Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Gerard Elias QC, Commissioner for Standards

The Chair noted that the revised Complaints Procedure would be laid on 20 June.

The Commissioner updated the Committee on proposals for stage 2 of the Review of the Standards Procedures.

The Commissioner noted that this stage of the review would involve consideration of the Code of Conduct for Assembly Members, to include personal conduct and lobbying; use of Assembly resources; staff-Member relations; salaries and expenses and related matters; the relationship of Members with the Commissioner; and questions of confidentiality. This would also include consideration of matters relating to lobbying and penalties and sanctions.

The Commissioner expected nine months would be needed for wide consultation to identify any problems and issues, including consulting with all Members. The Commissioner would provide a report of his recommendations and reasons for them to the Committee by March 2013.

It was agreed that a review of the Assembly’s arrangements in relation to lobbying activity should be given immediate consideration as part of the review, even though it was noted that during his 18 months in office no complaint had been raised with the Commissioner in relation to lobbying. The Commissioner would conduct a comprehensive consultation, including internally with Members and the Government, over the summer period and report to the Committee on 9 October as to whether current arrangements were sufficiently robust.

In relation to sanctions the Commissioner had received some representations about reviewing the current arrangements and would welcome the Committee’s early views on what it considered appropriate. The Committee agreed that greater discretionary powers in the area of sanctions were needed.

Papers were noted.

View the meeting transcript.