COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
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
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance: Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10:03am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2 Chairperson’s Business
2.1 The Chairperson welcomed the temporary Clerical Supervisor for the Social Development Committee, Ms Leanne Johnston.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 28 January 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans
The Chairperson advised Members that no further written information had been received from the Department in relation to the Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans.
5. February Monitoring Round / Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans – Departmental Briefing
The following officials joined the meeting at 10:05am:
Barney McGahan Deputy Secretary, RHSS Group, DSD; and
Stephen McMurray Finance Director, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the February Monitoring Round. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 10:12am.
The officials left the meeting at 10:20am.
5.1 February Monitoring Round
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting the following:
- clarification on the final amount of additional expenditure for 2009-10 for Egan contracts;
- confirmation in respect of DFP approval for the transfer of funding from the Warm Homes Scheme to NIHE Fuel Poverty Schemes;
- an update on the progress of the Social Housing Development Programme;
- a breakdown of the Social Housing Development Programme unit costs and procurement benefits;
- further information on acquisition and sales under the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED) scheme; and
- information on procurement delays for Areas at Risk programmes.
5.2 Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personal indicating the DSD Committee’s: disappointment in respect of the limited information received from the Department and concerns about the apparent methodology underpinning the planned cuts.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would participate in the Take Note Debate on the Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans scheduled for 9 February 2010.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 10:28am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information on how the Department is to ensure that the proposed changes to the medical statement do not disadvantage employees.
7. Local Housing Allowance/Housing Benefit Reform – Briefing by Housing Rights Service
The following representatives joined the meeting at 10:31am:
Nicola McCrudden Policy and Communications Manager, Housing Rights Service;
Fiona Douglas Policy Officer, Housing Rights Service; and
Linda Watson Development Worker, Housing Rights Service.
The representatives provided a briefing on the implementation of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and the proposed reforms to Housing Benefit. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 10:45am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing
The representatives left the meeting 10:54am.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification in respect of the process for calculating the (LHA) Shared Room Rate.
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to a rent increase for NIHE tenants in 2010/11.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request more information on the proposed rent convergence exercise.
8.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to a Developer Contributions Scheme and mixed tenure housing developments by Housing Associations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting that the Committee be kept updated on progress in the development of a Developer Contributions Scheme and legislative or regulatory changes which will allow Housing Associations to cross-subsidise social house building.
8.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department regarding DSD’s Access and Mobility Study for Belfast.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting a copy of the final report when it is available in Spring 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward the correspondence to the Committee for Regional Development for information.
8.4 The Committee considered correspondence from the Social Security Agency regarding the Department’s proposals for the future delivery of medical support services.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on the timeline for the outsourcing of medical support services.
8.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the introduction of a boiler scrappage scheme in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department asking that the Committee be kept updated on the outcome of the Department’s investigations into the feasibility of a boiler scrappage scheme in Northern Ireland.
8.6 The Committee considered correspondence from the Housing Rights Service in relation to its Research Paper entitled: “Analysis of the Court Representation Service for Mortgage Possession Proceedings in Northern Ireland”.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Housing Rights Service inviting them to brief the Committee on the key findings from the Research Paper and the Preventing Possession Initiative.
8.7 The Committee considered correspondence from Strand Road Traders Association in relation to the Public Realm Scheme in Derry City, County Londonderry.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting that the Committee be copied into the Minister’s response to the Strand Road Traders Association.
8.8 The Committee noted correspondence from Bryson Charitable Group in relation to the Warm Homes Scheme.
8.9 The Committee considered an invitation for the Chairperson to address the launch of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Vital Links Project in the Long Gallery on Monday 22 March 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should address this event, diary permitting.
8.10 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department to the Environment Committee in relation to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Environment Committee indicating that Members have no additional comments to make in respect of the Wildlife and Environment Bill.
9. Advice Centre Strategy Consultation – Departmental Briefing
The following officials joined the meeting at 11:00am:
Janine Fullerton Head of Community Support Team, Voluntary and Community Unit, DSD; and
Martin Drumm Voluntary and Community Unit, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the Area Advice Centre Strategy consultation. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mrs Mary Bradley declared an interest at 11:22am as a Member of the Resource Centre Derry.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11:23am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee seeking their views on the Area Advice Centre Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department setting out the Committee’s views in respect of the consultation. It was agreed that the response should: highlight the Committee’s concerns in relation to the need for adequate resources for advice centres; suggest that provision is required for improved rural outreach services; enquire as to the timeline for the development of specialist advice hubs and as to whether an EQIA is to be undertaken for the pilot phase of the strategy.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that in order to facilitate an appropriate and productive level of scrutiny and discussion, the number of oral briefings at future Committee meetings would usually be limited to 2.
11. Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland – Committee Response
The Committee considered its response to the Housing Commission’s Key Issues Paper on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting at 12:05pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should draft the Committee response for consideration at the meeting of 11 February 2010.
12. Any Other Business
12.1 Housing Research
Agreed: The Committee agreed terms of reference and anticipated costs for research to be undertaken in relation to Housing Association reserves.
12.2 Funding for Community Development Support Projects
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister to request an urgent review of funding for community development projects and particularly the expeditious implementation of new contracts for community development workers in Kilcooley, Bloomfield and Milltown, Derriaghy.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 February 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:16pm.