COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WENDESDAY, 11 MARCH 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 2.02pm in closed 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 26 th February 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 26th February 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr David Hilditch
4. Matters arising
Review of All-Party Groups and All-Party Assembly Groups
The Committee noted that, on the issues which the Committee agreed should be taken up with the Commission, the Director General and the Director of Engagement, the Clerk would take these forward with the Clerk Assistant.
5. Review of the Code of Conduct
Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 76 ‘Divisions’ should be re-worded to include the wording as set out in the Clerk’s paper.
6. Handling of Reports from the Interim Commissioner on complaints against Members
Following discussion the Committee -
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Reports from the Interim Commissioner should be circulated to Members the day before the next Committee meeting in order to allow Members time to fully scrutinise and analyse these reports.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Interim Commissioner should provide in appendices copies of documentation or excerpts from such documents which have been obtained by him and have been used in the consideration of a complaint.
2.32pm Mr Brolly left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the reports should be individually marked and sent out under confidential cover in line with Assembly procedures.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Reports of the Interim Commissioner should be sent to the Member complained of before the Committee has met to consider the report in order to afford the Member the opportunity to submit to the Committee any comments they have on the Interim Commissioner’s Report.
7. Application for All-Party Group on Visual Impairment
The Committee approved the formation of an All-Party Assembly Group on Visual Impairment.
8. Any other business
The Clerk advised the Committee that a number of complaints against Members had been received and had been forwarded to the Interim Commissioner, as per the usual process.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 25 th March 2009 in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.47pm.
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
Wednesday,25 th March 2009.