May 13,
2015
The
Management Commission met at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the House of Assembly
Chamber.
MR. SPEAKER (Verge):
Okay, if we are ready to
begin, we will begin with some introductions.
We can start with Mr. Parsons.
MR. A. PARSONS:
Andrew Parsons, MHA, Burgeo –
La Poile.
MS MICHAEL:
Lorraine Michael, MHA, Signal
Hill – Quidi Vidi.
MR. HUTCHINGS:
Keith Hutchings, MHA,
Ferryland.
MR. POLLARD:
Kevin Pollard, MHA, Baie
Verte – Springdale.
MR. LITTLEJOHN:
Glenn Littlejohn, MHA, Port
de Grave.
MS KEEFE:
Marie Keefe, Clerk's Office.
CLERK:
Sandra Barnes, Clerk.
MR. SPEAKER:
Wade Verge, MHA for
Lewisporte district and Chair of the Commission.
The
Commission met briefly in camera and there were two decisions that were made
that we need to report publicly.
Number one, the Commission approved the pre-commitment of funds up to $185,400
for the 2016-2017 budget appropriations for the 54th Canadian Regional
Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
These funds were pre-committed with the understanding that any guest
program would be dealt with on a cost-recovery basis.
The
Commission also approved the pre-commitment of funds up $49,700 for the
2016-2017 budget appropriations for the 2016 Hansard Association of Canada
annual conference. Again, these
funds were pre-committed with the understanding that any guest program attached
to the conference would be on a cost-recovery basis.
We will
now turn to Tab 2 in your binder. In
Tab 2 you will see the minutes of the February 24, 2015 meeting which require
approval of the Commission. I would
entertain a motion to do that.
Moved by
Mr. Parsons, seconded by Mr. Hutchings that the Commission approves the minutes
of the February 24, 2015 meeting.
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Contra-minded?
Carried.
On
motion, minutes adopted as circulated.
MR. SPEAKER:
If we move to Tab 3 –
AN HON. MEMBER:
Minutes of March 5
(inaudible).
MR. SPEAKER:
Okay, my mistake, sorry.
We have another set of minutes for the March 5, 2015 meeting.
I would
entertain a motion that these minutes for the March 5, 2015 meeting be approved.
Moved by
Ms Michael; seconded by Mr. Hutchings.
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
All those against, 'nay.'
Carried.
On
motion, minutes adopted as circulated.
MR. SPEAKER:
Tab 3: In Tab 3 you will see
some reports on authorizations made by the Speaker and the Clerk.
If you recall in the last Commission meeting, the Commission approved the
idea of the Speaker approving any appeals made by members that fell within the
guidelines, except they did not meet the sixty-day rule.
So we
have carried out such appeals by basically emailing to members of the Commission
to get their approval, and these are reported on.
The Member for St. John's South, the Member for Terra Nova, the Member
for Virginia Waters, the Member for Conception Bay East – Bell Island, and the
Member of Lake Melville – they were all approved because the only requirement
was that they fell outside the sixty-day deadline.
You will
also see that the Clerk has approved furniture and equipment since we last met
for the Member for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans and the Member for Conception
Bay South.
Any
questions?
Tab 4:
In accordance with section 5 of the Transfer of Funds Policy, one budget
transfer was approved by a quorum of four members of the House of Assembly
Management Commission in March of 2015.
The budget transfer number HOABT2015-0040 was required to transfer funds
to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer under Grants and Subsidies to
provide funds to process by-election subsidy payments related to the 2014-2015
fiscal year.
This
approval has to be ratified by the Commission at today's meeting, so I would
entertain a motion by a member which says the Commission ratifies the approval
of the said funds.
Moved by
Mr. Hutchings; seconded by Mr. Pollard.
All
those in favour, 'aye.'
SOME HON. MEMBERS:
Aye.
MR. SPEAKER:
Contra-minded?
Carried.
Also in
Tab 4 – and this is for reporting purposes only in dealing with a budget
transfer report for the fiscal year 2014-2015.
The Transfer of Funds Policy, April 2008 requires only certain budget
transfers to be approved by the House of Assembly Management Commission.
However, to ensure transparency, it was proposed that all transfer of
funds should be reported to the Management Commission for information purposes.
BN
2015-017 provides details of all budget transfers for the fiscal year 2014-2015.
That is in your binder for reporting purposes.
That
concludes the business.
I would
entertain a motion to adjourn.
Moved by
Ms Michael; seconded by Mr. Parsons.
Thank
you very much.
On motion, meeting adjourned.