COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting began in public session at 10.03am.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín joined the meeting at 10:04am
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 November 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Housing Association Rationalisation and Restructuring in England
Agreed: The Committee noted a research paper from Assembly Research and Library Services on Housing Association Rationalisation and Restructuring in England.
3.2 Committee visit to Homelessness Project in the North West
Agreed: The Committee agreed a press release relating to the Committee meeting and visit to homelessness projects in Derry/Londonderry on 10 December 2009.
3.3 NIHE Private Sector Grants
Agreed: The Committee noted information provided by Contractors Insurance Guarantee Services Ltd which included figures for grant application withdrawals by NIHE grant office.
4. Support for Repair and Improvement in the Private Sector – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10.07am:
Brian Doherty Deputy Director Housing, Housing Division, DSD; and
Angela Clarke Housing Markets and Supply, Housing Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on support for repair and improvement in the private sector. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 10:36am.
The officials left the meeting at 10:42am.
Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting at 10:42am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on how the authority, responsibility and budgets for the regeneration of unfit private sector domestic properties is to be divided between councils and central government.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should undertake research on the impact of similar proposals in the other jurisdictions.
5. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
5.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
5.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Pensions (2008 Act) (Supplementary Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
5.3 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (State Pension and National Insurance Credits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it required a Departmental briefing on the implications of the new provisions contained within the proposed regulations before reaching a decision.
6 Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which were laid in the Business Office:
6.1 SR 2009/382: The Housing Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/ 382: The Housing Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.2 SR 2009/392: The Social Fund (Applications and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/392: The Social Fund (Applications and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Noted: Members expressed disappointment that the motivation for the regulation appeared to be the discouragement of applications to the Social Fund rather than the stated objective of reducing the potential for fraud and targeting those in genuine need.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request an update on the impact of the regulation and effectiveness of the money management advice provided to applicants.
7. December Monitoring Round – Departmental briefing
The following officials from the Department joined the meeting at 10:59am:
Barney McGahan Deputy Secretary, Resources, Housing and Social Security Group, DSD; and
Stephen Murray Financial Management, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the December Monitoring Round. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on the following:
- confirmation in writing of the removal of ring-fencing from the Strategic Guidelines of the Social Housing Development Programme;
- the unit housing costs associated with the Social Housing Development Programme;
- the areas to be affected by the reallocation of funds from the Jobs and Benefits Office programme; and
- the impact of the Equal Pay settlement on Departmental efficiency targets.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking an update on the outcome of the December Monitoring Round and the details of the Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans in January.
The officials left the meeting at 11:39am.
Mr Alex Easton left the meeting at 11:39am
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee considered a letter from the Department seeking views on a Green Paper entitled: Shaping the Future of Care Together.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should produce a draft response for the Committee’s consideration at the next meeting.
8.2 The Committee considered a letter from the Department relating to its engagement in European issues.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request more information on the work of the European Areas Regeneration Network in Belfast.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a copy of the Department’s letter should be forwarded to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
8.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development in relation to the training of staff in the public and private sector to enable the provision of satisfactory service to disabled people.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the correspondence should be forwarded to the Department for a response.
8.4 The Committee noted correspondence from Omagh Volunteer Centre to the Chairperson of the Integrated Infrastructure Working Group in relation to the volunteer centre merger process.
8.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the Voluntary and Community Unit (DSD) in relation to a review of the service provided by the Law Centre (NI).
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should respond on behalf of the Committee indicating satisfaction with the policy context and information provided by the Law Centre during the Committee’s consideration of Welfare Reform and Local Housing Allowance.
8.6 The Committee noted miscellaneous items of correspondence from Building Construction Design and the Chartered Institute of Housing.
9. Benefit Uptake Programme - Departmental Briefing
The following officials from the Social Security Agency (SSA) joined the meeting at 11:43am:
Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting at 11:44am
Dr Colin Sullivan, Director of Operations, Social Security Agency;
John Nevin, Assistant Director for Benefits Assurance, Social Security Agency; and
Emma-Jane Donnan, Head of Benefit Entitlement Unit, Social Security Agency.
The officials provided a briefing on the SSA’s Benefit Uptake Programme. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Jonathan Craig left the meeting at 11:50am
The officials left the meeting at 12:07pm
The meeting was temporarily adjourned at 12:07pm
Mrs Mary Bradley, Mr Fra McCann and Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 12:07pm
The meeting resumed at 12:11pm
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
Mr Fra McCann rejoined the meeting at 12:12pm
11. Welfare Reform Bill Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation - Departmental briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 12:12pm.
Anne McCleary Director, Social Security Policy and Legislation, DSD;
Margaret Sisk Social Policy and Legislation Division, DSD; and
Colm McLaughlin Social Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the consultation on the Welfare Reform Bill EQIA. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12:20pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should submit a response on behalf of the Committee to the consultation expressing the Committee’s views on the Welfare Reform Bill EQIA.
The officials left the meeting at 12:35pm
12. A.O.B.
12.1 The Chairperson reminded Members that the Accelerated Passage motion and the 2 nd Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill are scheduled for the plenary session on Tuesday 8 December 2009.
12.2 The Chairperson also advised Members that the 2nd Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill will also be taken on Tuesday 8 December. The Chairperson is to comment on the provision pertaining to the abolition of game and game dealer licenses.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10 December 2009 at 11.00am in the Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:38pm.