COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mr John Devlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assembly Research & Library Services) (Item 5)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11.04am, under the Chairmanship of Mr David Hilditch MLA
1. Apologies
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr David Simpson joined the meeting at 11.06am
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 26 February 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
3.1 The Committee considered correspondence from DCI Energy and Homewrap Limited on issues concerning the administration of the Warm Homes Scheme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking an update on the rollout of the revised Warm Homes Scheme and the impact on households already on the waiting list for energy efficiency improvement work.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that its letter to the Minister should also be forwarded to the Public Accounts Committee to inform its continuing review of the Warm Homes Scheme.
3.2 The clerk updated Members on the payment of staff at the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division and the companies involved in providing HRConnect services.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Committee’s correspondence to the Minister for Social Development, on issues relating to HRConnect, to the Finance and Personnel Committee.
3.3 The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Motion – Saving Gateway Accounts Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it believed that the timely implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment into credit unions, would largely allay its concerns in relation to this Bill.
3.4 The Committee considered invitations to the Tackling Alcohol-Related Anti-Social Behaviour Conference and the (Housing) Conference of the Isles.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Tackling Alcohol-Related Anti-Social Behaviours Conference was of considerable interest to the Committee and that a representative from each party would probably attend.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that each party would contact the Clerk and advise on its representative.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the (Housing) Conference of the Isles was of considerable interest to the Committee and that, if possible, the entire Committee should attend.
Agreed: As the conference coincides with a Committee meeting, the Clerk to determine if a Committee meeting could be held in the same venue during the (Housing) Conference of the Isles.
3.5 The Committee considered an invitation to the Northern Ireland Housing Conference 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed to contact the Committee office if they wish to attend the Conference.
Mr David Simpson assumed Chairmanship of the Committee at 11.19am
4.Housing Benefit (Local Housing Allowance): 5 bedroom homes – Briefing by the Law Centre (NI) and the Housing Rights Service.
The following representatives from Law Centre (NI) and the Housing Rights Service joined the meeting at 11.20am:
Elizabeth Griffiths – Policy Unit, Law Centre (NI); and
Nicola McCrudden – Policy & Communications Manager, Housing Rights Service.
The representatives briefed the Committee on the proposed amendments to the Housing Benefit regulations which will cap Local Housing Allowance for 5 bedroom homes.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for attending.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking an update on the possible extension of the regulations to Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Department seeking a copy of the Departmental response to the Department of Work and Pensions consultation.
The representatives left the meeting at 11.27pm
Thomas Burns left the meeting 11.32am
5. Neighbourhood Renewal Research Paper on fact-finding visit – Presentation by Assembly Research.
Assembly Research and Library Services made a presentation to the Committee on flagship Neighbourhood Renewal schemes in Great Britain, which the Committee may wish to visit.
Mr Jonathan Craig joined the meeting 11.49am
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should organise a fact-finding visit to the Neighbourhood Renewal schemes identified in Glasgow and possibly Edinburgh.
6. Shared Equity Scheme and Mortgage Rescue Scheme – Departmental Briefing.
6.1 Shared Equity Scheme
The following officials from the Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 11.51am:
Brian Doherty – Deputy Director, Housing Division, Department for Social Development; and
Stephen Johnston – Housing Division, Department for Social Development.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Amendment to the House Sales Scheme to include equity sharing.
Mr Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 12.03pm
The Chairperson thanked the officials.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking for clarification on the average house prices and rent figures quoted by the Department.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking clarification on the proposal that Housing Associations continue to meet maintenance costs where they are the majority equity owner and explanation of the Housing Executive’s apparent failure to adopt a similar practice.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to recommend that in order to make the equity sharing scheme more affordable that the discount cap should be raised.
6.2 Mortgage Rescue Scheme
The following officials from the Department for Social Development briefed the Committee on the Mortgage Rescue Scheme at 12.26pm:
Brian Doherty – Deputy Director, Housing Division, Department for Social Development; and
Stephen Johnston – Housing Division, Department for Social Development.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 12.27pm
The officials briefed the Committee on the proposed Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for attending.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking clarification on representations that the Minister may have made to the Financial Services Authority on the regulation of unscrupulous buy-to-let companies.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department for clarification of issues relating to the Common Housing Selection Scheme.
The officials left the meeting at 12.46pm
7. Fuel Payments Scheme: Statutory Rule – Departmental Briefing.
The following officials from the Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 12.47pm:
Oliver McHugh – Department for Social Development;
Eilish O’Neill – Department for Social Development; and
Brian Doherty – Department for Social Development
The officials briefed the Committee on the Statutory Rule 2009/70: The Household Fuel Payment Scheme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Mr Alban Maginness left the meeting at 12.49pm
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12.50pm
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing
The Committee for Social Development considered Statutory Rule 2009/70: The Household Fuel Payment Scheme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report had no objection to the Rule.
The officials left the meeting at 12.57pm
8. Proposed Statutory Rules (SL1s)
8.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee indicated it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Transitional Payments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8.3 The Committee considered the Mortgage Interest Scheme – Transaction Charge. This is a proposed amendment to the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule as amended.
8.4 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-Out) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8.5 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Pensions (2008 No.2 Act) (Abolition of Safeguarded Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8.6 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8.7 The Committee noted the proposed Westminster Statutory Instrument: the Financial Assistance Scheme and Incapacity Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009.
9. Correspondence
Ministerial:
9.1 The Committee noted the Minister’s response to issues raised by the Committee relating to the Administration of Disability Living Allowance.
Ms Lo left the meeting at 1.08pm
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister attaching Sir Roy McNulty’s report relating to the ILEX Urban Regeneration Company.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister asking to be kept advised of the progress of the proposed Executive paper.
9.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister responding to questions on targets, budgets and expenditure in relation to Social Housing and other Housing Executive Programmes.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to obtain all of the information requested in the original correspondence.
Departmental:
9.4 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence relating to the potential for clawback of European grants in relation to projects for which the Department has responsibility.
Other:
9.5 The Committee noted a memo from the committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister enclosing an Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Report detailing Public Authorities who failed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Order 2006.
9.6 The Committee considered an e-mail and briefing paper from NIFHA outlining their concerns regarding the budget for the development of Supported Housing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add a briefing from NIFHA, on the budget for the development of Supported Housing, to its Forward Work Program.
Miscellaneous:
9.7 The Committee noted correspondence from the Community Relations Council requesting that the Committee complete a questionnaire relating to their e-bulletin.
9.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Police Service of Northern Ireland concerning arrangements relating to the Committee’s visit to the Holywood Road, Social Security Agency Benefit Office on the 19 February 2009.
9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from Cliftonvile Community Regeneration Forum enclosing their Community Action Newsletter.
9.10 The Committee noted a holding letter from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister relating to Committee correspondence on the Sustainable Development Strategy.
9.11 The Committee noted a holding letter from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister relating to Committee correspondence on the impact of fuel poverty on children.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk outlined future items of business for the Committee as set out in the forward work programme.
11. Any other business
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín thanked Committee staff for their work on the Report on the Consultation on the Implementation of the Neighborhood Renewal Strategy.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 March 2009 at 11am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.15pm.