COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2011
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 Fra McCann MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr John McCallister MLA
The meeting began at 9.38am in open session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to amend the agenda so as to include a Departmental briefing on the Carer’s Allowance Bill.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Ms Lo wished all Members and staff a Happy Chinese New Year.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2011
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 27 January 2011 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Budget 2011-2015
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department on Budget 2011-15.
The Committee also noted: recent correspondence from NIFHA, NICVA, Mencap, Housing Rights Service, NIPSA, Citizens Advice Bureau, Supporting Communities NI, the Law Centre NI and Advice NI on the Budget 2011-15.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider these papers during a Departmental briefing on Budget 2011-15 at next week’s meeting.
4.2 DWP Consultation: Strengthening Families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance
The Committee considered the DWP consultation document on proposed changes to Child Maintenance arrangements.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 9.46am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to make a response to the consultation, indicating concern over the planned use of a new IT system to support the proposed reforms and the impact of the new requirement for payments to be made in order to gain access to the statutory Child Maintenance scheme.
4.3 Ministerial Written Statement on NIHE Adverse Weather Emergency Planning Update
The Committee noted a copy of the Minister’s written statement to the Assembly on NIHE’s response to the recent adverse weather conditions.
4.4 Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill Report
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 9.49am.
Agreed: The Committee accepted clarification from the Department that a review of the effectiveness of fines and fixed penalties would be undertaken 18 months after the provisions relating to Landlord Registration and Tenancy Deposit Schemes come into effect following the passage of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill.
4.5 Caravans Bill – Further Consideration Stage
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Social Development referring to amendments which have been tabled for the Further Consideration Stage of the Caravans Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would highlight the divergence of opinion within the Committee in respect of the role of qualifying associations in the seasonal caravan sector.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 9.53am.
5. February Monitoring Round – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 9.54am:
Barney McGahan, Deputy Secretary, Resources, Housing Social Security Group, DSD; and
Stephen McMurray, Director of Finance, DSD.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department on the February Monitoring Round.
Mr Craig joined the meeting at 9.57am.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Department’s February Monitoring Round submission. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 10.10am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request further information on the impact of the monitoring round bid (for £3m for NIHE repair work associated with recent adverse weather conditions) on Housing Executive planned maintenance spend.
6. Correspondence
6.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department dated 28 January 2011 regarding the review of the Sunday trading laws.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this correspondence pending the conclusion of the Departmental review.
6.2 The Committee noted correspondence from Nuala Dunwoody, a Clerk Assistant of the Northern Ireland Assembly replying to the BBC’s letter of 10 January 2011 regarding recorded coverage of Northern Ireland Assembly committee meetings.
6.3 The Committee considered correspondence from Autism NI proposing the inclusion of an Independent Work Capacity Assessor in the Job Centre structure with knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence pending a briefing on the Departmental review of the Work Capability Assessment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek clarity from the Minister in respect of his recent press statement apparently relating to Incapacity Benefit.
6.4 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a copy of the Final Consultation Report on the draft Sustainable Development Implementation Plan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Department for comment.
6.5 The Committee considered an invitation from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to attend a stakeholder meeting with Andrew Dilnot, Chair of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to attend this event, diaries permitting.
6.6 The Committee noted an item of miscellaneous correspondence from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
7. Carer’s Allowance Bill – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10.15am:
Gerry McCann, Social Security Policy & Legislation Division DSD; and
Janis Creane, Social Security Policy & Legislation Division DSD.
The Committee noted that the Second Stage of the Private Members’ Bill: the Carer’s Allowance Bill was scheduled for 8 February 2011.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 10.33am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 10.35am.
Agreed: The Committee indicated its support for the Bill Sponsor’s intention to provide additional help for carers. However, Members agreed that as the Bill would not consistently benefit this important group of claimants and could in some cases leave claimants worse off, it did not believe that the Carer’s Allowance Bill was an appropriate vehicle to achieve the Bill Sponsor’s intention.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should seek up-to-date statistics from the Department on the possible impact of the Bill on carers and further information on the effectiveness of recent Social Security Agency Benefit Uptake initiatives targeted at carers.
8. Subordinate Legislation
SR 2011 No. 12 The Charities Act 2008 (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 10.37am.
The Committee noted further information from the Department on the costs associated with the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: SR 2011 No. 12 The Charities Act 2008 (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and, subject to the Examiner’s report, has no objection to the Rule.”
9. Supporting People Policy Evaluation – Departmental Briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10.38am to brief the Committee on the Supporting People Policy Evaluation;
Heather Cousins, Housing Division DSD;
Eilish O’Neill, Housing Division DSD; and
Colm McQuillan, Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The Committee noted: a copy of the DSD Supporting People Policy Evaluation document. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.17am.
Mr Craig declared an interest as the Chairperson of the Assembly Audit Committee at 11.26am.
Mr Easton left the meeting at 11.38am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12.01pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking the following:
- further information on the next steps for the renewal of the Supporting People Strategy;
- evidence that improved Departmental procedures are in place for Supporting People contract management in particular and that improved governance is in place for Supporting People in general;
- an update on NIHE guidance to Supporting People providers on contract monitoring arrangements;
- clarity on the reasoning as to why only certain Supporting People programmes receive Special Needs Management Allowance;
- further information as to the Department’s plan in respect of the payment of Special Needs Management Allowance; and
- a copy of the NICVA report on collaborative working between Supporting People Providers.
Proceedings were temporarily adjourned at 12.02pm.
Proceedings recommenced at 12.09pm.
Mr Easton rejoined the meeting at 12.09pm.
10. Supporting People Policy Evaluation – CRISPP Briefing
The following representatives of the Committee Representing Independent Supporting People Providers (CRISPP) joined the meeting at 12.10pm to brief the Committee on their response to Supporting People Policy Evaluation.
Chris Williamson, NIFHA, Co-Chair of CRISPP;
Ricky Rowledge, Council for the Homeless NI Co-Chair of CRISPP;
Patrick McGettigan, Simon Community NI; and
Fiona McAnespie, Fold Housing Association.
The Committee noted: copies of responses on the Supporting People Policy Evaluation from CRISPP, Fold Housing Association, Triangle Housing Association and Simon Community NI. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Anderson left the meeting at 12.30pm.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 12.46pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to CRISPP seeking information on the criteria under which some Supporting People schemes receive so-called legacy Special Needs Management Allowance.
11. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
12. Any Other Business
None.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10 February 2011 in Room 29, Parliament Buildings at 9.30am.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.47pm.
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development.
10 February 2011
27 January 11 / Menu
