Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 17 April 2012
12.46pm The meeting opened in closed session.
1. Chairperson’s Business
Agreed: The Chairperson informed the Group that, on account of illness, Mr Spratt was unable to attend the meeting. The Group agreed to write to Mr Spratt wishing him well in his recovery.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Minutes of the meeting on 21 February 2012
The minutes of the meeting on 21 February 2012 were agreed.
4. Review of Parts III and IV of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in terms of the size of the Assembly and the number of NI Departments
The Group noted a background paper from the Clerk, and received briefing from the Clerk / Director General, on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee’s Review of Parts III and IV of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in terms of the size of the Assembly and the number of NI Departments, particularly the elements of that work that relate to committees.
12.58pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting.
Agreed: The Group agreed to inform party chief whips of its interest in this Review; that the research papers commissioned by the AERC be circulated to all members of the Group; that the issue be considered by the Group at a future meeting to offer views, observations and commentary on the findings of the Review; and that the issue be considered further by the relevant committee clerks.
5. Committee budget – end of year 2011/2012 and new budget for 2012/13
The Group noted a paper on Committee budgets and received an update from the Clerk Assistant on committee expenditure during the 2011/12 financial year and on proposed expenditure for 2012/13.
Agreed: The Group agreed to receive a further briefing on the final outturn for 2011/12 at its meeting on 15th May 2012.
6. Committee Secretariat Network meeting
The Liaison Group received briefing on the issues discussed at the Committee Secretariat Network meeting, hosted in Parliament Buildings, on 8th and 9th March 2012.
7. End of Session Reports
1.22pm Mr Frew and Mr Givan left the meeting.
Agreed: The Liaison Group considered and agreed the content, reporting period and timing for the publication of the End of Session reports for the 2011/12 session.
8. Revised Future Work Programme
Agreed: The Liaison Group noted and agreed the revised forward work programme for the 2011-2012 session.
9. Any other business
The Liaison Group considered correspondence to the Chairperson from Cllr Richard Kemp in relation to the launch of the Post Office’s report “Front Office for Government Services” and requesting to meet with the Chairperson.
Agreed: The Group agreed that Mr Maginness meets with Cllr Kemp on behalf of the Group.
10. Date, time and venue of next meeting
1.27pm Mr Elliott joined the meeting.
The next meeting of the Liaison Group will take place on Tuesday 15 May 2012 at 12.30pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
1.28pm The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
