COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NINETY FOURTH MEETING
TUESDAY, 11 JUNE 2002
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Roger Hutchinson
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Maurice Morrow
Mr Peter Weir
In attendance:
Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Ms Sheila McClelland (Clerk)
Ms Shauna McDaid (Executive Support)
Mr Jonathan Briggs (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.09p.m. The meeting began in closed session.
1. Chairman's business
1.1 The Principal Clerk presented the Committee's briefing papers for the day's business. The Committee discussed the briefings.
The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 2.12pm.
2. Apologies
2.1 Mr Alex Attwood, Mr Derek Hussey and Mr. Billy Bell.
3. Minutes of Proceedings
3.1 The Committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings for 05 June 2002.
Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of 05 June 2002.
4. Matters arising.
4.1 The Committee noted its letters to the Minister and the Speaker regarding Budget (No.2) Bill.
4.2 The Committee noted correspondence regarding the Review of NIEC and the Provision of Economic Advice and Research. This item will be considered at the next meeting.
4.3 The Committee noted its letter to the Department regarding the Bill of Rights, the response from the Department and a research paper prepared by R&LS. The Committee agreed to revisit this issue again before the summer recess after advice from R&LS is received on the Department's response.
4.4 The Committee noted the Chairman's speaking note for the Supply Resolution debate.
4.5 The Committee noted the letter from the Department regarding the Land Registry backlog.
Resolved: The Committee expressed disappointment at the continued rise in the backlog and agreed that if a reduction was not achieved by next month's figures that further action would be taken.
4.6 The Committee noted the letter from the Department regarding Births, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to further consider this matter at a later date.
4.7 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding the proposed review of fees in LRNI and previous correspondence on this matter.
4.8 The Committee noted the statement by the Minister relating to the launch of consultation on the Senior Civil Service Review.
Mr Hutchinson attended the meeting at 2.21pm.
5. Executive Position Report
5.1 The Minister for Finance and Personnel and Departmental officials Mr David Sterling and Mr Richard Pengelly briefed the Committee and answered questions regarding the Executive Position Report.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 3.04pm. Mr Weir left the meeting at 3.16pm.
5.2 The Minister stated that the Committee has an important role to play in this process and asked that they draw together the key preliminary conclusions of all Committees in relation to the Executive Position Report. The Minister concluded that he would look forward to receiving the Committees co-ordinated report by the end of August. Officials agreed to provide information on the receipts component of monitoring round easements for the previous financial year.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to place this item on the agenda for next week's meeting.
6. Review of Rating Policy
6.1 Specialist adviser Mr Pat Doherty attended the meeting and advised the Committee on the progress of the Rating Policy Review and on how the Committee might best approach the consultation process.
Mr Maskey attended the meeting at 3.24pm.
6.2 Mr Doherty suggested a one day workshop for the Committee to discuss the process in detail followed by a one day 'hearing' to collect the views of stakeholder groups in relation to Rating Policy.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to participate in a one-day workshop and a one- day evidence session.
6.3 The specialist adviser agreed to submit a paper in relation to these events.
7. Statutory Rules - Ground Rents, Property, Commencement and Multiplier.
7.1 Departmental officials Mr Neil Lambe, Mr Gareth Johnston, Mr Derek Reade and Mr John Gibson attended the meeting and briefed the Committee on the position and progress of these statutory rules.
Ms Lewsley returned to the meeting at 3.54pm. Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 3.58pm.
7.2 The Committee asked for and received an assurance that the introduction of the Ground Rents Act would not add to the problems currently affecting the performance of the Land Registers of Northern Ireland.
7.3 Officials advised the Committee that the date of commencement of the 3 SRs was likely to be in July. The Committee noted that the 'multiplier' rate had been discussed during Committee Stage of the Bill and advice from officials that the rate chosen was at the higher end of the compensation spectrum.
Resolved: The Committee raised no principled objections to the proposed SRs.
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee noted the response by the Environment Committee regarding the Accommodation Review.
8.2 The Committee noted the letter from the Committee for Regional Development to the Minister on Rates Relief due to public works by Utilities.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Minister for comment.
8.3 The Committee noted advice provided by the Principal Clerk on financial issues regarding the Norton Inquiry.
8.4 The Committee noted the letter to the Environment Committee regarding the Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives.
8.5 The Committee noted the letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure concerning the Report on Cultural Tourism and the Arts in Northern Ireland.
9. Any other business.
9.1 The Committee noted its programme of forthcoming business.
9.2 The Committee noted that there would be Evidence Sessions relating to its Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives on Tuesday 18 June 2002 and Wednesday 19 June 2002.
10. Date of next meeting.
10.1 The next meeting was agreed as Tuesday 18 June 2002 at 2 p.m. in room 144. An evidence session on the Inquiry into European Structural Funds has been arranged for Wednesday 19 June in room 152 from 2.30-5.00 p.m.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.11pm.
Francie Molloy
Chairman