MEETING OF THE CHAIRPERSONS’ LIAISON GROUP
TUESDAY 1 MARCH 2011
Present:
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Tom Elliott MLA
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Paul Maskey MLA
Lord Morrow MLA
Mr Barry McElduff MLA
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA
In attendance:
Mr Trevor Reaney, Clerk to the Assembly
Mr Hugh Widdis, Director of Legal Services (for item 6 only)
Ms Nuala Dunwoody, Clerk Assistant
Mr Damien Martin, Clerk Assistant
Ms Stella McArdle, Clerk to the Liaison Group
Ms Elaine Farrell, Assistant Clerk
Mr Jonathan Lamont, Clerical Supervisor
Mr Oliver Bellew, Clerical Officer
12.32 p.m . The meeting opened in closed session
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 18 January 2011
The minutes of the meeting on 18 January 2011 were agreed.
12.34 p.m. Mr Hamilton joined the meeting
12.35 p.m . Mr Elliott joined the meeting
12.36 p.m . Mr McElduff joined the meeting
12.38 p.m . Mr O’Loan joined the meeting
3. Matters arising
Response from the Committee on Procedures
The Liaison Group noted the response from the Committee on Procedures regarding the feasibility of smaller committees.
Agreed: The Liaison Group agreed to write to the Committee on Procedures to ask if it will consider the subject of smaller committees as an item on its Forward Work Programme in the new Mandate.
4. Departmental Guidance on Assembly Committees
The Liaison Group noted the response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister on Departmental Guidance on Assembly Committees – timescales for Interaction between Assembly Committees and Departments.
Agreed : The Liaison Group agreed to accept the suggested amendments proposed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister and agreed to review the guidance in summer 2012. The Liaison Group agreed to write to the Executive to advise of this course of action.
5. Lessons Learnt from the Operation of Committees in the Current Mandate
The Liaison Group discussed a paper on Lessons Learnt from the Operations of Committees and noted the additional comments which had been incorporated into the document, as suggested at the meeting on 18 January 2011.
Agreed : The Liaison Group agreed to incorporate further comments to “Challenges for Future Committees”.
Agreed : The Liaison Group agreed to publish the paper on Lessons Learnt from the Operations of Committees on the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group webpage on the Northern Ireland Assembly Website.
6. Northern Ireland Assembly Spending Review 2011/12 – 2014/15
The Liaison Group agreed to consider agenda item 7 next.
12.58 p.m . Lord Morrow joined the meeting
Mr Trevor Reaney, Clerk and Director General, updated the Liaison Group on the Spending Review 2011/12 – 2014/15. Mr Reaney advised that the Commission has agreed a revised budget with the Department of Finance and Personnel, which represented a reduction of 17%, including a 20.5% real cut in Secretariat costs over a period of four years. The Liaison Group restated its concern regarding the impact this may have on the staffing and support for committee business.
1.00 p.m . Mr Elliott left the meeting
The Liaison Group noted the correspondence from the Speaker on the 2010-15 Budget for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Agreed : The Liaison Group agreed to write to the Speaker to emphasise that priority should be given to adequate financial and staff support for the work of committees during the next four years.
1.05 p.m. Mr Maginness left the meeting
1.05 p.m . Mr O’Loan left the meeting
1 .05 p.m. Lord Morrow left the meeting
1.07 p.m . Lord Browne left the meeting
1.10 p.m. Lord Morrow rejoined the meeting
7. Assembly Effectiveness
The Chairperson welcomed the Director of Legal Services, Mr Hugh Widdis and invited him to brief the Liaison Group on the research project on Assembly Effectiveness. Mr Widdis advised that following the research project a report has been compiled entitled “The Northern Ireland Assembly: an Initial Self-Assessment” and this will be presented to the Commission at its next meeting.
Agreed: The Liaison Group noted the report and agreed to record its thanks to Robert Barry and Shane McAteer for their participation in the research and production of the report.
1.13 p.m . Mrs Kelly left the meeting
1.13 p.m. Mr Wells joined the meeting and assumed the chair
8. Cameras and Broadcasting from Room 29
The clerk briefed the Liaison Group on the installation of audio and video facilities for Room 29. It was noted that it was unlikely provision could be found from the 2011-15 budget to cover the remaining committee rooms.
9. Committee Expenditure 2010/2011
The Liaison Group considered committee expenditure for 2010/2011and noted that expenditure to 31 January 2011 was £163,050, with an estimated expenditure to end of March 2011 likely to be £190,550.
The clerk advised the group that any excess funding will be surrendered to enable other business areas within the Assembly to avail of it. The Liaison Group noted the charts providing expenditure by each committee on consultancy costs, refreshments and hospitality, committee travel and subsistence, print costs and total overall costs.
1.20 p.m . Mr Maskey left the meeting
1.23 p.m. Lord Morrow left the meeting
10. Any other business
A discussion took place regarding noise levels outside Rooms 29 and 30 during committee meetings. Mr Reaney agreed to follow up on this issue.
The clerk agreed to contact chairpersons in relation to seeking agreement to the minutes.
1.26 p.m. The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
Mrs Dolores Kelly
9 March 2011
18 January 2011/ Menu |
