Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 15 May 2013
Venue: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
2:01 pm The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 8 May 2013
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Committee Meeting on 12 June 2013
The deputy Chairperson briefed the Committee that its meeting on 12 June 2013 would take place at the North West Regional College Londonderry on 12 June 2013 marking the City of Culture year.
2:04 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
2:06 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
Correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts providing clarification of issues raised by the Committee in its consideration of the memorandum of reply from its previous report on 'Statement of Rates Levy and Collection 2009/10 and 2010/11.
2:10 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.
2:10 pm Mr McIlveen declared an interest stating that he is a former estate agent.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further clarification on some information contained within the response.
2:21 pm The meeting went into closed session.
Correspondence from the Department of Education
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Paul Sweeney, Accounting Officer providing information sought by the Committee at its meeting on 13 March 2013.
The Comptroller and Auditor General undertook to break down some of the costs contained within the response.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to factor the information into its draft report for consideration at a future meeting.
The deputy Chairperson discussed the initiatives being implemented to improve literacy and numeracy levels at Magilligan Prison and proposed that the Committee conduct a visit to the prison.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to conduct a visit to the prison to see this initiative; the secretariat to research and advise on scheduling of the visit in due course.
Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Audit Office
The Committee noted additional material sought from Comptroller and Auditor General regarding the processing of tenders by Translink for the servicing of fire safety equipment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward C&AG's assessment to the contractor who initially highlighted the concerns.
Inquiry on 'Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight' and Report on Accounts 2011/12
2:41 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
Correspondence from Ardmore Advertising
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr John Keane, Managing Director, Ardmore Advertising acknowledging its request for information relating to its NIFRS inquiry.
Correspondence from Ms Linda Ford
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Linda Ford regarding the Official Report of its evidence session on 'Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight' and Report on Accounts 2011/12.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to factor the information into its draft report for consideration at a future meeting; and to give a right of reply to persons mentioned in the letter.
2:52 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
4. Briefing on Northern Ireland Audit Office Report on 'Collaborative Procurement and Aggregated Demand'
Mr Kieran Donnelly Comptroller and Auditor General; Mr Eddie Bradley, Assistant Auditor General; Mr Alan Orme, Audit Manager; and Joe Campbell, Audit Manager briefed the Committee on the report.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its updated forward work programme from September to December 2013.
2:40 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
3:25 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.
3:26 pm Mr Rogers left the meeting.
2:56 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.
6. Consideration of Draft Report on 'PSNI: Use of Agency Staff'
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report to a future meeting.
Draft Letter to the PSNI
The Committee noted a draft letter to the PSNI seeking some additional information in response to requests from members.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence, as amended, to the PSNI; the Committee also agreed a draft letter to the Police Ombudsman to issue on receipt of the PSNI reply.
7. Any other business
There was no other business.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 May 2013 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3:04 pm.
