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APPENDIX 1
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2001 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.32 a.m. 5. Review of the Resources Element of the General Exchequer Grant The Committee considered the way forward on this consultation paper issued by the Department of the Environment on the Review of the Resources Element of the General Exchequer Grant. Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the paper issue at the meeting on 10 January 2002. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 10 JANUARY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.34 a.m. Mr Leslie joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m. Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 10.36 a.m. 4. Review of the Resource Element of the General Exchequer Grant Dr Wm. McCrea, Mr McClarty and Mr M Murphy declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next two items were discussed Ms Marie Finnegan, Ms Vivienne Collins and Dr Tracy Powers, Officials from the Department, joined the meeting at 10.55 a.m. After giving a presentation to the Committee on the above consultation paper; they answered questions from the Members. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.34 a.m. The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.40 a.m. Agreed: That the Secretariat would prepare a draft response for consideration at next week's meeting. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 17 JANUARY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. Mr McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.32 a.m. Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m. 7. Any Other Business The Committee noted a number of letters and papers including: Additional information provided by the Department of the Environment regarding the Review of Resource Element of the General Exchequer Grant. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 14 MARCH 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m. 8. Criminal Justice Bill - Proposed Amendment on Community Safety Dr Wm. McCrea, Ms P Lewsley, Mr F Molloy, Mr M Murphy and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next two items were discussed. The Committee considered a letter and supporting information from the Minister of the Environment on proposals to include an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill (under the Sewel Convention) to provide Northern Ireland Councils with statutory powers to engage in community safety function. Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment advising that the Committee was content with the proposals as outlined. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 2 MAY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: 3. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002. The Committee considered the Draft Bill and Explanatory & Financial Memorandum provided by the Department of the Environment. The Committee welcomed the Bill and noted that the Bill is due to be introduced in the Assembly on 7 May 2002. Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the Bill at the Committee meeting next week. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 9 MAY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. 4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002. Mr J McConnell, Mrs Marie Finnegan, Dr. Tracy Power and Mr David Barr, Department Officials, joined the meeting at 10.37 a.m. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the Department's proposals within the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to introduce a new methodology for distribution of the Resource Element of the General Exchequer Grant payable to Local Councils. Additional Clauses provide powers for Local Councils to engage in community safety activities and extend existing powers to promote the economic development of their area. Key issues discussed included the principle Clauses within the Bill; the decision to include community safety and economic development powers within this Bill, the Committee's concern regarding aspects of the outcome of the Bill's Equality Impact Assessment, and the Committee's concerns about some specific terms of the Clause giving the Department power to reduce the General Grant. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.37 a.m. Agreed: To write to the Department seeking clarification on a number of issues arising from the presentation and Members' questions. To invite Officials from the Northern Ireland Office to attend next week's meeting to discuss the 'Community Safety' Clause of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 16 MAY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.40 a.m. 3. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002. Mr John McConnell, Mr David Barr, Department Officials, Ms Heather Cousins and Mr Michael McGuckin, NIO Officials joined the meeting at 10.49 a.m. The NIO representatives gave a presentation and Officials answered Members' questions on the draft Community Safety Strategy which relates to the Department's proposals within the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to introduce powers for Local Councils to engage in community safety activities within community safety partnerships. Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.03am Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.06am Key issues discussed included the term 'impose' within the Community Safety Clause of the Bill and funding issues for District Councils after the initial two year 100% funding period. Officials agreed to take the Committee's concerns into consideration. Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 11.15am Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.19am Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.27am Proceedings were temporarily suspended at 11.20am. They recommenced at 11.27am. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.50 a.m. Agreed: NIO Officials agreed to write to the Committee to address a number of issues, particularly the funding concerns raised by Members. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 23 MAY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m. 3. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002. Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Department Officials joined the meeting at 10.41 a.m. Officials answered Members' questions on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. Key issues discussed included the determination of the resources element of the general grants payable to District Councils, powers to make reductions in general grant and the status of 'directions' in relation to powers of District Councils to promote economic development. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.37 a.m. Agreed: The Committee to forward questions and concerns, together with responses received from District Councils, to the Department. Officials to return to Committee's meeting of 30 May 2002. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 30 MAY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. 4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002. Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Department Officials, joined the meeting at 10.40 a.m. Officials answered Members' questions on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. Key issues discussed included powers to make reductions in general grant, the status of 'directions' in relation to powers of District Councils to promote economic development, equality impact assessment, vesting powers and duplication concerns with Community Safety Partnerships. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.20am Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.22am Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.30am Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.36am The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.30am. Agreed: The Committee to invite three District Councils to give oral evidence and answer Members' questions at next week's meeting. The Department will write to the Committee on a number of issues. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 6 JUNE 2002 Present: Apologies: Mr B Armstrong In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. 9. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Mr Peter McNaney and Mr Ciaran Quigley representatives from Belfast City Council and Mr Trevor Rainey and Mr Roger Wilson representatives from Craigavon Borough Council joined the meeting at 11.53am. Mr Trevor Rainey also attended as a representative of SOLACE. Representatives gave short presentations and answered Members' questions on the above Bill. Key issues discussed included the status of 'directions' in relation to powers of District Councils to promote economic development, vesting powers, duplication concerns with Community Safety Partnerships and emergency planning powers of District Councils. Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 12.16pm Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 12.17pm Both Members declared interests as local councillors before joining the discussion. The Chair thanked the Council representatives and they left the meeting at 12.24pm. Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power and Mr David Barr, Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 12.24pm. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.43pm Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 12.47pm Officials answered some of the points raised by the Council representatives and responded to Members' questions. The Officials left the meeting at 12.54pm. Agreed: Departmental Officials to write to the Committee with a draft revise of the Bill. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2002 Present: Apologies: Mr B Armstrong In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. 4. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.41am. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the working draft of a revise of the Bill. Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.47am and declared an interest as a District Councillor before joining in the discussions. Key issues discussed included the issue of consultation on some of the proposed Regulations, the role of the Local Government Auditor, the Assembly's role in relation to reducing the general grant to District Councils, vesting powers in relation to Economic Development, powers of District Councils in relation to Community Safety and Emergency Planning powers of Councils. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.21am. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.21am Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 11.25am The Committee considered a written response from SOLACE on the Bill, particularly in relation to Community Safety. Agreed: The Committee to write to SOLACE on the matter. The Committee also considered an extension to the Committee Stage of the Bill and the following motion was put to Members and agreed: 'That in accordance with Standing Order 31 (5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31 (3) be extended to 17 October 2002 in relation to the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA 19/00)' Agreed: The Committee to table the motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Bill. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 20 JUNE 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.39 a.m. 5. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Ms Marie Finnegan and Dr Tracy Power, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.27am. They gave a presentation, which included the proposed revised terms of three amendments to the Bill and answered Members' questions. Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.40am Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.43am Key issues discussed included the Assembly's role in relation to reducing the General Grant to District Councils, timings of reductions to the General Grant and compensation payments for landowners. The Committee requested a clear explanation from the Department on the need for the provision to 'impose' on District Councils other functions in relation to community safety. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.43am. Agreed: The Committee to await further clarification on some points from the Department. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 27 JUNE 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m. 5. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Ms Marie Finnegan, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 12.33pm. They gave a short presentation, which included the proposed terms of a further amendment to the Bill and answered Members' questions. Key issues discussed included aspects of the wording of Clause 4 & 6 and powers of District Councils in relation to community safety. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.46pm. Agreed: The Committee to await the outcome of a discussion on one particular wording issue between Assembly and Departmental legal advisors and a letter from the Minister confirming his agreement to all the amendments discussed to date. Mr Mark McGuckin and Ms Heather Cousins, NIO Officials, joined the meeting at 12.46pm. They gave a short presentation and answered Members' questions on Community Safety Partnerships. Key issues discussed included membership, functions and financial aspects of the Community Safety Partnerships. Agreed: The Committee to give further consideration to the issues, which will be raised at a future meeting. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 4 JULY 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m. 5. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Mr David Barr, Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power and Mr John McConnell, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 12.23pm. They gave a short presentation on amendments to the Bill now agreed by the Minister and answered Members' questions. Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.24pm Mr Ford rejoined the meeting at 12.29pm Key issues discussed included powers of District Councils in relation to community safety and the draft Regulations which will flow from the Bill. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.39pm. Agreed: The Committee to give a formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill in early September 2002. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2002 Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30am. 4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill Mr John McConnell, Ms Marie Finnegan, Mr David Barr and Dr Tracy Power, Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 10.45am. The Committee undertook a formal Clause-by-Clause Reading of the Bill. A Member suggested a further amendment to Clause 7 of the Bill. Members voted to approve only the Minister's proposed amendment to the wording of this Clause. Five Members voted for the motion and one Member abstained. Agreed: The Committee will consider the draft Report on the Bill over the next two weeks. REV DR WILLIAM McCREA THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2002 Present: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.30am. 7. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill The Committee gave consideration to its draft Report on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. Agreed: That the Report be ordered to be printed. REV DR WILLIAM McREA |
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