PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW AND PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT; RATES CHARGES; AND WATER REFORM

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 6 December 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Mr Jim Wells MLA

Present: Mr Leslie Cree MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Ms Margaret Ritchie MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA

In Attendance: Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr David Douglas (Clerical Officer)
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Senior Researcher)
Ms Roisin Kelly (Assembly Researcher)
Mr Simon Kelly (Assembly Research Assistant)
Mr Brian Crowe (UUP Researcher)
Dr Dara O’Hagan (SF Researcher)
Ms Nuala O’Neill (SDLP Researcher)
Mr Philip Weir (DUP Researcher)

The meeting commenced at 2.05pm in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Mr Mark Durkan MP MLA and Mr Mitchell McLaughlin MLA.

Ms Margaret Ritchie deputised for Mr Mark Durkan and Mr Alex Maskey deputised for Mr Mitchell McLaughlin.

2. Introductions

Members noted details of secretariat support staff and sub-group membership.

3. Declaration of Interests and Transitional Assembly Privilege

Members noted that the Transitional Assembly’s Standing Orders 29 (f) state that, ‘before taking part in any debate or proceeding of the Assembly, a Member shall declare any interest, financial or otherwise, which is relevant to that debate or proceeding, where such interest is held by the member or an immediate relative.’

The Chairman asked members to declare any relevant interests.

No relevant interests were declared.

Members noted the information in relation to privilege contained in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.

4. Sub-group Procedures and Terms of Reference

Members noted the procedures for the sub-group, as approved by the Programme for Government Committee.

It was agreed by consensus that meetings would be held in closed session with oral evidence sessions held in public, this will be reviewed if necessary. Members noted that the procedures allowed up to two researchers/advisers per party to attend closed meetings.

Members noted the Terms of Reference for the sub-group, as approved by the Programme for Government Committee.

The sub-group agreed, by consensus, that it would meet every Wednesday and, as the sub-group has to report on three areas, these would be full day meetings.

5. Background Papers

Members noted the three background papers that had been prepared by Assembly Researchers. Assembly Researchers gave a brief overview of the papers which had been prepared prior to the written Terms of Reference being available.

It was agreed that the Assembly Researchers should request the second Asset Management Plan and that they should carry out further research on Water Reform in the undernoted areas –

- The Strategic Business Plan – financial model.
- Letter of Governance.
- Licence details.
- Asset management.
- Estate Management.
- Future implications on the economy, assets and the environment.
- Sustainability.

Members noted the contents of the tabled copy correspondence between the Committee on the Programme for Government and the Secretary of State. Following discussion it was agreed, by consensus, that the sub-group should avail of the opportunity afforded to it in the last paragraph of the Secretary of State’s letter and invite Departmental officials to brief the Committee on the Water Reform proposals.

Members were informed that background papers had been commissioned from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department for Regional Development. Mr Maskey requested that the papers be available next Monday in order to give the Members sufficient time to study them prior to next Wednesday’s meeting.

Members noted the contents of a tabled briefing note that had been prepared by Assembly Research following the issue of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Pre-Budget Report released earlier in the day.

6. Work Programme

Members discussed the contents of the tabled draft Work Programme. It was agreed, by consensus, that there should be four oral evidence sessions at the next three meetings of the sub-group and that written submissions should be requested from other organisations. Members agreed the organisations to be invited to give oral and written evidence.

7. Any Other Business

Members agreed that relevant papers should be copied to the Economic sub-group to ensure that there was no unnecessary duplication or confusion where issues were of common interest. The Economic Sub-Group has agreed to copy its papers to this sub-group.

It was agreed that, due to the Christmas recess, the meeting scheduled for the week beginning 1 January 2007 should be set for Thursday 4 January 2007.

8. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the sub-group will take place on Wednesday 13 December 2006 at 10.00am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings and Members agreed that the oral evidence should be held in open session and televised.

The meeting adjourned at 3.45pm.

Menu / 13 Dec 2006