COMMENTARY ON SECTIONS Section 14: Exercise of functions in relation to reimbursement of costs incurred in employing staff
29.This section provides that if the Board makes a determination providing for the reimbursement of costs incurred by Assembly Members, or groups of Assembly Members, in employing staff, the Board may not subsequently modify that determination during the financial year in which that the determination first takes effect. So, the general principle is that only one set of rules relating to the cost of employing staff will apply in any financial year. However, subsection (3) provides that the Board may depart from this where it is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances making it just and reasonable to do so. This provision mirrors for staff employed by Assembly Members, or groups of Assembly Members, that which applies under section 13(4) in relation to Assembly Members, the Welsh Ministers (including the First Minister and Deputy Ministers) and the Counsel General (see paragraph 25 above).