The Remuneration Board is consulting on a proposal that Assembly Members should be able to employ senior advisors at a higher grade in order to increase the strategic capacity of the National Assembly.
The Senior Advisor role would provide research and advisory support to Members.
Board Chair Sandy Blair said: “This consultation involves a series of proposals concerning the support available to Assembly Members. As in all our work, I’m confident that our proposals offer Members greater flexibility, while maintaining those essential safeguards which protect Members, their staff, the taxpayer and the reputation of the Assembly.
“We consulted on introducing a senior advisor role in 2012-13, and at the time it did not receive widespread support. We know that that many Members are supportive of the idea, so we have revised the proposal to take in to account some of the feedback we received.
“While the responsibilities of the Assembly have increased throughout its existence, the number of Members remains at 60, with no apparent prospect of change in the short term. Whatever the size of the Assembly, we will strive to ensure that our Determination equips Members with the resources to do their job.”
"The Board'sresponsibility is to make a Determination coveringmany aspects of remuneration and support for AssemblyMembers of whichstaffing support is one; ourintention is to consult on each as we progress to the completion of that task in May of next year."
The consultation document also includes proposals to:
increase the size of the £2,000 per year Policy and Research Fund, and broaden its scope;
introduce a death in service benefit for Assembly support staff; and
consider whether an apprenticeship scheme could be introduced for party groups.
Mr Blair added: “Current Assembly Members and their staff will have an obvious interest in our proposals but they may also be relevant to many outside the Assembly. We welcome responses to this consultation from any organisation or individual.”