COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THIRTY EIGHTH MEETING
TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY 2001
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Welcome
2. Minutes of Proceedings
3. Matters arising
4. December Monitoring
5. Consider any Statutory Rules
6. Defective Premises Bill(Landlord's Liability) Bill
7. Private Finance Initiative/Private Public Partnerships
8. Committee Business Programme
9. Correspondence
10. Any Other Business
11. Date of Next Meeting
Present: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Robinson MP
Mr Peter Weir
Apologies: Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman)
In attendence: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.30 p.m. The meeting was held in public session
Mr William Bell and Mr Nigel Dodds attended from 2.40 p.m. Mr Derek Hussey attended from 2.43 p.m. Mr Alex Attwood attended from 2.50 p.m. Mr Alex Maskey attended from 3.10 p.m..
1. Welcome
1.1 The Chairman welcomed Mr Peter Hughes who has now been promoted to Clerk and Mr Martin Wilson in his new post as Principal Clerk.
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2. Minutes of Proceedings
2.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 16 January 2001.
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3. Matters arising: 3.1 Error in Calculating the Penny Product
3.1.1 The Minister of Finance and Personnel informed the Committee that he would be meeting a delegation from Belfast City Council to discuss the Penny Product.
3.2 Statutory Rules
3.2.1. Members noted the written explanation given on Statutory Rules.
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4. December Monitoring
4.1 The Minister of Finance and Personnel briefed the Committee on December Monitoring. He explained that £67.7m available for reallocation was unusually high and this would not be the norm in future years.
The Committee questioned the Minister on the extent of HSS Trusts' deficits. He explained that the matter was under urgent examination and could not confirm the size of the deficit
The Minister was questioned on the use of the unallocated monies to help reduce the increase in the Regional Rate. He informed Members that the December Monitoring Round allowed for reallocations in the current financial year due to changes in the estimated requirements of Departments. The focus was on changes to estimated needs and allocations rather than any new advances through policy changes or new priorities. He would, however, consider the matter if any room for adjustment became available.
Alex Attwod left at 3.10 p.m.
4.2 The Appropriation Bills
4.3 The Committee deliberated on the proposed amendment by the Minister of Finance and Personnel to Standing Orders No 40: that would allow accelerated passage of Appropriation Bills.
4.3.1. Resolved: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposal contained in the Minister's letter dated 22 January to amend Standing Order Number 40.
The Committee was suspended for division vote in Chamber at 3.45 p.m.
The Committee resumed at 4 p.m.
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5. Consider any Statutory Rules: 5.1 The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 389/2000
5.1.1 Mr David Stewart and Mr Robert Plunkett, Department of Finance and Personnel appeared before the Committee and were questioned on The Building Regulations (NI) 389/2000. The Committee deliberated on the radon affected zones, access and facilities for disabled people and the level of consultation on the regulations. The Members expressed their concern about the fact that all parts of Northern Ireland were not covered following the measurement of radon affected zones.
5.1.2 Resolved: That the Committee agreed to recommend that the Statutory Rule 389/2000 Building Regulations be annulled and that the motion be put
"( ) That this Assembly annuls The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (SR No. 389)."
The question being put the motion was carried without division.
5.1.3 The Committee requested Mr Dumigan (Group Chief Building Officers' Forum ) to attend the next meeting to discuss the issues on his report. Also if the Departmental Officials could outline their consultation paper.
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6. Defective Premises Bill (Landlord's Liability) Bill
6.1 Mr Michael Foster, Office of Law Reform briefed the Committee on the Bill. No issues were raised. The Evidence session will take place next Tuesday.
7. Private Finance Initiative / Private Public Partnerships
7.1. The Committee deliberated on the appointment of a specialist adviser for the inquiry into Private Finance Initiative / Public Private Partnership.
7.1.1. Resolved: The Committee agreed that further advisors should be sought from the Republic of Ireland and CV's obtained from the list already drawn up.
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8. Committee Business Programme
8.1 The Committee Clerk explained the programme from January - July 2001.
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9. Correspondence
9.1 The following correspondence was tabled for the Committee's attention:
- Handling of Appropriation Bills - change in Standing Orders: Committee Paper including a letter dated 23 January from the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
- Report on the Building Regulations (NI) 2000 - document from the Department.
- A list of potential specialist advisor candidates for the PFI/PPI Inquiry. (23 Jan)
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10. Any other business: 10.1 Government Resources and Accounts Bill
10.2 The Committee deliberated on the draft press notice, announcing the publication of the Report on the Government Resources and Accounts Bill.
10.2.1 Resolved That the press notice (26/2001) would be issued as amended.
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11. Date of next meeting
11.1 Resolved: That the Committee meet on Tuesday, 30 January 2001 at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144.
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The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 5.30 p.m. FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman
16 January 2001/ Menu / 30 January 2001