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COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 25 th JUly 2007
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA

In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA

The meeting opened at 10.30am in public session.

Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Minutes of the meeting held on 4 th July 2007.

Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.

  1. Matters Arising - update.

The Clerk updated Members on the revised list of matters arising from previous Committee meetings.

  1. Chairperson’s Business.

Members noted a number of pieces of correspondence between the Chairperson and the Minister and further items of correspondence relating to disability provision in higher education and further education college concession fees.

Members were updated on non-committee meetings hosted by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson since the last meeting on the 4 th July. These were meetings with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (NI), UNISON, Association of Motor Vehicle Teachers and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults.

10.43am Mr Newton joined the meeting

  1. The Further Education Colleges Lecturers’ Pay Dispute.

Members noted a paper from the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges and the Committee received an update from Mr David Limb (University and College Union) and Mr Seamus Searson (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers), on the current situation with regard to the further education lecturers’ pay dispute. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Chairperson writes to the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, seeking views and opinions with regard to the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning liaising with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter.

11.45am Mr McClarty left the meeting

  1. Departmental Briefing on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Committee received a briefing from the Departmental officials Mr Greg McConnell, Deputy Secretary, Mrs Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Mr Trevor Connolly, Assistant Secretary Finance and European Division, on the Comprehensive Spending Review. A brief update on innovation funding was also provided. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.

12.03pm Mr Newton left the meeting
12.07pm Mr Spratt left the meeting
12.14pm Mr Spratt returned to the meeting
12.22pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting; Mr Spratt took the Chair
12.25pm Ms Ramsey returned to the meeting and resumed the chair
12.31pm Mr Attwood left the meeting

  1. Training for Success – procurement of training contracts.

Agreed: The Department will provide the Committee with an update on the progress of contractual arrangements by early September.

  1. Any Other Business.

Mr Spratt raised the issue of recent reports that the level of the minimum wage may be lowered.

Agreed: Chairperson to write to the Minister expressing the Committee’s concern and seeking the Minister’s opinion on this matter.

Chairperson advised that she and the Deputy Chairperson would be considering a forward work programme, including potential areas for inquiry. This will brought forward to Committee in September.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 12 th September 2007 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.31pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning.
12 September 2007.

04 July 07 / Menu