COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Fra McCann 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 Thomas Burns MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10.30 am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on a number of informal meetings that he is to undertake over the coming weeks with: the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, the Co-ownership Housing Association, the Volunteer Development Agency and the Central Policy and Co-ordination Unit of DSD.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 24 September 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Review of Public Administration
The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the Review of Public Administration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would give further consideration to its scrutiny of the Reform of Public Administration following a briefing by the Department on the Urban Regeneration (and Housing) Bill and Community Planning proposals.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Chairperson would liaise with the Chairperson of the Environment Committee to ensure that all relevant aspects of RPA are subject to appropriate scrutiny by either committee.
4.2 Housing (Amendment) Bill submission
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Department in relation to the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 10:39.
5. Housing (Amendment) Bill – Evidence Session from the Chartered Institute of Housing (Northern Ireland)
The following representative from the Chartered Institute of Housing (Northern Ireland) joined the meeting at 10:39am:
Grainia Long Director, Chartered Institute of Housing NI.
The representative gave oral evidence on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representative for the oral evidence.
The representative left the meeting at 11:02am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further information on the issues raised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (NI).
6. Statutory Rule
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule which has been laid in the Assembly:
6.1 SR 2009/325: The Landlord and Tenant Registered Rents (Increase) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Members noted that the Statutory Rule reflected the Committee’s view that rent increases should apply only to registered tenancies for which a certificate of fitness has been issued.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/325: The Landlord and Tenant Registered Rents (Increase) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7. Housing (Amendment) Bill- Evidence from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA).
The following representatives from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations joined the meeting at 11:05am:
Ray Cashell Chairman, NIFHA;
Chris Williamson Chief Executive, NIFHA; and
Arthur Canning NIFHA Council Member.
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 11:38am.
Mr Alex Easton left the meeting at 11:38am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further information on the issues raised by NIFHA.
8. Correspondence
Departmental Correspondence:
8.1 Letter dated 22 September 2009. The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee in relation to the Belfast City Centre Westside Regeneration Masterplan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department and seek clarification on the timeframe and financing for the implementation of the proposed Masterplan.
8.2 Letter dated 22 September 2009. The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the consultation on the reform of the Private Rented Sector.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department and seek clarification on the timeframe for the introduction of the legislation related to the consultation.
Other Correspondence:
8.3 Letter dated 23 September 2009. The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety requesting that the Committee forward a letter to Minister Ritchie on proposed Autism legislation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to Minister Ritchie.
8.4Letter dated 23 September 2009. The Committee considered correspondence from the Participation and the Practice of Rights Project providing of their concerns relating to the EQIA on the Social Housing Development Programme Strategic Guidelines.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the correspondence to the Department for its consideration.
8.5Letter dated 23 September 2009. The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister relating to the Priorities for European Engagement 2008/2009 End of Year Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting further information on the JESSICA Initiative and Leipzig Charter.
Invitations:
8.6 Invitation received 22 September 2009. The Committee considered an invitation from NIFHA to attend its annual conference held in Brighton on 5 and 6 November 2009.
Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting at 11:48am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that owing to previous commitments Members would not attend the conference and that the Clerk should write to NIFHA to advise them accordingly and request a copy of the conference papers.
8.7 Invitation received 28 September 2009. The Committee considered an invitation from the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland to attend the opening of its new headquarters on Tuesday 13 October 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson would attend on behalf of the Committee if their diaries permitted.
Miscellaneous Correspondence:
8.8 The Committee noted correspondence from Capita Conferences relating to a seminar entitled “Understanding the European Union”.
8.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Chartered Institute of Housing relating to its Housing Awards and Presidential Dinner to be held in February 2010.
8.10 The Committee noted a copy of the Equality Commission’s September newsletter.
9. Housing (Amendment) Bill – Evidence Session from Supporting Communities Northern Ireland.
The following representatives joined the meeting at 11:50am:
Murray Watt Liaison Officer, Supporting Communities; and
Colm McDaid Area Manager, Supporting Communities NI.
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 12:07pm
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 12:08pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek information on the issues raised by Supporting Communities Northern Ireland.
10. 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.
11. Housing (Amendment) Bill – Evidence Session from the Northern Ireland Housing Council.
The following representatives joined the meeting at 12:10pm:
Gerry Gallagher Chairman, Northern Ireland Housing Council;
Jim Brown Vice-Chairman, Northern Ireland Housing Council; and
Eamonn O’Neill Member of the Northern Ireland Housing Council.
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12:21pm.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek information on the issues raised by the Northern Ireland Housing Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:33pm.
The meeting resumed in private session at 12:44pm.
12. Town Centre Regeneration Inquiry
The Committee considered the draft report of the Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration paragraph by paragraph.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the main body of the report as follows:
Executive Summary, read and agreed
Summary of Recommendations, read and agreed
Introduction, read and agreed
Policy Background, read and agreed
Review of Evidence, read and agreed
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer formal adoption of the report until legal advice had been obtained by the Clerk.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should report back to the Committee on options for launching the report.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 8 October 2009 at 10:30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:53pm.