COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11.05am.
1. Apologies
Ms Anna Lo MLA.
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 5 March 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
3.1 Neighbourhood Renewal debate
The Clerk updated the Committee regarding the Minister’s comments to a Committee Member during the Neighbourhood Renewal debate.
3.2 Housing Bill
The Clerk updated the Committee on the forthcoming Housing Bill and scheduled briefings in the forthcoming weeks.
3.3 Amendment to Housing Benefit Regulations
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department relating to proposed amendments to Housing Benefit Regulations in Northern Ireland.
3.4 Advice Provision Consultation
The Clerk sought views on the future of advice provision in Northern Ireland for a forthcoming debate on debt advice provision.
4.Social Housing – Briefing by Habinteg Housing Association.
The following representatives from Habinteg Housing Association ( Ulster) Ltd joined the meeting at 11.10am:
Graham Murton – Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations, Habinteg Housing Association; and
Greg Statham –Communications Officer, Habinteg Housing Association.
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 11.15am.
The representatives briefed the Committee on social housing issues.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for attending.
The representatives left the meeting at 11.44am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission additional research from the Assembly Research and Library Services on alternative funding sources for housing associations and social housing schemes.
5. Anti-Fuel Poverty Measures in the Northern Health and Social Services Board area – Briefing by Antrim Borough Council.
Mr Burns declared an interest as a Member of Antrim Borough Council.
The following representatives of Antrim Borough Council joined the meeting at 11.46am:
Fionnuala Close – Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Antrim Borough Council; and
Jacqui Frazer – Fuel Poverty Co-ordinator, Northern Investing for Health Partnership.
Mr Craig left the meeting at 12.06pm.
Mr Maginness joined the meeting at 12.07pm.
The representatives briefed the Committee on anti-fuel poverty measures initiated in the Antrim Borough Council area.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for attending.
The representatives left the meeting at 12.15pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting clarification on fuel poverty levels in Antrim Borough Council.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting details of its plans to improve the uptake of the Warm Homes Scheme and similar measures.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission additional research from the Assembly Research and Library Services on fuel poverty policy.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 12.17pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to move into closed session for the next item of business.
The meeting moved into closed session at 12.19pm.
6. Town Centre Regeneration Inquiry – Update
Mr Hilditch declared an interest as a member of the Carrick Development Company.
The Clerk updated Members on progress with the Committee Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek an update from the Department on several issues relating to Town Centre Regeneration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite NILGA to a future Committee meeting to discuss issues in relation to Town Centre Regeneration.
Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 12.30pm.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 12.35pm.
Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 12.36pm.
The Committee returned to public session at 12.42pm.
7. Proposed Statutory Rules (SL1s)
Mr John O’Neill, an official of the Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 12.43pm to answer Members’ questions on the next two items of business.
7.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009. (A letter from the Department was also tabled.)
Agreed: The Committee indicated it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Mr Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12.45pm.
7.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Pensions Regulator (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.46pm
7.3 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Steps to Work) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning on this proposed Rule.
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.4 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Additional Class 3 National Insurance Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.5 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.6 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which have been laid in the Assembly:
8.1 2009/68The Social Security (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009, which is subject to negative resolution.
Question put and agreed :
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/68 The Social Security (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
8.2 2009/74 The Pneumoconiosis Etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009, which is subject to affirmative resolution.
Question put and agreed :
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/74 The Pneumoconiosis Etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.”
The Chairperson thanked the Departmental official for attending.
The official left the meeting at 12.57pm.
9. Correspondence
Ministerial:
9.1 The Committee noted the Minister’s response to Committee letter of 9 February 2009 relating to fuel poverty being experienced by cancer patients.
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister providing information on Saving Gateway Accounts Bill – Legislative Consent Motion.
Departmental:
9.3 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence enclosing the Minister for Social Development’s response to the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure’s Inquiry “The Funding of the Arts in Northern Ireland”.
9.4 The Committee noted the Department’s response to Committee letter of 5 February 2009 requesting information on the Social Housing Development Programme and Off-the-Shelf and Existing Satisfactory Purchases for 2008/09.
9.5 The Committee noted the Department’s response to Committee letter of 18 February 2009 requesting information in relation to the Social Security Agency Annual Report on Decision Making and Case Accuracy.
Other:
9.6 The Committee noted an acknowledgment letter from the Department of Finance and Personnel relating to the February Monitoring Round.
9.7 The Committee considered a letter from the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs requesting an opportunity to brief the Committee on Liquor Licensing issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs to brief the Committee during the forthcoming consideration of the Liquor Licensing legislation.
Invitations:
9.8 The Committee noted an invitation from the Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust inviting the Chairperson to attend its third annual conference on Corporate Social Responsibility on 26 March 2009.
9.9 The Committee noted an invitation from The Consumer Council inviting the Committee to attend the launch of “Quote, Unquote: The Cost of Insurance in Northern Ireland, A Research Report from the Consumer Council” on 30 March 2009.
Miscellaneous:
9.10 The Committee noted correspondence from Ymmoo Info offering website software.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk outlined future items of business for the Committee as set out in the forward work programme.
Agreed: The Committee directed the Clerk to postpone the forthcoming briefing from NIPSA on the Housing Budget to a future date.
11. Any other business
None.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 19 March 2009 at 11am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm.