MINUTES OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON 6 DECEMBER 2007 AT 11.00 AM IN ROOM 106
Present:
The Speaker
Mr Stephen Moutray
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Alban Maginness
Mr Paul Butler
Apologies:
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance: Mrs C Devon, Mr R Good, Mrs C McGowan, and Ms C Foster. Ms McClelland, Mr D Lynn and Mr P McKenna were present for Item 2. Mr Rickard was in attendance for Item 3. Mr Widdis was in attendance for Item 4.
A BBC film crew, accompanied by Mr K Dougan (Information Office) were in attendance for part of Item 2.
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MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the thirteenth meeting held on the 29 November 2007 were agreed.
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CHAMBER REFURBISHMENT
Ms McClelland provided the Commission with a presentation relating to the proposed refurbishment and upgrade of the Assembly Chamber.
The Commission considered the elements to each of the three proposals presented for upgrading the Chamber and agreed that the ‘medium package’ offered the best solution for Members and additionally enhanced both the public viewing and access facilities for disabled persons.
The Commission requested more detailed drawings on the preferred option for the next meeting. The Speaker suggested that in advance of the next meeting that Members take time to view the facilities offered within the Public Gallery.
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REPLACEMENT OF BROADCASTING SYSTEM
Mr Rickard joined the meeting at 12 noon .
Mr Rickard spoke to a paper detailing the replacement requirements of the broadcasting equipment in both the Assembly and Senate Chambers and outlined the initial business case for a broadcast equipment upgrade project.
Mr Rickard provided information in relation to the transfer from an analogue system to High Definition system in 2012. Following further discussion on capital costs, the Commission agreed that the equipment should be replaced within both Chambers with High Definition equipment. The Commission endorsed the initiation of a full procurement exercise, on the understanding that the decision to award the contract would be referred back to the Commission to sign off final costs.
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Widdis joined the meeting at 12.15 pm
4.1 The Interim Clerk/DG appraised the Commission of potential litigation against the Assembly Commission.
4.2 The Interim Clerk/DG appraised the Commission of current FOI requests, and other correspondence arising from the Review of the Secretariat.
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the final meeting prior to Christmas Recess would be held on Thursday 13 December 2007 at 9.30 am in Room 106.
The meeting ended at 12.25 pm