COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 21st JANUARY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Paul Maskey
The meeting commenced at 2.02pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies as detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2008 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed:
Rev Robert Coulter
Seconded:
Mr Brian Wilson
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Review of the Code of Conduct
The Committee noted that the Interim Commissioner’s Report into a Complaint against a Member which was due to be considered at today’s meeting would not now be considered until the Committee meeting on 11 th February.
Agreed : The Committee agreed not to seek to agree the new Code prior to establishing whether further amendments to the Code are necessary as a result of the contents of the above Report.
The Committee noted that although it had been agreed at the last meeting that future complaints would go directly to the Interim Commissioner for Standards, this would not come into effect until the new Code has been agreed and until the relevant Standing Orders have been amended.6. Review of All Party Groups and All Party Assembly Groups
Members noted the Background Paper prepared by the Clerk.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Terms of Reference for the Review of All Party Groups and All Party Assembly Groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Assembly Research should be asked to prepare a research paper and make a presentation to the Committee at the meeting on 11 th February.
7. Committee visit to the National Assembly for Wales
Members noted that the Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly for Wales has just concluded a consultation on its proposals to establish a statutory Commissioner for Standards.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee should seek to visit the National Assembly for Wales in late March/early April to inform its forthcoming Inquiry into the appointment of an independent Assembly Commissioner.
8. Forward Work Plan
Members noted the Forward Work Plan.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to flexibility with regard to the Forward Work Plan, and that the frequency of meetings should be determined by workload.
2.20pm The meeting moved into Closed session.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
10. Any other business
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, congratulating him on receiving the OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 th January 2009 in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.25pm