CATERING AND FUNCTIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE THIRTEENTH MEETING
12 February 2001
HELD ON MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY AT 2.00PM
IN ROOM 106
Present: Ms J Morrice
Ms P Lewsley
Mr P Berry
In the Chair: Ms P Lewsley
Apologies: Sir John Gorman
Ms M Gildernew
In attendance: Mr T Evan, Mr P Carlisle, Ms C Cleland, Mr J Floyd,
Mrs C McGowan.
Mr T Annan was in attendance for Agenda Item 4.
1. In the absence of the Chairman, members sought to elect a vice chair. Ms Lewsley was nominated by Ms Morrice and seconded by Mr Berry.
2. The minutes of the twelfth meeting were accepted.
3. MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Gift Shop
Mr Carlisle updated members on a meeting with Mr John O Neill from Venture International to seek his initial thoughts in regards to developing the Gift Shop.
The Chairperson suggested that Mr Carlisle draw up terms of reference for using Venture International and present this for consideration at the next meeting.
3.2 Future Priorities
Mr Floyd informed members that the Office of the Keeper continues to explore the best means of implementing recommendations from the catering report for individual catering outlets within parliament buildings.
Mr Floyd agreed to forward a short paper covering progress to date in regards to the catering report recommendations for developments to the Members' Dining Room, Press Bar and Members Bar.
Mr Floyd provided an update in regards to low staff cover within the Members coffee lounge. Mr Floyd informed the committee that he had met with staff and assured the members that the coffee lounge would be adequately serviced at all times in the future.
Ms Cleland added that she was currently investigating the introduction of a buzzer system to operate between the Members Coffee Lounge and the Members Bar and will provide an update at the next meeting.
3.3 Tea Trolley Service
Ms Cleland presented a paper for consideration on the current Health and Safety implications of introducing a trolley service within Parliament buildings. Members agreed to review the paper and would forward issues for discussion to the next meeting.
The Chairperson asked members to take account of a decision taken by the Shadow Commission (26 November 1999) in relation to the introduction of a trolley service, which stated "ANY OTHER BUSINESS: The Commission did not approve Ms Jane Morrice's requests for room 256 and a trolley service."
3.4 Function Costs
Mr Floyd provided copies of the current Mount Charles costings portfolio on functions within parliament buildings. Members discussed the need to introduce a separate pricing policy for voluntary or community groups attending functions within parliament buildings.
Mr Floyd will forward recommendations to the next meeting targeting recommendations on costs for voluntary or community groups.
4. Pay structure for Mount Charles Staff
Mr Evans informed the committee that the commission had reviewed the salary and benchmarking exercise and had raised concerns in regards to the wage levels for catering assistants and the discrepancy between staff and management salary increases.
Mr Trevor Annan, the managing director of Mount Charles was present for this item to give his perspective on the proposed benchmarking exercise. Mr Annan supported the benching marking exercise and informed members that the proposed increases would be readily accepted by all employees as a fair increase and in line with existing pay structures within the catering industry.
5. Mount Charles Contract
Mr Evans informed members that the current Mount Charles contract has been amended to include a clause on Fair Trade and that Ms S Stewart from War on Want has met with Mount Charles management within parliament buildings to progress the issue.
The Committee agreed that a recommendation on extending the current contract with Mount Charles be taken forward to the Commission for approval.
6. Any Other Business
No further items were discussed
7. Date of next meeting
To be arranged
Paul Carlisle
Rm 401
