Procedures Committee, 15 Feb 2000
Meeting date: Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Official Report
113KB pdf
Conveners Liaison Group
Item 2 deals with the question of the conveners liaison group and amendments that might be necessary to standing orders. We have a fairly substantial paper that covers the origins of the issue. The essence is that the conveners liaison group, at its first meeting, decided that it wanted to be formally constituted. That required consideration of its role and remit, which required that other bodies that would be affected by its coming into being had to discuss its role and remit. It also meant that remits had to be written and other people had to take views on those remits.
All of that has resulted in some clear discontinuities. The conveners liaison group has taken views on its role and purpose that are not shared by the bureau. The matter rests with us. I suggest that there is not a lot that we can do, given that the committee has no clear remit.
It is appropriate to consider the implications for standing orders of a matter that has been discussed and agreed elsewhere. I thought that it might be possible for us to consider having a set of standing orders revisions that reflected either the views of the conveners liaison group or the views of the bureau. It is clear, however, that that would involve a lot of work. It does not seem sensible to do that work until we know what the desired outcome is. I asked myself whether the conveners liaison group needs a written remit, given that it has been functioning satisfactorily, and whether any changes to standing orders are necessary. The conveners liaison group still wants to be formally constituted, however.
I believe that we should ask the bureau and the conveners liaison group to resolve precisely what remit they want the group to have. When that is made clear, we can start to make decisions and recommendations. We are not here to resolve a conflict of opinion between two other bodies.
There are a few related issues that I would like to raise, but I agree entirely with what you have said, convener.
It is not for us to have an opinion on the matter. I have personal opinions about the formalising of the conveners liaison group, but this committee should not discuss the issues. Our role would be to examine the standing orders if it were agreed that the group be formalised.
As we appear to have general agreement on that, I will so advise the bureau and the conveners liaison group.