5 Resourcing the work
84. The table below shows the costs of running
my office in 2012-13 and in previous years.
Table 4 : Costs of running the Commissioner's
office between 2007-08 and 2012-13
| Year | 2007-08
| 2008-09 | 2009-10
| 2010-11 | 2011-12
| 2012-13 |
| Staffing etc | £419,816
| £494,005 | £578,300
| £584,579 | £450,000*
| £373,987 |
| Other running costs |
£5,881 | £5,850
| £10,256 | £15,071
| £6,871 | £5,194
|
| Total | £425,697
| £499,855 | £588,556
| £599,650 | £456,871
| £379,181 |
*includes estimated costs for one secondment.
85. During the year the Commissioner's office
was able to continue to reduce costs, which overwhelmingly relate
to the employment of staff. The reduction in staff costs during
2012-13 reflects the smaller complaints workload and the completion
of the work on reviewing the Code of Conduct and the Guide to
the Rules, which resulted in reduced costs on the part of the
Commissioner and the staff supporting this work. The appointment
is a part-time one, and my predecessor was, during his final year,
retained on the basis of three days a week. In view of the smaller
workload on complaints, I was appointed on the basis of a reduced
commitment of 2.5 days a week. The exact hours have always been
flexible, subject to the requirements of the work, and I am grateful
to the House authorities for their continued commitment to meet
any necessary additional costs.
86. Staffing levels in April 2012 were equivalent
to approximately 5.5 full time staff, including the Commissioner,
and this did not change significantly during the year.
87. The other running costs of the office in
2012-13 were slightly lower than in 2011-12. These relate to the
printing of two documents: the Register of Members' Financial
Interests, and the Annual Report. The costs of printing the Register
of January 2013 were slightly lower than those of January 2012.
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