MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 21st NOVEMBER 2000

MINUTES OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2000
AT 10.30 AM IN ROOM 106

PRESENT: The Speaker
Mrs Eileen Bell
Rev Robert Coulter
Dr Dara O'Hagan
Mr John Fee

IN THE CHAIR: The Speaker

APOLOGIES: Mr Jim Wells

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr T Evans, Mr G Cosgrave, Mrs C McGowan, Mr A Rogers, Mr B Martin

1. The meeting dealt exclusively with staffing issues and considered:

. the Assembly's existing recruitment procedures;

. the role of the NICS Recruitment Service and the Assembly's Recruitment Office;

. the Assembly Commission's involvement in future recruitment competitions;

. recent recruitment competitions for Doorkeepers and Principal Assembly / Assembly Clerks; and

. the appeal by one of the candidates for the Clerk to the Assembly post.

2. CURRENT RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES

2.1 Mr Rogers gave a presentation on the Assembly's current recruitment procedures. Members agreed that there needed to be a better management of information flows with the Commission receiving detailed statistical analysis on the outcomes of all recruitment competitions. The Commission also agreed that the Recruitment Service needs to deliver a more responsive and customised service.

2.2 It was agreed that there should be a wide ranging review of the current recruitment procedures during December / January which will explore best practice and identify more flexible recruitment models. Members also agreed that the Commission should be involved to some extent in all recruitment competitions and, as a minimum, sign off job specifications and the recruitment process.

3. RECENT RECRUITMENT COMPETITION

3.1 It was agreed that the current Doorkeeper competition should be completed with a new competition being initiated as soon as practicable. Mr Cosgrave to set up a meeting to involve representatives of the Doorkeepers, a number of Commission members and appropriate senior management. The purpose of the meeting will be to clarify the position with regard to the current and future Doorkeeper competitions. Mr Rogers to take legal advice on the proposal to offer the existing cadre of Doorkeepers automatic interviews for future competitions.

3.2 Mr Rogers also to provide detailed briefing on the recent recruitment competition and, in particular, the Principal Assembly Clerk / Assembly Clerk.

4. CLERK TO THE ASSEMBLY RECRUITMENT COMPETITION

4.1 The selection panel for the Clerk to the Assembly post considered the appeal by one of the applicants unsuccessful at the initial sift process. The panel, in considering the appeal, took into account the written submission of Mr Roger Sands, who was not present at the meeting. After careful consideration the panel agreed that the candidate should be invited to the psychological assessment and interview process. Mr Martin and Mr Evans to make the necessary arrangements.

5. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

A pre-board meeting to be arranged for early part of week commencing 27 November.

The next full Commission meeting scheduled for Monday 4 December, half an hour after the rise of House.

TOM EVANS