COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY 24 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 David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Research Officer)
Apologies: Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting began in public session at 10.02am.
Mrs Bradley joined the meeting at 10.03am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson indicated that the Deputy Chairperson may speak on behalf of the Committee at the plenary on Wednesday 30 June 2010 at the Final Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill and at the Second Stage of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 17 June 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Programme for Government – Delivery Reports
Agreed: It was agreed that the Chairperson would speak on behalf of the Committee at the Take Note debate on the Programme for Government Delivery Reports scheduled for Monday 28 June 2010.
5. Caravans Bill - Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Department for Social Development Briefing
T he following officials joined the meeting at 10.05am:
David Livingstone Chief Inspector, Trading Standards, DETI;
John Hinds Head of Consumer Affairs Branch, DETI; and
Stephen Martin Housing Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the provisions of the Caravans Bill relating to seasonal sites. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.22am.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 10.53am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at10.54am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on the responsibility for the enforcement of habitation fitness standards for caravans in seasonal and protected sites.
6. Caravans Bill – Northern Ireland Local Government Association Briefing.
The following representatives of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association joined the meeting at 10.55am:
Cllr Joan Baird Banbridge District Council, Vice Chair of the NILGA Health and Environment Working Group;
Kieran Doherty Coleraine Borough Council, Director of Environmental Health; and
John Walsh Belfast City Council, Principal Solicitor.
The representatives provided a briefing on issues affecting local government in the Caravans Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Easton joined the meeting at 11.02am.
Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 11.09am.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing .
The representatives left the meeting at 11.16am.
7. Subordinate Legislation
7.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Rule to be made.
8. Correspondence
8.1The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the announcement of renewal initiatives in North Belfast.
8.2The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the proposed stock transfer for NIHE homes in the Rinmore/Creggan Estate to the North and West Housing Association.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a briefing from the Department after the Summer Recess.
8.3The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to external advisors and their remuneration details.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the response should be forwarded to the Committee for Finance and Personnel for information.
8.4The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in relation to the Committee Stage of the Energy Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would make a nil return to the Committee Stage of this Bill.
8.5 The Committee considered an invitation to the Annual General Meeting of Clanmil Housing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would attend this event, diary permitting.
9. Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill
T he following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11.20am:
Michael Sands Deputy Director, Housing Division, DSD;
Stephen Baird Housing Division, DSD; and
Alastair Campbell Housing Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the provisions of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked officials for the briefing .
The officials left the meeting at 12.04pm.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
11. Report of the Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland – Clerk’s Briefing.
The Committee considered a summary of the recommendations of the Report of the Committee for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should arrange a briefing on the Report from the Chartered Institute of Housing following the Summer Recess.
12. Any Other Business
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a briefing from the Department on the recent announcements relating to changes in state pension age and Disability Living Allowance.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed to request a briefing from Advice NI on the likely impact of changes in state pension age and Disability Living Allowance in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hilditch joined the meeting at 12.16pm.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting is to be held on Thursday 1 July 2010 at 10:00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.17pm.