COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
FORTY FOURTH MEETING
MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2001
COMMITTEE ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairperson)
Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr William Bell
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Robinson MP
Mr Peter Weir
Apologies: None
In attendance: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Mr Joe Sloan (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 12.04 p.m. The meeting was held in open session.
Mr Bell attended at 12.05 p.m, Mr Robinson attended at 12.07 p.m, Mr Dodds attended at 12.11 p.m, Mr Hussey attended at 12.14 p.mPFI/PPP
1.1 The Clerk set out the result of various questions raised by members during the meeting on 22 February 2001. The Clerk advised Members that the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other Members had re-considered the draft Terms of Reference for the Inquiry following the previous meeting. These had been revised to re-allocate some of the research work to the Assembly's Research Service. The Clerk to the House Of Commons Treasury Committee had considered the draft Terms of Reference and draft terms of contract. He suggested that this project was entirely different to the usual Westminster style inquiry which took the form of a post-facto examination of an issue or policy that had become a matter for concern. This inquiry is effectively a research project and the usual manner of employing specialist advisers did not necessarily apply. The House of Commons had exceptional arrangements to employ consultants at close to commercial rates for such research projects. The Treasury Committee Clerk expressed the opinion that, in the light of the proposed Terms of Reference and the input expected from the Specialist adviser, cumulative payment for 20 days input from the Specialist adviser would be a reasonable starting point.
1.2 The Clerk also confirmed that he had spoken to the Chief Administration Officer who had confirmed that the Assembly Commission was to examine and consider the question of procuring specialist advice on rates similar to those achieved by the House of Commons. However, as yet no such arrangements existed. In view of the significance of this project and in the light of the comments of the Clerk to the Treasury Committee, the Chief Administration Officer was content to confirm his approval to the proposed contract with Mr Plumb. He also confirmed that the anticipated total cost of the proposed contract would not create financial difficulties for the DFP Committee, or any other committee, in seeking to commission work with specialist advisers.
1.3 The Clerk advised the Committee that he had discussed the matter further with a senior member of the Assembly Research Service who had also concurred with the suggestion that 20 days input from the Specialist adviser would seem to be appropriate. However, the number of days needed would also be dependant upon the number of memoranda received and upon the number of witnesses to be seen during the oral evidence sessions. He had also suggested that Mr Plumb should be asked to provide the Committee with a Research Proposal setting out how he intends to take the project forward. Finally, the Clerk indicated that he had spoken to the Deputy Secretary in DFP who had confirmed that this project would not conflict with any work ongoing within the Department. Indeed, the Department would consider this project to be a useful exercise in informing the use of PFI/PPP in Northern Ireland.
1.4 The Committee deliberated on the appointment of a specialist adviser to their inquiry.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to the draft Terms of Reference of the inquiry presented by the Principal Clerk.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to commission Mr John Plumb as its specialist adviser.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to commission Mr Plumb for 20 days.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to consider any extension to the number of days of Mr Plumb's commission on the merits of the extension.
2. Date of next meeting
2.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 27 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 12.35 p.m.
FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman
22 February 2001 / Menu / 27 February 2001