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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH MEETING OF THE HIGHER
AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE 1. Apologies PRESENT: Dr E Birnie (Chairman) IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs E Sung, Ms A Colville, Mr C Jones and 1. Apologies Roger Hutchinson. 2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on Tuesday 5 September 2000 (Closed Session)
Agreed as amended. 3. Matters Arising
(a) Public Meetings
Noted. Members noted that only three of the nineteen meetings to date had been in closed session. Today’s meeting was closed as it involved discussion with the Adviser, (Professor Osborne), on the issues relating to Student Finance. Agreed. Members had a duty to put in place mechanisms to enable them to perform their scrutiny role effectively and transparently. Clerk to contact the Department to advise that the forthcoming briefings from Dr Davison and Mr O’Doherty should be held in open session. The meeting on 19 September to finalise the report on Student Finance will also be open. Members will take decisions in advance of any future meetings planned for a closed session.
(b) Forward Work Programme Noted. The latest draft, including proposed witness sessions to the end of October and a series of public meetings was issued. After examination, Members will inform the Clerk of any amendments proposed.
Noted and agreed. As the work of the House takes priority on Tuesdays, it may not in future be feasible for this Committee to meet on a Tuesday. Members would consider this in the near future.
(c) Walsh Visa
Noted. Minister’s response will be considered at the meeting on 14 September.
(d) Transcripts Noted. Transcripts of evidence sessions with Robson Davison (15 June 2000) and John Simpson (22 June 2000) have been sent for printed publication. Members were reminded to inform the Committee office of any changes to the transcript of Andrew Cubie’s evidence, by the end of today.
(e) Legislation Noted. The Assembly’s Legal Adviser will attend the meeting on the 26 September to brief on the powers and duties of statutory committees in the legislative process.
(f) Spending Review Noted. The Chairman of the Finance Committee has been asked when Committee scrutiny of the above process will occur. 4. Chairman’s Business
(a) New Deal
Noted and agreed. The motion on New Deal will be laid this week. The recent evidence session had exposed many issues to be taken forward. Members may wish further evidence on New Deal to be taken in the context of the Committee’s enquiry into education and training for industry. The transcript of the New Deal session to be issued to the Minister as requested.
(b) Democratic Dialogue Noted. Chairman and Vice Chairman will attend the round table discussion on the Programme for Government convened by Democratic Dialogue on 20 September. Invitations have been circulated to all MLAs. 5. Student Finance Members met to consider options on student support. Their Adviser, Professor Osborne, was present. The Committee reached consensus on its main recommendations. Directions were given to the Clerk regarding preparation of a report, to be finalised by the Committee at an open meeting on 19 September. 6. AOB (Closed Session)
(a) Draft Press Notice
Noted and agreed. Draft Press Notice for 14 September meeting may need to be amended, according to the agreed status of the briefing on 14 September.
(b) Ministerial Press Releases Agreed. Chairman to write to the Minister to determine the procedures in place to inform members in advance of Ministerial visits within their constituency.
(c) Date of Next Meeting Thursday 14 September at 12 noon. Meeting closed at 5:55pm. Esmond Birnie 19 September 2000
ESMOND BIRNIE |