COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY,
7 JULY 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mitchel McLaughlin MLA (Chairperson)
Peter Weir MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry MLA
Simon Hamilton MLA
Jennifer McCann MLA
David McNarry MLA
Declan O’Loan MLA
Dawn Purvis MLA
In Attendance:
Shane McAteer (Assembly Clerk)
Vivien Ireland (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Karen Jardine (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Colin Jones (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Chris McCreery (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Fra McCann MLA
Adrian McQuillan MLA
Ian Paisley Jnr MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.06 pm in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
The Committee noted that Mr Weir had replaced Mr Hamilton as Deputy Chairperson with effect from 4 July 2009. Members congratulated Mr Weir on his appointment as Deputy Chairperson and also acknowledged with thanks the work carried out by Mr Hamilton as Deputy Chairperson. Members wished him well in his new position as the Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.
Agreed : that the evidence session from Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) officials on the outcome of the June monitoring round and the 2008/09 provisional outturn will be recorded by Hansard and the Official Report published on the website.
Ms McCann joined the meeting at 2 .07 pm.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 1 July 2009
Agreed: for publication on the Assembly website.
3. Matters Arising
The Committee noted the composite request for information from DFP which provided an update on any matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Agreed: that the Committee will write to DFP requesting that, in order to assist the secretariat in their work during recess, all follow up information continues to be provided on time over summer recess.
Agreed: that, unless urgent, correspondence received during recess will be held for members and included in meeting packs for the first meeting after summer recess on Wednesday 9 September.
Members noted that the terms of reference for the review of senior civil service pay and bonuses had not yet been cleared by the First Minister and deputy First Minister and consequently DFP officials were not in position to discuss this with the Committee. Members were advised that there will be an opportunity to consider the terms of reference in draft form at the first meeting after recess.
Agreed: that the Committee will consider the draft terms of reference for the review of senior civil service pay and bonuses at the first meeting of the new session on Wednesday 9 September.
Members considered a briefing paper from Assembly Research on details of housing repossessions, as requested following previous consideration of information provided by the Housing Rights Service.
Members also noted comments following the recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council highlighting the potential sale of properties held by the National Assets Management Agency and the possible negative implications for the Northern Ireland housing market.
Agreed: that the Committee will write to the Department requesting its view on the implications for the Northern Ireland housing market of the potential sale of local properties by the National Assets Management Agency. Following receipt of the Department’s response, the Committee will consider whether it requires Assembly Research to examine this issue.
4. Outcome of June Monitoring Round and Provisional Outturn 2008/09: Evidence from DFP
The Committee took evidence from the following DFP officials: Leo O’Reilly, Permanent Secretary; Deborah McNeilly, Finance Director; and Paul Montgomery, Central Expenditure Division.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 3.02 pm.
Ms McCann left the meeting at 3.03 pm.
Mr O’Loan returned to the meeting at 3.06 pm.
Ms McCann returned to the meeting at 3.07 pm.
Ms McCann left the meeting at 3.09 pm.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 3.12 pm.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 3.16 pm.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 3.17 pm.
Agreed: that the DFP officials will provide information as requested by the Committee during the evidence session.
Agreed: that the Committee will issue a press release welcoming improvements in the management of Government spending.
5. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence:
- DFP: Follow-up to issues raised at PEDU evidence session 17 June;
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 3.19 pm.
- Committee for Education: Implementation of Varney 2 recommendations;
- Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (COFMDFM): Implementation of Varney 2 recommendations;
Agreed: that the Clerk will write to COFMDFM regarding the implementation of Varney 2 recommendations;
- DFP: Response to Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development regarding meeting with Account NI official;
- DFP: Land & Property Services (LPS) Performance 2008/09;
Agreed: that a copy of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation report on its review of the penny product process in Northern Ireland is forwarded to Assembly Research; and, to request a briefing from Assembly Research on this issue after the summer recess;
- DFP: Penny Product Calculations;
- Belfast Old Museum Arts Centre: Proposed Metropolitan Arts Centre;
Agreed: that the Committee will copy the correspondence to DFP and write expressing concerns about the delay in this project and requesting that progress on the proposed Metropolitan Arts Centre be expedited;
- DFP: Response on outstanding Post Project Evaluations;
- DFP: Response to Committee query regarding Mencap ‘Changing Places’ campaign;
Agreed: that the Committee will write to DFP requesting a written update following the Department’s meeting with Mencap;
- DFP: Follow up to HRConnect Session;
Agreed: that the Committee will write to DFP requesting additional information on abatement charges.
6. Any Other Business
The Committee was briefed by the Secretariat on quotations received from four possible venues for the proposed Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference in the autumn. Members also noted the desirability of choosing a venue in close proximity to local airports as a number of expert witnesses will be travelling from other jurisdictions.
Agreed: that the Comfort Hotel, Antrim is booked for the Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference (date to be confirmed).
7. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 at 10.00am in Room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.30 pm.