COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2010
ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
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 Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Fra McCann MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10.02am.
1. Committee Visit to the Macmillan Cancer Support Information Centre
Noted: The Committee noted the itinerary and the press release for the visit to the Macmillan Cancer Support Information Centre.
2. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee noted that the Chairperson had an informal meeting with the Minister for Social Development on Tuesday 8 June 2010.
4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10 June 2010 were agreed.
5. Matters Arising
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Delegated Powers Memorandum of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for his consideration.
6. Caravans Bill - Department for Social Development Briefing
T he following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10.05am:
Michael Sands Deputy Director, Housing Division, DSD; and
Stephen Martin Housing Division, DSD.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.08am.
Mr Hilditch joined the meeting at 10.13am.
The officials provided a briefing on the clauses of Caravans Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.29am.
The Chairperson thanked officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at11.01am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward copies of submissions received to-date to the sponsor of the Caravans Bill; Departmental officials and relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed that the Delegated Powers Memorandum of the Caravans Bills be forwarded to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for his consideration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting further information in relation to: the repeal of other related legislation; the provision by the Department of guidance and agreement proformas for caravan site owners; the status of Traveller (transit, halting and service) sites; the provisions of the Bill relating to the removal of caravans from protected or seasonal sites and clarification on the implications of the Bill in respect of caravan owner-occupiers staying on a protected site for limited periods greater than 28 days.
7. Caravans Bill – Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Briefing.
The following representatives of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission joined the meeting at 11.02am:
Peter O’Neill Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and
Daniel Holder Policy Officer, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.10am.
The representatives provided a briefing on the key points of their submission on the Caravans Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing .
The representatives left the meeting at 11.16am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek additional information from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the process by which district councils approve caravan site licenses.
8. Subordinate Legislation
8.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Exemption from Claiming Retirement Pension) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Rule to be made.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should seek further information from the Department in respect of the continuity of benefit payments for claimants reaching retirement age.
8.2 SR 2010 No.200: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Noted: The Committee noted Members’ concerns in respect of the usefulness of work-focused health-related telephone assessments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek additional information from the Department in relation to the provision of translation facilities for telephone assessments for claimants whose first language is not English.
Question put and agreed on a without prejudice basis:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010 No. 200 : The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
8.3 SR 2010 No.212: The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority Winding Up (Consequential Provisions) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2010 No. 212 : The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority Winding Up (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister advising of his intention to introduce the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill to the Assembly on 22 June 2010.
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing an update on the outcome of the February Monitoring Round.
9.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to Minister Attwood’s discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the response should be forwarded to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
9.4 The Committee noted a copy of NIACRO’s response to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation on Social Fund Reform: Debt, Credit and Low-Income Households.
9.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the Welcome Organisation in respect of the Department for Social Development’s role in the discharge of homeless people with mental illness.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would consider this correspondence when the Supporting People evaluation report is available.
9.6 The Committee noted the Utility Regulator’s report entitled: Social Action Plan: Research on Helping Customers to Avoid/Manage Debt.
9.7 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the timing of the September Monitoring Round and Budget 2010 process.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking an update on its progress in preparing its Budget Return.
9.8 The Committee noted an invitation to a seminar on Children’s Budgeting on Thursday 24 June 2010.
9.9 The Committee noted an invitation to the launch of a report entitled: “Budgeting for Social Housing in Northern Ireland: A Human Rights Analysis.” on Monday 28 June 2010.
9.10 The Committee noted various items of miscellaneous correspondence from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and Fold Housing Association.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that whilst it would not undertake a formal inquiry into Housing it would give consideration to producing reports on housing issues in early 2011.
11. Any Other Business
Noted: The Committee noted a summary paper on the Semple Report prepared by Assembly Research and Library Services.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the PwC report on Housing Association reserves could be published by Assembly Research and Library Services.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting is to be held on Thursday 24 June 2010 at 10:00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.37am.
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development
Thursday 24 June 2010