Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2002.

Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Sir J Gorman
Mr T Hamilton
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr S Wilson
Mr B Hutchinson

Apologies:
Mr D O'Connor
Mr G Kelly

In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Mrs Janette Anderson
Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.06 p.m.

Private Session
  1. Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2001.
    2.

    The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

  2. Matters Arising
    3.

    Revised Budget 2002 - 2003

    Members noted the letter from the Minister of Finance, dated 28 December and agreed to consider a response to be tabled at the meeting on 17 January.

    Housing Support Bill

    The Committee noted that Department Officials will be in attendance on Thursday 31 January to make a presentation on the proposed Housing Support Bill.

    Rent Increases

    Members expressed dismay at the fact that the Department had not responded to previous correspondence about Rent Increases, especially given the former Minister's desire to have views from the Committee. It was agreed that a further reminder should be issued.

    TUPE

    The Committee was advised that the matter had been raised with the Department and a reply is awaited.

    Visit to the Child Support Agency

    Members noted visit programme in relation to the Child Support Agency on Thursday 17 January 2002 at 10.45 a.m.

    £6M Funding Package for Community and Voluntary Sector

    The Committee noted the Press Release, dated 8 January 2002, issued by the Department

  3. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
    4.

    The Committee passed the following Motions subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's Report:

    "The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:

    SR 2001 No. 415 - Gaming (Bingo) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

    SR 2001 N0. 420 - The Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations

    (Northern Ireland)

    and have no objection to the Rules"

    "The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rule:

    SR 2001 / 414 Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001

    and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly".

    Public Session

  4. Amendments to The 1996 Clubs Order and Accounts Regulations
    5.

    Those in attendance:
    Mr John Davidson
    Mr Kieran Smyth
    Mrs Maura McKay

    The Chairman welcomed the representatives to the meeting at 2.16 p.m. after which the representatives made their presentation followed by a question and answer session. The Chairman asked Members to declare any interests. Mr E ONeill declared his interest as a member of a Social Club. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left at 3.24 p.m.

    Mr B Hutchinson joined the meeting at 2.35 p.m.

    The Committee requested that the Clerk invite officials from the Department to attend a future meeting to discuss the 1996 Clubs Order and Accounts Regulations.

    Mr M Robinson left the meeting at 3.18 p.m.

    Mr J Tierney left the meeting at 3.26 p.m.
    Mr T Hamilton left the meeting at 3.26.p.m.
  5. Service Delivery Agreement 2002/2003
    6.

    The Chairman welcomed the following officials to the meeting at 3.26. p.m.

    DSD Officials:
    Mr John Hunter
    Mr Robert Breakey
    Mr Michael Sands
    Mrs Pauline Keegan

    Mr Hunter made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

    Mr M Robinson rejoined the meeting at 3.34 p.m.
    Mr J Tierney joined the meeting at 3.37 p.m.
    Mr T Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 3.40 p.m.
    Mr B Hutchinson left the meeting at 3.50 p.m

    Mr J Tierney left the meting at 4.35 p.m.

    The Chairman thanked the officials and they left at 4.48 p.m.

    Private Session
  6. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) - Consultation Document on

    7. Bill Of Rights

    Members considered the consultation document and the associated Research Paper and agreed that a response should not be submitted.

  7. Belfast Healthy Cities
    8.

    The Committee noted the Belfast Healthy Cities documents.

  8. Consultation on Management Arrangements for EPF for Children: Community and

    9. Voluntary Sector Involvement.

    Members considered the research paper and agreed the terms of the response to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

  9. Any Other Business
    10.

    Accommodation Review

    The Committee noted the letter from the Department concerning the Accommodation Review.

    Employment Bill and Pension Credit Bill

    Members noted that the Department intends to make presentations to the Committee on these Bills and requested that relevant papers be secured in advance..

    Records numbers benefit from The Social fund

    The Committee noted the Press Release issued by the Department for Social Development, and that Sir Richard Tilt, Social Fund Commissioner, will be making a presentation to the Committee on 24 January 2002.

    Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment - Tourism Inquiry

    The Committee noted that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has sent a letter to the Minister advising of an Inquiry into Tourism.

    Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland

    The Members noted the Chairman has agreed to sponsor an event at the Long Gallery on Monday 4 February to launch a report on Lifetime Homes in Northern Ireland organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland. Members agreed to attend.

    Chartered Institute of Housing

    The Committee noted that the Chairman had declined an invitation to attend the Presidential Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Housing on Wednesday 6 February 2002 at the Guildhall London.

    DSD: Committee Report on Progress for Period Ending 30 September 2001

    Members agreed that this report be included as an agenda item for the Committee meeting scheduled for 17 January.

    Tudor Renewal Area Resident's Association

    Members noted a letter from the Tudor Renewal Area Resident's Association regarding a formal complaint which had been lodged with the DSD Housing Associations' Branch and agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to establish the current position.

    Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group (BMRG)

    Members noted that the BMRG had written expressing its thanks for the representation the Committee had made concerning the Regional Development Strategy.

  10. Date of Next Meeting
    11.

    The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 17 January in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

    MR F COBAIN
    COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
    JANUARY 2002

6 December 2001 / Menu / 17 January 2002