Shadow Assembly Commission Minutes of Proceedings

1 December 1999

MINUTES OF THE THIRTY FOURTH MEETING

WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER 1999 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 152

Present: Initial Presiding Officer
Mrs E Bell 
Mr R Coulter
Mr J Fee
Mr F Molloy

In Attendance: Mr G Cosgrave, Mr T Evans, Mr D Gray, Mr D Millar,

Apologies: Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson, Mr J Dallat, Mr D McClarty, Mr G Campbel, Mr J Kelly and Mr J Hamilton attended for agenda item 1.

1. MEETING WITH THE PENSION TRUSEES

1.1 Mr Hamilton, DFP presented the Pension Trustees Report highlighting the issues still to be resolved. The following points were agreed:

Ÿ the Commission to lead on the introduction of the Pensions Bill supported by the Pension Trustees.

Ÿ Once the Pension Bill has been enacted the Pension Trustees will consider the old Assembly Pension Scheme.

Ÿ At an earlier meeting the Commission agreed to defer any action on pensions for the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and the Presiding Officer. The Commission and Pension Trustees agreed that this issue could be dealt with by a supplementary Bill once SSRB has reported that there needs to be Pension arrangements in place for the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and the Presiding Officer.

Ÿ There needs to be a carefully thought out scheme setting out how the Trustees will review Ill-Health Retirement Pensions.

Ÿ An explanatory booklet on the benefits of the scheme to be produced and a seminar for all Members to involve the Pension Trustees, the Government Actuary and Jim Hamilton.

1.2 Mr Hamilton agreed to revise the Pensions Bill in readiness for a first reading on Monday 6 December. The Commission thanked the Pension Trustees and Mr Hamilton for their work on the Pensions Bill.

2. LEGISLATION

2.1 It was agreed that Mr Evans would meet with Mrs Bell, Mr Coulter and Mr Fee to finalise arrangements for Monday's plenary. The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that Explanatory and Financial Memoranda would be available by Monday 6 December for the three Bills.

3. STAFFING

3.1 The Commission agreed the format for the taster advertisements to run in the three local papers, the Irish and London Times in the week commencing 6 December. A briefing pack to be prepared for Commission Members and a copy of relevant press releases to go to all Members by Wednesday 8 December. Commission Members to be available for a range of press interviews on 8 December.

4. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION

4.1 The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that the Standing Orders Committee had endorsed the Commission's new voting arrangements and will not be recommending an increased membership.

4.2 The Initial Presiding Officer thanked Commission Members for their significant contribution over the past fourteen months and wished outgoing Members every success in their new positions of responsibility.

5. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be at the call of the Presiding Officer.

TOM EVANS