Appendix
| VOTE III - Expenditure pertaining to the Assembly
|
Initial appropriations for 1977Note |
Increases or reductions in real terms proposed for 1978
|
| HEAD XX – Staff
|
F
|
F
|
| Sub-heads
|
|
|
| Clerk of the Assembly
|
|
|
| 82 - Salary, allowances and social charges
|
330 000
|
|
| Staff of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly
|
|
|
| 83 - Remuneration - permanent staff
|
5 510 000
|
|
| 83 bis - Assembly staffing changes
|
|
191 000
|
| 84 - Expenses on arrival and departure, home leave
|
58 000
|
|
| 85 - Overtime and allowances for exceptional duties
|
32 000
|
15 000
|
| 86 - Staff recruited to fill vacant permanent posts on a temporary basis
|
p.m.
|
|
| 87 - Remuneration and accessory charges for temporary conference staff
|
3 730 000
|
8 000
|
| 88 - Provision for cost-of-living allowance and other adjustments to remuneration
|
640 000
|
|
| |
|
|
| TOTAL HEAD XX
|
10 300 000
|
214 000
|
| HEAD XXI
|
|
|
| 88 bis - Allocation to political groups
|
Note |
155 000
|
| VOTE III - Expenditure pertaining to the Assembly
|
Initial appropriations for 1977Note |
Increases or reductions in real terms proposed for 1978
|
| HEAD XXII - Supplies and services and other operational expenditure
|
F
|
F
|
| Sub-heads
|
|
|
| 89 - Publishing and printing
|
592 000
|
100 000
|
| 90 - Hire of cars
|
15 000
|
|
| 91 - Representational, travelling and subsistence expenses of the President of the Assembly
|
104 000
|
10 000
|
| 92 - Expenditure pertaining to the Private Office of the President of the Assembly
|
66 000
|
|
| 93 - Representational expenditure, other official expenditure and travelling expenses of the members of the Assembly :
|
|
|
| a. fixed allocation for the political groups
|
145 000Note |
|
| b. representational expenditure
|
141 000
|
9 000
|
| 94 - Official journeys
|
306 000
|
30 000
|
| 95 - Consultation of experts
|
370 000
|
37 000
|
| 96 - Organisation of ad hoc conferences
|
198 000
|
|
| 97 - Other expenditure not specifically provided for in this vote
|
36 000
|
| 98 - Exceptional expenditure
|
20 000
|
|
| 99 - Europe Prize
|
24 000
|
|
| 99 bis - Council of Europe Museum Prize
|
|
14 000
|
| 99 ter - Fixed contribution towards the use of a computer
|
p.m.
|
|
| |
|
|
| TOTAL HEAD XXII
|
2 017 000
|
180 000
|
| TOTAL VOTE III
|
12 317 000
|
549 000
|
B. Detailed explanations of the increases in real terms requested
Introduction
1. As already explained in earlier opinions, the changes requested for 1978 are to be regarded as increases in real terms over the appropriations made to the Assembly for 1977.
2. As in previous years, the Assembly leaves it to the Secretariat administration to assess in due course, in the same way as for other sectors of the draft budget submitted by the Secretary General, the adjustments to appropriations still required in 1977 as a result of pay scale changes and their consequences for 1978, and also the provision to be made for pay adjustments in 1978.
3. For these reasons, as in the past, the final estimates for the head concerning staff expenditure are not shown here.
4. Similarly, it will be for the Secretariat to evaluate the effect of inflation on the other 1978 estimates and adjust them accordingly.
5. The estimates entered here under Head XXII (supplies and services and other operational expenditure), which constitute the budgetary package, will therefore have to be adjusted before the budget is adopted.
6. The Assembly's estimates for 1978 will thus be determined by the total 1977 Assembly appropriations (including the supplementary appropriations voted in the course of the year), to which will be added :
the increases in real terms requested in this opinion ;
the technical adjustments to be made by the Secretariat as indicated in the foregoing paragraphs.
7. Lastly, it is pointed out that the appropriations under Vote III referred to in this opinion relate directly to the operation of the Assembly, and do not cover installations, supplies or equipment.
Analyses of estimates according to budget classification
Head XX - Staff
Sub-head 82 - Remuneration, allowances and social charges in respect of the Clerk of the Assembly
This covers salary, allowances and other charges in respect of the Clerk of the Assembly as provided in Resolution (71) 8 of 26 March 1971, last amended by Resolution (72) 48 of 24 November 1972.
Sub-head 83 - Remuneration of permanent staff
This relates to the staff of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly (basic salaries, non-recurring and regular allowances, social insurance and pension fund contributions).
The present numerical breakdown of staff is as follows :
| Posts
|
Secretariat of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, Private Office of the President
|
Div. I
|
Div. II
|
Div. II
|
Table Office
|
Total
|
| A7
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
| A5
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
| A4
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
7
|
| A2/A3
|
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
|
11
|
| B5
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
| B4
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
| B3
|
2
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
15
|
| B2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
| Total
|
6
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
4
|
44
|
Sub-head 83 bis - Staffing changes requested for the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly
| Nature of change
|
Assignment
|
| News posts
|
1 A2/A3
|
Committee secretary
|
| |
1 B3
|
Secretariat of the committees
|
| New posts (token entry)
|
1 B3
|
Scientific co-operation
|
| Upgrading
|
1 A5 to A6
|
Head of department
|
| Upgradings (token entry)
|
1 B3 to B4
|
Central support unit
|
| |
2 B2 to B3
|
Bilingual assistants
|
Comments
8. The readmission of Greece in 1974, the accession of Portugal in 1976 and the possible accession of Spain in the near future naturally have some effect on the work of the Assembly and the structures of the Clerk's Office.
9. In general, because of the growth in the number of members of the Assembly and its committees, the accession of a new state increases the work of the Clerk's Office at all levels, particularly in the first months and years following accession. Any new accession naturally results in more parliamentarians taking initiatives and more action by the political groups, and hence the production of an increasing number of documents and reports. The readmission of Greece, the accession of Portugal and that of Spain will together increase the number of parliamentarians by about 20 %, thus fully justifying an increase in the staff assigned to the Clerk's Office.
10. Furthermore, when preparing committee reports, the Secretariat is compelled to broaden and deepen its knowledge of the new member state by procuring fuller documentation in a wide range of fields (political, economic, cultural, social, scientific, legal and others).
11. Lastly, it is desirable, if not essential, for one official on the Assembly's administrative staff to have a good knowledge of the new member state's language.
12. Accordingly, having regard to the readmission of Greece, the accession of Portugal and the possible accession of Spain, and having regard to the fact that the number of committee meetings and reports is constantly increasing, and that the administrative departments' staffing table has not changed in recent years, the Assembly requests the creation for 1978 of an additional A2/A3 post of committee Secretary and of a B3 post of bilingual assistant.
13. In its Opinions Nos. 65 (1974), 70 (1975) and 75 (1976), the Assembly asked that its staffing table should include an A6 post of head of department, as was provisionally the case between 1971 and 1973. In spite of its insistence and of promises made at different levels, no solution has been reached. The Committee on the Budget and the Assembly feel that this situation is no longer acceptable. They are convinced that 1978 will bring the solution.
14. Although well aware of the budgetary restrictions affecting the Council of Europe in general, which have made it impossible in recent years to upgrade any post under the ordinary budget, the Assembly is of the opinion that the negligible effect on the budget (about 9 000 F) should make it possible at long last to comply with this request, which affects above all the organisation of its administrative departments. The Assembly is accordingly now repeating this request, for the fourth time, among its budgetary proposals for 1978.
15. The request concerning the A2/A3 post having been granted, the Assembly itself decided not to repeat its request for a B3 post for 1977, nor will it do so for 1978. Accordingly, this request is repeated here only for the record.
16. The Assembly also wishes it to be put on record that in 1974 it proposed a reorganisation of its administrative departments following a recommendation by the Management Survey Team. Its proposals were met in part in 1975, but the upgrading of a B3 post to B4 is still awaited.
17. The Assembly also points out that two B2 posts still need to be upgraded to B3, and it refers in this connection to the arguments set out in particular in its Opinions Nos. 62 (1973) and 70 (1975). Again with a view to economy, these requests are also only mentioned for the record.
Sub-head 84 - Expenses on arrival and departure -home leave
This sub-head covers :
travelling and removal expenses of the staff of the Office of the Clerk of the Assembly and their families on taking up their duties or on their departure ;
settling-in allowance ;
refund of travelling expenses of non-French staff and their families taking home leave.
Comments
The Assembly requests that the 1978 appropriation be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 85 - Overtime - allowances to permanent staff for exceptional duties
This estimate is to cover :
a overtime worked during sessions of the Assembly by permanent staff in the general departments ;
b language allowance, until they have been upgraded to B3, for B2 staff in the Office of the Clerk giving proof of an adequate knowledge of the two official languages (Resolution (72) 32) ;
c allowances payable under Article 12 of the Staff Regulations to officials assuming special responsibilities ;
d deputising allowances ;
e expenses of candidates called for recruitment tests.
Comments
The first part-session held in January 1977 in the new building showed that the overtime worked by permanent members of the general departments was considerably higher than during previous sessions. Caretaking of the new building during sessions calls for more staff and the appropriations for it are inadequate. Accordingly the Assembly requests that the appropriations under this sub-head be increased by 15 000 F.
Sub-head 87 - Remuneration and accessory charges in respect of temporary staff
This covers remuneration of staff recruited temporarily to the Office of the Clerk to fill permanent posts which are vacant or not remunerated (long-term illness).
Comments
Since the expenditure will be covered by the transfer of the appropriations available under Sub-head 83, this appropriation appears only as a token entry.
Sub-head 87 - Remuneration and accessory charges in respect of temporary staff
This covers remuneration and social charges for temporary staff (session staff, workshop staff, messengers, technicians, translators and, above all, interpreters) assigned to the Office of the Clerk during those sessions and meetings of the Assembly and its committees scheduled in the programme for 1978 at the time of drafting this opinion.
Comments
18. The opening of the new building has shown that the number of temporary staff (messengers) needs to be increased. The longer distances to be covered, the larger number of doors giving access to the Assembly Chamber, the greater number of offices of the national parliamentary delegations and the political groups and the greater distances between them require a minimum of eight extra messengers. The Assembly requests an increase of 8 000 F on the basis of the present 20 session days.
19. However, should the Assembly have to alter its timetable for 1978, e.g. by holding four part-sessions instead of three within the statutory one-month limit, it reserves the right to submit a supplementary estimate if this should prove necessary.
Sub-head 88 - Provision for cost-of-living allowance and other adjustments to remuneration
The estimate under this sub-head is to cover adjustments to the remuneration of staff allocated to the Office of the Clerk made after the date of completion of the draft budget (see also introduction above).
Head XXI
Sub-head 88 bis - Fixed allocation to political groups
Estimate for 1978
- 300 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 145 000 F
Increase
- 155 000 F
This is to cover “miscellaneous expenses incurred by members of the Assembly in the discharge of specific duties for the Council of Europe, such as those for secretarial assistance, documentation and travel” (Resolution (58) 4 of the Committee of Ministers, of 27 March 1958).
Comments
20. This estimate appears for the first time in the Assembly budget under a separate sub-head outside the budgetary package. As already said in
Opinion No. 79 (1976) and Assembly
Doc. 3863, the Assembly believes that the method of allocation and management of these funds should be a matter for the Assembly alone to decide (political groups, Committee on the Budget and the Intergovernmental Work Programme, Bureau) and not for the Council of Europe Secretariat. In its reply to Assembly
Opinion No. 79 (1976), the Committee of Ministers also stated that it would be appropriate to enter this item of expenditure under a separate sub-head, not included in the Assembly's budgetary package (cf.
Doc. 3965).
21. In its budgetary proposals for 1977, the Assembly requested that these appropriations should, as a first measure, be increased from 132 000 F to 300 000 F in real terms. But when adopting the 1977 budget, the Committee of Ministers did not feel that this increase was acceptable for 1977.
22. The Assembly points out that the appropriations are intended in the first place to give more secretarial assistance to the political groups and to make them independent of the administrative services of the European Parliament. They are also intended to cover the cost of seminars, study visits and other journeys made by parliamentarians on behalf of the political groups.
23. The Assembly recalls the arguments already advanced on previous occasions, and points out that it attaches considerable importance to the strengthening of the structures of its political groups as something it considers essential for political work at European level. The Assembly feels that the present situation, in which the political groups enjoy the co-operation of the political secretariats of the European Parliament, is no longer acceptable, particularly now that the accession of a new member state has increased the numbers of non-Community states, and because of the clearly expressed desire on the part of some of our Assembly's political groups not to be dependent on their counterparts in the European Parliament.
24. Accordingly, the Assembly repeats its request that this fixed allocation be increased to 300 000 F in real terms in the 1978 budget.
25. In the light of the Assembly's supplementary opinion on the programme-budget for its operational expenditure in 1977 (
Doc. 3863), this sum might be apportioned as follows :
fixed grant for secretarial assistance for 30 days a year, at 300 F per day, for each of the five existing groups and the parliamentarians not belonging to a political group, i.e. 9 000 X 6 = - 54 000 F
an additional per capita allocation of 800 F, to be multiplied by the total number of members of the groups, i.e. 800 X 298 = - 238 000 F
the remaining amount for miscellaneous expenditure by all groups, whose balance would be shared among them at the end of the year - 7 600 F
300 000 F
Budgetary package
Head XXII - Supplies and services, and other operational expenditure
Sub-head 89 - Publishing and printing
Estimate for 1978
- 692 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 592 000 F
Increase
- 100 000 F
This covers publishing and printing costs relating to :
official Assembly documents, i.e.
1 000 bilingual copies of the Working Papers for sittings (2 800 - 3 000 pages),
700 copies in each official language of the Official Report of Debates (1 200 - 1 400 pages) ;
distribution and translation of reports and documents adopted by the Assembly and its committees, as well as circulation and translation by national parliaments of certain texts adopted.
Comments
26. The increase in the number of documents produced by the Assembly during recent part-sessions, together with a considerable rise in costs, has made the estimate hitherto entered under this sub-head distinctly inadequate. Furthermore, the membership of the Assembly has increased substantially, and this entails a corresponding increase in the number of copies printed of each document. In fact, the volume of printing rose by 45 % between 1974 and 1976, and the cost of printing index from 100 to 131.5. Since this is institutional expenditure that cannot be cut, the Assembly requests an increase of these appropriations.
27. The Assembly furthermore considers it essential that its reports should be better publicised, and that to date they have been circulated on too restricted a scale. It is, accordingly, considering having off-prints brought out of its reports, accompanied by summaries. It therefore proposes that the appropriations for this sub-head should be increased adequately.
Sub-head 90 - Hire of cars
Estimate for 1978
- 15 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 15 000 F
Hire of cars for the Assembly.
Comments
The Assembly requests that the appropriation for 1978 be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 91 - Representational travelling and subsistence expenses of the President of the Assembly
Estimate for 1978
- 114 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 104 000 F
Increase
- 10 000 F
These are representational, travelling and subsistence expenses incurred by the President of the Assembly in the performance of his duties :
a Fixed representation allowance ;
b Travel and subsistence.
Comments
In view of the geographical extension of the area covered by the Council of Europe, resulting in a greater number of journeys to the outlying countries, and in the light of the increase in travel costs, which exceeds the average inflation rate, the Assembly asks for this appropriation to be increased by 10 000 F.
Sub-head 92 - Expenditure pertaining to the Private Office of the President of the Assembly
Estimate for 1978
- 66 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 66 000 F
Estimate to cover :
a official travel by Private Office staff ;
b remuneration of a shorthand-typist for the President and other secretarial expenses ;
c sundry secretarial expenses.
Comments
The Assembly requests that the appropriation for 1978 be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 93 - Representational expenditure, other official expenditure and travelling expenses of members of the Assembly
Estimate for 1978
- 150 000 F
Appropriation in 1977 (representational expenditure)
- 141 000 F
(145 000 F for the political groups)
Increase
- 9 000 F
The allocation to the political groups having been transferred to Sub-head 88 bis, this estimate can be broken down as follows :
a entertainment and similar expenses incurred by the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly and committee Chairmen and Rapporteurs - 40 000 F
b travelling expenses and subsistence allowances of members of the Assembly attending meetings of certain Council of Europe bodies (other than sessions of the Assembly and meetings of Assembly committees) on the Council's behalf, or travelling on Assembly business - 105 000 F
c accident insurance premium for members of the Assembly travelling officially at the Council's expense - 5 000 F
Comments
Leaving aside the transfer to Sub-head 88 bis of the fixed allocation to the political groups, the Assembly requests that this appropriation be increased by 9 000 F because of the increasing number of official journeys which parliamentarians have to make on behalf of the Council of Europe, notably to outlying countries, particularly since national parliaments no longer bear costs of this type as they did in the past.
Sub-head 94 - Official journeys
Estimate for 1978
- 336 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 306 000 F
Increase
- 30 000 F
Comments
The increase in the number of journeys to outlying countries and the higher exchange rate of foreign currencies in relation to the French franc has meant that the appropriation under this sub-head is distinctly inadequate and an increase unavoidable. The Assembly asks for this appropriation to be increased in real terms by 30 000 F for 1978.
Sub-head 95 - Consultation of experts
Estimate for 1978
- 407 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 370 000 F
Increase
- 37 000 F
This is to cover fees, travelling expenses, subsistence allowances and administrative assistance for experts, including those from non-member states, asked to carry out technical work or called in for consultation by Assembly bodies, either individually or in working parties. It is also intended to finance the scientific cooperation programme launched by the Assembly at the instigation of its Committee on Science and Technology.
Comments
28. The Assembly deeply regrets that, when approving the 1977 budget, the Committee of Ministers failed to adjust this appropriation upwards, and so reduced it in real terms by 10 % in relation to 1976. It recalls that in 1975 an increase of 100 000 F in this appropriation was requested and refused. The Assembly is of the opinion that any reduction in the appropriations under this sub-head would seriously affect the quality of its reports, particularly from the technical point of view, and therefore requests that the appropriation for 1978 be increased in real terms by 10 % in relation to that for 1977 in order to make up the leeway.
29. In its reply to
Opinion No. 75 (Doc. 3965), the Committee of Ministers admitted that the refusal to adjust this appropriation resulted in an “effective decrease in real terms”, and stated that this decrease reflected "the reservations which the Committee of Ministers continues to have, and of which the Assembly is already aware, about this field of activity (scientific co-operation)".
30. The Assembly has indeed every reason to be surprised at this reduction in appropriations imposed on it by the Committee of Ministers in this field. After the thorough discussion of this subject in the Joint Committee in Paris (March 1976) and Vienna (July 1976), it had the impression that a consensus had been achieved regarding the continuation of these activities under its aegis.
Sub-head 96 - Organisation of ad hoc conferences
Estimate for 1978
- 198 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 198 000 F
This is to cover the organisation of conferences, colloquies, symposia or seminars, including the travelling and subsistence expenses of those taking part, as well as publishing, translation and printing costs (in non-official languages also), and the entertainment and other expenses incidental to those meetings.
Comments
The Assembly requests that the appropriation for 1978 be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 97 - Other expenditure not specifically provided for in this vote
Estimate for 1978
- 36 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 36 000 F
Comments
The Assembly requests that the appropriation for 1978 be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 98 - Exceptional expenditure
Estimate for 1978
- Nil
Appropriation in 1977
- 20 000 F
Reduction
- 20 000 F
Comments
The appropriation of 20 000 F in 1977 was intended for entertainment costs at the inauguration of the new building. No appropriation is requested in 1978.
Sub-head 99 - Europe Prize
Estimate for 1978
- 24 000 F
Appropriation in 1977
- 24 000 F
— Europe Prize
- 20 000 F
— Expenses connected with presentation of the Prize
- 4 000 F
Comments
The Assembly requests that the appropriation for 1978 be maintained at the same level in real terms as for 1977.
Sub-head 99 bis - Council of Europe Museum Prize
Estimate for 1978
- 14 000 F
Appropriation for 1977
Comments
The Assembly has recommended the institution of this Prize in order to give practical support and encouragement to smaller museums and art galleries throughout Europe. The Prize of 10 000 F should be awarded in Strasbourg and be presented locally each year by the Parliamentary Assembly as is already the case for the Europe Prize and flags of honour awarded to European municipalities. A further 4 000 F has therefore been estimated to cover the costs of presentation.
Sub-head 99 ter - Fixed contribution towards the cost of using a computer
Token entry
The Assembly is of the opinion that the time has come to enquire into the cost of using a computer, as is the practice in a number of national parliaments and other international organisations. The Assembly parliamentarians have frequently expressed their interest in such facilities, but would prefer the problem to be solved by the Council of Europe Secretariat. If that were done, the Assembly proposed that it should be associated in the form of a fixed contribution.
