Information relating to IPSA's Board pay and pensions away day

Request

I am writing to obtain information about IPSA’s recent meeting held at Selsdon Park Hotel.

To outline my query as clearly as possible, I am requesting:

  1. The number of people who attended the meeting including Board members, staff and any other IPSA employees.

  2. The total cost to IPSA of hosting the meeting. Please then break this total cost down by:

    1. Travel costs for attendees getting to and returning from the Selsdon Park Hotel, including class of travel

    2. The cost of hotel rooms booked for any overnight stays, the number of rooms booked and the cost per room

    3. The refreshments bill for attendees, including a breakdown of food and drink bills, as well as room service bills

    4. The cost of any leisure activities broken down by the cost per activity (e.g. golf, spa use)

    5. The cost of hiring conference facilities as the Selsdon Park Hotel

Response

IPSA holds some of the information that you request.

IPSA held an away day for 13 members of its Board and senior team on 14 and 15 April 2013 to discuss and agree the proposals for consultation as part of its review of MPs’ pay and pensions.

The venue was selected following a procurement exercise, as part of which quotes were received from a number of venues.  Selsdon Park represented the best value for money once travel costs were taken account of.

The total cost of the away day was £2,008.50 for 13 delegates (£154.50 per person), inclusive of conference facilities, accommodation and refreshments (including meals and hot drinks). IPSA did not incur costs that related to alcoholic beverages or room service charges.  IPSA was not billed separately for food or drink because the per-delegate 24 hour rates paid to the venue included meals.

No payment was made for leisure activities and nor were they used.  No additional charge was made for the hire of conference facilities.

Where claimed, travel costs for the Board and senior team are published on the IPSA website.

Ref:
F1314-077
Disclosure:
29 July 2013
Categories:
IPSA - BOARD
Exemptions Applied:
None