COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 23 APRIL 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Craig 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 8)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
The meeting began in public session at 11.05am.
1. Apologies
As detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson offered congratulations on behalf of the Committee, to Assistant Clerk, Clairita Frazer on the birth of her daughter.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 2 April 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Budget 2009-10 – Letter to Minister
The Clerk briefed the Committee on a letter to the Minister on issues concerning the Social Housing Development Programme.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk would provide an update on outstanding Departmental responses to Committee queries.
4.2 Public bodies in Northern Ireland – follow-up research request
The Committee noted an Assembly Research & Library Services briefing note on the number of public bodies in Northern Ireland.
4.3 Proposed itinerary for Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships visit to Scotland
The Committee noted the itinerary for the proposed Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships visit to Scotland.
Agreed: It was agreed that Committee Members would contact the Committee office to confirm their participation in the visit.
4.4 Committee meeting at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
The Committee considered the draft Public Notice for the Committee meeting at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, on 7 May 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Public Notice to be issued.
5. Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration – Northern Ireland Local Government Association briefing
The following representatives of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association joined the meeting at 11.11am:
Karen Smyth – Head of Policy, NILGA and John McGrillen – NILGA.
The representatives briefed the Committee as part of the inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration.
A Member declared the following interests:
Miss Michelle McIlveen – Elected member of Ards Borough Council and member of NILGA.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 11.45am.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.2 The Committee noted proposed Westminster subordinate legislation in relation to changes to the Pedlars Act 1871.
7. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule relating to pension matters which has been laid in the Assembly:
7.1 2009/149 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009, which is subject to confirmatory resolution.
A Member declared the following interests:
Mr Jonathan Craig - membership of an employee pension scheme
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/149 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that the rule is confirmed by the Assembly.”
7.2 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence clarifying the Statutory Rule 2009/135 The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
8. Private Rented Sector Strategy – Presentation by Assembly Research
Eleanor Murphy from Assembly Research and Library Services made a presentation to the Committee on the Private Rented Sector.
The Chairperson thanked the representative from Assembly Research and Library Services for their briefing.
9. Correspondence
Ministerial:
9.1 The Committee considered Ministerial correspondence enclosing the Executive paper relating to Sir Roy McNulty’s report on the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department, seeking an update on the revised regeneration plan which is to be produced in the autumn.
9.2 The Committee considered Ministerial correspondence providing an update on the early payment of Household Fuel Payments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking for the previously requested additional information.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister highlighting its disappointment in respect of the absence of co-ordination between the Social Security Agency and the Post Office in dispensing Household Fuel Payments.
9.3 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister enclosing an excerpt from the Risk Register for the Social Housing Development Programme.
9.4 The Committee considered Ministerial correspondence relating to the draft Belfast Strategic Regeneration Framework documents.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the Framework documents as part of a Departmental briefing to be scheduled before the summer recess.
9.5 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister on the Warm Homes Scheme and Budget briefing.
9.6 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister in respect of the registration and regulation of credit unions in Northern Ireland.
9.7 The Committee noted Ministerial correspondence on Departmental projects identified in the Barroso Taskforce Report.
Departmental Correspondence:
9.8 The Committee considered Departmental correspondence providing an update on RPA implementation milestones.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that an RPA briefing should be arranged prior to the Summer Recess.
9.9 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence on the Amendment to the Home Scales Scheme.
9.10 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department on the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write the Minister recommending a review of the Common Housing Selection Scheme, so as to allow Housing Associations to buy occupied adapted homes of householders in mortgage difficulties.
9.11 The Committee considered Departmental correspondence on the Warm Homes Scheme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister recommending that Social Enterprises are guaranteed sub-contract work under the Warm Homes Scheme.
Other Correspondence:
9.12 The Committee considered a Hansard transcript from the Committee for Finance and Personnel relating to its review of Varney II and Strategic Economic Issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information from the Department on: its apparent involvement in a pathfinder project relating to the reduction of Incapacity Benefit claimants and of a land transfer involving the Department of Education and the Department for Social Development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking an update on proposed changes to the role of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive which would allow it to access debt finance to support the provision of new social homes.
9.13 The Committee noted an email and reports from the Construction Employers Federation.
9.14 The Committee considered correspondence from the British Medical Association (NI) in relation to obesity issues.
Agreed: It was agreed to write to the British Medical Association (NI) indicating that the Committee has not given consideration to policies relating to obesity issues.
9.15 The Committee noted correspondence from Disability Action on the progress of the Committee’s Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration.
9.16 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) on the Strategic Business Review of the Social Security Agency.
9.17 The Committee considered a memo from the Environment Committee regarding a briefing on the use of technology to reduce organisational carbon footprints.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the memo to the Department for comment.
9.18 The Committee considered correspondence from the Chairperson of the Audit Committee concerning Departmental preparation for the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department, seeking an update on its preparation for the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Miscellaneous:
9.19 The Committee noted an e-mail from the Sustainable Development Commission providing a copy if its e-bulletin.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to move into closed session for the next items of business.
The meeting moved into closed session at 12.13pm
10. Housing (Amendment) Bill
10.1 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence relating to the Housing (Amendment) Bill .
10.2 Housing (Amendment) Bill – briefing by Housing Rights Service and Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations
Session One:
The following representatives of the Housing Rights Service joined the meeting at 12.26pm:
Janet Hunter – Director, Housing Rights Service; and Nicola McCrudden – Policy & Communications Manager, Housing Rights Service
The representatives briefed the Committee on the draft Housing (Amendment) Bill.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 12.40pm
Session Two:
The following representatives of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations joined the meeting at 12.43pm:
Chris Williamson – Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations; and Frank Dunne – Chairman, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations
The representatives briefed the Committee on the draft Housing (Amendment) Bill.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.
The representative left the meeting at 1.14pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department, seeking clarification in respect of the use of local contractors by Housing Associations for design and build contracts.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research on the issue of reserves held by Housing Associations.
11. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk outlined future items of business for the Committee as set out in the forward work programme.
12. Any other business
The Clerk informed the Committee that a Private Members’ motion relating to the Employment and Support Allowance has been scheduled for 5 May 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed, as the particular issues identified in the motion may not have been extensively discussed in Committee, that further consideration was required as to whether the Chairperson could comment usefully on the motion.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 30 April 2009 at 11am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.17pm.