COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
FORTY EIGHTH MEETING
TUESDAY 20 MARCH 2001
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairperson)
Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairperson)
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: None
In attendance:
Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Mr Joe Sloan (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.38 p.m. This session was held in private.
1. Minutes of Proceedings
1.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 13 March 2001.
2. Matters arising
2.1 The Clerk presented a draft response from the Finance and Personnel Committee to the Regional Development Committee in regard to the draft Regional Development Strategy.
2.2 Resolved: That the Committee respond to the Committee for Regional Development expressing its view that New Targeting Social Need and Equality issues should be addressed in the Strategy.
3. Rates - Penny Product Calculation Errors
3.1 The Committee deliberated on correspondence from the Minister of Finance and Personnel and Belfast City Council relating to errors by the Rates Collection Agency in calculating the Penny Product.
The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 2.47 p.m.
3.2 Representatives of Belfast City Council (Councillor Jim Rodgers and Mr Trevor Salmon, Director of Policy and Resources) briefed the Committee on the Council's discussions with the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
Mr Attwood attended at 3.00 p.m, Mr Dodds attended at 3.02 p.m, Mr P Robinson attended at 3.05 p.m.
3.3 The Rates Collection Agency Chief Executive, Mr Arthur Scott, accompanied by Mr Bill Hagan and Mr Ronnie Mc Ateer appeared before the Committee to present evidence on how the errors occurred and to provide assurances about the future performance of the Agency. The Chief Executive agreed to provide further details of the breakdown of procedures within RCA.
Mr Bell attended the meeting at 3.16 p.m. Mr Hussey attended the meeting at 3.20 p.m. Mr Weir attended the meeting at 3.35 p.m. Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.36 p.m. Mr Attwood left the meeting at 3.40 p.m. Mr Dodds and Mr Maskey left the meeting at 3.52 p.m.
4. Rates - Review of Rating Policy
4.1 The Committee received a briefing and questioned Department of Finance and Personnel officials, Dr Andrew Mc Cormick, Mr Stephen Pearson and Mr Brian Delaney.
5. Pensions Increase (Review) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001. - SR94/2001.
5.1 The Committee deliberated.
5.2 Resolved: That the Committee had considered the Pensions Increase (Review) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR94/2001 and would report the Statutory Rule to the Assembly without any further question being put.
6. Correspondence
6.1 The Committee deliberated on a draft response prepared by the Principal Clerk to the recommendations made by the Enterprise, Trade and Industry Committee on the Strategy 2010 Inquiry.
6.2 Resolved: That the Committee should respond to the ET & I Committee urging caution regarding recommendation 2.
Mr Hussey left the meeting at 4.55 p.m.
6.3 The Committee deliberated on the response dated 12 March 2001 from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the inclusion of New TSN in the Department's draft Public Service Agreement.
6.4 Resolved: That the Committee ask for further explanation on the monitoring of New TSN.
6.5 The Committee discussed the letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the February Monitoring Round and the proposal by the Executive to use £10m surrendered in the Monitoring Round for Executive Programme Funds.
6.6 Resolved: That the Committee await details for specific proposals for expenditure of the £10m in the Minister's statement.
6.7 The Committee noted the following correspondence:-
- Letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel to Mr Des Mc Conaghy on the Sharman Report and G.R.A.B.
- Letter from the Minister on formation of an Interdepartmental Working Group for a Children's Commissioner.
- Letter from Ms Lewsley regarding her request for information from the Minister of HSS&PS.
- Letter from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
The Chairman declared the final session of the meeting private at 5.02 p.m.
7. Defective Premises (Landlords' Liability) Bill (NIA 5/00)
Mr James Leslie MLA had declared an interest.
7.1 The Committee considered the draft report and agreed a number of amendments.
7.2 Resolved: That the Committee ordered the draft report to be printed.
8. Any other business
8.1 None.
9. Date of next meeting
9.1 The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday, 27 March 2001.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 5.15 p.m.
FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman