Decisions 16 July 2007

Present:

The Speaker, in the Chair
Sir Stuart Bell
Nick Harvey
Leader of the House
Mr David Maclean
Mrs Theresa May

1. RESPONSE TO ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON ICT

The Commission/MEC, pending consideration of costed options for the provision of regionally based ICT support for Members' constituency offices, deferred the draft response to the Administration Committee report on ICT.

2. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: UPDATE

The Commission/MEC noted the basis of appeal against the ACA decision notices; agreed how any adverse decision notices received during the recess should be handled; delegated authority to several Members to take decisions during the recess; and considered the content and timing of an information note to be sent to Members.

3. VISITOR RECEPTION BUILDING

The Commission were advised of further delays in completing the visitor reception building and noted the appointment of a project recovery manager.

4. NEW VOTERS GUIDE: UPDATE

The Commission took note of the operation of the New Voters Guide in its first year of issue and agreed that it should continue.

5. DECEMBER MEETING DATE

It was agreed that, after meetings on Mondays 22 October and 26 November, the Commission's December meeting would be on Monday 17 December.

6. OTHER BUSINESS

The Commission approved a progress report from the Clerk of the House on implementation of the Tebbit review.

The Commission agreed the arrangements for recruiting a successor to Sir Philip Mawer as Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

The Commission noted with approval that the Librarian's appointment would be made permanent on completion of his three year contract.

The Commission noted that staff in bands A to E had accepted the pay offer contained in the revised pay remit agreed at their meeting on 30 April.