COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr George Robinson
Mr Jimmy Spratt

In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Patricia Casey (Bill Clerk) Item 5 only
Mr Tim Moore (Senior Researcher) Item 5 only
Ms Jane Campbell (Researcher) Item 5 only

The meeting opened in public session at 2.01 p.m.

1. Apologies

None

2. Chairperson’s Business

Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson sought any declarations of interest from Members in relation to items of business being discussed. Dr Farry declared the following interest.

Member of the Board of the Community Relations Council

Mr Jim Shannon MP

The Chairperson expressed the Committee’s thanks to Mr Jim Shannon MP, following his resignation from the Assembly for his work on the Committee.

Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 2.03 p.m.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 27 July 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Departmental Spending Plans

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.04 p.m.

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.04 p.m.

Mr Elliott joined the meeting at 2.05 p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Tim Losty and Mrs Jackie Kerr briefed the Committee on the Department’s spending proposals for the Budget 2010. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 2.38 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek further information in relation to the transfer of funding from the Northern Ireland Office for the Attorney General’s Office and the Parades Commission.

5. Commissioner for Older People Bill

Mr Tim Moore and Ms Jane Campbell of the Assembly’s Research and Library Services briefed the Committee on their research paper on reviewing the case for an Older People’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.55 p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Tim Losty, Ms Jane Corderoy, Mr Stephen Orr and Mr Chris McCafferty briefed the Committee on submissions the Committee had received and proposed amendments to the Commissioner for Older People Bill. A question and answer session followed. Officials agreed to provide further information on gaps in investigative powers in relation to older people, what the legislation would allow the Commissioner to investigate and in relation to placing a duty on the Commissioner to report criminal acts.

Mr Elliott left the meeting at 3.34 p.m.

Mr McElduff left the meeting at 3.55 p.m.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.02 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek legal advice in relation to inserting a clause placing a duty on the Commissioner to report a criminal act in the Commissioner for Older People Bill.

6. The Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010

The Committee noted that the commencement date had been changed in the Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 which has been scheduled for debate on Tuesday 14 September 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek information on the process for applying for European funding for the Maze/Long Kesh project while the Development Corporation is being established.

7. Matters Arising

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing further information in relation to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration, which included copies of all Departments’ inputs in relation to the Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward copies of Departments’ inputs to all statutory committees for their information.

North South Ministerial Council and British Irish Council

The Committee considered a response from the Department advising that it can brief the Committee informally at the offices of the North South Ministerial Council on the work of the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to meet informally at the offices of the North South Ministerial Council to be briefed on the work of the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department to request further information on the Review of the North South Bodies.

Sustainable Development

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information following the announcement to withdraw funding for the Sustainable Development Commission.

Real Fathers for Justice

The Committee noted a response from the Department concerning issues raised by Real Fathers for Justice.

Childcare Voucher Scheme

The Committee noted a response from the Department concerning the issue of the Childcare Voucher Scheme.

FAIR

The Committee considered a response from the Department to issues raised by FAIR, concerning funding for victims and survivors groups.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to FAIR for their information.

Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill

The Committee noted responses from the Department providing further information in relation to the Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill.

Victims and Survivors Forum Service Committee

The Committee considered a response from the Department to issues raised by the Victims and Survivors Forum Service Committee in relation to the proposed Victims and Survivors Service.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Victims and Survivors Forum Service Committee for their information. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department to seek further information on the timetable for the proposed Victims and Survivors Service and to highlight the need for an evaluation of current funding for Victims and Survivors Groups.

Department for Finance and Personnel

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Finance and Personnel concerning the handling of professional fees and VAT by the Central Procurement Directorate in relation to the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels.

Pensioner Poverty – Public Service Centres

The Committee considered a response from the Committee for the Environment concerning the role of local government in delivering “one stop shop” advice centres.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to visit the Grove Well-being Centre to look at how advice is provided at that site.

Law Centre NI

The Committee noted a response from the Law Centre (NI) providing further information on the publication Redressing Users’ Disadvantage – Proposals for Tribunal Reform.

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

8. Correspondence

Equality Impact Assessment on Proposals for a Justice Bill

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Justice advising that an Equality Impact Assessment on proposals for a Justice Bill was published for consultation.

Community Relations Council

The Committee noted a response from the Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council. Mr Spratt advised Members he had met with the Chief Executive concerning the matter and was satisfied with the outcome.

Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

The Committee considered a request from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) to brief the Committee on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2011-15.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, the Clerk and any interested Members meet with NICVA.

Report on the Flooding Taskforce

The Committee noted a copy of the Report on the Flooding Taskforce.

Strategic Investment Board Annual Review and Financial Statements 2009/10

The Committee noted a copy of the Strategic Investment Board’s Annual Review and Financial Statements 2009/10.

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

The Committee noted a copy of a campaign briefing from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.

10. Any Other Business

Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an informal meeting with a delegation of disadvantaged young people, arranged by Save the Children, to be briefed on community action plans.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a joint meeting at ILEX with the Committee for Social Development on Thursday 27 January 2011. The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Social Development to request if an earlier date is available.

Mr McElduff re-joined the meeting at 4.18 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to the Committee’s programme of visits for the coming session and that the Committee Secretariat are to consider a possible visit to Europe as the Committee continues its engagement in Europe.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 15 September 2010 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.20 p.m.

Mr Danny Kennedy
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

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