COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
Present: Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong 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)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assembly Research and Library Services) (Item 8)
Apologies:
The meeting began in public session at 10:03am.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10 December 2009 were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised the Committee of a meeting between the Chairpersons and the Deputy Chairpersons of the Social Development and Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committees and the Utility Regulator scheduled for Monday 11 January 2010 at Parliament Buildings.
4 Matters Arising
4.1 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) White Paper on Achieving Full Employment
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the DWP White Paper on Achieving Full Employment.
4.2 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Consultation on Housing Benefit Reform
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider its response to this consultation after briefings have been received from the Housing Rights Service and the Department on Local Housing Allowance in February 2010.
5. “Crunch Times at the Frontline” – Advice Northern Ireland Briefing.
The following representatives from Advice NI joined the meeting at 10:08am:
Bob Stronge Chief Executive, Advice NI; and
Kevin Higgins Policy Manager, Advice NI.
The representatives provided a briefing on the challenges facing the advice sector as a consequence of the credit crunch. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek: briefing papers prepared by Advice NI on Welfare Reform and an update on pilot projects relating to enhanced benefit delivery systems.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking an update on the status of the consultative and operational fora involving the advice sector and the Social Security Agency.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 10:46am.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:47am:
Seamus Cassidy Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD;
Sam Dempster Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD; and
Margaret Sisk Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the proposed subordinate legislation to be considered by the Committee. This was followed by a question and answer session.
6.1 The Committee considered the proposal for an Order in Council: The National Insurance Contribution Credits (Transfer of Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content to note the proposal for an Order in Council: The National Insurance Contribution Credits (Transfer of Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009.
6.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department relating to the Minister’s decision to withdraw proposals for a Statutory Rule which would increase stakes and prizes for certain gaming machines.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request an update on the Minister’s meeting with the PSNI regarding enforcement of existing gambling legislation.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 10:53am.
7 Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which were laid in the Business Office:
7.1 SR 2009/408: The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/408: The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.2 SR 2009/409: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/409: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.3 SR 2009/418: The Income Support (Prescribed Categories of Person) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/418: The Income Support (Prescribed Categories of Person) 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 to seek clarification on the medical evidence required to support claims for Income Support and Employment Support Allowance.
7.4 SR 2009/422: The Child Support (Management of Payments and Arrears) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/422: The Child Support (Management of Payments and Arrears) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.5 SR 2009/426: The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2009/426: The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7.6 SR 2009392: The Social Fund (Applications and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee noted the Department’s letter of 21 December 2009 providing a commitment to monitor the impact of the revised Social Fund regulations and to update the Committee in due course.
8. Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland – Briefing by the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA).
The following representatives joined the meeting at 11:01am:
Chris Williamson Chief Executive, NIFHA;
Clare McClarty NIFHA Council; and
Peter Howard NIFHA Council.
The officials provided a briefing on NIFHA’s response to the recent consultation on the Commission’s Key Issues Paper on the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 11:50am
The representatives left the meeting at 12:06am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting further information on the introduction of Developers’ Contributions and legislative obstacles to the development of mixed tenure housing developments by Housing Associations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research on issues identified in the Commission’s paper including Choice-Based Letting and Real Estate Investment Trusts etc.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should produce a paper setting out possible options for a future Committee inquiry into Housing.
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the funding of local community support development programmes.
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Women’s Centre Childcare funding.
9.3 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the proposed second Housing Bill.
9.4 The Committee noted a letter from the Minister in relation to the Regeneration Plan Mark II for Derry/Londonderry.
9.5 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding questions raised by the Participation and Practice of Rights Project in relation to investment in social housing.
9.6 The Committee noted a letter from the Participation and Practice of Rights Project in relation to the draft EQIA on the Social Housing Development Programme Strategic Guidelines.
9.7 The Committee noted correspondence from the Child Maintenance Enforcement Division in relation to Committee queries.
9.8 The Committee considered correspondence from the Social Security Agency regarding a draft EQIA consultation on the closure of Cookstown Medical Examination Centre.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on its overall out-sourcing and rationalisation strategy for Medical Examination Services and the Department’s plans to increase the level of Medical Examination domiciliary visits so as to accommodate people in rural areas.
Mr Jonathan Craig left the meeting at 12:16pm
9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department concerning the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings scheme.
9.10 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the planned review of the Social Fund.
9.11 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the recommendations from the Fuel Poverty Taskforce and the measures taken to address fuel poverty among seriously ill cancer patients.
Mr Jonathan Craig rejoined the meeting at 12:18pm
9.12 The Committee noted a letter from the Department in relation to the European Regeneration Areas Network.
9.13 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department regarding the provision of service to disabled people.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Committee for Regional Development who initiated the inquiry.
9.14 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding a future briefing by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on the Housing Commission’s Key Issues Paper on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland.
9.15 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding departmental support for repair and improvement in the private housing sector.
9.16 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department relating to the UK’s Department of Health’s Green Paper entitled: Shaping the Future of Care Together.
9.17 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding the UK’s Department of Health’s Green Paper: Shaping the Future of Care Together.
9.18 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Royal Exchange Project.
9.19 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department concerning progress on the implementation of the Review of Public Administration milestones.
9.20 The Committee noted correspondence from the British Holiday and Homes Park Association in Northern Ireland relating to the draft Caravans Bill.
9.21 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment relating to the draft Caravan’s Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should arrange a meeting between the Committee Chairpersons following the introduction of the Bill.
9.22 The Committee noted correspondence from Triangle Housing Association relating to the Supporting People Programme.
9.23 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development relating to accessible transport in Northern Ireland.
9.24 The Committee considered correspondence from Disability Action concerning DSD’s Access and Mobility Study for Belfast City Centre.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request an update on the Access and Mobility Study for Belfast City Centre.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the Access and Mobility Study to the Regional Development Committee to inform their inquiry on Accessible Transport.
9.25 The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Council for the Homeless on the Private Rented Sector.
9.26 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development regarding the impact of the equalisation of state pension age on free travel for the over 60s.
9.27 The Committee considered correspondence from the Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing Association Limited.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek a briefing from Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing Association Limited.
9.28 The Committee noted an invitation from CO3 to attend its Leadership Voyage Conference to be held at the City Hotel, Derry/Londonderry on 4 and 5 February 2010.
9.29 The Committee considered an invitation from BMF Business Services inviting the Chairperson to address the 3rd Annual Northern Ireland Housing Conference on 25 March 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson to address this conference, diaries permitting.
9.30 The Committee considered an invitation from the Law Centre (NI) to attend a seminar entitled Immigration and Devolution: Lessons from Scotland on 19 January 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would contact the Committee Office if they wish to attend the seminar.
9.31 The Committee was content to note various items of miscellaneous correspondence.
The Chairperson, Mr Simon Hamilton, left the meeting at 12:26pm.
The Deputy Chairperson, Mr David Hilditch, assumed the Chair at 12:26pm.
10. A Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland – Assembly Research and Library Services Briefing.
Ms Eleanor Murphy from Assembly Research and Library Services briefed the Committee on key issues pertaining to the Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked Ms Murphy for her briefing.
11. Social Fund Annual Report & Annual Report of the Social Fund Commissioner 2008/09
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the key issues contained in the 2008/09 Social Fund Annual Report and the Annual Report of the Social Fund Commissioner.
12. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to give further consideration to a visit to a social housing project in Dungannon on 11 March 2010.
13. A.O.B.
13.1 Welcome Centre
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Welcome Centre should be invited to brief the Committee on their work in tackling homelessness issues.
13.2 Boiler Scrappage Scheme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request more information about the potential effectiveness, cost and timeline for introducing a boiler scrappage scheme in Northern Ireland.
13.3 Committee Congratulations
The Deputy Chairperson extended the Committee’s best wishes to Ms Anna Lo on her recent engagement.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14 January 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:44pm.