Chairpersons’ Liaison Group

Minutes of Proceedings - 23 September 2025

Chairpersons Laison Group - Minutes of Proceedings - 23 September 2025.pdf (196.47 kb)

Room 21, Parliament Buildings

Present: Phillip Brett MLA (Chairperson)

Kellie Armstrong MLA

Paula Bradshaw MLA

Robbie Butler (MLA)

Paul Frew (MLA)

 

Apologies: Jonathan Buckley MLA

Alan Chambers MLA

Ciara Ferguson MLA

Colm Gildernew MLA

Peter Martin MLA

Cathy Mason MLA

Nick Mathison MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Daniel McCrossan MLA

Matthew O'Toole MLA

 

In Attendance: Roisin Kelly (Clerk)

Mary Kerr (Senior Assistant Clerk)

Charmaine McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Sarah Wright (Clerical Supervisor)

Lesley Hogg (Chief Executive/Clerk to the Assembly)

Frank Geddis (Clerk Assistant)

Paul Gill (Clerk Assistant)

Stephanie Mallon (Clerk Assistant)

 

The meeting commenced at 1:25pm in closed session.

 

The Clerk took the Chair

 

Members noted that the previous Chairperson of CLG, Deborah Erskine MLA, is no longer a Chairperson and therefore a Chairperson should be appointed to act as Chair of Chairpersons' Liaison Group (CLG).

 

Members noted that, as per the rules and procedures agreed on 19 March 2024, that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are appointed according to party strength and rotated annually. Therefore, a nomination was sought from the DUP for the position of Chairperson until the end of the remaining term, March 2026.

 

Paul Frew proposed that Phillip Brett be appointed as Chairperson of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group (CLG) with effect from September 2025.

 

Agreed: Phillip Brett be appointed as Chairperson of CLG with effect from September 2025.

 

Members noted that Nick Mathison remains as Deputy Chairperson of CLG until the end of the remaining term, March 2026.

 

Phillip Brett took the Chair

 

Members noted that the meeting would be concluded slightly earlier than scheduled, finishing at 1:50pm instead of 2:00pm.

 

The Chairperson recorded CLG's thanks to the outgoing Chairperson, Deborah Erskine, for her contribution as Chairperson to the CLG and, expressed its warmest wishes and congratulations to Deborah and her husband on the birth of their first child, a baby girl.

 

 

1. Apologies

As above.

 

2. Chairpersons' Business

There was no Chairperson's Business.

 

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting

Agreed: Chairpersons agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2025.

 

4. Matters Arising

Letter issued from Chairpersons' Liaison Group (CLG) to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Members noted a letter that was issued from CLG to the Public Accounts Committee on 10 September 2025, thanking it for its letter, and outlining the work that CLG has undertaken to date regarding current and forthcoming initiatives in relation to AI policy and guidance and training on the use of AI in the Assembly.

Parliamentary Excellence Programme (PEP) Autumn/Winter Update 2025

Members noted an update on the Parliamentary Excellence Programme (PEP); and the latest PEP flyer providing information on the upcoming PEP sessions for Autumn/Winter 2025.

 

5. Strengthening Committee Scrutiny

Members noted the briefing note in the meeting pack.

Members were content to note:

  • That additional staff have now been appointed, and deployment will be completed in the coming weeks;
  • The progress on developing the updated SL1 template giving effect to the strengthening scrutiny arrangements;
  • The updated SL1 letter; and
  • The proposed new implementation date of 5 January 2026, and that Assembly officials are content with this new proposed date.

 Agreed: that the implementation date of the new scrutiny arrangements for delegated legislation be 5 January 2026.

 

6. AERC Review - Assembly Committee Engagement on Executive Cross-Cutting Strategies

Agreed: Members agreed, because of pressure of time, that this item of business be deferred until a future meeting of CLG.

 

7. Correspondence

Letter from Claire Milliken (EU Affairs Manager) to Chairpersons Liaison Group dated 16 July 2025

Members noted a paper from Claire Milliken, EU Affairs Manager which provided a summary of the seventh meeting of the Interparliamentary Forum (IPF) hosted on 12 June 2025 at the House of Commons. Members also noted the meeting agenda and joint statement.

 

8. Draft Forward Work Programme

Members noted the briefing note for Chairpersons on the priority topic of legislative consent, as chosen by CLG at its June meeting. The clerk spoke to this paper.

Agreed: Members decided to write to the Committee on Procedures noting the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Procedures Inquiry into Legislative Consent Motions (LCMs) undertaken in 2022; noting the continuing issues arising for committees and expressing its support for the Committee on Procedures' consideration of the operation of Standing Order 42A to identify what can be done, through Standing Orders or otherwise, to strengthen and enhance opportunities for Assembly scrutiny of LCMs; and noting that Chairpersons Liaison Group is open to further engagement with the Committee on Procedures on this important issue and that it remains available to provide support as appropriate.

 

9. Any Other Business

None.

 

10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 21 October 2025, at 1:15pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:51pm.

 

Phillip Brett (Chairperson)

23 September 2025