| Membership | What's Happening | Committees | Publications | Assembly Commission | General Info | Job Opportunities | Help |
|
MINUTES OF THE FORTY EIGHTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON 16 APRIL 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 106 Present: The Speaker Apologies: Mr John Fee In the Chair: The Speaker In Attendance: Mr A Moir, Mr T Evans, Mrs D Pritchard, Mr P Carlisle,
Mr A Black, Mr S Burrowes, Mrs A Peacocke, Mrs N Dunwoody, Ms F Hamill, Ms G
Campbell, and Ms C Cleland. 1. PRESENTATION BY FABER MAUNSELL The Speaker welcomed representatives from Faber Maunsell and Construction Service to the meeting and invited them to make a presentation relating to access options to the Ormiston House site following consultation with Roads Service. Following the presentation, Members agreed that the models used to support the conclusions did not reflect the proposed purpose and intended use of the Ormiston House site. It was agreed that the Assembly Commission would provide the consultants with postcodes from personnel within those Directorates that would be located in Ormiston House in order that a more accurate distribution map could be compiled. 2. CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS 2.1 Head of Finance The Speaker welcomed Fiona Hamill to the meeting and explained to Members that Miss Hamill had recently joined the Northern Ireland Assembly on a temporary basis as Head of Finance. 2.2 Acting Clerk to the Assembly Commission The Speaker advised Members that it was proposed that Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk) would cover the post of Clerk to the Assembly Commission until the recruitment exercise was completed. Members agreed the appointment. Members asked that their thanks to Mr Evans for his work as Clerk to the Commission should be formally recorded. Mrs Pritchard joined the meeting at 3:15 p.m. 3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The Speaker asked whether Members were content with the minutes of the last meeting on 19 March. Mr Wells proposed that the following amendment to the final sentence of paragraph 3.16: Add "provided that they did not represent paramilitary organisations." Members agreed the amendment and the minutes. 4. MATTERS ARISING 4.1 Recruitment Update Members noted a paper detailing recruitment to the NI Assembly given the substantial problems of completing the recruitment exercise within the previously agreed period of three years, and agreed to extend the programme for full recruitment from December 2002 until Summer 2003. It was agreed that a schedule setting out the recruitment programme should be prepared for the next meeting. Members also endorsed the job specification for the Clerk to the Assembly Commission. 4.2 Publication of Members' Allowances The Speaker advised that allowances relating to financial years 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 had now been placed on the Assembly website. 4.3 Fixed Car Profit Scheme The Speaker advised that advice on the new arrangements relating to the Scheme had been set out in the last APN. 4.4 Reimbursement of Home Telephone Bills The Speaker advised Members that advice on the change in the Inland Revenue rules were issued in the last APN. 4.5 Parenting Room Mrs Peacocke advised Members that two rooms had been identified for conversion to parenting rooms. It was hoped that work would commence on the refurbishments on 19 April 2002 and it was expected that the work would take four to five weeks. Mrs Peacocke was asked to ascertain when Ms Gildernew would be returning to work. 4.6 February Monitoring Round The Speaker advised that he had received a reply from the Minister of Finance which had been copied to Members. The Speaker stated that the Head of Finance has had discussions with officials from DFP regarding the presentation of this year's main estimates. 4.7 Aiken Proposals The Speaker advised Members that Aiken Promotions had secured the artist Gabrielle as support to Rod Stewart. 4.8 Education Programme The Speaker advised that Mr Evans and Mr Black would be meeting with education officials regarding the secondment of two teachers to develop the Assembly's education programme. The Commission agreed to the early advertisement of these positions. 4.9 Review of Terms and Conditions The Speaker advised that he was still awaiting the final report from the consultants. Mr Evans advised that a meeting has been arranged with local TUS to discuss any concerns regarding the exercise and that Mr Fee had agreed to attend this. 4.10 SSRB The Speaker advised that he had been promised advanced copies of the report which would be forwarded to Commission Members. Members agreed that copies of the report should be forwarded to the Parties as soon as it was published. 4.11 Party Allowances Mr Evans advised Members that he was awaiting confirmation of a date from OFM / DFM. 4.12 Assembly Commission Question Mr Evans advised Members that he had drafted a response to a written question received from Mr McMenamim and that this would be issued. 4.13 Assembly Business Plan Mr Moir tabled a draft Business Plan. Members agreed to consider this for the next meeting. 4.14 Taxi Service Members agreed that a tender competition should be run in relation to the provisions of taxi services to the Assembly. 4.15 Euro Members agreed to revisit this matter at the next meeting since it had been proposed by Mr Fee. 4.16 Green Purchasing Seminar Mr Carlisle provided Members with a progress update on the seminar. Members agreed that Mr Carlisle liaise with them on an individual basis. 4.17 Withdrawal of Police on Non-Sitting Days The Speaker advised that Mr Evans would meet with the Area Commander to discuss this matter. 4.18 Rowel Friers Collection The Speaker advised that the collection would be displayed in the Long Gallery from 28 May 2002. Members agreed that the Speaker explore the potential for sponsorship of the proposed Assembly portrait. 4.19 Information Officer Mr Black reported that attempts to recruit a temporary Information Officer had not been successful. Members agreed that Mr Black continue to explore the possibility of a temporary appointment to the post of Information Officer. 4.20 Equal Opportunities Policy Statement Members agreed that further discussion was required on the amendments proposed by Dr O'Hagan at the next meeting. Members agreed the content of the rest of the statement. 5. ACCOMMODATION 5.1 Members agreed that a revised programme of works be considered at the next meeting. 5.2 Members agreed that the RSUA be approached with a view to advising the Commission on the running of a design competition for the second phase of the Ormiston project. 6. ANNUAL REPORT 6.1 Members agreed that a full draft report, including potential designs and photographs for inclusion, should be considered at the next meeting. 7. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICE 7.1 Members agreed to consider this at the next meeting. 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 8.1 Staff Photograph Members agreed that invitations should be issued from the Assembly Commission to previous employees regarding inclusion in an Assembly staff photograph. The Speaker would raise the matter with the head of the NI Civil Service. 8.2 Visit to Canadian Parliament The Rev Coulter proposed that the Assembly Commission conduct a visit to the Canadian Parliament. Members agreed that the Office of the Assembly Commission investigate the timing of a visit. 8.3 Team Briefing System Mr Moir gave Members a note on the system which would be piloted over the next few months. 9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING Tuesday 7 May 2002 at 3.00 pm in room 106. MRS DEBBIE PRITCHARD |
| Home| Today's Business| Questions | Official Report| Legislation| Site Map| Links| Feedback| Search |