COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Sydney Anderson MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Hilary Bogle (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Research Officer) – item 9 only

Apologies:
None

The meeting began at 9.34am in open session.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Chairperson’s Business

There was no Chairperson’s business.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 4 th November 2010

Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 4 th November 2010 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

4.1 Information from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

NIHE 39 th Annual Report

Members noted correspondence received from the Department in relation to the Committee’s queries on the 39 th NIHE Annual Report.

Empty Homes Strategy: Final Report May 2010

Members noted the Empty Home Strategy Final Report.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on the following issues:

(a) the geographical location of empty private and social homes;

(b) NIHE’s plans for empty homes which are used for “decants”; and

Mr Anderson joined the meeting at 9.42am.

Pilot Tenant-Led Review of NIHE services

Members noted the contents of the Tenant-Led Inspection ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’ Report.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on how the tenant inspection team was selected.

Energy Brokering

Members noted the recommendations of the Energy Brokering Feasibility Study.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Energy Brokering Feasibility Study should be forwarded to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee for information.

Community Restorative Justice Projects in Belfast

The Committee noted two reports on community restorative justice projects in Belfast, the Evaluation of the North and West Belfast Mediation and Community Support Programme and the Evaluation of the Greater West Belfast Mediation and Community Support Programme.

Research Reports

The Committee also noted the NIHE research reports on Retirement Villages and Older People’s Housing Information Needs.

4.2 Northern Ireland Housing Council report on the Lifetime Homes Standard

The Committee noted the NI Housing Council report on the Lifetime Homes Standard.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the NI Housing Council report to the Environment Committee and the Finance and Personnel Committee for information.

5. Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill – Briefing by Departmental Officials

Members noted the Departmental briefing paper on the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill.

The Chairperson welcomed the following Departmental officials at 9:50am: Mr Michael Sands, Mr Alastair Campbell and Mr Stephen Baird and invited them to brief the Committee.

Mr McCallister joined the meeting at 10.01am.

Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.30am.

Proceedings were suspended at 10.35am.

Mr McCallister left the meeting at 10.35am.

Proceedings recommenced at 11.18am.

5. Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill – Briefing by Departmental Officials Contd.,

The Chairperson thanked the officials for attending the meeting.

The official left the meeting at 11.22am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department:

(a) requesting a copy of the Department’s compliance flow chart which sets out the legislation which may be used by district councils to enforce standards in the private rented sector;

(b) requesting an update on the progress which Housing Associations have made in brokering cost reductions or service improvements for their tenants with energy providers; and

(c) seeking confirmation as to whether NIHE tenants currently benefit from a bulk purchase discount on individual electricity bills with Northern Ireland Electricity.

6. Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill – Briefing by the Housing Rights Service

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Nicola McCrudden, and Ms Fiona Douglas from the Housing Rights Service and invited them to brief the Committee at 11.25am.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for their evidence.

The representatives left the meeting at 11.50am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification as to the type of Tenancy Deposit Scheme which is to be introduced following the passage of the Bill.

7. Subordinate Legislation

7.1 The Housing Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Michael Pollock, Ms Rosemary Hughes and Mr Richard Woodridge, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division and invited them to brief the Committee at 11.51am.

12.04pm Ms Lo left the meeting

The Chairperson thanked the officials.

The officials left the meeting at 12.26pm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the proposed Rule until the next meeting of the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department:

(a) requesting information on the Department’s plans to effect simplification of the benefit system; and

(b) seeking clarity as to the consequences of delayed consideration and rejection of the proposed rule by the Assembly.

Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 12.26pm.

7.2 Statutory Rule 353/2010: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandonment Notice) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Question put and agreed:

“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 353/2010: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandonment Notice) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no object to the Rule”.

7.3 Statutory Rule 354/2010: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandoned Property) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Question put and agreed:

“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 354/2010: The Introductory Tenancies (Abandoned Property) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no object to the Rule”.

7.4 The Social Fund (Maternity Grant and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations ( 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 clarification on the time limit for maternity grant claims.

7.5 The Homelessness (Review) Regulations 2010

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.

Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.32pm.

8. Correspondence

8.1 The Committee noted correspondence dated 31 October 2010 from the Minister in respect of a further briefing on the governance audit and investigations at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive a Departmental briefing on 16 December 2010 on the findings of the NIHE governance audit and also an update on all other major Departmental investigations.

8.2 The Committee noted Ministerial correspondence dated 31 October 2010 to the Chairperson of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee on the funding of Special Olympics Ulster.

8.3 The Committee noted correspondence dated 26 October 2010 from the Social Security Agency in response to the Committee’s letter dated 15 September 2010 regarding the Citizens Advice Bureau’s criticisms of the implementation of Employment and Support Allowance.

8.4 The Committee noted correspondence from the Social Security Agency in response to the Committee’s letter dated 11 October 2010 regarding the SSA’s Annual Report and Accounts 2009-10.

8.5 The Committee noted correspondence dated 1 November 2010 from the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division inviting Members to visit its Business Development Directorate.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to visit the CMED Business Directorate in the New Year.

8.6 The Committee noted correspondence dated 4 November 2010 from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a copy of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland: Investing Activity Report for DSD.

8.7 The Committee noted correspondence dated 4 November 2010 from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a copy of the Lifetime Opportunities Monitoring Framework Baseline Report.

8.8 The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Jonathan Bell MLA in respect of increasing and varying process for home heating oil – enquiring as to whether this is to be the subject of a Committee Inquiry.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would consider this issue as part of its review of the revised fuel poverty strategy.

8.9 The Committee noted correspondence dated 18 October 2010 from the Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership expressing its views on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

8.10 The Committee noted correspondence dated 18 October 2010 from the Star Neighbourhood Centre expressing its views on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

8.11 The Committee noted correspondence from the Carrick Hill Residents Association expressing its views on the Comprehensive Spending Review and enclosing a petition.

8.12 The Committee noted an email dated 26 October 2010 received from Advice NI forwarding a copy of its news release dated 20 October 2010 entitled: ‘People on welfare benefits bear brunt of Osborne spending review’.

8.13 The Committee noted correspondence dated 27 October 2010 from the Community Relations Council’s response to the OFMDFM Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration (CSI) consultation exercise.

8.14 The Committee noted correspondence dated 4 November 2010 from the NI Housing Council on its views on anticipated changes to Housing Benefit.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider this issue further when the relevant statutory rules come before the Committee.

8.15 The Committee noted an email dated 4 November 2010 from Barnardo’s NI offering to provide a briefing on how to protect vulnerable children under the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward a copy of the email to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

8.16 The Committee noted an email dated 26 October 2010 from Capita Conferences on a conference on ‘Sheltered Housing’ in Central London on Friday 18 February 2010.

8.17 The Committee noted an email dated 26 October from Advice NI informing the Committee that it is holding its Annual General Meeting entitled: “21 st Century Welfare – Implications for Northern Ireland” on Friday 26 November 2010.

8.18 The Committee noted an email dated 27 October from CIH informing the Committee that it is holding its South East Annual Conference and Exhibition in Brighton on 8 – 10 March 2011.

8.19 The Committee noted an email dated 27 October from CPP Seminars informing the Committee that it is holding a seminar entitled: ‘How Best Can We Prevent and Reduce Homelessness and Improve the Lives of Those People Who Become Homeless’.

8.20 The Committee noted an email dated 30 October 2010 from Women 2 Gather inviting the Committee to attend their 2 nd Anniversary Party and Annual General Meeting on 19 November 2010.

8.21 The Committee noted correspondence dated 2 November 2010 from the Chartered Institute of Housing inviting the Chairperson to attend a two day symposium for housing leaders from Northern Ireland on 30 November 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson to attend – diary permitting.

8.22 The Committee noted correspondence from the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership inviting the Chairperson to a reception in the Long Gallery to highlight the work of the Health Employment Partnership.

8.23 The Committee noted an email dated 29 October 2010 forwarding a copy of the Equality Commission NI’s 2010 Newsletter publication.

9. Comprehensive Spending Review: Call for evidence options – Assembly Research and Library Services briefing

Members noted the Assembly Research Paper.

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Eleanor Murphy to the meeting and invited her to brief the Committee on the Research Paper at 12:45pm.

Ms Murphy left the meeting at 12.49pm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposed programme for the Call for Evidence event as amended.

10. Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.

11. Any Other Business

There was no other business.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 at 2pm, in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.49pm.

Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development.
18 November 2010

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