COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY,
27 JANUARY 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Jennifer McCann MLA (Chairperson)
Peter Weir MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Simon Hamilton MLA
Fra McCann MLA
David McNarry MLA
Declan O’Loan MLA
Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Adrian McQuillan MLA
In Attendance:
Shane McAteer (Assembly Clerk)
Karen Jardine (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Kevin Marks (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Dr Farry MLA
The meeting commenced at 10.05 am in open session.
1. Apologies
Mr O’Loan joined the meeting at 10.06am.
Apologies are detailed above.
Agreed: that the evidence sessions from Department of Finance and Personnel officials and Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) representatives at agenda items 4 and 5 respectively, will be recorded by Hansard, and the Official Report published on the website.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 27 January 2010
Agreed: that the minutes be published 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.
4. NICS Shared Services Centre (DFP Briefing)
The Committee took evidence from the following DFP officials: Paul Wickens, Director of Shared Services Organisation, DFP; Patricia Corbett, HR Service Management Director, Corporate HR, DFP; John Crosby, Chief Executive, Account NI, DFP; and, Barry Lowry, Deputy Director, Shared Services Organisation, DFP.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr Hamilton joined the meeting at 10.22am.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 10.36am.
Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 10.43am.
Mr McQuillan returned to the meeting at 10.45am.
Agreed: that a list of issues will be forwarded to DFP for a response in order to inform the Committee’s forthcoming report on the Review of 2010 -11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
5. Equal Pay Issues (Evidence from NIPSA)
The Committee took evidence from the following NIPSA officials: Kieran Bannon, Assistant General Secretary, NIPSA; and, Lucia Collins, Vice Chairperson, NIPSA Executive Committee.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.10am.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at11.13am.
Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 11.23am.
Mr McQuillan returned to the meeting at 11.35am.
Following the evidence from NIPSA, the Committee gave further consideration to the basis of the proposed Equal Pay settlement and the concerns that have been raised with individual members, including by former NICS staff who do not fall within the terms of the proposed settlement. Discussion took place on the parameters for addressing equal pay issues, including legal requirements and moral considerations and on the potential budgetary implications of going beyond the settlement currently being proposed.
Mr McCann joined the meeting at 12.04pm.
Mr O’Loan proposed:
‘That the Committee writes to DFP reflecting what previous Ministerial statements have said with respect to moral obligations in relation to Equal Pay; highlighting that concerns have been expressed on this issue and that these are shared by the Committee; and asks that the Department examines, in a sympathetic fashion, the case for a supplementary settlement that would address those moral obligations’.
Question put.
The Committee divided: Ayes 1; Noes 5; Abstentions 0
AYES:
Mr O’Loan
NOES:
Mr Hamilton, Mr McCann, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McQuillan, Mr Weir
ABSTENTIONS:
None
The Chairperson (Ms McCann) did not vote.
Question accordingly negatived.
Mr McLaughlin proposed:
‘That the Clerk prepares a draft letter from the Committee to DFP for consideration at next week’s meeting, in view of the absence of consensus at today’s meeting’.
Question put.
The Committee divided: Ayes 5; Noes 0; Abstentions 1.
AYES:
Mr Hamilton, Mr McCann, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McQuillan, Mr Weir
NOES:
None
ABSTENTIONS:
Mr O’Loan
The Chairperson (Ms McCann) did not vote
Question accordingly agreed to.
6. Efficiency Savings: Written Evidence from Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA)
The Chairperson left the meeting at 12.23pm.
The Deputy Chairperson took the Chair at 12.23pm.
As the relevant witness from CIPFA was unavailable to attend the meeting, members instead considered a written submission.
Agreed: to include the CIPFA paper in the Committee’s forthcoming Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
7. Subordinate Legislation
The Committee considered the following proposal from DFP for subordinate legislation:
- The Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the policy implications of the proposal for subordinate legislation at this stage.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence:
- DFP: Letter from Minister on Budget Bill NI 2010;
- DFP: Letter from Minister on Executive’s End-Year Flexibility Stock;
- DFP News Release: “ Wilson presses Chief Secretary on bank lending practices”;
- DFP: Public Accounts Committee Report on statement of rate levy and collection 2006 - 07, and penny product matters;
Agreed: that the correspondence will be forwarded to PAC for information
The Chairperson returned to the meeting and took the Chair at 12.28pm.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.28pm.
- Unite Union: Nortel Insolvency and Ernst & Young;
Agreed: the correspondence will be forwarded to both the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for Employment and Learning highlighting the issues raised; recording the Committee’s concern; and requesting that members be informed of progress should these committees take the matter forward. The Committee will also inform the Unite Union of this action.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 12.30pm.
- OFMDFM: Letter to Eric Leenders on engagement with banking industry;
- DFP: 2009-10 Forecast Outturn Committee Reports;
- Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People: Invitation to Child Poverty Event; and,
- Northern Ireland Electrical Standards Lobbying Group (NIESLG): Briefing Document
Agreed: that the correspondence will be forwarded to DFP for comment following which members will consider inviting NIESLG to make a presentation to the Committee.
9. Committee Work Programme
Members considered the current draft of the Committee work programme until March 2010.
Agreed: that an oral briefing with officials from Land and Property Services will be scheduled in light of the proposed DFP Revised Spending Plans 2010-11.
Agreed: that the current draft of the programme will be published on the Assembly website.
10. Consideration of Draft Committee Report on Presumption of Advancement - Legislative Consent Motion
Members considered the Committee’s draft Report on the Presumption of Advancement Legislative Consent Motion on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis, as follows:
Agreed: that paragraphs 1 and 2 stand part of the Report.
Agreed: that paragraphs 3 – 5 stand part of the Report.
Agreed: that the appendices stand part of the Report.
Agreed: that the Committee Report on the proposed Legislative Consent Motion on the Presumption of Advancement is made to the Assembly.
Agreed: that the draft covering letter to all MLAs will be included when publishing the Report.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 12.39pm.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.39pm.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting in closed session at 12.52pm.
11. Consideration of Draft Committee Report on the Inquiry into Public Procurement
Members considered a working draft Report on the Committee’s Inquiry into Public Procurement.
Agreed: that the draft Report will be amended, taking account of points raised, and will be brought to the Committee for formal consideration at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: that the Strategic Investment Board publication Delivering Social Benefits Through Public Procurement – A Toolkit will be included in the evidence base of the Inquiry Report.
The Committee moved into open session at 1.29pm.
12. Any Other Business
13. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30pm.