COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10.42 am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There were no items of Chairperson’s business.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 17 September 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Housing (Amendment) Bill submission
The Committee noted correspondence from the Landlords Association of Northern Ireland in relation to the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
4.2 Committee Stakeholder Event
The Committee considered a list of invitees to a Committee stakeholder event on 5 November 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the list of invitees.
5.Housing (Amendment) Bill – Evidence Session from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
The following representatives from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission joined the meeting at 10:45am:
Peter O’Neill – Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission;
Sorcha McKenna - Investigations Worker, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and
Roisin Devlin – Investigations Worker, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 11:10am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further information on the issues raised by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) 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 to obtain clarification on the geographical distribution of the most recent Cold Weather payments.
6.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Housing Benefit (Executive Determinations) (Amendment) 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 clarification on the conditions and procedures for the adjustment of Broad Rental Market Area boundaries.
Mr Thomas Burns left the meeting at 11: 17am.
7. Housing (Amendment) Bill- Evidence from the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO).
The following representatives from the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) joined the meeting at 11:17am:
Pat Conway – Director of Services, NIACRO;
Síle McLean – Services Manager, Assisting People and Communities Programme, NIACRO; and
Barry McMullen - Senior Practitioner, NIACRO.
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 11:46am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further information on the issues raised by NIACRO.
8.1 Correspondence
Ministerial Correspondence:
8.1 The Committee considered a letter from the Minister providing the Department’s response to the Committee’s report on the Consultation on the Implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and to revisit the issues raised when the Department briefs the Committee on its response to the report on 5 November 2009.
Departmental Correspondence:
8.2 The Committee considered a letter from the Department relating to proposals to restore parity with Great Britain in respect of stakes and prizes for certain gaming machines and a wider review of gambling policy and practice.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek a Departmental briefing on the proposals for gambling stakes and prizes and the review of gambling policy and practice.
Other Correspondence:
8.3 The Committee considered correspondence from Mr Danny Kennedy, Chairperson of the Committee of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Committee and to the Minister for Social Development, providing information from the Citizens Advice Bureau relating to Child Benefit issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and forward it to the Minister for consideration.
8.4 The Committee considered correspondence from Banbridge District Council in relation to the proposed movement of staff from Banbridge Jobs and Benefits Office to other offices within the Social Security Agency network.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and to respond to Banbridge District Council on this matter.
8.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning in relation to the consultation on the reform of the Medical Statement.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and to forward relevant information on the reform of the Medical Statement to the Committee for Employment and Learning.
8.6 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing the Department of Finance and Personnel’s paper relating to the monitoring of Efficiency Delivery Plans.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and to revisit the efficiency issues raised when the Department makes its next bi-annual return.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further clarification on the Department’s success in achieving efficiencies for 2008-9.
9. Housing (Amendment) Bill – Evidence Session from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
The following representatives joined the meeting at 11:55am:
Evelyn Collins – Chief Executive, Equality Commission; and
Patrice Hardy - Director of Policy, Equality Commission.
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 12:18pm
Mr Alex Easton left the meeting at 12:18pm
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 12:20pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek information on the issues raised by the Equality Commission.
10. Town Centre Regeneration Inquiry
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on additional written evidence relating to the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting at 12:27pm
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12:30pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Clerk to amend the Town Centre Regeneration Inquiry Report in keeping with the views expressed by Committee Members.
11. Report on Committee Visit to Glasgow/Edinburgh
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Report on the Committee’s visit to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
12. 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.
13. Any other business
13.1 Change of Room
Agreed: The Committee agreed that owing to the poor acoustics in Room 135, the Clerk should investigate the possibility of moving meetings to an alternate room.
13.2 Committee Meeting Refreshments
The Committee agreed to reduce its requirements in respect of refreshments provided at meetings.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1 October 2009 at 10:30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:37pm.