COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mr Fra McCann MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11.05am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
Miss McIlveen and Mrs Bradley joined the meeting at 11:09am
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on a series of informal meetings held with representatives of the Department for Social Development during the summer recess. The Chairperson informed the Committee that a further informal meeting with the Chief Executive of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division is planned for 16 September 2009.
Members were also advised of an informal meeting with the Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland which a number of Committee Members, including the Chairperson, attended on 29 July 2009.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 2 July 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Members Interests
Members noted the Declaration of Interests for Mrs Mary Bradley and Mr Simon Hamilton.
4.2 Programme for Government End of Year Delivery Report
The Clerk briefed the Committee on correspondence received from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the Programme for Government (PfG) End of Year Delivery Report.
Agreed: It was agreed that prior to determining the Committee’s response, the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification in relation to a number of issues including: the Jobs and Benefits Office improvement programme; Urban Regeneration; Neighbourhood Renewal and the programmes identified by the Department as meeting PfG EQIA considerations.
4.3 Local Housing Allowance
The Clerk briefed the Committee on a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation which is currently underway in relation to Local Housing Allowance.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee would not submit a response to the DWP consultation.
4.4 Members’ Attendance at Committee Meetings
Members were asked to contact the Committee Office in order to confirm records of Committee meeting attendance for 2008-09.
5. September Monitoring Round – Departmental briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:20am:
Barney McGahan – Deputy Secretary, Resources, Housing and Social Security Group, DSD; and
Stephen McMurray – Director of Finance, Resources, Housing and Social Security Group, DSD.
The officials briefed the Committee on the September Monitoring Round. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11:52am.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister requesting a briefing on the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings scheme. The Minister is also to be requested to provide relevant legal advice and related correspondence between the Minister, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Departmental officials and Northern Ireland Executive colleagues dating from June 2009.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11:55am
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which have been laid in the Assembly:
7.1 SR 2009/261: The Social Security (Students and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/261: The Social Security (Students and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Mr Burns left the meeting at 11:58am
7.2 SR 2009/262: The Social Security (Deemed Income from Capital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/ 262: The Social Security (Deemed Income from Capital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.3 SR 2009/276: The Housing Benefit (Child Benefit Disregard and Child Care Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/276: The Housing Benefit (Child Benefit Disregard and Child Care Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.4 SR 2009/286: The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/286: The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.”
7.5 SR 2009/294: The Pensions Regulator (Delegation of Powers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/294: The Pensions Regulator (Delegation of Powers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 12:02pm.
7.6 Pensions Regulator: Draft Code of Practice No.7 Trustee Knowledge and Understanding.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should forward the Code of Practice to the Departments of Enterprise Trade and Investment and Employment and Learning and seek details of measures that are underway to ensure compliance with the Code.
Agreed: It was also agreed that the Clerk should contact the Pensions Regulator and the Pensions Advisory Service to seek information on the implementation of the Code and to inform the Committee’s anticipated review of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill later in the autumn.
8. Private Rented Sector Consultation
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 12:04pm:
Brian Doherty – Deputy Director of Housing Policy and Delivery, Housing Division, DSD; and Angela Clarke – Housing Markets and Supply, Housing Division, DSD.
The officials briefed the Committee on the summary of responses received to a consultation on proposals for the reform of the Private Rented Sector. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12:20pm.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk would submit a response to the Department reflecting the Committee’s views on the consultation.
9. Correspondence
Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 12:34pm
Ministerial (and related) Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted the Ministerial response to the Committee’s letter of 17 June 2009 requesting clarification on DSD’s policies and funding arrangements for sustaining Community Network Support Services.
9.2 The Committee noted the Department’s response to a Committee letter of 9 July 2009 for additional information on funding for advice related services and the voluntary and community sector.
9.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister on the outcome of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Social Security Agency’s Strategic Business Review (SBR).
9.4 The Committee considered a letter from Banbridge District Council concerning the SBR.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek an update on the revised SBR and seek clarification with respect to Social Security offices in the Banbridge District Council area.
9.5 The Committee noted the Minister’s response to the OFMDFM Committee letter on child tax credits and childcare provision in Northern Ireland.
9.6 The Committee noted the Minister’s response to Cllr Roger Burton regarding the availability of NIHE grants.
9.7 The Committee considered the Minister’s letter in which she agreed to brief the Committee on the Supporting People programme.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should make arrangements for a Ministerial briefing on the Supporting People programme.
Departmental:
9.8 The Committee noted the Department’s response to a concern raised by a Member of the Committee relating to the entitlement to Income Support for a lone parent who has a foster child of age 14.
9.9 The Committee noted a letter from the Department enclosing a copy of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council’s Position Paper on Pleural Plaques.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 12:38pm
9.10 The Committee considered the Department’s response to a Committee letter of 9 July 2009 in relation to the Social Housing Development Programme.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee would defer a response on the proposed changes to the Strategic Guidelines pending further consideration.
9.11 The Committee considered the Department’s response to a Committee letter of 9 July 2009 which included a copy of the Department’s return to the Performance Efficiency and Delivery Unit.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting additional information on Performance Indicators 4, 5 and 6 which relate to Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans.
9.12 The Committee noted a copy of the Department’s second Supplement to the Corporate Plan 2008-2011.
Other Correspondence:
9.13 The Committee noted correspondence from the Chartered Institute of Housing congratulating the Chairperson on his appointment and referring to the Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland.
9.14 The Committee noted correspondence from Phoenix Energy Holdings welcoming the Chairperson’s appointment
9.15 The Committee note tabled correspondence from Phoenix Energy Holdings informing the Committee of planned reductions in its tariffs (effective from 1st October 2009).
9.16 The Committee considered correspondence from Mr Sean Bruen regarding the Co-Ownership Scheme.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should forward this correspondence to the Department for response and request further clarification on the administration and funding of the Co-Ownership Scheme.
9.17 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development regarding the Shared Surfaces Scheme.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should forward this correspondence to the Department for clarification on DSD’s involvement with the Shared Spaces Research Project.
9.18 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the OFMDFM Progress Report on Implementing the Gender Equality Strategy.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee would not comment on the report.
Agreed: It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting a briefing on benefit uptake.
9.19 The Committee noted correspondence from Advice NI regarding a DSD consultation on the Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up Series Northern Ireland.
9.20 The Committee considered correspondence from Mr Paul Moules seeking assistance in sourcing statistics on disabled adaptations.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should forward this correspondence to the Department for a response.
9.21 The Committee noted correspondence from Help the Aged NI regarding a research report on the methodology to measure poverty in Northern Ireland.
9.22 The Committee noted correspondence from Exorna Limited in relation to the Egan contracts.
9.23 The Committee noted correspondence from Mascott in relation to the Egan contracts.
9.24 The Committee noted correspondence from the Secretariat of the NI Housing Council.
9.25 The Committee considered correspondence from the Volunteer Development Agency to the Chairperson requesting a meeting to discuss the Volunteering Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to meet with the Volunteer Development Agency as their diaries permit.
9.26 The Committee considered correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in relation to a report on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee will revisit this matter when the consultation on the Bill of Rights begins.
9.27 The Committee considered correspondence from the Housing Rights Service regarding its Prevention Possession Initiative (PPI).
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should forward this correspondence to the Public Accounts Committee.
Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 12:46pm
Invitations:
9.28 The Committee noted an invitation to attend the launch of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission publication “No Home from Home”. This was attended by the Chairperson on the 1 September 2009.
9.29 The Committee considered an invitation to the Chairperson from the Frank Buttle Trust to attend a lecture and reception on Monday 12 October 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to attend as their diaries permit.
9.30 The Committee noted an invitation from CIH to attend their conference “Planning Reform: What Impact for Homes and Communities?” on 24 September 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed it was content for Ms Anna Lo to attend the conference on behalf of the Committee.
9.31 The Committee noted an invitation from Capita to attend a conference on Third Sector Commissioning on 7 December 2009.
9.32 The Committee noted an invitation to the Chairperson to attend a reception hosted by the Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Northern Ireland on 4 September 2009.
9.33 The Committee considered an invitation from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the Chairperson to attend the Rural Community Conference on Friday 13 November 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to attend as their diaries permit.
Miscellaneous:
9.34 The Committee noted a number of items of miscellaneous correspondence.
10. Housing (Amendment) Bill
The Clerk briefed the Committee on an Assembly Research and Library Services’ paper and stakeholder submissions received in connection with the Committee Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 12:53pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek an extension of the Committee Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill until 1 December 2009.
11. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
12. Any other business
12.1 Informal Reception
The Clerk advised Members that the Long Gallery had been booked for an informal reception for Committee stakeholders on 5 November 2009.
12.2 Meeting Start Time
Agreed: The Committee agreed to change the start time of future meetings to 10:30am.
12.3 Michelle McIlveen
On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson formally thanked Miss Michelle McIlveen for her service to the Social Development Committee and congratulated her on her new role as Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Development Committee.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2009 at 10:30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 13:05pm.