COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Ms Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Ms Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance:
Ms Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Colin Wilson (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr James Quinn (Clerical Officer)
2.05 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Mr Jimmy Spratt
2. Chairperson’s Business
Draft Caravan and Mobile Homes Bill
The Chairperson informed members of correspondence received on a proposed Private Members’ Bill which will enhance the rights of holiday caravan owners and those whose caravan/mobile home is their permanent residence.
Agreed: Members agreed to note.
2.05 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting
Include Youth – Response to NIO draft Community Safety Strategy
The Chairperson advised members of correspondence received from an organisation called Include Youth who have written to the Committee enclosing their response to the Northern Ireland Office’s draft Community Safety Strategy and to request a meeting to discuss the implications of the draft strategy for OFMDFM.
Agreed: Members agreed to note at this stage.
RSPB - Sustainable Development Strategy
The Chairperson informed members of a request for a meeting from Mr Colm Delaney the Policy Advocacy Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to discuss OFMDFM’s Sustainable Development Strategy .
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson and deputy Chairperson meet with Mr Delaney.
Correspondence from Prince’s Trust
The Chairperson advised members of correspondence received from Mr Ian Jeffers the newly appointed Director of the Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland requesting a meeting to provide a quick overview to the Committee of the work of the Trust and to discuss the challenges over the coming 12 months.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson and deputy Chairperson meet with Mr Jeffers.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 1 April 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Consideration of European Issues
Visit to Barcelona
The Chairperson advised members of flight details for the proposed fact finding visit to Barcelona, member’s then confirmed their attendance .
The Chairperson advised members that Irene Oldfather the Chairperson of the European and External Relations Committee, Scottish Parliament has taken ill and is undertaking minimal Parliamentary duties and therefore is unable to attend our evidence session on 6 May 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk issue questions to Irene Oldfather for written answers.
2.09 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon joined the meeting
House of Lords and House of Commons European committees
The Chairperson informed members that Lord Roper will not be attending the meeting next week due to ill health, but is willing to give written answers.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk issue questions to Lord Roper for written answers.
Today’s Evidence Sessions
The Chairperson informed members that the proposed evidence session with the Children’s Law Centre has been cancelled due to illness and that the Clerk will write to the Children’s Law Centre to arrange another date to hear evidence.
2.10 p.m. Ms Patricia Lewsley the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and Mr Gerrry Campbell from the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People joined the meeting.
Ms Patricia Lewsley and Mr Gerry Campbell from NICCY briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
2.36 p.m. Ms Patricia Lewsley and Mr Gerrry Campbell from NICCY left the meeting.
2.37 p.m. Mr David Guilfoyle, Ms Bernice Sweeney, Mr Stephen Hughes, and Ms Corinna Thompson from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland joined the meeting .
Mr David Guilfoyle, Ms Bernice Sweeney, Mr Stephen Hughes, and Ms Corinna Thompson from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
2.59 p.m. Mr Danny Kennedy, Chairperson left the meeting, Ms Naomi Long deputy Chairperson assumed the role of Chairperson in Mr Kennedy’s absence.
3.05 p.m. Mr Ian McCrea left the meeting.
3.17 p.m. Mr Danny Kennedy, Chairperson joined the meeting and resumed his role as Chairperson to the Committee.
3.25 p.m. Mr Tom Elliott left the meeting.
3.28 p.m. Mr Stephen Moutray left the meeting.
3.30 p.m. Mr David Guilfoyle, Ms Bernice Sweeney, Mr Stephen Hughes, and Ms Corinna Thompson from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland left the meeting.
National Assembly of Wales – European and External Affairs Committee
The Chairperson informed members that Mrs Sandie Mewies AM the Chair of the European and External Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Wales advises that she is unable to come to Northern Ireland to give oral evidence. However she has offered to answer any questions we wish to pose.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk issue questions to Mrs Sandie Mewies AM for written answers.
5. Matters arising
BMA NI Briefing on Obesity.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Department requesting details of initiatives or policies which are in place, specifically relating to child poverty.
3.36 p.m. Mr Stephen Moutray joined the meeting.
3.37 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting.
Victims and Survivors Commission
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Victims and Survivors Commissioners to invite them to update the Committee on their work plans.
Forward Work Programme
The Committee expressed their concern that there was very little Departmental business emanating from the Department
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister expressing their concern at the lack of Departmental business being received by the Committee. The Committee also agreed to request an up to date position on each outstanding item of business.
S IB – Appointment of Non-Executive Directors.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the appointment of non-Executive Directors and the impact it is having on the work of the organisation.
Ex ecutive’s Response to the Barroso Taskforce Report – DCAL Response from Minister and Arts Council for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department.
February 2009 Monitoring Round: Confirmed Outcome.
Agreed: The Committee noted the data provided by the Department.
Forecast Outturn Data – February 2009.
The Committee noted the data provided by the Department.
3.39 p.m. Mr Tom Elliott joined the meeting.
Houses of the Oireachtas – Joint Committee on European Scrutiny
The Committee noted the letter from the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, Houses of the Oireachtas.
Sustainable Urban Drainage System – Response from OFMDFM
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Committee for the Environment.
Lords Select Committee on the Barnett Formula
Agreed: The Committee agreed to cancel the research briefing planned for 29 April 2009 and to instead receive a research paper on the Barnett Formula.
6. Correspondence
Public Authorities Reform Act 2009.
The Committee noted that the Act had received Royal Assent.
CFP Official Report, Varney II and Strategic Economic Issues.
The Committee noted the correspondence from the Committee for Finance and P ersonnel .
Draft Code of Practice for Ministerial Public Appointments in Northern Ireland .
The Committee noted the consultation paper for the Draft Code of Practice for Ministerial Public Appointments in Northern Ireland from the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requesting a copy of all consultation responses.
Gateway Resettlement Programme .
The Committee noted the letter from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
EU Funding and the Economic Downturn – Letter to Social Development Committee
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Committee for Social Development.
Progress Against OFMDFM Efficiency Targets
The Committee noted the letter from the Department.
Memo from Public Accounts Committee – Public Appointments
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the memo to the Department for an update.
Flood Management and Response – Letter to Regional Development Committee
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Committee for Regional Development.
British Irish Council Statement – Follow up action
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek further clarification.
The Race Relations Order
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite Patrick Yu to brief the Committee at its meeting of 29 April 2009.
7. Any other Business
None
8. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 135 on Tuesday 28 April 2009.
3.48 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.