COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 07 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton 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)
Apologies:
Mr Sydney Anderson MLA
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
The meeting commenced at 10.04am in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 30 September 2010 were agreed as amended.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Investigations
Barney McGahan, Deputy Secretary, Resources, Housing and Social Security Group, Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 10.12am to brief Members on investigations at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The official left the meeting at 10.48am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister for Social Development (following his anticipated statement to the Assembly on Monday 11 October 2010) seeking an update on: the strategic review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; the findings of the governance review and other investigations at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The meeting moved into open session at 10.56am.
4.2 Caravans Bill
The Committee noted: a response from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the compatibility with human rights legislation of certain proposed amendments to the Caravans Bill; a response from the Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee on the extension of seasonal caravan site protections to seasonal caravan owners who stay on protected sites and a copy of the Office of Fair Trading brochure on caravan sites.
4.3 Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Social Development on proposed amendments to the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill.
4.4 European Commission Work Programme
The Committee considered a paper from Assembly Research and Library Services on the European Commission Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Assembly Research and Library Services should continue to study and monitor European Commission initiatives relating to: pensions, fuel poverty and foreclosure avoidance issues.
5. Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill – evidence session with the British Retail Consortium and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association
The following representatives of the British Retail Consortium and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association joined the meeting at 11am to brief Members on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill:
- Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive, Wine and Spirit Trade Association; and
- Andrew Opie, Food Policy Director, British Retail Consortium.
Mr McCann left the meeting at 11.16am.
Mr Eason left the meeting at 11.47am.
The representatives left the meeting at 11.47am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek written comments from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association and the British Retail Consortium on: the Department for Social Development’s proposals to control irresponsible drink promotions; the Scottish Government’s proposals for minimum alcohol pricing and the number of GB licensed premises which have undergone mandatory closures as a consequence of underage alcohol sales.
6. Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill – evidence session with Belfast City Council
The following representatives of Belfast City Council joined the meeting at 11.48am to brief Members on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill:
- Stephen J Hewitt, Building Control Manager, Building Control Service, Belfast City Council; and
- Siobhan Toland, Head of Environmental Health, Belfast City Council.
Mr Eason rejoined the meeting at 11.52am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek written comments from Belfast City Council on the Department for Social Development’s proposals to control irresponsible drinks promotions.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should write to NILGA seeking its views on existing and appropriate closure powers for licensed premises where there are noise issues which may not be classified as actual disorder.
The representatives left the meeting at 12.19pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking information on:
- existing closure powers relating to actual or immanent disorder in the vicinity of licensed premises;
- existing fines and closure powers relating to proxy purchases;
- existing fines and closure powers relating to sales of alcohol to intoxicated persons;
- the Department’s involvement with Community Alcohol Partnerships in Northern Ireland generally and in Derry City, County Londonderry in particular; and
- the effectiveness of bottle-marking schemes in Great Britain.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification in respect of the distinction between noise issues associated with patron dispersal from licensed premises and actual disorder associated with a premises. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department as to whether the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill will include measures to control noise issues associated with patron dispersal from licensed premises.
7. Subordinate Legislation
7.1 Proposed Statutory Rule: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandoned Property) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
Mr McCann rejoined the meeting at 12.23pm.
7.2 Proposed Statutory Rule: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandonment Notice) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking information as to how repossession is managed for tenants with mental health issues. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking: clarification as to whether social landlords follow-up with tenants who have abandoned their tenancy and information in respect of the number and reasons for the abandonment of social tenancies.
7.3 Proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Contribution Conditions for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee noted Departmental correspondence on the proposed Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee considered a letter dated 24 September 2010 from the Department on the evaluation and renewal of the Supporting People Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on the timeline for the renewal of the Supporting People Strategy.
8.2 The Committee considered a letter dated 27 September 2010 from the Department on the Urban Regeneration and Housing (Transfer of Functions) Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Department’s response would be forwarded to the Community Development Networks Forum for information.
8.3 The Committee noted a letter dated 29 September 2010 from the Department providing further information on the June and September Monitoring Rounds.
8.4 The Committee noted a letter dated 29 September 2010 from the Department on proposed amendments to the Charities Act ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
8.5 The Committee considered a letter dated 14 September 2010 from the Causeway Coast Communities Consortium regarding their concerns in respect of a new social housing development in Portballintrae and their suggested alterations to the housing allocation points system.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the letter would be forwarded to the Department for comment.
8.6 The Committee considered a letter dated 17 September 2010 from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations in respect of the Assembly Research and Library Services Report which was produced by PwC on Northern Ireland Housing Associations’ Reserves.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should explore other options for giving NIFHA the opportunity to respond formally to the Committee on the report.
8.7 The Committee noted an email received 20 September 2010 from the Citizens Advice Bureau to the Minister of Social Development in respect of Budget 2010.
8.8 The Committee noted a letter dated 23 September 2010 fromOFMDFM acknowledging the Committee’s contribution to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Consultation exercise.
8.9 The Committee considered a letter dated 24 September 2010 from the Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to the Minister for Social Development regarding funding issues facing Special Olympics Ulster.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Minister for a response as requested.
8.10 The Committee noted a letter dated 29 September 2010 from CBI Northern Ireland offering to discuss, with the Committee, the detailed policy paper it recently published on delivering public services in a time of austerity.
8.11 The Committee considered a letter dated 30 September 2010 from a member of the public requesting to brief the Committee on reforms to the welfare system
Agreed: The Committee agreed to decline the request in light of the Committee’s significant legislative programme.
8.12 The Committee considered an email received 10 September 2010 from the CO3 organisation inviting the Chairperson to attend a round table lunchtime meeting with CO3 members. The meeting will be held at Parliament Buildings in the Private Dining Room on 14 October 2010 beginning at 1-1:30pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson to attend this event - diary permitting.
8.13 The Committee noted an email received 23 September 2010 from the Chartered Institute of Housing regarding a conference on Housing Excellence on the 7 October 2010 at the Hilton Hotel.
8.14 The Committee noted an email received 30 September 2010 from Capita Conferences on a conference entitled “Big Society Conference: Localism and the Future of Public Services” in central London on 26 January 2010.
8.15 The Committee noted an email received 1 October 2010 from Community Evaluation Northern Ireland regarding a seminar entitled “Measuring Change: A New Approach” in Malone House, Belfast on 26 October 2010.
8.16 The Committee noted an email from the NI Assembly Business Trust regarding a breakfast event on Tuesday 12 October 2010 in the Members’ Dining Room.
8.17 The Committee noted an email received on 28 September 2010 from the Equality Commission.
Mrs Bradley left the meeting at 12.35pm.
Mr Brady left the meeting at 12.36pm.
9. Social Security Agency Report and Accounts 2009-2010
The Clerk briefed Members on the key issues within the Social Security Agency Report and Accounts 2009-2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking an update on the roll out of the Jobs and Benefits Office Programme and the Customer First Project. The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should seek an update on the matter raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding accounting records for non-current IT assets.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
The Committee noted a leaflet on the Affordable Housing Seminar organised by Assembly Research and Library Services and the Chartered Institute of Housing for 21 October 2010.
11. Any Other Business
None
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 14 October 2010 at 9:30am, in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.43pm.
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development.
14 October 2010
30 September 10 / Menu
