COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2009
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Tom Elliott
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr George Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 2.02 p.m.
1. Apologies
Mrs Naomi Long, Mr Barry McElduff and Mr Francie Molloy.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Electronic Devices
The Chairperson reminded Members of the importance of turning off all electronic devices during the proceedings of the meeting.
Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson sought any declarations of interest from Members in relation to items of business being discussed. There were no disclosures.
Christmas Cards
Agreed: The Committee agreed a list of individuals and organisations that the Chairperson would send a Christmas card to on behalf of the Committee.
Trauma Advisory Panel
The Committee considered a request from the Trauma Advisory Panel to brief the Committee on its role.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and any other interested Members would meet with the Trauma Advisory Panel to discuss their role.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 11 November 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Investment Strategy Update Report
2.06 p.m. Mr David Gavaghan, Chief Executive of the Strategic Investment Board and Mr Patrick McMeekin of the Strategic Investment Board joined the meeting.
2.06 p.m. Mr Attwood joined the meeting.
2.06 p.m. Mr Shannon joined the meeting.
2.15 p.m. Ms Anderson joined the meeting.
Mr Gavaghan and Mr McMeekin briefed the Committee on the update report of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland. A question and answer session followed.
2.35 p.m. Mr Moutray left the meeting.
2.40 p.m. Mr Gavaghan and Mr McMeekin left the meeting.
5. Proposed Fair Employment Order
The Committee considered the proposed Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities)(Amendment) Order 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposed Fair Employment Order.
6. Matters arising
Outstanding Post Project Evaluations
The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further information on its outstanding Post Project Evaluations.
Monitoring Departmental Efficiency Plans
The Committee considered the response from the Department advising that efficiency savings in other Departments have had no impact on the achievement of cross-cutting targets.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking information on the consequences of the various staffing levels in the Department due to efficiency savings, and in particular, the effect of efficiency savings on the number of staff at Grade 5 level or above.
Statutory Authority
The Committee noted the response from the Department advising that the Departments holds statutory authority to incur expenditure in relation to assisting activities for older persons.
Child Benefit
The Committee considered a response from the Minister for Social Development advising that she has no policy or operational responsibility for the issues raised in the Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s written submission.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the letter and Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s written submission to the Committee for Social Development requesting that they ask the Minister for Social Development to write to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
Committee for Finance and Personnel Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference
The Committee noted the copy of the review of the Committee for Finance and Personnel Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference.
Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters
The Committee noted the copy of a letter from the Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee concerning the devolution of policing and justice matters to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
7. Correspondence
Sustainable Transport Inquiry
The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development inviting written submissions on its sustainable transport inquiry.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Regional Development advising that it would not be making a response and to suggest that an invitation to submit a written submission should be sent to the Strategic Investment Board.
2.47 p.m. Mr Moutray re-joined the meeting.
8. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme up until Christmas recess.
9. Any other Business
None
2.48 p.m. The meeting moved into closed session.
10. European Report
A Senior Researcher from the Assembly’s Research and Library Services briefed the Committee on how other legislatures consider European issues and subsidiarity. The Committee considered further its European Report.
3.23 p.m. Mr Spratt left the meeting.
11. Da te of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 25 November 2009 at 2 p.m.
3.35 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.