COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
Present:
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Fra McCann 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 Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10:03am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson extended the Committee’s best wishes to Mr Thomas Burns whose wife has recently been taken seriously ill.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18 March 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
The Committee agreed that Agenda Item 6 (Proposed Subordinate Legislation) would be considered next.
5.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
The Committee expressed concerns in relation to the possible accrual of earnings by lenders as a consequence of excess mortgage interest payments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on the magnitude of excess mortgage interest payments in Northern Ireland and the implications for lenders in respect of additional earnings related to excess mortgage interest payments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule on a without prejudice basis and that further consideration of the Rule would be undertaken when the relevant information was provided by the Department.
Mr Alex Eastwood left the meeting at 10.12am.
6. Statutory Rules
The Committee agreed that Agenda Item 7 (Statutory Rules) would be considered next.
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules which were laid in the Business Office:
6.1 SR 2010/96: The Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/96: The Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.2 SR 2010/97: The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/97: The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.3 SR 2010/102: The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) (2010 Act) (Consequential Provisions) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory SR 2010/102: The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) (2010 Act) (Consequential Provisions) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.”
6.4 SR 2010/103: The Social Security (Equalisation of State Pension Age) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Noted: The Committee noted concerns about the adverse impact of these Regulations on women and the potential for increased risk of fuel poverty amongst women in the age range 60 to 65.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek information on the phasing-in of the increase in the age threshold for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Question put and agreed on a without prejudice basis:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/103: The Social Security (Equalisation of State Pension Age) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.5 SR 2010/106: The Occupational Pension Schemes (Fraud Compensation Payments) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/106: The Occupational Pension Schemes (Fraud Compensation Payments) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.6 SR 2010/108: The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/108: The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.7 SR 2010/109: The Social Security (Credits) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Noted: The Committee noted that the Department had yet to respond to queries relating to confidentiality issues associated with civil partnerships involving forces personnel.
Question put and agreed on a without prejudice basis:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/109: The Social Security (Credits) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.8 SR 2010/110: The Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/110: The Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.9 SR 2010/111: The Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/111: The Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule ”.
6.10 SR 2010/118: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/118: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.”
6.11 SR 2010/119: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/119: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
6.12 SR 2010/120: The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Dependency) (Permitted Earnings Limits) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 .
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010/120: The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Dependency) (Permitted Earnings Limits) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
7. Crumlin Road Gaol/Girdwood Park Masterplan EQIA- Departmental Briefing
The Committee agreed that Agenda Item 5 ( Crumlin Road Gaol / Girdwood Park EQIA) would be considered next.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.35am:
Mr Tim Losty Director, North Belfast Community Action Unit, DSD;
Mr Liam Barr Project Manager, North Belfast Community Action Unit; DSD; and
Mr David Malcolm Housing Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the Equality Impact Assessment for the Crumlin Road Gaol/Girdwood Park Masterplan. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at11.08am.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister to seek:
- clarification on the social housing planned for Girdwood Park and confirmation as to whether Northern Ireland Executive approval is required before this housing project is undertaken;
- clarification on whether decisions associated with other projects based on the site have been made without equality screening being undertaken; and
- information on the measures the Department is to take to secure employment including apprenticeships in the Crumlin Road Gaol/Girdwood Park site for people based in the surrounding area.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Chairperson of the OFMDFM Committee to suggest that further consideration of Girdwood Park be undertaken by the Social Development Committee and consideration of the Crumlin Road Gaol be undertaken by the OFMDFM Committee.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should make the necessary arrangements for a future Committee visit to the Girdwood Park juries.
8. Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework- Departmental Briefing
The following officials joined the meeting at 11.14am:
Mr Henry Johnston Director, Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework, DSD; and
Ms Alison Chambers Head of Urban Policy Review Branch, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at11.43am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a holistic and strong inter-departmental approach was required in the development of the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework.
Agreed: It was further agreed that the Clerk should obtain information on the Department’s support for the Northern Ireland Nurture Group Network.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek:
- urgent clarification on the funding for community organisations for 2010/11;
- clarification on the transfer of budgets for urban regeneration and community development to local councils;
- clarification on the transfer of responsibilities for Neighbourhood Renewal to local councils;
- feedback on Community Places’ initial findings on the development of the policy framework;
- details of the reasoning behind the cancellation of the contract for the Groundwork organisation; and
- information on how support will be provided to community organisations preparing for RPA and tendering for new contracts.
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations regarding the Shared Future ethos.
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Chartered Institute of Housing, NI regarding the publication of a report by the Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland.
9.3 The Committeenoted an invitation from the University of Ulster to a conference entitled: “ Looking to the Future - Meeting the Challenges Facing Northern Ireland Housing” which will take place on 20 April 2010 from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Helm Housing, Lisburn Road, Belfast.
10. The Village Urban Renewal Scheme – Committee Consideration of Written Briefings.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the written briefings on The Village Urban Renewal Scheme.
11. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
12. A.O.B
12.1 Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister to seek clarification on theMinister’s statement of 24 March 2010 regarding the timeline for the introduction of a mandatory landlord registration scheme.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15 April 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.49am.