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

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

Present:
Mr Tom Elliott (Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr William Humphrey
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Jimmy Spratt

Apologies:
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Allan Bresland
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr George Robinson

In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in public session at 2.41 p.m.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson sought any declarations of interest from Members in relation to items of business being discussed.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 1 December 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Update on £18 Billion Long-Term Investment Strategy

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing an update on the £18 billion long-term Investment Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a further update from the Department when discussions are concluded.

Arms Length Bodies Review Team Report

The Committee noted a response from the Department of Finance and Personnel providing further information on the Report of the Arms Length Bodies Review Team.

Commissioner for Public Appointments

The Committee considered a response from the Commissioner for Public Appointments providing a list of Public Bodies for which the Commissioner has regulatory powers, those bodies that are suitable for regulation but she currently has no regulatory power over and a list of third party organisations.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the response to the Department for comment on why some Ministerial appointments are not regulated and why some departmental appointments are treated as third party organisations.

5. Correspondence

Committee for Finance and Personnel

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the proposal for stakeholder engagement on the Spending Review and draft Budget 2011-15.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Dr Farry would represent the Committee in the round table discussions on strategic and cross-cutting finance issues.

Invitation to the First Annual Awards Event for the Thin End of the Wedge Project

The Committee considered an invitation from Forward Learning to attend the awards event in the Long Gallery on Friday 17 December 2010. Members are to advise Committee Secretariat if they wish to attend.

Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland – Investing Activity Reports

The Committee considered the Investing Activity Reports for the Department.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the reports to the relevant statutory committees. The Committee agreed to write to the Strategic Investment Board to seek information on why some projects are not included in the reports.

Committee for Education

The Committee considered a response from the Committee for Education in relation to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

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

6. Armed Forces and Veterans Bill

The Committee considered the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the Royal British Legion, the Army Benevolent Fund, the UDR Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes and the Equality Commission to give oral evidence to the Committee on the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill on Wednesday 12 January 2011.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to seek further information on the reasons for not responding to the Committee’s call for written evidence.

The Committee received a briefing from the Assembly’s Research and Library Service on the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill. The Researcher agreed to provide the Committee with further information.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to send a copy of the Research Paper to Mr McNarry MLA for comment.

7. Any Other Business

Electronic Aids

The Committee discussed the use of electronic aids for Committee meeting papers.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would not trial the pilot scheme.

8. Da te, time and place of next meeting

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

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.20 p.m.

Mr Tom Elliott
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

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