Present: Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Ms P Armitage
Mr P Berry
Mrs J Carson
Mr T Gallagher
Ms C Hanna
Ms M McWilliams
Ms S Ramsey
Mrs I Robinson

Apologies: Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarland

In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr D Harkin
Mrs K McFerran

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

1. The Permanent Secretary and senior Departmental officials will attend the meeting to make a presentation.

2. The Chairman and Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Authority together with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency will attend the Committee meeting on 12 January 2000.

3. No date has been decided yet for the publication of the Ambulance Service's report but the Clerk has requested that its senior officials meet with the Committee soon after its issue.

4. Arrangements are being made for the four Health Boards to meet the Committee, two each on 19 and 26 January 2000.

5. The Clerk has written to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister seeking the Committee's input into the forthcoming disability rights bill.

6. The Clerk has written to the Examiner of Statutory Rules regarding the handling of subordinate legislation.

7. The Clerk has written to the Clerk of the Assembly Commission to highlight the Committee's concern about current staffing levels in the office of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

8. There will be a re-examination of the Committee meetings rota system during the recess to try to resolve the problem of some members' clashing Committee commitments.

3. Presentation by the Permanent Secretary and Senior Officials.

Panel Members: Mr Clive Gowdy, Permanent Secretary

Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer

Mr Don Hill, Deputy Secretary HPSS Planning and Resources Group

Mr Paul Simpson, Deputy Secretary HPSS Management Group

The officials entered the meeting at 2.10 PM.

The Chairman welcomed the officials, and Mr Gowdy then gave a comprehensive presentation, with members receiving copies of the slides. There followed a question-and-answer session, which is summarised in Annex A, and the Chairman thanked the panel for their help.

The officials left the meeting at 4.20 PM.

4. Discussion of Work Programme

Agreed: As the Committee is most anxious to work closely with the Minister and be consulted on policy decisions, the Clerk will request a meeting with the Minister early in the New Year and before a decision is taken regarding maternity services in Belfast.

5. AOB

Agreed:

1. The Clerk will invite the confederation representing the Health Trusts to the Committee meeting scheduled for 2 February 2000.

2. The Committee's meetings with the Fire Authority and the Health Promotion Agency on 12 January will be opened to the public. The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.

3. The issue of concern relating to telecommunication masts will be added to members' priorities as listed in annex A to last week's minutes.

4. The Clerk will obtain details of the membership of the new Food Safety Promotion Board and its relationship with the Committee.

5. Dependent on its volume of work, the Committee may in future meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesday mornings, in addition to its scheduled weekly meeting.

6. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 2.00 PM on Wednesday 12 January 2000 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

DR J HENDRON

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

8 December 1999 / Menu / 10 January 2000