MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS- 14TH JANUARY 2000
MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON FRIDAY 14 JANUARY 2000 AT 10.30 AM IN ROOM 106
Present:
The Speaker
Mr Gregory Campbell
Mr John Fee
Rev Robert Coulter
Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Dara O'Hagan
In the Chair:
The Speaker
In Attendance:
Ms G Campbell, Mr T Evans, Mr G Cosgrave.
Mr N Johnston and Mr P Waddell attended for part of the meeting.
Mr A Rogers, Mr B Martin and Mr L O'Reilly attended for Agenda Item 4
1. Minutes of the first meeting on 10 December 1999 were accepted.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Voting Procedures
The Speaker agreed to write to Mr Cobain and Mr Haughey in their former capacity as Joint Chairmen of the Standing Orders Committee and to all Members to inform them of the Commission's voting procedures.
2.2 Fire Precautions
Mr Waddell presented a report on the 8 November fire drill which highlighted two problems, evacuation via the west door proved slower than anticipated and the procedures for assisting disabled staff were not totally successful. It was agreed that Mr Waddell should investigate the evacuation procedures for the disabled in buildings of comparable size to Parliament Buildings.
2.3 Catering and Functions Committee
Mr Evans reported that Deloitte and Touche have been appointed to complete the Prior Options Study and outlined the main elements of the study.
2.4 Development of the Stormont Estate
The Speaker informed Members that the Reconciliation Sculpture, which the Shadow Commission agreed could be placed in the Stormont Estate, is almost ready. The Department of Environment will now present to the Commission a proposal on the final location for the sculpture.
2.5 Desk Diaries
Mr Hobson to investigate the provision of desk diaries for Members.
3. Commission Sponsored Bills
3.1 Mr Fee reflected on the Committee stage of the Allowances to Members and Office-holders Bill and the Financial Assistance to Political Parties Bill. The Finance and Personnel Committee has raised concern about clause 3 of the Allowances Bill in terms of the three week qualifying period and the potential financial implications following the dissolution of the Assembly. The Committee has also enquired about any potential equal opportunities implications and wants to be assured that the Bill complies with all Northern Ireland equality legislation.
3.2 It was agreed that legal advice should be sought on both issues and also the position at Westminster and Scotland to be established. A second meeting with the Finance and Personnel Committee has been arranged for Thursday 27 January. The Financial Assistance to Political Parties Bill passed the Committee stage without amendment.
3.3 The second stage of the Pensions Bill, sponsored by Rev Coulter, is scheduled for Monday 17 January with the Committee stage arranged for 27 January.
4. STAFFING
4.1 The Commission completed the pre-advertisement stage of the appointment process for the Clerk to the Assembly post having approved the job advertisement, job specification, application form and interview assessment criteria. Dr O'Hagan made a proposal to use an amended address for the NICS Recruitment Service to read Derry / Londonderry. The proposal was not carried.
4.2 It was agreed that a paper should be prepared setting out the publications to be used to advertise the Clerk to the Assembly post. The Commission agreed that the post will be advertised in the week commencing 21 February.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Dr O'Hagan raised three issues:
· expenses for visits in relation to the North / South Ministerial Council;
· expenses for travel outside of Northern Ireland on Assembly business; and
· whether Doorkeepers have to re-apply for their jobs.
The Speaker confirmed that expenses for visits in relation to the North / South Ministerial Council is a matter for the Executive and that the complex issue of expenses for travel outside of Northern Ireland on Assembly business needs to be considered and qualified by the Commission. The Speaker also confirmed that the Doorkeepers have been offered a three year secondment but like all other seconded civil servants they will have to re-apply for their jobs if they wish to remain in the Assembly for a longer period.
6. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Friday 21 January 2000 at 10.30am in room 106.
The Speaker asked Members to consider other appropriate times of the week for future Commission meetings.
