Present: Initial Presiding Officer

Mrs E Bell

Mr R Coulter

Mr J Fee

Mr F Molloy

Mr P Robinson MP

In the Chair: Initial Presiding Officer

In Attendance: Mr T Evans, Mr J Hunter, Mr L O'Reilly

1. The minutes of the twelfth meeting were accepted without change.
   
   
2. Chairman's Remarks

The Initial Presiding Officer explained that the main purpose of the meeting was to finalise the job specification and job advertisement and to receive an update from Central Personnel Group (CPG) on action points from 8 January meeting. The Initial Presiding Officer asked for views on when the Commission should make a report to the Assembly. Members agreed to revisit this issue at the next meeting of the Commission.

3. Appointment of the Clerk

Mr Hunter, CPG, took Members through the re-drafted job specification and job advertisement and received final amendments. CPG to prepare an application form to be tabled at a future Commission meeting.

2. Pension Provision

The Commission endorsed a paper on pension arrangements for the Clerk to the Assembly.

3. Expert Panel Member

Mr Hunter reported that Mr McKay, Clerk to the House of Commons, had indicated that Sir David Limon would be willing to serve as a panel member, time permitting. The Commission asked CPG to approach Roger Sands in the first instance and, if not available, to then contact Sir David Limon.

4. Psychological Assessment

Members agreed that CPG should prepare a draft specification and a select list of companies. The specification is to be circulated to Members at the beginning of week commencing 18 January with comments back to CPG by 25 January.

5. Training

Training to be finalised once the nature of the psychological assessment has been agreed.

4. Any Other Business
   
   
1. Staffing

The Initial Presiding Officer informed Members of his concerns about a recent staffing proposal which ran counter to the organisational structure agreed by the Commission. He confirmed that the issue had been resolved but felt that it was important to draw this matter to the attention of the Commission. The Initial Presiding Officer agreed to bring to the Commission a paper on staffing issues and emphasised the need for CPG to provide ongoing support.

2. Accommodation

The Initial Presiding Officer informed Members that he had met the NIWC and conveyed the Commission's decision not to give that Party an additional room on the second floor. The Initial Presiding Officer explained why there had been a delay in providing the SDLP with their room allocation on the second floor. Members asked for plans setting out the current usage and proposed allocation of rooms, once Ministers and Chairpersons are appointed. The Commission agreed to review the temporary allocation of additional rooms to the Shadow Executive.

4.3 Stormont Estate

The Initial Presiding Officer referred to the Secretary of State's proposal to stage another major pop concert in the estate. The Commission agreed to meet the Stormont Area Group and then, informed by the residents views, meet the Secretary of State.

4. Gift Shop

The Commission agreed terms of reference for the Gift Shop House Committee 'To make recommendations to the Assembly Commission on the establishment, stocking and management of an Assembly Gift Shop.'

5. Members' Handbook

Members expressed a preference for an A5 leather cover and asked for costings.

The Commission agreed that the following representatives should be invited to the European Dinner at Parliament Buildings on 23 January; Party Leaders, Party spokespersons on European issues who are also Assembly Members, three MEPs, Commission Members or a nominated substitute and the Northern Ireland representatives on the Council of the Regions.

The Commission will visit Westminster on 11/12 February and will have a full business meeting on the afternoon of 12 February.

The Commission agreed that the Assembly should provide IT consumables to Members.

It was agreed that there should be no parking to the front of Parliament Buildings. The Commission agreed that an incapacitated staff member should have temporary access to the upper level car parks. The Initial Presiding Officer tabled a request from David Ferguson for permanent passes for officials requiring regular access to Parliament Buildings. It was agreed that the Initial Presiding Officer should seek clarification from Mr Ferguson.

In response to Mrs Bell's enquiry the Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that Mrs McWilliams and Mr Huthcinson will be meeting the representatives of FFI, the Charitable trust which has been asked to advise on the feasibility of developing a gymnasium facility.

5. Dates of Future Meetings

Friday 29 January at 10.00 am in Room 152.

Friday 12 February, time and venue to be confirmed.