MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 22nd JANUARY 2002

MINUTES OF THE FORTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

HELD ON TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2002 AT 3:00 PM IN ROOM 106

PRESENT:
The Speaker
Dr D O'Hagan
Rev R Coulter
Mr J Fee
Mrs E Bell
Mr J Wells

IN THE CHAIR:
The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr A Moir, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr T Evans Mr P Carlisle, Miss G Campbell.

1. CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS

1.1 Information on Members' Allowances

The Speaker advised that the Business Committee had endorsed the proposal tabled at the last Business Committee meeting, namely that, in pursuance of his duty under Standing Order 71(2), the Speaker should:

Immediately publicise on the Assembly's website information by individual Member on salaries (to include office-holder remuneration), total OCA's, travel and overnight expenses for the financial year's 1998/99, 1999/00 and 2000/01;
Include a note to explain the reasons for differentials in travel and overnight costs (location of constituency offices in relation to Parliament Buildings and Ministers and Members' access to official vehicles);
From 1 April 2002 publicise information on Members' Allowances on the same basis as information contained in the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body's Annual Report.

The Commission agreed that additional footnotes should be included to explain that those Members who represent large rural constituencies may have higher travel costs and that travel costs may be subject to tax.

Members agreed that publication on the Assembly website should proceed as soon as possible.

1.2 Party Allowances

The Speaker advised Members that he had asked the Business Committee to forward responses in relation to the Party Allowances to Mr Evans.

1.3 Mr Evans reported that he would be meeting with the First and Deputy First Ministers' Principal Private Secretaries to discuss Party Allowances.

1.4 Written Question

Members cleared the draft response to the Assembly Commission's written question in the name of Mr Kelly.

1.5 Press Liaison Group

The Speaker advised that a meeting with the Press Liaison Group has been arranged for 30 January 2002 at 11:00 a.m.

1.6 Special Advisor to the Speaker

Mr Evans to copy to Mr Fee the job specification for the post of Special Advisor to the Speaker for comment.

1.7 SSRB

The Speaker advised that it is likely that he will be invited to give oral evidence to the SSRB in his capacity as the Speaker.

1.8 Senior Appointments

Members agreed the dates and times for sift panel meetings for the Deputy Clerk and Deputy Chief Executive posts.

Members were advised that the interviews for the Clerk Assistant post will be held on 7 and 8 February 2002.

1.9 Lights in East Car Park

The Speaker advised that work to improve lighting in the East car park is due to commence on 23 January and that the number of available car spaces will be reduced as a result.

2. CULTURAL DISPLAYS

2.1 The Speaker reflected on the Commission's earlier discussions in relation to the display of poppies and lilies and then asked members to consider the wider issue of how the cultural aspirations of all sections of the Northern Ireland community could be represented in Parliament Buildings.

2.2The Speaker also reminded members of the artefacts currently in storage and advised that he had asked the Arts Council and the Ulster Museum to identify suitable exhibits which could be displayed in Parliament Buildings.

2.3. Each Commission member expressed their views on the wider issue of cultural representation and also on the Commission's extant decision to display lilies over the Easter period. It was agreed that a vote on this matter should be deferred to allow time for further consultation with all Assembly Parties.

3. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

3.1 The Speaker advised that he had received correspondence from the Police Service of Northern Ireland advising of the withdrawal of the current service on non-sitting days. The Speaker advised that he would be writing to the Chief Constable to express his concerns.