I am writing to complain about the current proposals to amend Assembly Member Remuneration for Residential Accommodation Expenditure: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s52193/Update%20following%20Remuneration%20Board%20meeting%20-%206%20July%202016.pdf

I am bothered by this:

"We propose amending the Determination so that Members whose main home is outside Wales are eligible for residential accommodation expenditure. The Board will give effect to such an amendment by extending the Outer Area to the whole of the UK."

This amendment means that Assembly Members who live outside of Wales will be able to claim accommodation expenditure in Cardiff. I think it is unacceptable that the Welsh taxpayer should pay for an individual who lives outside Wales to be remunerated for accommodation in Cardiff. The document says: 'The Determination is, therefore, based on an assumption that all Members have their main home in Wales', and I believe it should continue with that assumption.

It is only logical to expect that that a member of a legislature live within the boundaries of that legislature. I would prefer, in fact, that Assembly Member’s main home be based within their constituency/region, but until then, it seems straight-forward to demand that Welsh Assembly Members reside in Wales.

I hope the Remuneration Board considers these comments before proceeding with their decision.