GIFT SHOP HOUSE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING

4 March 1999

TUESDAY 04 MARCH 1999 AT 2.00 PM

Present:Mr PJ Bradley

Mrs J Carson

Mr K McCarthy

Mrs I Robinson

In the Chair:Mrs I Robinson

In Attendance:Ms G Campbell, Mr T Evans.

Apologies:Mr B McElduff

1.The minutes of the second meeting were accepted.

2.Matters Arising

2.1 Mrs Robinson reported on her meeting with the Initial Presiding Officer when it was agreed that the Gift Shop Committee should submit to the Shadow Commission costed proposals for the shop. Mrs Robinson also reported that provision has already been made in the Assembly's estimates for two shop staff.

2.2 Ms Campbell updated Members on progress on the sourcing of potential gift shop products and agreed to provide a short paper for the next meeting.

2.3 Acknowledgement letters have issued to the companies which have offered to supply the gift shop.

3.House of Lords Visit

3.1 Mrs Carson reported back on the recent visit to the House of Lords. The visit helped to clarify the Committee's thinkings on staffing, ideas for a mobile counter, storage facilities, initial product range and shelf-life considerations. The Members agreed that, while the senate lobby is being adapted, it is worth considering the sale of a limited range of products from either the basement shop or senate lobby.

4.Shop Plan and Costings

4.1 Peter White, DOE, presented a set of plans and costings for the Gift Shop which were approved by the Committee. Mr White estimated that it will take 12-14 weeks to complete the work - 4 weeks for the tendering process, 8 weeks to manufacture the furniture and 1-2 weeks for the installation work (mechanical, electrical and shop-fitting) at a cost of £50k. Members agreed that Mr White should start the tendering process.

5.Reporting back to the Shadow Commission

The Committee agreed that the next two meetings should concentrate on identifying the product range and agreeing the content of the report which will go back to the Shadow Commission.

6.Any Other Business

Mr Bradley submitted the name of a Newry company willing to supply the Gift Shop committee.

7.Date of the Next Meeting

Thursday 11 March, 12.30 - 2.00 pm in Room 106
Tuesday 23 March, 12.30 - 2.00 pm in Room 106.