Parliament adopted its estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2016.
In a resolution adopted by 397 votes to 274, with 20 abstentions, Parliament recalled that a budget of EUR 1 850 470 600 has been proposed by the Secretary-General for the Parliament's preliminary draft estimates for 2016, representing a 3.09% increase on the 2015 budget and 19.51% of heading V of the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework.
General framework and overall budget: Parliament recalled that, since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, significant additional expenditure has been borne by Parliament's budget, as a result of the following developments:
It welcomed that Parliament was able to offset a major part of this expenditure through savings. It considered that the newly elected Parliament should scrutinise in depth the implementation of those multiannual projects and decide, on this basis, on its own political priorities, including, if necessary, the negative ones. It requested in this respect the Secretary-General to present an assessment report on those multiannual projects in due time before the Parliament's reading in autumn 2015.
Priorities: Parliament considered that for 2016 priority should be given to the reinforcement of parliamentary work, in particular by enhancing Parliament's legislative work as well as its capacity to scrutinise the executive, and the reinforcement of Parliament's security of buildings and cybersecurity.
It stated that Parliament should be exemplary, making particular efforts as regards the size of its budget and the level of increase in expenditure compared to 2015. It recalled the substantial savings that could be made by having only one place of work instead of three (Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg).
It welcomed that the share of Parliament's budget in the total MFF heading V was, with the exception of 2011 and 2014, below 20% during the past legislature. The share of Parliament's budget in 2016 should also be maintained under 20%.
It set the level of its current/functioning expenditure for the year 2016 to EUR 1 823 648 600, which corresponds to 1.6% increase over the 2015 budget, and added to its draft estimates the exceptional extraordinary expenditure amounting to EUR 15 million requested in 2016 to reinforce the security of its buildings in Brussels as well as the cybersecurity of the Parliament.
Specific issues
Priority to parliamentary work: Parliament considered that in order to consolidate the role of the Parliament, the administrative capacity of the secretariats of the specialised parliamentary committees should, where it has not yet been done, be reinforced accordingly, by means of redeployment. It stressed that a revision of Parliament´s Rules of Procedure governing questions for written answer can generate savings and will limit the administrative burden of the European institutions without endangering the legislative powers of the European Parliament.
Plenary considered that the renewal of furniture in all Members and staff work space is not a priority for the 2016 budget.
General expenditure allowance: in an amendment adopted in plenary, Parliament highlighted the need for a greater transparency as regards the general expenditure allowance for Members. It called on the Parliament's Bureau to work on the definition of more precise rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under this allowance, without generating additional costs to the Parliament.
Security and cyber security: Parliament emphasised that in the current context the highest priority should be given to the security of the Parliament's premises inside and outside, while remaining an “open-house” for European citizens.
It was also of the opinion that, due to an increasing use of electronic media and equipment, particular attention should be paid to IT security to ensure the maximum possible level of security of its information and communication systems.
Parliament's environmental footprint: Plenary reiterated Parliament's responsibility to act in a sustainable manner. It asked for an evaluation of the results of the voluntary approach when it comes to using business class for short distance flights.
Building policy: Parliament reiterated that long-term investments, such as Parliament's building projects, need to be handled prudently and transparently. It insisted on strict cost management, project planning and supervision. It reiterated its call for a transparent decision-making process in the field of buildings policy. It invited the Vice Presidents responsible to present to the Committee in charge the new mid-term strategy on buildings as well as a progress report of the KAD building including financing options. On this basis, it will decide during the reading of the budget on the inclusion of financing for the KAD building in to Parliament budget 2016 taking into consideration possible savings in interest rates.
Communication: Parliament stressed that the primary mandate of Members is legislative work. It considered, therefore, that for this purpose priority should be given to communication with the public and other stakeholders by the upgrading of technical equipment and media facilities given the increased media interest.
Staff measures: Parliament noted that for 2016 it is proposed to remove 57 posts from the establishment plan of the Parliament's Secretariat, which should save some EUR 1.8 million. It approved the proposal of the Secretary-General to create 25 additional posts to reinforce DG SAFE in order to improve the effectiveness of the security systems inside and outside the Parliament's premises, the buildings' fire prevention, as well as to ensure an appropriate protection for its Members, staff and high level guests on the Parliament's premises. It called on the Secretary-General to present to the Committee on Budgets a complete overview of the development of posts in Parliament and of how the 5% staff reduction target has been approached so far and how it will be achieved in time and which reference number of posts in the establishment plan is being used to implement this aim.