COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: 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
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
In Attendance: Ms Marie Austin (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Neil Currie (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies: Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA (Chairperson)
The meeting opened at 11.00am in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
11.01am. The meeting moved into public session.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2007
Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.
11.04am. Mr Burns joined the meeting.
11.05am. Mr Maginness joined the meeting.
3. Chairperson’s business
The Deputy Chairperson informed Members that the Chairperson had been invited to speak at a meeting of the Housing Forum on 19 September 2007.
Agreed – The Committee was content for the Chairperson to attend the meeting and speak as Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.
11.06am. Mr Cobain joined the meeting.
4. Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland 2005/06 Report
The Committee considered the Households Below Average Income, Northern Ireland 2005/06 Report.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Department should be asked to provide the Committee with an analysis of how this report compares with the previous three reports. On receipt of the analysis paper from the Department, consideration will be given to inviting the Department, Save the Children, Help the Aged and other key stakeholders to brief the Committee.
11.08am. Mr Maginness left the meeting.
5. Social Security Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07
The Committee considered the Social Security Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07.
Agreed – It was agreed to write to the Minister for Social Development to ask for her comments in relation to the findings in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. With regard to the estimated levels of fraud and error in benefit expenditure, the Minister should be asked to provide a breakdown of the expenditure in order to show the figures for fraud and separate figures for error.
6. Briefing on the DSD Business Plan 2006/07 – End of Year Position Report
The following officials from the Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 11.10am:
Alan Shannon – Permanent Secretary
Bryan Davis – Chief Executive, Social Security Agency
Mary Quinn – Chief Executive, Child Support Agency
Mr Shannon gave the Committee an overview of the Department’s performance for 2006/07. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Shannon agreed to provide Mrs McGill with details of the Neighbourhood Renewal budget for this year, including a breakdown for different areas.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12.02pm.
7. Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy
The Committee considered the Department’s response in relation to its request for information on the extent to which other government departments had taken Neighbourhood Renewal into account in 2008-2011 budgets.
Agreed – In relation to the information provided by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, it was agreed to ask the Department for Social Development to obtain a breakdown of the distribution of the £164 million for deprivation related need.
Agreed – It was agreed to write to each of the 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships to ascertain their experience in working with the Department for Social Development on the implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, and to highlight any issues of concern.
8. Proposed Statutory Rule
The Committee considered the following proposed Statutory Rule:
The Domestic Energy Efficiency Grant (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007.
Agreed – The Committee was content with the Department’s proposal to make the Statutory Rule.
9. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which are subject to negative resolution and have been laid in the Assembly:
SR 2007/330 – The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007
No. 330 The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.
SR 2007/332 – The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 3)
Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 332 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment No. 3) Regulations (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.
SR 2007/337 – The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Prescribed Occupations) Order (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
“That the Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 337 The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Prescribed Occupations) Order (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
SR 2007/338 – The Occupational Pension Schemes (Winding Up, Winding Up Notices and Reports, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
“That the Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 338 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Winding Up, Winding Up Notices and Reports, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
SR 2007/341 – The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
“That thee Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 341 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
The Committee noted the following Commencement Order which came into operation on 24 August 2007:
SR 2007/362 (C. 24) The Social Security (1989 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order (NI) 2007
10. Correspondence
i The Committee noted the Minister’s letter outlining how the Health and Social Care Bill is to be taken forward.
ii The Committee considered a letter from the Northern Ireland Local Government
Association and SoLACE requesting to brief the Committee on the Review of
Public Administration (RPA) and the views of the local government sector about
the role councils can play in developing a better future.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should write back to say that the Committee
will take into account their request to brief the Committee when considering RPA
matters.
iii The Committee considered the Minister’s response to its request for details of the Semple Implementation Group’s membership, remit and forward work programme.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should arrange for departmental officials to attend the Committee meeting on 20 September 2007, to brief Members on the work of the Semple Implementation Group. The Department should be asked to provide details of the Advisory Panel of Independent Experts prior to briefing the Committee.
Agreed – As the Committee for Regional Development had written asking for clarification on the timescale for Government’s response to the Semple Report, of which the review of Planning Policy Statement 12 will form a part, it was agreed to forward the Minister’s letter to the Committee for Regional Development.
iv The Committee considered a letter from William Hay, in his capacity as an MLA for Foyle constituency, in relation to constituents’ concerns about the lengthy waiting time for consideration of preliminary grant applications.
Agreed – It was agreed to write to the Housing Executive about this matter, requesting information on average waiting times for all Housing Executive grants in each area within Northern Ireland.
v The Committee considered the Department’s response in relation to the letter from
CSM Estate Agents who had expressed concern about the consultation process and
some of the provisions of the Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006. The Committee
noted that there had been adequate consultation on the matter, and that the Department intended to meet with stakeholders in connection with the Private
Tenancies Order later this year. This will be an opportunity for concerns to be
raised about the effectiveness of the legislation and consideration will be given to
any amendments that may be required.
Agreed – It was agreed to respond to CSM Estate Agents along these lines.
vi The Committee noted the response from the Housing Executive providing information on the targets for registration of Houses of Multiple Occupancy, as requested by the Committee when officials from the Housing Executive attended the meeting on 28 June 2007.
vii The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in relation to the Minister’s request for information on the identification of suitable surplus land holdings in departments.
viii The Committee noted the letter from the Minister thanking the Committee for its support in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review bids, and expressing appreciation at the constructive and courteous manner in which the Committee had engaged with herself and her officials since devolution was restored.
ix The Committee noted the letter from the Jobs and Benefits Project seeking views on the proposed new site for the Newtownards Jobs and Benefits Office.
x The Committee considered a memo from the Clerk to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee regarding the strategy relating to poverty and social exclusion.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification on the extent to which the Assembly and Executive Review Committee would like to be kept informed of relevant inquiries the Committee for Social Development might conduct.
xi The Committee noted the information provided by the Minister in relation to the religious composition in the Department, as raised with the Minister when she attended the meeting on 24 May 2007.
xii The Committee noted the Minister’s response in relation to sick absence at Grade 7 and Deputy Principal level in the Social Security Agency.
xiii The Committee noted the Department’s response to its request for information on the scope and cost of the Business Impact Study commissioned by the Department on the possible abolition of the liquor licensing surrender provision.
xiv The Committee considered correspondence from the Irish National Foresters Social Club and the Gallaher Bowling Club in relation to the Liquor Licensing Review.
Agreed – It was agreed that the Clerk should respond to the clubs, indicating that the Committee would be mindful of their views when considering the proposed Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill.
11. Any other business
Mr McCann raised concerns about the level of consultation and engagement with the local community in relation to development proposals. The following Belfast sites were mentioned as examples – King Street, Beechmount and Andersonstown Barracks.
Agreed – It was agreed to write to the Minister about this matter, and to seek information on the process and procedures followed by the Department when inviting development proposals and when selecting a preferred developer.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Social Development will be held on Thursday,
13 September 2007 at 11.00am in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.31pm.