COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 28 JUNE 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance: Ms Marie Austin (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Neil Currie (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Fra McCann MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
The meeting opened at 11.01am in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
11.04am. The meeting moved into public session.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2007
Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.
3. Matters arising
The Committee noted a letter from the Committee Clerk to the Department for Social Development seeking clarification on a number of issues regarding targets for the Social Housing New Build Programme.
4. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed Members that he and the Deputy Chairperson had met informally with representatives from CO3 - Chief Officers Third Sector. The discussions with the representatives focused mainly on the impending Charities Bill.
11.06am. Mr Maginness joined the meeting.
5. Gambling Act 2005: Provisions extending to Northern Ireland
The Committee noted the commencement of the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 which extend to Northern Ireland. With regard to the provision relating to the advertising of gambling by foreign gambling operators, the Committee welcomed the Minister’s intention to ask Minister Richard Caborn to ensure that successful White List applicants would be made aware of the Northern Ireland gambling law.
6. Proposed Statutory Rule
The Committee considered the following proposed Statutory Rule:
The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (NI) 2007.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the views of the Human Rights Commission should be ascertained before taking a decision on the proposed Statutory Rule. The Clerk was asked to contact the Department in relation to this matter.
7. Statutory Rule 2007/306 – The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule which is subject to negative resolution and had been laid in the Assembly:
The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007
No. 306 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.
8. Briefing on social housing issues – Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations
The following representatives from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) joined the meeting at 11.15am:
Chris Williamson – Chief Executive, NIFHA
Ray Cashell – Vice Chairperson, NIFHA
John McClean – Chief Executive, Fold Housing Association
The representatives briefed the Committee on issues relating to social housing and the challenges facing Housing Associations. This was followed by a question and answer session.
11.44am. Mr Hilditch left the meeting.
The representatives informed the Committee that the Department had not yet responded to the Federation’s request for an extension to the deadline for the return of comments on the Proposals for a Procurement Strategy for the Social Housing Development Programme.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should ask the Department to respond to NIFHA in writing as a matter of urgency.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12.02pm.
9. Briefing on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Corporate and Business Plan
The following officials from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive joined the meeting at 12.02pm:
Paddy McIntyre – Chief Executive
Stewart Cuddy – Deputy Chief Executive
Colm McCaughley – Director of Housing and Regeneration
Mr McIntyre briefed the Committee on the NIHE Corporate and Business Plan 2007/08 to 2009/10. This was followed by a question and answer session.
12.05am. Mr Hilditch rejoined the meeting.
12.20pm. Mr Brady left the meeting.
Mr McIntyre agreed to provide the Committee with information on the targets for the registration of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) properties, and progress made in achieving the targets within the five declared areas. Mr McIntyre also agreed to write to Mrs McGill in response to her concerns raised about bureaucracy that would prevent the speedy resolution of housing issues in Springhill, Strabane.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12.40pm.
10. Correspondence
The Committee considered a letter from the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade, expressing concern that the Department for Social Development had commissioned a Business Impact Study on the abolition of surrender.
Agreed – The Committee agreed to write to the Department to obtain information on the scope and cost of the Business Impact Study, and to ascertain if consideration had been given to undertaking a Sociological Impact Study. It was also agreed to ask the Department to brief the Committee on the results of the Business Impact Study and the proposed legislation in the autumn.
The Committee considered correspondence from the Bangor Ex-Services Club and the Royal British Legion Club, both supporting the Liquor Licensing Review and wishing to see relevant legislation proceed without delay.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should respond to both clubs, indicating that the Committee would be mindful of their views when considering the proposed Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill.
The Committee considered a letter from the Clerk to the Committee for Regional Development in relation to Planning Policy Statement 12, and asking for clarification on the timescale for the Government response to the Semple Report.
Agreed – The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking information in relation to the request by the Committee for Regional Development. It was also agreed to request details of the Semple Steering Group’s membership, remit, and forward work programme including timeframes/targets.
The Committee noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, advising of the emerging priorities for the Executive’s Programme for Government for 2008-2011, as outlined by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The Committee considered a letter from the Mayor of Derry City Council expressing concern about the uncertainty of funding beyond 30 June 2007 for the Neighbourhood Renewal schemes in the City Council area. Since writing to the Committee, the Minister had given a public commitment to extend existing contracts for funding up to 31 March 2008, for all those community groups in the City Council area that were providing services that linked to the new Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans.
Agreed – It was agreed to write to the Mayor to update him on the current position and to advise that the Committee would be formally reviewing progress on the implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy at the end of 2007.
The Committee considered a letter from Northern Ireland Alternatives regarding funding of the organisation.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should seek further information on the matter and place the item on the agenda for consideration at next week’s meeting.
11. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
The Chairperson informed Members that their views on which topics should be considered for the Committee’s first inquiry, should be sent to the Clerk by Friday
29 June 2007.
12. Any other business
None.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Social Development will be held on Thursday, 5 July 2007 at 11.00am in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.45pm.