Transitional Assembly - Sub-Group on Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Jobs Location 7 December 2006 Minutes of Proceedings

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP ON WORKPLACE 2010 AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOBS LOCATION

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 7 DECEMBER 2006

HELD IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Dr Esmond Birnie
John Dallat
Pat Doherty MP
William Hay
Robin Newton
Pat O’Rawe

In Attendance John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Stephen Graham (Committee Clerk)
Joanne Adair (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Sean Mc Cann (Clerical Supervisor)

Observing: Clive Mc Farland (DUP Researcher)
Mr Ronan McCay (SDLP Researcher)
Mr Mark Neale (UUP Researcher)
Ms Dara O’Hagan (Sinn Fein Researcher)

The meeting commenced at 1.31 p.m. in closed session

1. Apologies

There were no apologies. The Chairperson introduced the support staff to the Members.

2. Declaration of Interests and Privilege

Members noted that the Transitional Assembly’s Standing Orders 29 (f) state that, ‘before taking part in any debate or proceeding of the Assembly, a Member shall declare any interest, financial or otherwise, which is relevant to that debate or proceeding, where such interest is held by the member or an immediate relative.’

The Chairman asked members to declare any relevant interests.

Mr Newton advised the meeting that he had been approached by one of the companies bidding for the Workplace 2010 PFI project.

Members noted the information in relation to privilege contained in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.

3. Terms of Reference

Members noted the terms of reference for the sub-group, as determined by the Programme for Government Committee.

4. Sub Group Procedures

Members noted the procedures for the sub-group as determined by the Programme for Government Committee.

Members noted that future chairing arrangements would be considered by the Committee on the Programme for Government at its meeting on Monday 11 December.

It was agreed that all meetings of the sub-group would be held in public session and that today’s meeting would move into public session following consideration of sub-group procedures.

It was noted that it was for the Committee on Programme for Government to decide whether elected members could attend sub-group meetings as observers.

The meeting moved into public session at 1.55 p.m.

5. Sub Group Work Programme

Members noted that the Sub Group on Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Job Location is due to report to the Committee on the Programme for Government by 3 January 2007.

A Senior Assembly Researcher briefed Members on two research and other background papers on public sector jobs location and Workplace 2010 and the strategic review of government accommodation.

Each party gave a brief presentation on the key issues in relation to Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Job Location:

SDLP

The opportunity offered by Workplace 2010 and the Review of Public Administration (RPA) to deliver fair and proportionate distribution of public sector jobs
The need for decentralisation to be built into Workplace 2010 as decentralisation has worked in Scotland and Wales
The need to seek views from the Department of Finance and Personnel and to seek reassurance that the government departments are open to change

Sinn Fein

Concerns about the Government’s commitment to a fair share of jobs throughout Northern Ireland and the lack of public sector jobs outside of the Greater Belfast area
Concerns about the prospect of the loss of jobs and entitlement
Concerns about the impact of Workplace 2010 on local suppliers
Issues surrounding decentralisation and privatisation, particularly value for money and the potential for the loss of public money if bids are lower than the realised value of public buildings

UUP

Concerns that there are many outstanding questions in relation to Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Job Location.
Concerns about whether due consideration has been given to the two pilot projects at Clare House and Royston House.
The implications of the Review of Public Administration on public sector jobs location.
Concerns about consultancy costs in relations to Workplace 2010.
Issues relating to the decision to take a PFI approach including contract management, claw back arrangements, the erosion of terms and conditions for civil servants and the track records of the 4 bidders.
Concerns about a potential conflict of interest between the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Strategic Investment Board.

DUP

The socio-economic factors, such as education and housing, that need to be taken account in taking forward Workplace 2010 and any future decision on decentralisation
Concerns that decentralisation in Northern Ireland could face similar difficulties to those experienced in the Republic of Ireland
Concerns that Workplace 2010 could have major implications for local suppliers
Concerns that Workplace 2010 project should be implemented for the good of Northern Ireland as a whole and decentralisation has to work for everyone

Members noted the draft issues paper, which set out a number of key issues in relation to Workplace 2010 and public sector jobs location and agreed to forward any additional issues or questions to the Clerk.

The Sub-Group considered the provisional work programme and agreed that:

Officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Strategic Investment Board should be invited to provide oral evidence at the next meeting of the Sub-Group.

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance should be invited to provide oral evidence at the next meeting of the Sub-Group.

Written submissions should be sought from the Council for the Administration of Justice and John Simpson.

Papers on the experience of decentralisation in Scotland and Republic of Ireland should be sought from the respective administrations.

6. Any Other Business

The Sub-Group considered and agreed the tabled draft press release.

7. Date of Next Meeting

Subject to a decision by the Committee on the Programme for Government on future chairing arrangements, the next meeting will take place on Thursday 14 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings, at 11 a.m. Further meetings are provisionally arranged 19 December in Room 144, Parliament Buildings, at 11 a.m. and 21 December in Room 152, Parliament Buildings, at 11 a.m.

The meeting adjourned at 2.49 p.m.