COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH 2001.
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Apologies
2. Chairperson's Business
3. Matters Arising
4. Approval of Draft Miniutes
5. Correspondence
6. Evidence from OFMDFM on Equality Scheme Screening Exercise
7. PSI Working Group Report on Travellers - Consultation
8. Investing for Health - Consultation
9. Any Other Business
10. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present: Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Dr Esmond Birnie
Mrs Annie Courtney
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Conor Murphy
Mr Ken Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mr Tim Moore
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies: Mrs Eileen Bell
Mr David Ervine
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Mr James Leslie
Mr Alex Maskey
The meeting commenced at 2:05pm in public session.
1. Apologies
The apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
The Chairperson informed members that he and the Deputy Chairperson will be attending the second European Union Liaison Group - Chairperson's meeting on Friday, 16 March 2001. Members will be advised of the key outcomes of the meeting.
Action: Clerk
3. Matters arising
Mr Gibson joined the meeting at 2.08pm.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.09pm.
- Corporate and Business Plans: The Committee considered the paper on the draft Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) Corporate and Business Plans. It was agreed that a response on behalf of the Committee should be issued to OFMDFM following the Chairperson's approval.
- OFMDFM Executive Programme Fund Bids: The Committee considered and discussed the five OFMDFM Executive Programme Fund bids. Members supported the bids and welcomed savings in Departmental Running Costs. It was agreed that a response on behalf of the Committee should be issued to OFMDFM following the Chairperson's approval.
Action: Clerk
Action: Clerk
4. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
5. Correspondence
Letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel: Members noted a letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel dealing with a major Inquiry into the value of Public Private Partnerships/Private Finance Initiatives (PPP/PFI) in financing investment in public sector services and infrastructure. The Committee noted the role of the Economic Policy Unit in OFMDFM to work with the Department of Finance and Personnel in overseeing the development of joint financing of public expenditure, including PFI, and also the commitment in the Programme for Government that both Departments would carry out a joint review of PPP/PFI opportunities. The Committee therefore agreed to request access to the Inquiry material at an early stage and to have the opportunity to comment.
It was agreed that a proposed letter seeking information from OFMDFM could be passed direct to OFMDFM but that the Committee would wish to see a copy of any response.
Action: Clerk
6. Evidence from OFMDFM on Equality Scheme Screening Exercise
The evidence session started at 2.19pm. Evidence on the exclusion of four Business Areas from the Equality Scheme was taken from Mrs Mary Bunting, Deputy Secretary, Equality and Community Relations, Mr Ray Morrison, Head of Statutory Duty Unit, Mrs Rosalie Flanagan, Head of Executive Secretariat and Mr Aubrey Playfair, Head of Finance.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.27pm.
Mr Robinson left the meeting at 2.42pm.
The Officials left the meeting at 2.48pm.
Action: Clerk
Mr Murphy left the meeting at 3.00pm.
7. PSI Working Group Report on Travellers - Consultation
The Committee considered and debated a paper on the PSI Working Group Report on Travellers and in particular Recommendations 1,2,3,4 and 31 of the Final Report. It was agreed that Recommendation 1, dealing with the establishment of an Inter-Agency Forum, should ensure that representatives of Local Authorities are included in the forum. Members expressed concerns about the source and delivery of funding for Travellers and stated delivery of funds should be commensurate with need and take into account current demands and priorities for government funding including other disadvantaged sections of the community.
The Committee agreed to invite evidence, from representatives of the PSI Working group, on the recommendations which come directly within the Committee's remit and are interdepartmental in nature.
Action: Clerk
8. Investing for Health - Consultation
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.30pm.
Members considered the brief on the Investing for Health Consultation. Members noted the absence of a specific role for OFMDFM in the proposed strategy and agreed that this should be highlighted.
It was also agreed that a response about the role for OFMDFM, on behalf of the Committee, should be issued following the Chairperson's approval. The response will be issued to the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety and copied to OFMDFM.
Action: Clerk
9. Any other business
None.
10. Date and time of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be on Wednesday, 21 March 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.37pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
21 March 2001
7 March 2001 / Menu / 21 March 2001