COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 7 MAY 2009
ANNESLEY ROOM, SLIEVE DONARD HOTEL, NEWCASTLE
COUNTY DOWN
Present:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mr John Devlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
The Clerk informed the Chairperson and Committee that a quorum had not been reached.
The meeting began with the Committee receiving and considering evidence from witnesses.
1. Apologies
As detailed above.
2. Town Centre Regeneration – Department of the Environment (DoE) briefing on Draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5
The following officials joined the meeting at 1.09pm:
Peter Mullaney – Manager, Strategic Planning Directorate, DoE; and
Kevin Armstrong – Principal Planning Officer, DoE.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Department of the Environment’s draft Planning Policy Statement 5 (Retailing, Town Centre and Commercial Leisure Developments).
Ms Anna Lo joined the meeting at 1.23pm
The Clerk informed the Chairperson and Committee that a quorum had now been reached.
The meeting continued through the Agenda items.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 1.43pm.
3. Chairperson’s Business
None.
4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 30 April 2009 were agreed.
5. Matters arising
None.
6. Proposed Statutory Rules (SL1s)
6.1 The Domestic Energy Efficiency Grants Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Domestic Energy Efficiency Grants Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking the following:
- clarification of the role of the administering agency referred to in section 3(2) of the proposed statutory rule;
- further information on the grants available to householders under the proposed statutory rule;
- a copy of the screening exercise document; and
- clarification in respect of the status of householders currently on the waiting list for Warm Homes Scheme work.
Agreed : The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department in respect of the decision process relating to equality impact assessments for all statutory rules.
6.2 The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
It was noted that Mr Mickey Brady expressed the view that the Department should give consideration to permanently extending the period of self-certification to 14 days.
7. Correspondence
Ministerial:
7.1 The Committee considered Ministerial correspondence relating to the Social Housing Development Programme and Housing Maintenance & Refurbishment programmes.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should arrange a briefing by Departmental officials as soon as practicable.
Departmental:
7.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information on the third quarterly monitoring report on Local Housing Allowance.
Other Correspondence:
7.3 The Committee noted an email from the Consumer Council providing the Committee with a copy of their response to the Utility Regulator’s Social Action Plan.
Invitation:
7.4 The Committee considered an invitation to attend the Northern Ireland Housing Council Convention on 10 June 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should consult with the Chairperson in relation to the invitation.
Miscellaneous:
7.5 The Committee noted an email from The Equality Commission, providing a copy of its April e-newsletter.
7.6 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Environment Link providing the Committee with a copy of their booklet, “Policy Priorities for Northern Ireland’s Environment – The Way Ahead 2009.”
Tabled Correspondence:
7.7 The Committee considered tabled correspondence from the Community Development Networks Forum.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the Community Development Networks Forum to brief the Committee on options for sustaining community network services and the possible transfer (under the Review of Public Administration) of the responsibilities of the Voluntary and Community Unit.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk outlined future items of business for the Committee as set out in the forward work program.
9. Any other business
The Clerk referred Members to the Committee decision to undertake research into the reserves of Housing Associations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should provide terms of reference and an estimate of costs for the engagement of a specialist advisor to review this issue.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 11.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.02pm.