MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 2nd JUNE 2000
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION
HELD ON FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2000
AT 10.30 AM IN ROOM 106
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Staffing
4. Appropriation Issues
5. Accomodation
6. Legislation
7. Sound and Vision
8. Any Other Business
9. Date of Next Meeting
Present: The Speaker
Mr Gregory Campbell
Mr John Fee
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.
Mr Black, Mr Rogers & Mr Waddell attended for part of the meeting.
Apologies: Rev Robert Coulter
1. Minutes of the fourth meeting on 11 February 2000 were accepted.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Stormont Estate
The Speaker reported that the planning application for the car park at the children's playground and access from the Newtownards Road will only be considered by Belfast City Council on 9 June. It was agreed that the Speaker should write to the Department of Finance and Personnel to register the Commission's disappointment that the car park will not be available for the summer period.
2.2 Michael Flatley Concert
It was agreed that the same facilities in Parliament Buildings which were made available to Aiken Promotions for the Pavarotti concert should be offered for the Flatley event.
2.3 Pager Service
Mr Waddell to check out the House of Lords system and bring back a paper setting out options and costs.
2.4 Functions and Tours
Revised guidance notes for functions and regulations for tours to be tabled at the next Commission meeting.
2.5 Fire Drill
Mr Waddell reported that the technical difficulties on the 4th floor were still being investigated. Mr Waddell also reported that all doorkeepers have been trained in evacuation procedures and a Paraid Evacuation Chair has been purchased for each floor in Parliament Buildings. A further unannounced fire drill to be arranged.
2.6 IT For Constituency Offices
The Commission approved the proposal to purchase the higher specification processor and replace CD Rom with DVD.
2.7 Catering and Functions Study
The consultants will present the prior options study report at the next meeting of the Catering and Functions Committee.
2.8 BBC and Press Association
It was agreed that the Speaker should continue to explore possible options for increasing accommodation for broadcasters and bring back proposals to the Commission.
2.9 Trade Union Consultation
There has been no response from TU side to the draft constitution.
2.10 University Internships
The Speaker explained that plans had to be shelved because of suspension and that the issue will be considered again in the Autumn.
2.11 Ordering of Stationery
A note to go out in the next APN explaining that Members can use Government ordering procedures to purchase furniture for constituency offices and charge to their OCAs. The Speaker asked Commission Members to reinforce the importance of elected Members using Assembly stationery appropriately.
3. STAFFING
3.1 The Commission agreed that staff can be drawn in from the NICS, District Councils and other Parliaments/Assemblies, on short term secondments up to the agreed figure of 199, to cover the period required to fill the posts by public advertisement. Members were also content to go slightly beyond the 199 ceiling to fill specific posts.
3.2 The Commission endorsed the Speaker's proposals to extend the Editor of Debates and Clerk Assistant's employment for up to one year after their retirement date and to act up Percy Johnston in the post of Examiner of Statutory Rules while the post is being filled by public advertisement. It was agreed that the Examiner of Statutory Rules and all other planned recruitment competitions bar the Clerk to the Assembly, should be advertised as soon as possible. The timing of the advertisement for the Clerk to the Assembly post to be decided at the next Commission meeting.
4. APPROPRIATION ISSUES
4.1 The Speaker reported on his meeting with the Minister of Finance and Personnel to discuss the timetable for the 2000 Appropriation Bill and the process for securing the Assembly's 2001-02 budget. It was agreed that an annual report should be prepared, to include a statement of accounts and the 2001-02 Estimates, for presentation to the Assembly after the Summer Recess.
5. ACCOMMODATION
5.1 It was agreed that the Speaker should continue to explore accommodation options including Ormiston House. Mr Evans to meet David Ferguson, the DFP official responsible for the Interdepartmental Accommodation Group.
6. LEGISLATION
6.1 Salaries and Allowances
Mr Cosgrave to issue a letter to Members confirming that salaries and allowances have reverted to pre-suspension rates. It was agreed to defer the decision to bring forward a new determination to reflect the 2.9% recommended by SSRB.
6.2 Pensions Bill
The Speaker outlined the reasons why he had asked the Secretary of State to introduce the Assembly Members' Pension Scheme during suspension. It was agreed that the Commission should write to the Finance and Personnel Committee advising that no further action on the Pensions Bill is required and advising that a technical amendment to the Allowances for Members and Office-holders Bill is required.
6.3 Members agreed to confirm the nominations for the Pension Trustees. A resolution seeking the Assembly's endorsement of the Pension Trustees will be brought forward at the earliest possible date.
6.4 Allowances for Members and Office-holders Bill
The Speaker confirmed that the consideration stage is scheduled for 19 June and advised that Mr Fee will need to put down a technical amendment.
6.5 Financial Assistance to Political Parties Bill
The Speaker advised that the Scheme introduced by the Secretary of State during suspension remains operative after restoration.
7. SOUND AND VISION
7.1 The independent technical adviser will complete a health check on the Sound and Vision system on 8/9 June prior to the final negotiation for the purchase of the equipment. The two short-listed companies to be advised of the date for the final selection panel.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 The Speaker advised Members of the programme of audits being carried out by our seconded Internal Auditor in line with the Northern Ireland Audit Office's guidance. The Commission agreed to pilot the Government Procurement Card on the advice of the Internal Auditor.
8.2 A request for a Saturday tour on 17 June, Garvagh Mother's Union, was approved.
8.3 The Commission approved a request from the Greater East Belfast Partnership to have a balloon launch on 20 June 2000.
8.4 The Commission agreed that OFM / DFM should be asked to co-ordinate all requests from Departments for permanent passes.
8.5 A note to go out in the APN to remind Members of their individual responsibilities under the Data Protection Act. Mr Evans to explore, in consultation with other legislatures, the possibility of single registration and to arrange a seminar for Members.
8.6 The Commission agreed that the flags issue is a political matter best handled by the Assembly. It was agreed that the Commission would operate to the existing regulations and take its direction from the Assembly.
8.7 The Speaker informed Members that he had attended a seminar on Human Rights and Equality issues and that he was exploring the possibility of securing a secondment from the Centre for International and Comparative Human Rights Law, QUB.
9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 14 June at 12.00 pm in Room 106.
TOM EVANS
