MINUTES OF THE THIRTY SIXTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2001 AT 2:30 PM IN ROOM 106

PRESENT:
The Speaker
Mrs E Bell
Dr D O'Hagan
Rev R Coulter
Mr J Wells

APOLOGIES:
Mr J Fee

IN THE CHAIR:
The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr T Evans, Mr A Moir, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr M Barnes, Mr P Carlisle, Mr D Millar, Mr A Black, Miss G Campbell, Mr S Burrows, Mrs A Peacocke.

Mr G Colon-O'Leary was in attendance for Item 3.1

1. REVIEW OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PAY AND GRADING

Mr Terrington, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, made a presentation detailing the review methodology highlighting the key milestones when the Commission will have the opportunity to input the review. Members were apprised of the timings requiring Assembly Commission input, commencing week beginning 22 October 2001.

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the thirty-fifth meeting of the Assembly Commission, held on 18 September 2001, were accepted

3. CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS

3.1 Security Arrangements

The Head of Security advised the Commission of the additional security measures which have been introduced in response to recent events in Switzerland and the USA.

3.2 Commemoration Inscription

The Commission endorsed the proposal to commemorate two Members of the Northern Ireland Senate, Mr Jack Barnhill and Mr Paddy Wilson, with an appropriate engraving on the wall of the Senate rotunda.

3.3 First Minister / Deputy First Minister Portraits

Members agreed the proposal that a portrait of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister should be commissioned once their term of office comes to an end.

3.4 Poppies and Lilies

The Speaker advised members that this issue will be tabled as a substantive agenda item at the next Commission meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING

4.1 Requests for Wedding Receptions

A paper will be presented for discussion at the next meeting.

4.2 Whitley Council

Mr Cosgrave and Mr Millar to arrange the first meeting of the newly constituted Whitley Council.

4.3 Messaging Service

A paper will be presented for discussion at the next meeting.

4.4 SSRB

Members noted the recent correspondence confirming that SSRB has agreed to undertake the review. Mr Evans to meet with SSRB Secretariat in the week commencing 8 October to discuss the critical path for the review.

4.5 Appointment of Assembly Commissioner for Standards

The Speaker confirmed that the Principal Clerk of Standards is taking legal advice on the proposal agreed at the last Commission meeting.

4.6 Use of the Members' Bar

Mr Moir to bring forward an options paper for consideration at the next meeting. In the meantime, staff have been advised that they should be considerate of Members' needs when using the Members' Bar.

5. ORMISTON HOUSE

5.1 The Speaker confirmed that the acquisition of Ormiston House had been completed and that he had written to all Members advising them of the purchase and the proposed move of the Finance and Personnel Directorate to Annexe C.

5.2 Mrs Peacocke tabled a paper detailing the proposed arrangements for the public consultation scheduled for 16 October 2001 which was endorsed by the Commission. Mrs Peacocke to liaise with the Stormont Residents' group.

6. STAFFING

6.1 Recruitment Programme

Members agreed the priority recruitment competitions which should proceed immediately.

6.2 Status of the Promotion of Seconded NICS Staff

Members agreed that the Speaker should write to the Head of the Civil Service to clarify the status of the promotions gained in the Assembly by NICS staff.

6.3 Assembly Premium

Mr Cosgrave to clarify the background to the Assembly Premium at the next Whitley meeting.

6.4 Contracted Staff

A paper listing all contracted staff and pay levels to be presented for consideration at the next meeting.

6.5 Proposal from the Catering and Functions Committee

Ms Patricia Lewsley presented a proposal from the Catering and Functions Committee recommending that staff from Initial Cleaning Services should be paid a minimum of £5.00 per hour. Members agreed that they should be paid the same rates currently paid to in-house cleaning staff.

7. Any Other Business

7.1 Members' Satisfaction Survey

Members agreed that Mr Moir can proceed with the Members' Satisfaction Survey. Mr Moir to make a presentation on the results of the staff survey at the next meeting.

7.2 Misuse of Assembly Stationery

Members considered the misuse of Assembly stationery by a Member which had been raised by Lord Kilclooney and agreed that no further action should be taken in this particular case as it was a second offence. The Commission established the following principle:

A first offence will be dealt with by the Secretariat, a second breach of the rules will be referred to the Assembly Commission and a third contravention will be referred to the Standards and Privileges Committee.

Mr Evans to write to Lord Kilclooney to advise him of the Commission's decision.

7.3 Response to Oral and Written Questions

Members noted the extract from the Hansard on the Oral Question answered by the Rev Coulter on the 24 September and the response to the Written Question answered by Mrs Bell on 26 September. Mrs Peacocke to consider how the Commission might address the concerns raised by Dr Paisley regarding the availability of Committee rooms.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Mr Wells raised a specific issue of an individual Party staff member not being permitted to take a guided tour. Mrs Peacocke agreed to investigate and report back to the Commission.

8.2 Mr Millar reported that NICVA will be making a presentation on GAYE to MLAs and staff on 1 November.

9. Date of the Next Meeting

Tuesday 16 October 2001 at 3:00 p.m. in Room 106.

Tom Evans
Room: 103
Ext: 21930