Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 1.31pm in closed session.          

Chairperson’s Introduction

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should be held in closed session.

The Chairperson welcomed Committee Members to the meeting. 

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2012 were agreed by the Committee. 

4. Matters arising

The Clerk updated the Committee on its motion in respect of the Committee’s Report on complaints against a Member.

1.33pm Mrs Overend joined the meeting.

1.33pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Mr McCarthy would move the motion and that Mr Agnew would wind.

5. Directions for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards

Members noted the Clerk’s paper; Legal Advice; Direction on General Procedure; and Direction on the Code of Conduct and Requirement to Register Interests.

1.36pm Ms Bradley joined the meeting.

The Clerk briefed the Committee on the background of this issue.

Agreed: The Committee considered and agreed the Direction on General Procedure section by section.

Agreed: The Committee considered and agreed the Direction on the Code of Conduct and Requirement to Register Interests.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Directions shall come into effect on Monday, 12^th November 2012.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Assembly’s Code of Conduct be updated and reissued to Members.  The update should include the removal of the previous complaints procedure and its replacement with the Direction on General Procedure together with those provisions in relation to the Committee’s role in respect of complaints (amended as appropriate to reflect the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

6. Correspondence

Agreed: Members noted correspondence of 18^th October 2012 from the Speaker on the recording of expenditure incurred by and reimbursed to Members.

Agreed: Members noted correspondence received from Mr Basil McCrea MLA on the issue of All-Party Groups and agreed to write to the Assembly Commission about the issue.  The Committee also agreed to write to Mr McCrea informing him of the Committee’s decision.

7. Any other business

There was no other business.

8. Time, date and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place in December.  Members will be informed of the date by Committee Office staff.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.55pm.

Mr Alastair Ross MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
Wednesday 12^th December, 2012