COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY,
9 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Jennifer McCann MLA (Chairperson)
Peter Weir MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry MLA
Fra McCann MLA
Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
David McNarry MLA
Declan O’Loan MLA
Dawn Purvis MLA
In Attendance:
Shane McAteer (Assembly Clerk)
Kathy O’Hanlon (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Karen Jardine (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Simon Hamilton MLA
The meeting commenced at 10.00 am in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Agreed: that the following evidence sessions from Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) officials will be recorded by Hansard and the Official Report published on the website: Pre-Introduction Briefing on the Rates Amendment Bill; Proposed Accelerated Passage for Rates Amendment Bill; NICS Pay Issues: Equal Pay Claims and Senior Civil Service Pay & Bonuses; and DFP September 2009 Monitoring Round Position.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee noted that Ms McCann had replaced Mr McLaughlin as Chairperson of the Committee. Members acknowledged with thanks the work carried out by Mr McLaughlin as Chairperson. Mr McLaughlin will remain as a member of the Committee.
Ms Purvis joined the meeting at 10.02am.
3. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 7 July 2009
Agreed: for publication on the Assembly website.
4. Matters Arising
The Committee noted the composite request for information from DFP which provided an update on any matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Members noted the correspondence from DFP and the report from the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation on the Review of the Penny Rate Product Procedures. Members were advised that the Committee will receive a briefing from Assembly Research & Library Services on the Penny Product process at its meeting on 23 September.
Members noted the information from DFP on HR Connect Service Charges and Abatements.
Agreed: that the Committee will request further information from the Department on the levels of abatement together with assurances that previous issues with software have been resolved.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.06am.
The Committee noted the information from DFP on its performance in responding to Committee requests.
The Committee noted the response from DFP to queries on the 2008-09 Provisional Outturn and the 2009-10 June Monitoring Round, which had been raised during the evidence session on 7 July 2009.
Members noted the letter from the Speaker on Mencap’s Changing Places Campaign. Members also noted an update from DFP on the Department’s meetings with Mencap, and the request for DFP officials to brief the Committee further on this issue and other building regulation matters.
Agreed: that DFP officials will brief the Committee on matters relating to building regulations at its meeting on 4 November 2009.
Members considered the letter from DFP on the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) and a related DFP press release of 8 September 2009.
Agreed: that the Committee will request a written briefing on the Minister’s meeting with the Irish Finance Minister, Mr Brian Lenihan, to discuss NAMA. The Committee will also ask for regular updates on this matter as it progresses.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 10.09am.
5. Pre-Introduction Briefing on Rates Amendment Bill and Related Issues: Evidence from DFP
The Committee took evidence from the following DFP officials: Brian McClure, Head of Rating Policy Division; Veronica Holland, Rating Policy Division; and Alison McCaffrey, Rating Policy Division. The session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr Weir and Dr Farry declared interests as members of North Down Borough Council.
Agreed: that the DFP officials will provide information as requested by the Committee during the evidence session.
Agreed: that the Committee will forward the Minister’s letter on the policy evaluation of the education, training and leaving care rate relief scheme to the Committee for Employment and Learning.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.39am.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 10.40am.
Mr McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.01am.
Mr McLaughlin returned to the meeting at 11.03am.
6. Proposed Accelerated Passage for Rates (Amendment) Bill
The Committee took evidence from the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson MP MLA and Mr Brian McClure, Head of Rating Policy Division, DFP. The session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 11.44am.
Mr O’Loan returned to the meeting at 11.49am.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 12.01pm.
Mr McNarry returned to the meeting at 12.10pm.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.19pm.
Ms Purvis left the meeting at 12.20pm.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 12.22pm.
Agreed: that DFP will provide information as requested by the Committee during the evidence session.
Agreed: that the Committee will discuss its position on the DFP proposal for accelerated passage for the Rates (Amendment) Bill after the subsequent evidence session with the Minister on NICS Pay Issues.
7. NICS Pay Issues: Equal Pay Claims; Senior Civil Service Pay & Bonuses
The Committee took evidence from the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson MP MLA and Mr Derek Baker, Director of Personnel for NICS, Corporate HR, DFP. The session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr McCann left the meeting at 12.23pm.
Ms Purvis returned to the meeting at 12.23pm.
Mr McCann returned to the meeting at 12.25pm.
Dr Farry left the meeting at 12.54pm.
Agreed: that DFP will provide the Committee with the terms of reference for the review of senior civil service pay and bonuses as soon as they are available.
8. Proposed Accelerated Passage for the Rates (Amendment) Bill (continued)
The Committee discussed the DFP proposal for the Rates (Amendment) Bill to proceed under the accelerated passage process.
Dr Farry returned to the meeting at 1.11pm.
Agreed: that the Committee for Finance and Personnel is content that the Rates (Amendment) Bill (2009) proceeds by accelerated passage, having been satisfied by the explanation provided by the Minister of Finance and Personnel in this regard. However, the Committee wishes to record its concern with the delays in the process for bringing the Bill to the Assembly.
9. DFP September 2009 Monitoring Round Position
Agreed: that, in view of time constraints, this evidence session should be postponed until the next Committee meeting on 16 September 2009. DFP officials confirmed their availability to brief the Committee next week.
Ms Purvis left the meeting at 1.19pm.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 1.19pm.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 1.20pm.
10. Subordinate Legislation
The Committee noted the following proposal from DFP for subordinate legislation: Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Scheme (NI) 2009. The statutory rule must be laid in the Assembly but is not subject to any Assembly proceedings.
The Committee considered the following proposal from DFP for subordinate legislation: The Rate Relief (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.
Agreed: that the Committee was content with the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
11. Initial Consideration of Committee End of Session Report 2008 – 2009
The Committee was advised that, prior to summer recess, the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group decided that each Committee should produce an ‘end of session’ report, summarising the key activities, outputs and outcomes during the 2008-09 session.
Agreed: that the Committee considers the draft Committee End of Session Report at its meeting on 16 September.
12. Correspondence
Agreed: that the Committee will consider the correspondence received during the summer recess at its meeting on 16 September.
13. Committee Work Programme
Members considered the current draft of the Committee work programme until Christmas recess.
Members noted that Stubbs Gazette had offered to brief the Committee on their findings on issues including bankruptcy, Individual Voluntary Arrangements and judgements. Members were advised that the proposed evidence from Stubbs Gazette is not within the remit of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, but is within the remit of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Agreed: the Committee will refer this topic to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Members considered the request by Bryson Charitable Group to reschedule the planned visit to Bryson House on 7 October to 14 October.
Agreed: to reschedule the meeting/visit to Bryson House to 14 October.
Mr McNarry returned to the meeting at 1.26pm.
Members were advised that the Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference will be held in the Comfort Hotel, Antrim on Wednesday 21 October. A facilitator has been appointed to provide the Committee with professional assistance in planning and managing the conference and in reporting on outcomes.
Agreed: that a working lunch will be arranged in Room 152 for immediately after the Committee meeting on 16 September, to enable the Committee to meet informally with the facilitator to discuss plans for the conference.
Agreed: that the current draft of the programme will be published on the Assembly website.
14. Any Other Business
15. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 16 September 2009 at 10.00am in Room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 13.30 pm.