COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr John Devlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assembly Research & Library Services) (Item 10)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
The meeting began in public session at 11.03 am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2 Chairman’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, formally welcomed the new Assistant Committee Clerk, Claire McCanny, and passed on the Committee’s thanks to the outgoing Assembly Clerk, John Devlin.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Chairman would write to Billy Armstrong following his recent accident to pass on the best wishes of the Committee.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 11 June 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Housing (Amendment) Bill- Public Consultation
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the public consultation process which will be undertaken as part of the Committee Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the public notice to be placed in the main daily newspapers.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the proposed list of potential consultees inviting written submissions on the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to invite them to give an oral briefing to the Committee on the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
4.2 Supporting People
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the key issues raisedby Supporting People organisations.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Minister re-emphasising the Committee’s view.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee should consider issues relating to Supporting People after the summer recess.
4.3 Warm Homes Scheme
The Clerk informed the Committee that the Warm Homes Scheme contract has now been awarded.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee would continue to monitor the Warm Homes Scheme.
5. Reform of Public Administration – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:09 am:
Geoff Beattie – RPA Project Manager, DSD; and Henry Johnston – Director, Urban Regeneration & Strategy Division, DSD.
The officials briefed the Committee on the progress of the Reform of Public Administration.
Mr David Hilditch declared an interest as a member of the mid-Antrim Temporary Transition Committee.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11.43am.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking further information on the Community Planning pilot schemes and the transfer of responsibility for Travellers’ sites from DSD to the councils.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:45 am:
Margaret Sisk– Social Security Policy & Legislation Division, DSD; Rosemary Hughes- Social Security Policy & Legislation Division, DSD; and
Richard Worledge – Social Security Policy & Legislation Division.
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Pensions Regulator (Delegation of Powers) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule,The Pension Protection Fund (Compensation) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.3 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Occupational Pension Schemes (Fraud Compensation Payments and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.4 Westminster Statutory Instrument: The Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content to note this statutory instrument.
6.5 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit Work-focused Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule on the basis that the issues raised by the Committee for Employment and Learning – in relation to a proposed review of the appropriateness and fairness of work-focused interviews - were addressed by the Department for Social Development.
6.6 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.7 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Deemed Income from Capital) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.8 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. ) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which have been laid in the Assembly:
7.1 2009/228 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/228 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.2 2009/233 The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Temporary Increase) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/233 The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Temporary Increase) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
8. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – Briefing by Departmental Officials
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed the following Departmental officials at 11:55 am:
Margaret Sisk– Social Security Policy & Legislation Division, DSD; Rosemary Hughes- Social Security Policy & Legislation Division, DSD; and
Richard Worledge – Social Security Policy & Legislation Division.
The officials briefed the Committee on the implementation of Local Housing Allowance.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12:10pm.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Minister:
- emphasising the Committee’s concerns in respect of the application of the Shared Room Rate rules to disabled claimants;
- highlighting the Committee’s concerns in relation to the application of the Shared Room Rate rules to claimants in areas where this limited availability of suitable accommodation;
- suggesting that the calculation of LHA in the Belfast Broad Rental Market Area be urgently reviewed; and
- urging the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to set out more effective measures to promote the uptake of Discretionary Housing Payment to eligible LHA claimants.
9. Correspondence
Departmental:
9.1 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence providing a response to the Environment Committee Inquiry into Climate Change.
9.2 The Committee considered Departmental correspondence to the Participation and the Practice of Rights Project on strategic regeneration frameworks and the proposed development of Girdword Park/Crumlin Road Gaol.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to revisit these issues when the Department briefs the Committee on the next steps for the development of the Girdwood Park/Crumlin Road Gaol site.
9.3 The Committee noted a Departmental response to the Participation and the Practice of Rights Project’s publication “The Girdwood Gamble” by the Girdwood Residents Jury.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to revisit these issues when the Department briefs the Committee on the next steps for the development of the Girdwood Park/Crumlin Road Gaol site.
9.4 The Committee noted a Departmental correspondence providing additional information on the Domestic Energy Efficiency Grant Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and the procedures relating to Equality Impact Assessments.
Other Correspondence:
9.5 The Committee considered the NIPSA submission in relation to the budget for housing in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward this correspondence to the Department for comment and invite NIPSA to an informal reception in the next session to brief on these and other issues.
9.6 The Committee considered NIPSA correspondence concerning the Social Security Agency’s Strategic Business Review.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should invite NIPSA to an informal reception in the next session to brief on these and other issues.
9.7 The Committee noted a submission from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
9.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister relating to the Autism Bill (NI).
9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade & Investment providing the Committee with a copy of DETI’s response to the NI Authority for Utility Regulation’s Social Action Plan Consultation.
9.10 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister enclosing a copy of the OFMDFM Action Plan 2008-2011 entitled: Our Children and Young People- Our Pledge.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department and seek an update on the actions in the strategy relevant to DSD.
9.11 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance & Personnel on the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit’s (PEDU) Review of Public Service Agreement (PSA) Delivery.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking a copy of the Department’s contribution to the first formal Delivery Report and the Department’s quarterly efficiency returns.
Invitations:
9.12 The Committee considered an invitation to attend an official launch of Cuan Mhuire Exhibition & Booklet.
Agreed: It was agreed that Mickey Brady would attend the event in Newry on the 27 th June 2009 on behalf of the Committee.
Miscellaneous:
9.13 The Committee noted correspondence from Environment Link Northern Ireland which included a copy of their Environmental Fact Sheet.
9.14 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association which included a copy of their newsletter.
9.15 The Committee noted correspondence from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland which included a copy of their electronic newsletter.
10. Gaming Legislation – Briefing by Assembly Research and Library Services
Assembly Research and Library Services briefed the Committee in relation to the proposed relaxation of Sunday restrictions on betting and gaming in Northern Ireland.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the representative from Assembly Research and Library Services for the briefing.
The briefing finished at 12:31 pm
11. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk informed the Committee that a forward work plan for the next session would be presented at the Committee meeting on 2 July 2009.
12. Any other business
12.1 The Clerk reminded the Committee about an event, sponsored by the Committee in the Long Gallery, by Guide Dogs for the Blind on Thursday 2 July 2009.
12.2 Mr Alban Maginness indicated that he would be leaving the Social Development Committee and thanked the Chairperson, Committee Members and staff. The Deputy Chairperson, thanked Mr Alban Maginness on behalf of the Committee and wished him well in his new role.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 2 July 2009 at 11.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:35pm.