Present: Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr John Kelly MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA

In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Miss Kelly-Anne Llewellyn
Mr John McVey (Assembly Research)

Apologies: Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

Meeting opened at 2.16pm in open session.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Approval of draft minutes of 21 June 2001

3. Matters arising

Members considered the initial consultation document on the Single Equality Bill. It was agreed that, as there should be further consultation at the pre-draft stage of the Bill, the current response would focus on the broad principles and those areas within the remit of the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment. Members debated the key issues to be included in the Committee's response.

2.35pm. Mr Beggs joined the meeting.

4. Briefing from Mr Alan Shannon, Permanent Secretary, Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment

Members questioned Mr Shannon on the Department's draft Strategic Plan 2001-04, draft Annual Report 2000/01 and draft Business Plan 2001/02. The Clerk was directed to draft responses on each of the three documents for consideration at next week's meeting. Given the extremely short turnaround time for consideration of these documents, members agreed to forward any other areas of concern to the Committee Office.

Action: Clerk

3.20pm. Mr Kelly joined the meeting.

5. Matters arising (cont.)

Members continued to debate issues for inclusion in their response on the Single Equality Bill. It was agreed that a draft response would be prepared for consideration at next week's meeting.

3.50pm. Mr Byrne left the meeting.

Action: Clerk

Members considered a draft submission to the Committee for Social Development's Inquiry and suggested areas to be amended.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed a response to the document "Promoting Social Inclusion: Consultation on Future Priorities," to be issued to the Committee of the Centre.

Action: Clerk

6. Correspondence

4.25pm. The meeting continued in closed session.

Members considered the Chairman's draft response to a letter expressing concern on the mechanisms for appeal within the further education sector. The Clerk was directed to amend the response as discussed and request information from the Department on the organisational structures for accountability within the further education sector.

Action: Clerk

4.40pm. The meeting returned to open session.

7. Any Other Business

The Chairman informed members that he would be meeting the Principal of Stranmillis College on Friday 29 June 2001.

Members agreed the study tour to Denmark to be rescheduled for 25-28 September 2001. It was noted that the Danish Minister was unlikely to be available.

Members noted that the Final Stage of the Department for Employment and Learning Bill would take place on Wednesday 4 July 2001.

8. Date and Time of Next Meeting

On Thursday 5 July 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4.40pm.

Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairman, Committee for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment 5 July 2001

21 June 2001 / Menu