COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2010
BANK HOUSE HOTEL, DUNGANNON
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann 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:
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11:02am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
3. Visit to Supported Housing
Noted: The Committee noted the itinerary for the visit to supporting housing operated by Dungannon and District Housing Association.
4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 March 2010 were agreed.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Committee Visit
Noted : The Committee noted information relating to Dungannon and District Housing Association.
6. Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:04am:
Mr Will Haire Permanent Secretary, DSD; and
Mr Barney McGahan Deputy Secretary, Resources, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the Department’s revised expenditure plans. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at 11:47am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek: further information on the review of funding for community development programmes; an update on planned reductions to NIHE capital works expenditure and clarification on the impact of budget reductions to frontline services and jobs within the Social Security Agency.
7. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
7.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Lone Parents) (Availability for Work) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Noted: Members noted concerns about the lack of childcare provision and a childcare strategy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek an update on the impact of the Rule prior to it being confirmed in the Assembly.
7.3 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.4 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Equalisation of State Pension Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Mr Fra McCann left the meeting at 11:57am.
Mr Alex Easton left the meeting at 11:59am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
8. Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule which was laid in the Business Office:
8.1 SR 2010/58: The Social Security (Persons Serving a Sentence of Imprisonment Detained in Hospital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: 2010 No. 58: The Social Security (Persons Serving a Sentence of Imprisonment Detained in Hospital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
Mr Fra McCann rejoined the meeting at 12:02pm.
9. Shared Future Housing – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 12:02pm:
Ms Heather Cousins Director of Housing, DSD;
Mr David Malcolm Housing Division, DSD; and
Ms Jennifer Hawthorne Community Cohesion Unit, NIHE.
The officials provided a briefing on Shared Future Housing in Northern Ireland. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch declared an interest as an advisor to the Windmill/Minorca Community Group at 12:33pm.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 12:41pm.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at 12:47pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should arrange a Committee visit to the Causeway Meadows Shared Future scheme in Lisburn.
10. Correspondence
10.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the Department’s support for community transport provision.
10.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department regarding block leasing, partner landlord schemes and private rented sector leases in Scotland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek an update on the Housing Executive’s pilot landlord scheme in the Newry District.
10.3 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Vote on Account.
10.4 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the public consultation on the draft Regeneration and Housing Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would contact the Chairperson of the Environment Committee in respect of that Committee’s planned treatment of Neighbourhood Renewal and Community Planning proposals within the DoE Local Government (Re-organisation) Bill.
10.5 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the interim evaluation of the mortgage debt advice service.
10.6 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the funding of the NI Nuture Group Network.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Education Committee.
10.7 The Committee noted correspondence from H&A Mechanical Services in relation to the Warm Homes Scheme.
10.8 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning in relation to a planned Inquiry into young people aged 16 to 24 Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs).
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Minister.
10.9 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment concerning the 10-day prompt payment of invoices target.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to obtain information about the Department’s performance against the 10-day prompt payment of invoices target.
10.10 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in respect of the ‘Review of the Support Provision for Carers’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Minister.
10.11 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) regarding the “Impact and Reaction of the Voluntary and Community Sector to the Recession in Northern Ireland”.
10.12 The Committee noted a letter from Action for Children Northern Ireland in relation to the review of departmental spending plans for 2010/11.
10.13 The Committee noted various items of miscellaneous correspondence
11. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
12. A.O.B
12.1 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Processing Centre Visit
Noted : The Committee noted the travel arrangements for the planned Committee visit to the ESA Processing Centre at James House, Belfast on Thursday 18 March 2010.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 18 March 2010 at 12.00 noon in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:56pm.