CATERING AND FUNCTIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING

25 May 1999

TUESDAY 25 MAY 1999 AT 2.30 PM

Present: Mr P Berry

Mr PJ Bradley

Sir John Gorman

Ms S Ramsey

Mr C Wilson

In the Chair: Sir John Gorman

In Attendance: Mr T Evans, Mr J Floyd, Mr D Gray, Mr P Waddell.

1. MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING

The minutes were adopted.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Mr Evans reported that the Commission, having considered the paper on the role of the Catering and Functions Committee and the minutes of the first meeting agreed that:

- the role of the Committee should be to provide strategic advice to the Commission and not strategic direction to the Keeper of the House; and

- the Committee should adopt the rules and procedures of the Commission which do not allow for substitutes.

2.2 Members agreed to visit all of the catering outlets in Parliament Buildings prior to the next meeting of the Committee.

2.3 The Committee agreed provisional dates for the visits to Westminster and the Oireachtas. Mr Evans will visit London and Dublin to make the necessary arrangements.

3. Presentation by Symonds Consultants

3.1 The Committee received a presentation from Symonds Consultants covering:

- background to the Mount Charles contract;

- current arrangements; and

- future delivery options.

3.2 After a O&A session Members agreed that David Court, Chief Executive of Government Purchasing Agency, should be invited to the next meeting to advise on the options for the future delivery of catering services in Parliament Buildings.