Minutes of Proceedings

12.37pm The Chairperson opened the meeting in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairpersons thanked Mr Basil McCrea, MLA, for his work as deputy Chairperson of the Group and welcomed Mr Robin Swann, MLA, as the UUP nomination for Deputy Chairperson to CLG.

3. Minutes of the meeting on 19 February 2013

The minutes of the meeting on 19 February 2013 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising

Roisin Fleetham, Clerk to the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group, updated the group on the recent meeting of the Committee on Standards and Privileges where the Second Report on the Unauthorised Disclosure of a Draft Report by the Public Accounts Committee was agreed. Members noted that the Report gave consideration to the response by CLG to the Interim Commissioner’s recommendations on the handling of committee documents. A revised Information Assurance Policy will be issued to all staff and training, where appropriate, will be provided.

5. 2013-14 Budget Bid

12.41pm Mr Moutray joined the meeting

Damien Martin, Clerk Assistant, informed Members of the Clerking Directorate’s 2012-13 budget out-turn. Members were also informed of the bids for the financial year 2013-14, particularly in relation to Committee Travel; Specialist Advisors to Committees; and General Business Expenditure.

6. Protocols for Committees writing to Ministers of other Departments

Chairpersons noted a paper by Nuala Dunwoody, Clerk Assistant, in response to Members concerns about the current practice of channelling correspondence with departments through the lead Committee. Roisin Fleetham, Clerk to the Group, briefed Members on a suggested way forward to streamlining current practices.

Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk to the Group would have further discussions with colleagues from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in respect of streamlining procedures for corresponding with other departments, and report back to the Group in due course.

7. Staffing

Damien Martin, Clerk Assistant, updated Members on the current staffing situation. Members were advised that the Assistant Clerk competition had recently concluded and that a competition to fill temporary vacancies at Clerking level would conclude after Easter. As a result there would be staff moves and these would be kept to a minimum where possible.

8. Draft Forward Work Programme

Agreed: Members noted, and agreed, a draft forward work programme for the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group.

9. Any other business

None

10. Date, time and venue of next meeting

The next meeting of the Liaison Group is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at 12.30pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

12.58pm The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Alex Maskey, Chairperson
7 May 2013