COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY 13 MAY 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady 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 Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting began in private session at 9.37am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Caravans Bill
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the suggested timeline for the Committee Stage of the Caravans Bill.
3.2 Revised Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content to note a letter from the Minister concerning the introduction of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.
3.3 Assembly Research and Library Services Paper
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note an Assembly Research and Library Services Paper on ‘Homes and Communities Agency: Private Rented Sector Initiative’
3.4 Press Release on Committee meeting of 27 May 2010
Agreed: The Committee approved the press release for the Committee meeting scheduled for 27 May 2010 in the Slieve Donard, Newcastle, County Down.
4. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session - briefing by Citizens Advice Bureau
The following representatives from Citizens Advice Bureau joined the meeting at 9.44am:
Mr Paul Herink Director of Information Services, Citizens Advice Bureau; and
Ms Lauren Kerr Information and Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Bureau.
The representatives provided oral evidence on the Welfare Reform Bill focusing in particular on the abolition of Income Support and the extension of work-related activity conditionality. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 10.12am.
5. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session – briefing by the Law Centre NI.
The following representatives from the Law Centre NI joined the meeting at 10.13am:
Mr Les Allamby Director, Law Centre NI; and
Ms Laura Niwa Policy Officer, Law Centre NI
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Welfare Reform Bill concentrating in particular on the issue of parity, the Equality Impact Assessment for the Welfare Reform Bill and the proposals relating to the introduction of sanctions. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 11:10am.
6. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session – briefing by Gingerbread NI
The following representative from Gingerbread NI joined the meeting at 11.11am:
Ms Marie Cavanagh Director, Gingerbread NI.
The representative gave oral evidence on the Welfare Reform Bill concentrating in particular on the impact of the Bill on lone parents and child poverty in Northern Ireland. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representative for the oral evidence.
The representative left the meeting at 11:42am.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 11.43am.
The meeting was temporarily adjourned at 11.43am.
The meeting resumed at 11.54am.
7. Subordinate Legislation
7.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Temporary Increase) 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 Registered Rents (Increase) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
7.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department advising the Committee of an amendment to the proposed statutory rule: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland).
Ms Mary Bradley left the meeting at 11.58am.
Ms Mary Bradley rejoined the meeting at 12.00pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the revised Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department in respect of its policy regarding work-focused health-related assessments by telephone.
7. 4 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to Statutory Rule 2010 No. 144: The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Lone Parents) (Availability for Work) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should again seek clarification from the Department on the flexibilities and safeguards afforded to lone parents in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance during the school holidays.
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister to the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding the anticipated public consultation on the Fuel Poverty Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department asking to be kept informed on the timeline and next steps in respect of the Fuel Poverty Strategy.
8.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister concerning the renewal initiatives for the Upper Long Streets and Parkside areas in North Belfast.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek a written update on these renewal initiatives.
8.3 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister in respect of the planned introduction of the mandatory private landlord registration scheme.
8.4 The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister regarding the next stages in the development of the Crumlin Road Gaol/Girdwood Park site and details of the capital, operational costs and income associated with the sites.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to note this correspondence pending a Committee visit and meeting with the Girdwood Park Jury in the next Assembly session.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to forward this correspondence to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for information.
8.5 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister to Strabane District Council in relation to fuel poverty.
8.6 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to queries arising from the Ilex briefing on 18 March 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence pending a joint Committee meeting with the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in the next Assembly session.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should again write to the Department to seek further clarification on Ilex’s capacity to access debt finance.
8.7 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to a recent meeting with the NI Environment Link.
8.8 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to homelessness issues following a recent briefing from the Welcome Organisation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Welcome Organisation to seek further information on the number and circumstances of mental health patients who are inappropriately discharged and subsequently become homeless.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek an update on the Supporting People Programme.
8.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Environment in relation to the measures the Department is taking to limit the disruption caused by utility companies when undertaking planned maintenance and construction work, pedestrianisation projects, car parking capacity and related charges in town centres.
8.10 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development concerning measures the Department is taking to limit the disruption caused by utility companies when undertaking planned maintenance and construction work, pedestrianisation projects, car parking capacity and related charges in town centres.
8.11 The Committee considered a submission from the Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) Project outlining potential ways forward for the Social Housing Development Programme Strategic Guidelines.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the anticipated Departmental response in respect of housing need and social housing allocation by Section 75 group to the PPR Project.
8.12 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the provision of additional support for carers.
8.13 The Committee considered correspondence from the Utility Regulator in respect of a consultation paper on the draft Framework for the NI Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP).
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content not to make a response to this consultation.
8.14 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety requesting that a letter from its Chairperson on the provision of financial advice to cancer sufferers be forwarded to the Minister.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Minister for Social Development.
8.15 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety requesting that a letter from its Chairperson on issues highlighted by the Committee Representing Independent Supporting People Service Providers (CRISPP) be forwarded to the Minister.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Minister for Social Development.
8.16 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to outstanding Post Project Evaluations.
8.17 The Committee noted correspondence from the Co-Ownership Housing Association in relation to the number of properties purchased through the Co-Ownership Scheme by district council area.
8.18 The Committee considered an invitation from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to the launch of the Housing Executive’s Report: ‘ Northern Ireland Housing Market: Review and Perspectives 2010-2013’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that as this event falls on a sitting day, the Clerk should write to the Housing Executive declining the invitation and requesting a copy of the Report.
8.19 The Committee noted various items of miscellaneous correspondence from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, Building Construction Design and the Participation Network.
9. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
10. Any Other Business
None.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting is to be held on Tuesday 18 May 2010 at 2pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.13pm.