose of watching proceedings or attending meetings with members of either House;
the need to ensure that— are accessible to people with disabilities;
any place in which either House of Parliament is located while the Parliamentary building works are carried out, and
(after completion of those works) all parts of the Palace of Westminster used by people working in it or open to people visiting it,
the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after completion of the Parliamentary building works;
the need to ensure that educational and other facilities are provided for people visiting the Palace of Westminster after completion of the Parliamentary building works;
the need to ensure that the Parliamentary building works are carried out with a view to facilitating improved public engagement with Parliament and participation in the democratic process (especially by means of remote access to Parliament's educational and outreach facilities and programmes);
the special architectural, archaeological and historical significance of the Palace of Westminster;
the need to ensure that opportunities to secure economic or other benefits of the Parliamentary building works are available in all areas of the United Kingdom.
Schedule 1 contains further provision about the Sponsor Body.
At least once in every calendar year, the Corporate Officers must prepare and lay before Parliament a report about the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works and the progress that has been made towards completion of those works.
A report must in particular include information about persons to whom contracts in respect of the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works have been awarded, in particular—
their size, and
the areas in which they operate.
The Corporate Officers must publish each report.
The Sponsor Body must form a company limited by guarantee to exercise the functions conferred on the company by this Act.
The constitution of the company must include provision to ensure that the only member of the company, and its only guarantor, is the Sponsor Body.
The company formed under subsection (1) is referred to in this Act as “the Delivery Authority”.
The Delivery Authority's duties are—
to formulate proposals relating to Palace restoration works, as required by the Sponsor Body under section 2(2)(e), and
to carry out the Parliamentary building works in line with the requirements of the Sponsor Body.
The Delivery Authority may do whatever it considers appropriate for the purposes of the duties under subsection (4), provided that it acts in accordance with—
the agreement entered into by the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority under section 4, and
the Delivery Authority's memorandum and articles of association.
In performing the duties under subsection (4) the Delivery Authority must have regard to the matters mentioned in section 2(5).
Schedule 2 contains further provision about the Delivery Authority.
The Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority must enter into an agreement (“the programme delivery agreement”) containing—
a statement of the strategic objectives of the Parliamentary building works, as determined by the Sponsor Body under section 2(2)(a);
provision about the review of the Delivery Authority's activities by the Sponsor Body;
provision about how, and in what circumstances, the Sponsor Body may intervene in relation to the performance by the Delivery Authority of its duties under section 3(4) where the Sponsor Body considers that the Delivery Authority is not performing those duties effectively and efficiently.
The provision referred to in subsection (1)(b) includes provision for the Sponsor Body or any person authorised by it—
to inspect documents in the Delivery Authority's possession, and
to interview any member of the Delivery Authority's staff.
The programme delivery agreement may contain provision about such other matters relating to the Parliamentary building works as the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority consider appropriate.
If the Delivery Authority and the Sponsor Body fail to reach agreement in relation to a relevant matter, the Delivery Authority or the Sponsor Body (or both) may refer the difference between them to the House Commissions.
“Relevant matter” means—
a matter required by subsection (1)(b) or (c) to be included in the programme delivery agreement, or
a matter to be included in that agreement by virtue of subsection (3).
Where the House Commissions settle a difference referred to them under subsection (4)—
their decision is binding on the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority, and
the programme delivery agreement is to be treated as reflecting that decision.
The programme delivery agreement may be varied by agreement between the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority (and subsections (4) to (6) also apply in relation to any failure to agree a variation of a relevant matter).
The Sponsor Body must prepare a strategy for consulting members of each House of Parliament for the purposes of section 2(3) (requirement to carry out consultation in relation to Palace restoration works).
The Sponsor Body must publish the strategy no later than 8 weeks after the date on which this section comes into force.
The Sponsor Body must keep the strategy under review and revise it if appropriate.
If the Sponsor Body revises the strategy it must publish the revised strategy.
The Sponsor Body, the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons and the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords must enter into an agreement (a “Parliamentary relationship agreement”) containing provision relating to the relationship between the Sponsor Body and Parliament.
A Parliamentary relationship agreement may contain provision about—
the buildings to which the Parliamentary building works relate (including responsibility for those buildings and arrangements for handing them over after completion of those works);
consultation and co-operation between the Sponsor Body and the Corporate Officers;
such other matters as the Sponsor Body and the Corporate Officers consider appropriate.
A Parliamentary relationship agreement may be varied by agreement between the Sponsor Body and the Corporate Officers.
In this section—
“Delivery Authority proposals” means proposals formulated by the Delivery Authority by virtue of section 3(4)(a);
“the Estimates Commission” means the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission;
“Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975;
The House Commissions may appoint one of the external members of the Sponsor Body to be its interim chair if— Appointment as interim chair is for a term ending on the earliest of— The previous appointment of a person as interim chair does not affect the person's eligibility for re-appointment as interim chair.
The validity of any act of the Delivery Authority is not affected—
by a vacancy on the board of directors, or
by a defect in the appointment of a person as a director of the Delivery Authority.
ends with completion of the Parliamentary building works.
No Palace restoration works, other than preparatory works, may be carried out before the Sponsor Body has obtained Parliamentary approval for—
Delivery Authority proposals in respect of those works, and
funding, up to an amount specified in the approval resolution, in respect of phase two works.
In subsection (2) “preparatory works” means works in preparation for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, including—
initial design works, and
other works that do not affect the continued functioning of the Palace of Westminster for the purposes of either House of Parliament.
After obtaining Parliamentary approval for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) and (b), the Sponsor Body must obtain further Parliamentary approval—
before proceeding with Delivery Authority proposals that the Sponsor Body considers would significantly affect the design or timing of Palace restoration works, or
if the Sponsor Body considers that the amount of funding that is for the time being approved by Parliament in respect of phase two works is insufficient for the purposes of carrying out those works.
When seeking Parliamentary approval for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) or (4)(a), the Sponsor Body must lay before Parliament the Delivery Authority proposals in question.
When seeking Parliamentary approval for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) or (4)(b), the Sponsor Body must lay before Parliament its assessment of the amount of funding (or further funding) required in respect of phase two works.
The reference in subsection (4) to further Parliamentary approval is—
in a subsection (4)(a) case, a reference to Parliamentary approval for the Delivery Authority proposals, and
in a subsection (4)(b) case, a reference to Parliamentary approval for further funding, up to the amount specified in the approval resolution, in respect of phase two works.
For the purposes of any reference in this section to the time when Parliamentary approval is obtained for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) and (b), where one House passes an approval resolution on a different day from the other House, Parliamentary approval is to be taken to have been obtained on the second of those days.
A body corporate called the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission (referred to in this Act as “the Estimates Commission”) is established for the purpose of exercising the functions conferred on it by this Act.
Schedule 3 contains further provision about the Estimates Commission.
The Corporate Officers may pay grants, or give any other form of financial assistance, to the Delivery Authority for the purpose of enabling the Delivery Authority to exercise its functions.
Financial assistance under subsection (1) may be given at such times, and subject to such conditions, as the Corporate Officers consider appropriate.
The Corporate Officers’ expenditure under this section is to be met out of money provided by Parliament.
Schedule 4 contains provision about the preparation of estimates by the Corporate Officers for the purposes of this section (and references in that Schedule to expenditure of the Corporate Officers are to be treated as referring only to expenditure under this section).
The Corporate Officers may make such arrangements as they consider appropriate to coordinate the preparation and management of estimates in accordance with Schedule 4 with the preparation and management of estimates prepared in respect of the costs of the performance of their functions (apart from the function of funding the Delivery Authority) under this Act.
The Leader of the House of Commons may by regulations made by statutory instrument abolish—
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
the Estimates Commission.
The Leader of the House of Commons may by regulations made by statutory instrument provide for the transfer from the Corporate Officers to such person as the Leader considers appropriate of—
functions under or in connection with this Act;
property, rights or liabilities relating to or connected with functions under this Act.
But regulations under subsection (2) may not provide for the transfer of anything to a person who has not consented to the transfer.
The things that may be transferred by virtue of subsection (2) include—
property, rights and liabilities that could not otherwise be transferred;
property acquired, and rights and liabilities arising, after the making of the regulations.
Regulations under subsection (2) may—
create rights, or impose liabilities, in relation to property or rights transferred;
make provision about the continuing effect of things done by the Corporate Officers in respect of anything transferred;
make provision about the continuation of things (including legal proceedings) in the process of being done by, on behalf of or in relation to the Corporate Officers in respect of anything transferred;
if the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246) do not apply in relation to the transfer, make provision that is the same or similar;
make other consequential, supplementary, incidental or transitional provision (including consequential provision amending or repealing any provision of this Act).
Regulations under subsection (1)(b) may make consequential, supplementary, incidental or transitional provision (including consequential provision amending or repealing any provision of this Act).
References in this section to rights and liabilities include rights and liabilities relating to a contract of employment.
Before making regulations under subsection (1) or (2), the Leader of the House of Commons—
must consult the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and the House Commissions;
must obtain the consent of the Leader of the House of Lords.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) or (2) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
The Sponsor Body may dissolve the Delivery Authority, but only—
after completion of the Parliamentary building works, and
with the consent of—
the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons,
the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords, and
the House Commissions.
In this Act—
The Sponsor Body must issue, and may from time to time revise, a code of conduct for its members. The code must in particular— “The Nolan principles” means the 7 general principles of public life set out in the First Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm 2850).
The Sponsor Body must appoint a person to be its chief executive officer. The chief executive officer is a member of the Sponsor Body's staff and is to be appointed on terms and conditions determined by the Sponsor Body. The Sponsor Body may appoint other staff on terms and conditions determined by the Sponsor Body. In determining terms and conditions of appointment under sub-paragraph (2) or (3) (including as to remuneration and allowances), the Sponsor Body must have regard to the desirability of keeping the terms and conditions broadly in line with those applying to staff in the House Departments (within the meaning of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978).
The application of the seal of the Sponsor Body must be authenticated by the signature of— A document purporting to be duly executed under the Sponsor Body's seal or signed on its behalf— Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not extend to Scotland.
An external member of the Sponsor Body holds and vacates office in accordance with the terms and conditions of the member's appointment (subject to this Schedule). A Parliamentary member of the Sponsor Body holds and vacates office in accordance with terms and conditions set by the Sponsor Body (subject to this Schedule).
A member must be appointed for a fixed term of not more than 3 years. Those responsible for setting fixed terms for members must have regard to the desirability of securing that appointments do not all expire at the same time. The reference in sub-paragraph (2) to those responsible for setting fixed terms is a reference to the House Commissions (in the case of the chair) and the Sponsor Body (in the case of other members).
The previous appointment of a person as a member does not affect the person's eligibility for re-appointment.
“Palace restoration works” has the meaning given by section 1(2);
the period beginning with the date on which the Delivery Authority is formed and ending with the 31 March following that date, and
The chair and the non-executive directors are to be appointed for a fixed term of not more than 3 years. The person responsible for setting fixed terms for the chair and the non-executive directors must have regard to the desirability of securing that appointments do not all expire at the same time. The reference in sub-paragraph (2) to the person responsible for setting fixed terms is a reference to— The previous appointment of a person as the chair or as a non-executive director does not affect the person's eligibility for re-appointment.
The Delivery Authority may appoint staff on such terms and conditions (including as to remuneration and allowances) as the Delivery Authority may determine.
The Delivery Authority must, at least once during each assessment period that begins during phase one, assess the total amount of phase one expenditure. That amount is to be found by adding together— The Delivery Authority must, at least once during each assessment period that begins during phase two, assess the total amount of phase two expenditure. That amount is to be found by adding together— In this paragraph “assessment period” means— The Delivery Authority must give the Sponsor Body an assessment under this paragraph as soon as practicable after it is made. In this Schedule—
“the Parliamentary building works” has the meaning given by section 1(1);
The Sponsor Body is to consist of the following members— In this Schedule— The number of Parliamentary members must be greater than the number of external members. See also paragraph 8, which makes provision about the appointment of the first external members.
The Sponsor Body may establish committees. A committee established under sub-paragraph (1) may establish one or more sub-committees. A committee or sub-committee may consist of or include persons who are neither members, nor members of staff, of the Sponsor Body.
The Sponsor Body may (subject to this Schedule) determine its own procedure and the procedures of its committees and sub-committees. No proceedings of the Sponsor Body, or of its committees or sub-committees, are invalidated by a vacancy or a defective appointment.
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (other public bodies and offices which are public authorities) at the appropriate place insert— “ The Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body. ”
The Delivery Authority must keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to them. The Delivery Authority must prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year. The Corporate Officers must, after consulting the Delivery Authority, appoint one of the Delivery Authority's executive directors to be the Delivery Authority's accounting officer. The Delivery Authority's accounting officer is to have, in relation to the Delivery Authority's accounts and finance, the responsibilities that are from time to time specified by the Corporate Officers. The reference in sub-paragraph (4) to responsibilities includes— The Delivery Authority must send a copy of the statement of accounts for a financial year to the Comptroller and Auditor General as soon as practicable after the end of that year. The Comptroller and Auditor General must— The Sponsor Body must, in respect of each financial year, lay before Parliament a copy of the certified statement and report sent under sub-paragraph (7)(b). The Delivery Authority is exempt from the requirements of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (audit) and its balance sheet must contain a statement to that effect.
A person ceases to be a member of the Estimates Commission— For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) a specified period is “of the requisite length” if— For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) it does not matter— Where a Commons member ceases to be a member of the House of Commons on the dissolution of Parliament prior to a Parliamentary general election— For the purposes of this Schedule (other than this paragraph), a person is to be treated as a member of the House of Commons for any period during which— In this paragraph “the relevant House”, in relation to a member of the Estimates Commission, means the House of Parliament from which the member is drawn.
In this paragraph “the appropriate authority” means— A member of the Sponsor Body may resign by giving notice in writing to the appropriate authority. The appropriate authority may without notice suspend a member of the Sponsor Body from office if it appears to the appropriate authority that the member— The period of suspension must not exceed 3 months. The appropriate authority must review the suspension before the expiry of the period of suspension. Following a review, the appropriate authority may— A decision under sub-paragraph (6)(b) does not have effect unless it is confirmed—
The Sponsor Body may do anything that is calculated to facilitate the carrying out of its functions or is incidental or conducive to the carrying out of those functions.
The Leader of the House of Commons may make one or more schemes providing for the transfer to the Sponsor Body of qualifying property, rights and liabilities of— The Leader of the House of Lords may make one or more schemes providing for the transfer to the Sponsor Body of qualifying property, rights and liabilities of the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords. The Leader of the House of Commons and the Leader of the House of Lords may jointly make one or more schemes providing for the transfer to the Sponsor Body of qualifying property, rights and liabilities held or incurred jointly by the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons and the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords. “Qualifying property, rights and liabilities” means property, rights and liabilities that the Sponsor Body considers it necessary to be transferred to it in connection with the Parliamentary building works. The things that may be transferred under a transfer scheme include— If the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246) do not apply in relation to a transfer, a transfer scheme must make equivalent provision. A transfer scheme may— A transfer scheme may provide— Before making a transfer scheme, the person making the scheme must consult— In this paragraph—
Section 1(2) of the Superannuation Act 1972 (delegation of functions relating to civil service superannuation schemes by Minister for the Civil Service to another officer of the Crown etc) has effect as if the reference to an officer of the Crown other than a Minister included a reference to the Sponsor Body's chief executive officer. A pension function conferred on the chief executive officer by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) may be carried out by— “Pension function” means a function of administering schemes made under section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972, and from time to time in force. The chief executive officer may under sub-paragraph (2) authorise a person to exercise pension functions— An authorisation under sub-paragraph (2)—
The person who, immediately before the commencement day, was the chair of the shadow Sponsor Body is to be treated as having been appointed on that day as the chair of the Sponsor Body in accordance with paragraph 2. Appointment by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) is to be treated as being for a term of 3 years. A person who, immediately before the commencement day— is to be treated as having been appointed on that day as a member of the Sponsor Body in accordance with paragraph 3 (external members). Appointment by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) is to be treated as being for a term ending with the last day of the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which the shadow Sponsor Body was established. An appointment by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) or (3) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 1 month beginning with the commencement day unless, before the end of that period, the appointment is confirmed by a resolution of each House of Parliament. Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 do not apply in relation to a member who is appointed by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) or (3). In this paragraph—
Where under paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 the Sponsor Body approves a supplementary statement of resources prepared by the Delivery Authority in respect of a financial year to which paragraph 3 applies, the Sponsor Body must prepare a supplementary estimate of its expenditure for that year. The supplementary estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's supplementary statement of resources for the financial year. Paragraph 3(4) to (9) applies to a supplementary estimate as it applies to an estimate prepared under paragraph 3.
This paragraph applies in relation to a financial year of the Sponsor Body that begins during phase two. The Sponsor Body must prepare an estimate of its expenditure for the financial year. The estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's statement of resources for the year, as approved by the Sponsor Body under paragraph 7 of Schedule 2. The Sponsor Body must submit to the Estimates Commission— The Estimates Commission must review the estimate, and in doing so must— The Estimates Commission may make such comments on the estimate as it considers appropriate. If the phase two cost assessment exceeds the amount of funding in respect of phase two works that is for the time being approved by Parliament for the purposes of section 7, the Estimates Commission may— Otherwise, the Estimates Commission must lay the estimate before the House of Commons. When laying the estimate before the House of Commons under sub-paragraph (7)(a) or (8), the Estimates Commission must also lay before that House— If the Estimates Commission rejects the estimate under sub-paragraph (7)(b), the Sponsor Body must prepare a fresh estimate for the year (and sub-paragraphs (3) to (9) apply accordingly).
A Parliamentary member ceases to be a member of the Sponsor Body if— For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) a specified period is “of the requisite length” if— For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) it does not matter— Where a Commons member ceases to be a member of the House of Commons on the dissolution of Parliament prior to a Parliamentary general election— For the purposes of this Schedule (other than this paragraph), a person is to be treated as a member of the House of Commons for any period during which— In this paragraph— “Commons member” and “Lords member” mean a person who is a Parliamentary member by virtue of being a member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords (as the case may be); “the relevant House”, in relation to a Parliamentary member, means the House of Parliament from which the member is drawn.
An external member ceases to be a member of the Sponsor Body on becoming—
a member of either House of Parliament,
a Minister of the Crown,
a member of either of the House Commissions, or
a director of the Delivery Authority (other than a director within paragraph 1(1)(c) of Schedule 2).
The quorum for a meeting of the Sponsor Body is 5 members, who must include at least 2 external members and at least 2 Parliamentary members. The Clerk of the Parliaments and the Clerk of the House of Commons, or their representatives, may attend and participate in meetings of the Sponsor Body. The Sponsor Body may nominate an external member to chair a particular meeting of the Sponsor Body if—
If the executive director who is the Delivery Authority's accounting officer is unable to discharge the responsibilities of accounting officer, the Delivery Authority must nominate a member of its staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the executive director is unable to discharge those responsibilities. If there is no accounting officer, the Delivery Authority must nominate one of its executive directors to be the accounting officer until an accounting officer is appointed. A nomination under this paragraph requires the consent of the Corporate Officers.
References in this Act to the doing of anything by the House Commissions are to the doing of the thing by them jointly.
Any question arising in relation to the definition of “House of Lords Commission” in subsection (1) is to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Lords.
This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This is subject to paragraph 28(3) of Schedule 1.
Section 13, this section and section 15 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
The other provisions of this Act come into force at the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed (subject to subsection (3)).
The Leader of the House of Commons may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint a day, falling before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2), on which— and different days may be appointed for different purposes.
the provisions of this Act (other than section 13, this section and section 15) are to come into force, or
those provisions of this Act that are specified in the regulations are to come into force;
Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Leader of the House of Commons must obtain the consent of the Leader of the House of Lords.
This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019.
Section 2
“the Estimates Commission” means the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission;
The chair is to be appointed by the House Commissions. A person may be appointed as the chair only if the person has been selected for appointment by the House Commissions on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. A person may not be appointed as the chair if the person is— The appointment of the chair does not have effect unless it is confirmed by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
The external members (other than the chair) are to be appointed by the Sponsor Body. A person may be appointed under this paragraph only if the person has been selected for appointment by the Sponsor Body on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. A person may not be appointed under this paragraph if the person is— The functions conferred by this paragraph on the Sponsor Body are to be discharged by the House Commissions— The appointment of an external member under this paragraph does not have effect unless it is confirmed by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
A person may not be appointed as a Parliamentary member if the person is— The appointment of a Parliamentary member does not have effect unless it is confirmed by a resolution of the House of Parliament from which the person is drawn.
The Sponsor Body may pay to an external member such remuneration and allowances as the Sponsor Body may determine.
The Sponsor Body is not to be regarded— The members and staff of the Sponsor Body are not to be regarded as Crown servants.
The Sponsor Body may delegate functions to a committee, sub-committee, member or member of staff.
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (other public bodies and offices which are public authorities) at the appropriate place insert— “ The Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission. ”
In the Superannuation Act 1972, in Schedule 1 (kinds of employment to which a scheme under section 1 of that Act can apply), in the list of other bodies, at the appropriate place insert— “ The Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body. ” The Sponsor Body must pay to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as the Minister may direct, such sums as the Minister may determine in respect of any increase attributable to this paragraph in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament under the Superannuation Act 1972.
The Sponsor Body must keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to them. The Sponsor Body must prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year in accordance with directions given to it by the Treasury. The directions that the Treasury may give under sub-paragraph (2) include, for example, directions as to— The chief executive officer is to be the Sponsor Body's accounting officer (but see paragraph 26). The accounting officer is to have, in relation to the Sponsor Body's accounts and finance, the responsibilities that are from time to time specified by the Sponsor Body. The reference in sub-paragraph (5) to responsibilities includes— The Sponsor Body must send a copy of the statement of accounts for a financial year to the Comptroller and Auditor General as soon as practicable after the end of that year. The Comptroller and Auditor General must— The Sponsor Body must, in respect of each financial year, lay before Parliament a copy of the certified statement and report sent under sub-paragraph (8)(b).
The Sponsor Body may by notice in writing remove the chair from office. Before giving a notice under sub-paragraph (1) the Sponsor Body must obtain the consent of the House Commissions. The Delivery Authority may by notice in writing remove any other director from office. Before giving a notice under sub-paragraph (3) the Delivery Authority must obtain the consent of the Sponsor Body.
The Delivery Authority must, before the beginning of each financial year, prepare a statement setting out the resources it requires for the year in order to exercise its functions. The Delivery Authority must send each statement to the Sponsor Body. The Sponsor Body must review each statement and may approve or reject it. If the Sponsor Body rejects a statement, sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) apply again. A statement that has been approved by the Sponsor Body is to be reflected in the estimate prepared by the Sponsor Body for the financial year to which the statement relates (see paragraphs 3, 6 and 8 of Schedule 4).
A meeting of the Estimates Commission is only quorate if at least one Commons member and one Lords member are present. Subject to that, the Estimates Commission may regulate its own procedure.
In this Schedule— For the purposes of the definitions of “phase one” and “phase two”, where one House passes a resolution on a different day from the other House, the reference to the day on which Parliamentary approval is given is to be read as a reference to the second of those days.
Where under paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 the Sponsor Body approves a supplementary statement of resources prepared by the Delivery Authority in respect of a financial year to which paragraph 6 applies, the Sponsor Body must prepare a supplementary estimate of its expenditure for that year. The supplementary estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's supplementary statement of resources for the financial year. Paragraph 6(4) to (9) applies to a supplementary estimate as it applies to an estimate prepared under paragraph 6.
If the chief executive officer is unable to discharge the chief executive officer's responsibilities as accounting officer, the Sponsor Body must nominate a member of its staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the chief executive officer is so unable. If the office of chief executive officer is vacant, the Sponsor Body must nominate a member of its staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the office of chief executive officer remains vacant.
A person ceases to be a director of the Delivery Authority on becoming— But sub-paragraph (1)(a) and (e) does not apply in the case of a director within paragraph 1(1)(c).
The Delivery Authority may prepare a supplementary statement for a financial year setting out— The Delivery Authority must send a supplementary statement to the Sponsor Body. The Sponsor Body must review a supplementary statement and may approve or reject it. A supplementary statement that has been approved by the Sponsor Body is to be reflected in a supplementary estimate prepared by the Sponsor Body for the financial year to which the statement relates (see paragraphs 5, 7 and 9 of Schedule 4).
The Estimates Commission may not make payments to any of its members or to any other person or otherwise incur any expenditure.
“the Parliamentary building works” has the meaning given by section 1(1);
the period beginning with the date on which the Sponsor Body or the Estimates Commission (as the case may be) is established and ending with the 31 March following that date, and
At least once in every calendar year, the Sponsor Body must prepare and lay before Parliament a report about the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works and the progress that has been made towards completion of those works. A report under this paragraph must in particular include information about persons to whom contracts in respect of the carrying out of the Parliamentary building works have been awarded, in particular— The Sponsor Body must publish each report prepared under this paragraph in whatever way the Sponsor Body considers appropriate.
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (other public bodies and offices which are public authorities) at the appropriate place insert— “ The company formed under section 3 of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019. ”
This paragraph applies in relation to a financial year of the Sponsor Body if— The Sponsor Body must prepare an estimate of— The estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's statement of resources for the year, as approved by the Sponsor Body under paragraph 7 of Schedule 2. The Sponsor Body must submit to the Estimates Commission— The Estimates Commission must review the estimate, and in so doing must— The Estimates Commission may make such comments on the estimate as it considers appropriate. If the phase one cost assessment exceeds the phase one expenditure limit (as defined by paragraph 4(1)), the Estimates Commission may— Otherwise, the Estimates Commission must lay the estimate before the House of Commons. When laying the estimate before the House of Commons under sub-paragraph (7)(a) or (8), the Estimates Commission must also lay before that House— If the Estimates Commission rejects the estimate under sub-paragraph (7)(b), the Sponsor Body must prepare a fresh estimate for the year (and sub-paragraphs (3) to (9) apply accordingly).
Where under paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 the Sponsor Body approves a supplementary statement of resources prepared by the Delivery Authority in respect of a financial year to which paragraph 8 applies, the Sponsor Body must prepare a supplementary estimate of its expenditure for that year. The supplementary estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's supplementary statement of resources for the financial year. Paragraph 8(4) to (9) applies to a supplementary estimate as it applies to an estimate prepared under paragraph 8.
Section 3
The Delivery Authority is to have a board of directors consisting of— A person may be appointed as chair only with the consent of the House Commissions. A person may not be appointed as a director of the Delivery Authority if the person is— But sub-paragraph (3)(a) and (da) does not apply in relation to the appointment of a person within sub-paragraph (1)(c). The number of non-executive directors appointed by the Delivery Authority must be greater than the number of executive directors. A person who is an executive director is a member of the Delivery Authority's staff. A person may be appointed as a director of the Delivery Authority only—
Section 8
The Estimates Commission is to consist of— A person may not be appointed as a member of the Estimates Commission if the person is— The appointment of a member of the Estimates Commission does not have effect unless it is confirmed by a resolution of the House of Parliament from which the person is drawn.
Section 9
“the Sponsor Body” means the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (but by virtue of regulation 9(7) of the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body (Abolition) Regulations 2022 references to the Sponsor Body in this Act are after the commencement of those Regulations to be treated as references to the Corporate Officers).
This paragraph applies in relation to a financial year of the Sponsor Body that begins during phase one, other than— The Sponsor Body must prepare an estimate of its expenditure for the financial year. The estimate must reflect the Delivery Authority's statement of resources for the year, as approved by the Sponsor Body under paragraph 7 of Schedule 2. The Sponsor Body must submit to the Estimates Commission— The Estimates Commission must review the estimate, and in doing so must— The Estimates Commission may make such comments on the estimate as it considers appropriate. If the phase one cost assessment exceeds the phase one expenditure limit (see paragraph 4), the Estimates Commission may— Otherwise, the Estimates Commission must lay the estimate before the House of Commons. When laying the estimate before the House of Commons under sub-paragraph (7)(a) or (8), the Estimates Commission must also lay before that House— If the Estimates Commission rejects the estimate under sub-paragraph (7)(b), the Sponsor Body must prepare a fresh estimate for the year (and sub-paragraphs (3) to (9) apply accordingly).
For the purposes of paragraph 3 the “phase one expenditure limit” means— Before revising (or further revising) the limit for phase one expenditure, the House Commissions must consult the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority.