COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
FIFTY SIXTH MEETING
TUESDAY, 22 MAY 2001
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Seamus Close
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Peter Weir
Apologies:
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Mr Peter Robinson
In attendance:
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Mrs Margaret Miskelly (Clerk)
Mr Joe Sloan (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Mr Jonathan Briggs (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.53 p.m. The meeting was held in public session
1. Apologies
1.1 Mr Billy Bell, Mr Nigel Dodds, Mr Derek Hussey and Mr Peter Robinson.
2. Minutes of Proceedings
2.1 ResolvedThe Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 15 May 2001.
3. Matters arising
3.1 Defective Premises (Landlord's Liability) Bill
3.1.1 Members noted the reply to Mr Kennedy.
3.2 Main Estimates
3.2.1 Members noted the letter to all the Statutory Departmental Committee Chairs seeking their views on the Main Estimates 2001-02 by 25 May. The Chairman asked if other Committees were considering a reply to the letter on the Main Estimates.
4. Inquiries
4.1 None
5. Review
5.1 Departmental Bids
5.1.1 The Minister briefed the members on his letter of 14 May and stressed the need to start considering input rather than waiting on the bids. The main issue is how to improve the timetable to create more time for input. The Draft Budget is due in September and with the Election and the summer recess time is proving difficult. The Committee will get Position Reports on the 18th June. The Minister suggested having a working session with the Committee to arrange dates for the timetable. The Standing Orders on how Bills can proceed may be worth looking at again. The Minister updated the Committee on the grant for 'Help the Business Scheme'.
5.1.2 The Committee Clerk drew the attention of members to paragraph 15 of the Minister's letter. Members agreed that it would be beneficial to have the balance sheet regarding resource estimates. The members were unable to comment at this stage on the operating of Assembly control of expenditure. The members agreed that the Executive Programme Funds should be presented separately.
Resolved: That the Chairman would write to the Minister conveying the Committee's consideration of the draft timetable for financial procedures.
6. New TSN
6.1 The members noted the quarterly reports.
7. Bills
7.1 None
8. Statutory Rules
8.1 The members considered the pre drafting of Compulsory Registration of Title Order (Northern Ireland) 2000
8.2 Resolved: The Committee were content with the draft of the Statutory Rule and no objections were raised.
9. Urban Regeneration and Community Development
The members noted the letter seeking a reply by the 8 June and agreed that an extension to this date should be sought due to the heavy workload.
10. Correspondence
10.1 Promoting Social Inclusion
The members noted letter dated 4 May.
10.2 Quinquennial Review
The members noted the letter 19 May and attachments.
10.3 Regional Development Strategy
The members noted the letter dated 14 May and agreed that a reply should be sent thanking them for the advice.
10.4 The Green Living Fair
The members noted the content of the brochure.
10.5 Scottish Executive Freedom of Information
The members noted the information sent by Mr Des McConaghy.
10.6 Departmental Bids
The members noted the letter from the Clerk to the Environment Committee explaining that they are unable to reply due to the tight deadline.
11. Any other Business
None
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 29th May 2001
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.00p.m.
Francie Molloy
Chairman