COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig 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)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Research and Library Services) (Item 6)
Apologies:
Mr Mickey Brady
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10:34am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson passed on the Committee’s thanks to the outgoing Clerical Supervisor, Mrs Sheila Mawhinney.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 8 October 2009 were agreed.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 10:37am.
4. Matters arising
4.1 DWP Pensions Reform Consultations
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on two ongoing Department for Work and Pensions’ consultations relating to the reform of occupational pensions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek a written departmental briefing on the consultations.
4.2 Housing (Amendment) Bill
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note a copy of the Equality Commission’s report entitled: Outlining Minimum Standards for Traveller Accommodation.
5. Housing (Amendment) Bill – Departmental Briefing
The following officials from the Department joined the meeting at 10:40am:
Michael Sands Deputy Director of Housing, DSD;
Stephen Martin Housing Bill Team, DSD; and
Stephen Baird Housing Bill Team, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing in response to the Committee’s queries on the Housing (Amendment) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting at 11:15am.
Mr Alex Easton left the meeting at 11:24am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11:53am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Delegated Powers Memorandum referring to the Housing (Amendment) Bill to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for consideration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should undertake research on the current and possible post-RPA role of Councils in relation to homelessness issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister seeking clarification on the Minister’s plans to enhance the democratic accountability of the Housing Executive through increased elected representation or the inclusion of a tenancy advocate on the Housing Executive Board.
6. Social Housing Procurement – Assembly Research and Library Services Briefing
Ms Eleanor Murphy from Assembly Research and Library Services briefed the Committee on Procurement Partnerships and Social Housing.
The Chairperson thanked Ms Murphy for her briefing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek more information from Assembly Research and Library Services in relation to the rationalisation of housing associations in Great Britain.
7. Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which were laid in the Business Office:
7.1 SR 2009/327: The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit Work-focused Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/327: The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit Work-focused Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting further information on the training provided to relevant staff to enable them to deal with claimants suffering from mental disabilities including autism.
7.2 SR 2009/338: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/338: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
- SR 2009/341: The Social Security (Steps to Work) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Mr Thomas Burns left the meeting at 12:15pm
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/341: The Social Security (Steps to Work) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.4 SR 2009/342: The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Mr Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 12:18pm.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/342: The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting clarification on the scope for changing the criteria for cold weather payments and to seek further information on the range of measures provided by the Department to tackle fuel poverty including the Warm Homes Scheme etc..
8. Correspondence
Departmental and Related Correspondence:
8.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the Action Plan: Our Children Our Young People.
8.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to Shared Future projects.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request further information on the Shared Neighbourhood Programme.
8.3 The Committee noted Departmental correspondence in relation to the Programme for Government End of Year Report.
8.4 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in respect of the Programme for Government End of Year Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting an update on the funding of Egan contractors as set out in the June Monitoring Round.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would raise the Committee’s concerns in relation to Departmental performance during the anticipated Take Note debate on the Programme for Government End of Year Report.
8.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to statistics on properties that have been modified for disabled access within Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Housing Executive to request an update on the development of an accessible housing register.
Other Correspondence:
8.6 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Office for the First Minister and deputy First Minister relating to the Draft Executive Action Plan 2009/10.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to await the response from the Department on this matter before responding to the OFMDFM Committee.
8.7 The Committee considered correspondence from the Northern Ireland Amusement Caterers’ Trade Association (NIACTA) concerning the review of Gambling Legislation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the issues raised when it receives a Departmental briefing on the Gambling Review in December 2009.
8.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
8.9 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel relating to a report by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA) providing analysis of sickness absence statistics for non-industrial staff in NI Departments during the year 2008/09.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to revisit the findings relating to DSD when it considers the Department’s revised Corporate Plan in 2010.
8.10 The Committee noted correspondence from National Energy Action NI in relation to fuel poverty.
Invitations:
8.11 The Committee noted an invitation from Advice NI and Vanguard Consulting to a seminar on challenges facing the public sector.
8.12 The Committee considered an invitation from the Federation of the Retail and Licensed Trade NI.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence and consider the issues raised as part of its consideration of the anticipated Liquor Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill.
8.13 The Committee considered an invitation from the Centre for Public Policy Seminars to attend a seminar on Social and Affordable Housing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to attend the seminar and that the Clerk should request the seminar papers.
Restricted Items:
8.14 Letter dated 13 October 2009. The Committee considered a letter in relation to an alleged fraud associated with a DSD-funded programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request an update in relation to the alleged fraud.
8.15 Letter dated 7 October 2009. The Committee considered a letter relating to an alleged benefit fraud.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for consideration by its Corporate Investigation Unit.
9. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 10:30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:40pm.