Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 9.35am in closed session.          

Chairperson’s Introduction

Agreed:  The Committee agreed that the meeting should be held in closed session as the Committee was considering correspondence received from the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on two complaints against Members.

The Chairperson welcomed Committee Members to the meeting. 

1. Apologies

As above.

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 4^th July 2012

Agreed:  The draft minutes of the meeting held on 4^th July 2012 were agreed by the Committee. 

4. Matters arising

The Clerk informed the Committee that the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards will provide it with further advice in relation to the complaints against a Member discussed at the previous meeting of the Committee. 

5. Consideration of correspondence received from the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards

Members noted the Clerk’s Paper and correspondence dated 21^st June 2012 received from the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on complaints against two Members.

9.38am The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and Ms Gillian Coey, Ombudsman’s Office to the meeting and invited Dr Frawley to brief the Committee on the complaint against the first Member.

The Chairperson thanked Dr Frawley and invited him to brief the Committee on the complaint against the second Member.

9.40am  The Chairperson thanked Dr Frawley and Ms Coey for attending the meeting.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed that the complaint against the first Member was inadmissible and that the Clerk should write to the complainant and the Member complained of informing them of the Committee’s decision.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed that the complaint against the second Member was inadmissible and that the Clerk should write to the complainant and the Member complained of informing them of the Committee’s decision. 

6. Any other business

The Clerk informed the meeting that an updated version of the Register of Members’ Interests would be published on Friday 6^th July 2012.

7. Time, date and place of next meeting

Members noted that the next meeting of the Committee will take place on Wednesday 5^th September 2012 at 1.30pm in Room 21.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 9.42am.

Mr Alastair Ross MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
4^th September 2012