COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THIRTY FIRST MEETING
TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2000
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Weir

Apologies: Apologies were received from Mr James Leslie.

In attendence: Mr Martin Wilson (Committee Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)

The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.25 p.m. The meeting was held in public session.

1. Minutes of Proceedings

1.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 16 November 2000.

2. Matters arising:

2.1 Extension of Committee Stage of Bills

2.1.1 The matter was not discussed.

3. October Monitoring

3.1 The Minister of Finance and Personnel, supported by Officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel, appeared before the Committee to answer questions on the Budget 2000/01 October Monitoring Round.

Mr Nigel Dodds attended from 2.40 p.m.

3.2 Members questioned the Minister with particular attention to the spending reallocations totalling £75 million, including a further £20 million available from NI Housing Executive house sales and the redistribution of monies. The impact of the Barnett formula and the consequences of the 8% rise in the Regional Rate were also considered. The Minister agreed to provide a written reply to questions raised by Seamus Close.

4. Ground Rents Bill (NIA Bill 6/99) Draft Report

4.1 The Committee deliberated on the draft Report on the Ground Rents Bill

4.2 Resolved: The Committee agreed the draft Report and ordered that it be printed.

5. Budget 2001/02 Draft Report

5.1 The Committee deliberated on the draft Report on the 2001/02 Budget.

5.2 Resolved: The Committee agreed the draft Report subject to a number of amendments.

6. Consider any Bills:

6.1 Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/00)

6.1.1 The Committee deliberated on Clauses 6 to 9 of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill. The Committee was advised by Ms Eileen Regan and Mr Malachy Finnegan, Research Services.

6.1.2 Resolved: That questions raised by members be put to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

7. Consider any Statutory Rules:

7.1 No Statutory Rules were put to the Committee.

8. Correspondence

8.1 The tabled correspondence was noted.

9. Any other business:

9.1 Equality Impact of Budget

9.1.1 The Committee deliberated on the correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Committee of the Centre on the Equality Impact of the Budget.

9.1.2 Resolved: That the Chairman should write to the Minister of Finance and Personnel to inform him that the Committee would consider the matter following the outcome of the public consultation exercise.

10. Date of next meeting

10.1 Resolved: That the Committee would meet on Tuesday, 28 November at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144 to continue consideration of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill. The Committee agreed that, in future, it would meet each Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.55 p.m.

FRANCIE MOLLOY

Chairman

16 November 2000/ Menu / 5 December 2000