COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 1ST OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apology:
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Paul Maskey
The meeting commenced at 2.04pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 th September 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 th September 2008 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr David Hilditch
Seconded: Mr Alastair Ross
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Review of the Code of Conduct
Members noted the background paper prepared by the Clerk on the issues raised by consultees in relation to Volume 2 of the Code of Conduct.
Agreed: Following discussion Members agreed –
- Purpose of the Code - that the purpose of the Code is clear;
- Scope - that the Clerk should prepare a paper on the form of words to be used in the ‘Scope’ of the Code for discussion at the next meeting of the Committee;
- Rules of the Code of Conduct – that an additional rule should be added stating that Members should be mindful of the Data Protection Act and their duty of confidentiality in respect of information provided by constituents;
- Rules of the Code of Conduct - that the wording of those rules that have been amended to Members ‘should’ revert back to Members ‘shall’;
- Duties in Respect of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and the Committee on Standards and Privileges - that it is not necessary to provide further guidance as to what constitutes an acceptable level of compliance by a Member with an investigation of the Interim Commissioner; and
- Other – that it is not necessary the address the issue of the Ministerial Code.
3.05pm Mr Hilditch left the meeting
3.07pm Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting.
Members noted the background paper prepared by the Clerk on the issues raised by consultees in relation to Categories 1 - 3 of the Guide.
Agreed: Following discussion Members agreed –
- Duties of Members in Respect of Registration - that the Clerk should prepare a paper on the form of words to be used to define the circumstances in which Members should refrain from voting where they have not registered an interest and where that interest is relevant to the vote;
- Remunerated Employment, Office, Profession, etc. - that the old category of Clients should be amalgamated into Categories 1 and 2 (Directorships and Remunerated Employment etc);
- Elected/Public Office - that all public offices held by a Member, other than membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly, should be registered; and
- Other - that paragraph 11 of Volume 3 be amended to make it clear that it is the Clerk of Standards from whom Members may seek advice and guidance on the registration and declaration of interests.
6. Request from the Committee on Procedures
Members considered a request from the Committee on Procedures that the Committee give consideration to a section of its draft report on private bills.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the tabled draft response to the request from the Committee on Procedures.
The Committee moved into closed session
6. Any other business
Members noted an email received from the Press Office.
Members noted correspondence received from a complainant with regard to a pending complaint.
Agreed: that the Clerk draft a response to the complainant for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15th October 2008 at 2.00pm in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting a t 3.25pm.