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, 20 December 2006 in room 135,
Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Present: Mr Wilson Clyde MLA
Mr Leslie Cree MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Ms Margaret Ritchie MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Ms Kathy Stanton 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 Brian Crowe (UUP Researcher)
Dr Dara O’Hagan (SF Researcher)
Mr Philip Weir (DUP Researcher)
Ms Grainne McEvoy (SDLP Researcher)
The meeting commenced at 10.02am 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, Ms Kathy Stanton deputised for Mr Mitchell McLaughlin. Mr Paul Girvan deputised for Mr Jim Shannon until 11.35am. Mr Clyde deputised for Mr Weir from 2.26pm.
2. Draft Minutes of the Meeting of 6 December 2006
The draft minutes of the meeting of 13 December 2006 were agreed for publication on the Assembly website.
Proposed: Ms Margaret Ritchie
Seconded: Mr Leslie Cree
3. Written submissions received on Water Reform
Members noted the contents of written submissions received from –
- Federation of Small Businesses.
- Friends of the Earth.
- Northern Ireland Environmental Link.
- Strategic Investment Board.
- Help the Aged/Age Concern.
- Ulster Farmers’ Union.
- Additional Paper from the General Consumer Council setting out its suggested recommendations for the Sub-Group.
Members also considered a Paper from the General Consumer Council setting out questions on Water Reform. Members agreed that the Paper should be forwarded to the Department for Regional Development, Water Service and the Regulator for urgent response.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the contents of the following documents :-
- Northern Ireland Grand Committee Question on Water Reform.
- Letter dated 15 December from the Department for Regional Development on Water Reform.
- Letter dated 8 December from the Department for Regional Development to Lord Glentoran re: Draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order.
Members noted the contents of a tabled written submission received from the Confederation of British Industry on the Comprehensive Spending Review and Programme for Government; Rates Charges; and Water Reform. Members agreed that the sub-group would take evidence from the Confederation of British Industry, on the Comprehensive Spending Review and Programme for Government, at the meeting of the sub-group on 4 January 2007.
10.10am - Mr Weir joined the meeting
5. Initial Draft Report on Water Charges
Members considered the Initial Draft Report on Water Charges and agreed a number of additional points. Initial Draft Report to be updated and placed before Members at the next meeting.
6. Updated Assembly Research Paper on Rates Charges
Members noted the updated Assembly Research Paper on Rates Charges.
7. Written submissions received on Rates Charges
Members noted the contents of written submissions received from –
- Rural Development Council.
- Citizens Advice Bureau.
- Ulster Farmer’s Union.
Open session
8. Evidence Session the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group/Amicus
Members noted the tabled written submission received from the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group/Amicus.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr Basil McCrea, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group
Mr Patsy Forbes, Chairman, Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group
Mr Jim Donaghy, Amicus
9.52am – Ms Stanton left the meeting
The Chairman thanked the witness for attending.
9. Evidence Session with Help the Aged/Age Concern
Members noted the joint written submission received from Help the Aged/Age Concern.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Ms Elaine Campbell, Head of Policy, Age Concern
Ms Pam Tilson, Political Affairs Officer, Age Concern
Ms Michelle Bagnell, Policy Officer, Help the Aged
Mr Duane Farrell, Head of Policy, Research and Communications, Help the Aged
11.35am - Mr Girvan left the meeting
- Mr Shannon joined the meeting
12.05pm - Mr Weir left the meeting
12.10pm - Mr Weir rejoined the meeting
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
Closed Session
It was agreed that the sub-group would re-convene at 1.00pm.
12.20pm – the meeting adjourned for lunch
1.00pm – the meeting resumed in closed session.
10. Issues arising from morning session and preparation for afternoon session
Members discussed the issues arising from the morning session in preparation for the afternoon evidence sessions.
Open session
11. Evidence Session with Northern Ireland Fair Rates Campaign
Members noted the written submission received from the Northern Ireland Fair Rates Campaign.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr Michael Kelly, Member NI Fair Rates Campaign
Ms Anne Monaghan, Member, NI Fair Rates Campaign
Mr Raymond Farley, Member, NI Fair Rates Campaign
Mr Stan Blaney, Member, NI Fair Rates Campaign
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
12. Evidence Session with the Department of Finance and Personnel
2.18pm - Mr McCartney left the meeting
2.20pm – Mr McCartney rejoined the meeting
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr Brian McClure, Head of Rating Policy Division, Department of Finance and Personnel
Mr Leo O’Reilly, Budget Director, Central Finance Group, Department of Finance and Personnel
2.26pm - Mr Weir left the meeting
- Mr Clyde joined the meeting
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
Closed session
13. Consideration of outcomes for draft report
It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department of Finance and Personnel for clarification on issues highlighted by Members before agreeing outcomes for draft report.
14. Any Other Business
There was no other business.
8. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the sub-group will take place on Thursday 4 January 2007 at 10.00am in room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 3.40pm.
13 December / menu / 4 January