COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 18 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 Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Hilary Bogle (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)

Apologies:
None

The meeting began at 9.45am in open session with Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Chairperson’s Business

There was no Chairperson’s business.

3. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 11 and 16 November 2010

Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 11 November 2010 were agreed.

Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 were agreed as amended.

Mr Easton joined the meeting at 9.48am.

4. Matters arising

4.1 Declaration of Interests

Members noted the declared interests of Mr Anderson and Mr McCallister which were tabled.

Mrs Bradley joined the meeting at 9.49am.

4.2 Increase of State Pension Age to 66

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister and the Executive Summary of the DWP Command Paper entitled “A Sustainable State Pension – When the State Pension Age will increase to 66”.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department asking for clarification as to how the introduction of the change to the state pension age will affect claimants particularly women who are about to become eligible for the state pension.

4.3 State Pension Deferral - consultation

Members noted correspondence from the Department and a consultation document on the deferral of State Pension and its interaction with other benefits.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should respond expressing the Committee’s concerns on:

(a) the impact of the loss of “fringe” benefits for people who may feel that they are compelled to claim the State Pension rather than other income-related benefits; and

(b) the importance of promoting Pension Credit to eligible claimants.

4.4 Pension Protection Levy – consultation

Members noted correspondence from the Department and a consultation document on changes to the Pension Protection Levy.

4.5 Draft Press Release – Committee Call for Evidence Event

Members noted that the Committee Call for Evidence event on the Spending Review is scheduled for 2.00pm – 4.30pm on Thursday 25 November 2010 in the NICVA building in North Belfast.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft press release.

Mr Hamilton, Chairperson joined the meeting at 10.04am and assumed the Chair.

4.6 Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill – clause-by-clause scrutiny

Clause 9 – Authorisations for Special Occasions

The Committee gave further consideration to Clause 9 of the Bill.

Mr McCann declared an interest as a member of the Irish National Foresters’ Club and Cumann na Meirlach at 10.09am.

Following discussion and as there was no consensus, the Committee divided as follows on the motion “that Clause 9 be amended to limit the number of special authorisations for late licenses for registered clubs to 75 per year”:

Ayes 4; Noes 4; Abstentions: 1

AYES

Mr Sydney Anderson
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr Alex Easton

NOES

Mrs Mary Bradley
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Fra McCann
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín

ABSTENTIONS

Ms Anna Lo

The motion was not carried.

Following further discussion and as there was no consensus, the Committee divided as follows on the motion “that Clause 9 be amended to limit the number of special authorisations for late licenses for registered clubs to 104 per year”:

Ayes 5; Noes 4; Abstentions: 0

AYES

Mr Sydney Anderson
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr Alex Easton
Ms Anna Lo

NOES

Mrs Mary Bradley
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Fra McCann
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín

ABSTENTIONS

Nil

The motion was carried.

“Question: the Committee is content with Clause 9, as amended, put and agreed to."

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Bill is now concluded.

“Question: the Committee is content with the Long Title of the Bill as drafted, put and agreed to.”

The Chairperson expressed his thanks to the Committee, Departmental officials and all those who gave evidence during the Committee Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.

5. Report on the Committee Stage of the Caravans Bill

The Committee considered a draft Report on the Committee Stage of the Caravans Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the main body of the report:

The Committee read and agreed the Membership and Powers of the Committee.

The Committee noted a technical revision to the Bill Sponsor’s amendment to the Bill and was content with the Executive Summary as amended.

The Committee read and agreed the Introduction to the Bill.

The Committee read and agreed the Consideration of the Bill.

The Committee read and agreed the Clause-by-Clause Scrutiny of the Bill.

Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.18am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Report to be printed as the first report of the Social Development Committee for this session of the Assembly.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the relevant extract from the draft minutes of the proceedings of 18 November 2010 be included in the Committee’s Report.

6. Housing (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill – Evidence session – Landlords’ Association of Northern Ireland

The Committee noted the Landlords’ Association of Northern Ireland submission on the Bill together with a further tabled paper.

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Marnette Lyons, Chairperson; Mr Joe Nugent; Mr Declan Boyle; and Mr Dairmid Laird, from the Landlords’ Association of Northern Ireland at 10.20am and invited them to brief the Committee.

Mr McCallister joined the meeting at 10.57am.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses.

The witnesses left the meeting at 11.30am.

7. Housing (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill – Evidence session – Northern Ireland Housing Executive

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Gerry Flynn, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Mr Stephen Martin, DSD at 11.31am and invited them to brief the Committee.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses.

The witness left the meeting at 12.12pm.

Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting the following:

(a) clarification as to the expected impact of the Tenants Deposit Scheme on the requirement for guarantors for vulnerable (or Housing Benefit) tenants in the private rented sector;

(b) Housing Executive research on the private rented sector together with information on the geographical distribution of private rented tenancy issues;

(c) clarification as to the cost of indemnities for Housing Executive staff;

(d) information on energy brokering projects in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and

(e) details as to the number of NIHE tenures using Economy 7 and the Housing Executive’s plans to eliminate this form of heating in its stock.

8. Subordinate Legislation

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

Members noted the Department’s response to the Committee’s request for: information on benefit simplification; the operating date for the proposed rule and the consequences of delay.

Mr McCallister left the meeting at 12.14pm.

Following discussion, the Committee divided as follows, on the motion: “that the Committee is content for the proposed rule: the Housing Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 to be made”:

Ayes 5; Noes 5; Abstentions: 0

AYES

Mr Sydney Anderson
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr Alex Easton
Ms Anna Lo

NOES

Mrs Mary Bradley
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Fra McCann
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr Tommy Gallagher

ABSTENTIONS

Nil

The motion was not carried.

8.2 SR: 373 The Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Question put and agreed:

“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2010 No 373: The Occupational, Personal and Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report has no objection to the Rule.”

8.3 SR: 351 The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2010

Agreed: The Committee was content to note the Examiner’s findings in respect of this statutory rule.

9. Correspondence

9.1 The Committee noted correspondence dated 5 November 2010 from the Department in response to the Committee’s letter of 20 October 2010 in relation to issues raised by a member of the public regarding the Village Urban Renewal Policy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to revisit the relevant issues at its meeting on 2 December 2010.

9.2 The Committee noted correspondence dated 10 November 2010 from the Department in response to the Committee’s letter of 11 October 2010. The Department has provided further information on the renewal of the Supporting People Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek an oral briefing on the evaluation of the Supporting People Programme from the Department and key stakeholders and to consider the renewal of the Supporting People Strategy at a later meeting.

9.3 The Committee noted correspondence dated 11 November 2010 from the Department in response to the Committee’s letter of 28 October 2010 which provided an update on the timeline for the mid-term review of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department requesting early access to the mid-term review report of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to give further consideration to a stakeholder event on the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

9.4 The Committee noted an email received on 9 November 2010 from the Citizens Advice Bureau forwarding information on the benefit uptake work it has undertaken as part of the Social Security Agency contract for 2009-10.

9.5 The Committee noted an email dated 10 November 2010 from the Chartered Institute of Housing forwarding a joint letter (co-signed by Citizens Advice Bureau, Crisis and Shelter) setting out their key concerns in respect of anticipated Housing Benefit changes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence pending the relevant subordinate legislation coming before the Committee.

Mr Gallagher and Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 12.24pm.

Mr Anderson declared an interest as a member of Craigavon Borough Council at 12.26pm.

9.6 The Committee noted an email received 10 November 2010 from the National Market Traders’ Federation in connection with recent subordinate legislation relating to the licensing of street traders.

9.7 The Committee noted an email dated 10 November 2010 from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) forwarding a link to their report on Social Housing Management – Improving Homes, Improving Lives: Using competition for better social housing.

9.8 The Committee noted correspondence dated 11 November 2010 from the Citizens Advice Bureau highlighting a number of case studies relating to the changes to the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward a copy of the letter to the Department for comment.

9.9 The Committee noted correspondence dated 9 November 2010 from the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) inviting the Chairperson to attend a Breakfast Briefing with the former First Minister for Scotland, the Right Honourable Henry McLeish. The event will be held at NIACRO offices in Belfast on Friday 26 November.

9.10 The Committee noted miscellaneous correspondence from the University of Ulster on its Supported Housing Seminar on 15 December 2010; a research document from Strictly Boardroom on governance in the public and not-for-profit sectors and the November 2010 E-news sheet from Advice NI.

Mrs Bradley and Mr Craig left the meeting at 12.28pm.

Proceedings were suspended at 12.28pm.

Proceedings resumed at 12.33pm.

10. Revised Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation – Departmental briefing

The Committee noted: the Department’s paper on the responses to the fuel poverty consultation; recent relevant correspondence from Mr Jonathan Bell MLA and the Warmer Healthier Homes – Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation document.

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Heather Cousins and Ms Eilish O’Neill, from DSD Housing Division and invited them to brief the Committee at 12:33pm.

Mr McCallister returned to the meeting at 12.36pm.

Mr Craig returned to the meeting at 12.38pm.

Mrs Bradley returned to the meeting at 12.39pm.

Mr McCallister left the meeting at 12.46pm.

Mr Easton returned to the meeting at 12.53pm.

Following the briefing and a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked the officials for attending.

The officials left the meeting at 1.08pm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department indicating the Committee’s views as follows:

(a) Members were generally supportive of the use of a Fuel Poverty Severity Index and felt that fuel poverty support should be targeted so as to benefit the most vulnerable;

(b) Members were supportive of the principle of a boiler replacement scheme and agreed that this should probably be a grant scheme which would permit homeowners to make their own selection of energy efficient boiler and installer; and

(c) Members agreed that benefits uptake measures should continue to be an important part of initiatives to combat fuel poverty.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to give further consideration to a stakeholder event on the revised Fuel Poverty Strategy.

11. Forward Work Programme

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

12. Any Other Business

12.1 Welfare Fraud

Agreed: Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Minister:

(a) requesting information on the Department’s plans to undertake benefit database-matching with the Republic of Ireland;

(b) suggesting that the Social Security Agency should undertake proactive investigations into possible benefit fraud including simple measures such as the verification and cross-referencing of the National Insurance Numbers for employees of certain government-funded projects with benefits databases; and

(c) seeking information on current and planned anti-fraud measures in respect of Disability Living Allowance.

13. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 25 November 2010 at 9.30am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.15pm.

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

16 November 10 / Menu