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Social Development CommitteeLEGACY REPORTMarch 2011Current Membership and PowersThe Committee for Social Development is a Statutory Departmental Committee established in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Belfast Agreement, section 29 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and under Standing Order 48. The Committee has power to:
The Committee has 11 members including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and a quorum of 5. The current membership of the Committee is a follows: Mr Simon Hamilton (Chairperson) ACHIEVEMENTS During the period 8 May 2007 until 24 March 2011, the Social Development Committee completed a substantial work programme, the key items of which are given below. Primary Legislation The Committee Stages of the following legislation were undertaken during the period:
The Committee agreed a large number of amendments to primary legislation with the Department. The Committee’s amendments included:
Provisions to require the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to produce a policy and supporting advice in respect of combating homelessness and to publish policies relating to anti-social behaviour;
The inclusion of a statutory review of tenancy protections for residential caravan site users;
The increase of notice-to-quit periods for long term private tenants; the extensions of controls on the exchange of social tenancies to include consideration of indictable offences by tenants; increases in the maximum fines for failure to register Houses in Multiple Occupation; a statutory review of the effectiveness of fixed penalties and other fines for landlords in breach of tenancy legislation and a statutory requirement for the Department to establish a landlord registration scheme and tenancy deposit scheme. The Committee also secured assurances from the Minister in respect of:
A review of the Common Housing Selection Scheme;
Amended guidance to benefit advisers relating to exemptions from sanctions etc. for vulnerable claimants; the extension of so-called “good cause” exemptions from welfare conditionality to include claimants with childcare problems, mental illness; a learning disability or other caring responsibilities; the extension of the interpretation of domestic violence by benefit advisers to include psychological, financial as well as physical issues; and best procurement practice and further Committee review for the new arrangements for Community Care Grants. Subordinate Legislation The Committee considered 253 proposed statutory rules. Most statutory rules are associated with social security, pensions and child maintenance. A majority of Committee Members generally agreed that these statutory rules could not be amended without endangering the benefit to Northern Ireland claimants of parity between the social security, pensions and child maintenance systems in this jurisdiction and those of Great Britain. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee sought extensive additional information and briefings from officials and other stakeholders where appropriate. For example, the Committee sought clarification and indicated its dissatisfaction with the assessment regime for Cold Weather Payments. Consequently the Department amended related procedures adding additional weather stations. The Committee also rejected a proposed statutory rule relating to increases in stakes and prizes associated with gaming machines. The Committee felt that further liberalisation of gambling would be of no benefit to people in Northern Ireland. Consequently the Department withdrew the proposal. The Committee rejected a statutory rule which would have allowed rent increases for registered properties which did not comply with fitness standards. Following the Committee’s intervention, the Department amended legislation to ensure that rents would not be increased on unfit registered tenures. The Committee also queried a parity rule relating to National Insurance. As a consequence of Committee’s scrutiny, the provision of National Insurance Starting Credits for Bereavement Allowances is to be maintained throughout the whole of the UK – thus ensuring that young bereaved claimants maintain entitlement to bereavement benefits. The Committee considered 233 statutory rules that were laid in the Assembly. Committee Motions – Savills Report The Committee considered the findings of the Ford Report and the Savills Report on social housing. The Committee agreed that Departmental policy should strike a balance between the provision of new social housing and the maintenance of existing social housing stock. The Committee proposed a related motion which was agreed by the Assembly on 8 March 2010. Inquiries / Reports – Town Centre Regeneration The Committee undertook an Inquiry and produced a report into Town Centre Regeneration. The Committee’s Report recommended: the development of an overarching policy for town centre regeneration; revised governance arrangements to ensure the effective delivery of such a policy; the establishment of statutory Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and enhanced interaction between town centre regeneration policy and related planning controls to facilitate town centre or edge-of-centre developments. The Committee’s Report was debated and endorsed by the Assembly in November 2009. The Department accepted many of the Report’s recommendations which are expected to be reflected in the new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Framework. In response to the Committee’s recommendations the Department has brought forward proposals relating to the establishment of statutory BIDs. The Committee for Social Development published a report on the implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. The Committee recommended that: the effectiveness of Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy should be measured against targets which are linked to area-specific deprivation indicators covering the main social, economic, physical and community renewal objectives; additional service provision commitments for Neighbourhood Renewal areas should be made by all relevant departments and that these should be supported by ring-fenced funding arrangements; and that an alternative governance structure for Neighbourhood Renewal, including relevant members of the Executive should be considered. The Department indicated in its Mid-Term Review report of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy that it was to develop an action plan for the implementation of some of the recommendations from the Committee’s report. The Committee also published a report on the administration of Disability Living Allowance. The report included recommendations for a shorter and more user-friendly application process and for changes to appeals procedures. Budget Scrutiny The Committee considered all aspects of the Department’s budgetary plans and submissions both as part of the monitoring round process and the Budget 2011-2015 consultation. The Committee considered in detail proposed revised Departmental Expenditure Plans in 2010. Following recommendations from the Committee, the Department revised its plans, abandoning a simplistic approach based on equal reductions for all business areas and focusing funding reductions away from community development programmes. The Committee commissioned research into Housing Association reserves which proved to be influential in the subsequent Draft Budget 2011-15 discussions on the funding of the Social Housing Development Programme. The Committee scrutiny of the budget was limited by the absence of key information from the Department. Policy Scrutiny The Committee has considered evidence and produced formal responses on a wide range of issues. Housing and homelessness The Committee reviewed the achievements and out-workings of the “Including the Homeless” Strategy and its impact on stakeholders such as the Welcome Organisation. The Committee considered the effectiveness of co-ordination between agencies in delivering support services for vulnerable homeless people; sought additional evidence from the Department and undertook a further review visit to the Welcome Organisation in the last session of the mandate. The Committee considered the Department’s Empty Homes Action Plan. Members expressed surprise at the uncertainty associated with Departmental estimates of vacancies and concerns about the absence of appropriate measures to track Housing Association vacancy levels. The Committee recommended that further measures be adopted to reduce private sector vacancy as part of the revised Repair and Improvement of the Private Sector Strategy. The Committee considered the performance of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the implementation of key policies including the Social Housing Development Programme (SHDP) and the Supporting People Programme. In respect of the SHDP, the Committee considered at length the appropriateness of the Strategic Guidelines which determine how new social housing is allocated across communities in Northern Ireland. In respect of the Supporting People Programme and in response to the Committee’s concerns, the Minister provided a briefing which set out the key funding pressures for this important programme. The Committee considered a proposed revised Supporting People programme which includes enhanced funding to deliver the recommendations of the Bamford Review. The Committee reviewed evidence and made a formal submission to the Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland. The Committee expressed its support for: a review of the Common Housing Selection Scheme; an exploration of a separation of the landlord and strategic roles of the Housing Executive and the general principle of convergence for all social rent levels and tenure conditions. Benefits and poverty The Committee committed a great deal of its time to the consideration of welfare issues and the alleviation of poverty. The Committee visited the Macmillan Cancer Support / Citizens Advice Bureau advice centre in Belfast in order to inform Members’ understanding of the need for benefit advice and the nature of related welfare claims. The Committee reviewed the success of the Social Security Agency’s Benefit Uptake programme and recommended the targeting of seriously-ill cancer patients and householders in rent arrears or facing eviction as a consequence of mortgage difficulties. The Committee considered the transition of claimants to Employment and Support Allowance – visiting the ESA centre in Belfast and securing important undertakings from the Department in relation to the improved treatment of vulnerable claimants including those with autism. Urban Regeneration and Community Development The Committee reviewed the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company’s revised urban regeneration programme for the North West. The Committee also reviewed progress associated with the Crumlin Road / Girdwood Park developments seeking clarity in respect of the timing and allocation of planned social housing developments for the Girdwood site. As part of its consideration of Community Development issues, the Committee took evidence on the operation of the Community Investment Fund; the Volunteering Strategy; the Advice Centre Strategy, the Regional Infrastructure Programme and the concordat between the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and the Government. The Committee argued that the relatively low levels of funding required by the VCS deliver substantial and disproportionately large benefits and that consequently these should be secured. The Committee noted that the Department’s Revised Departmental Expenditure plans for 2010-11 were amended to reflect the Committee’s view and that the Department appeared to again endorse the Committee’s position in respect of the funding of the Voluntary and Community Sector. APPROACH During the period 8 May 2007 until 24 March 2011, the Social Development Committee completed a large number of activities designed to both enhance engagement with the public and improve the Committee’s understanding of key issues. Informal Receptions The Committee organised four informal receptions for stakeholders. The events were attended by representatives of a wide-range of stakeholder groups including: Age NI; the Chartered Institute of Housing; the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; National Energy Action; the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance; Helm Housing Association; the Community Relations Council; Disability Action and Save the Children etc.. These groups surfaced issues which often formed the context for Committee scrutiny. Informal Meetings The Chairperson and other Members of the Committee undertook 20 informal meetings with officials and stakeholders. The meetings were designed to enhance the Committee’s understanding of key issues. Events Chairpersons of the Committee addressed 10 events on behalf of the Committee involving both voluntary and community groups and housing organisations. The Committee worked with the Chartered Institute of Housing; Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Action and National Energy Action to organise call for evidence events which informed Committee deliberations on housing, Draft Budget 2011-15 and the revised fuel poverty strategy respectively. These innovative and low cost events formed an important part of the Committee’s evidence-gathering strategy. Visits The Committee undertook 2 fact-finding visits in Northern Ireland to inform its review of the Supporting People Programme. The Committee also undertook 3 visits to review the implementation of Employment and Support Allowance and other welfare reform measures. The Committee also visited the Belfast Streets Ahead Project; the Macmillan / CAB Cancer Support Advice Centre, the Welcome Organisation and the Chartered Institute of Housing annual conference. The Committee undertook fact-finding visits to Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of its review of Neighbourhood Renewal. The Committee also visited Dublin and Boston (USA) as part of its Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration. The Committee found its targeted programme of visits to be informative and to provide useful background for consideration of key policy issues. Meetings outside Parliament Buildings The Committee has undertaken 8 meetings outside of Parliament Buildings and has usually combined these with relevant visits so as to minimise costs and optimise value. Research The Committee has made extensive use of Assembly Research and Library Services. 42 research papers have been commissioned – not including Bill Research papers. The Committee working with Assembly Research and Library Services commissioned PwC to undertake a review of Housing Association reserves. This paper was drawn upon and quoted extensively during the subsequent draft Budget 2011-15 consultation. The Committee found research to be an essential part of its review of legislation and complex policy issues. Research served to summarise both the lessons and experiences of other jurisdictions and could often be used to provide a framework for new policy ideas. NEXT MANDATE During the period 8 May 2007 until 24 March 2011, although the Social Development Committee completed a substantial work programme, a number of policy areas have been identified which may be of interest in the next mandate. Housing The Committee had intended to undertake an Inquiry into housing issues in the current mandate. The Committee’s extensive legislative programme greatly limited the opportunity for such a review. Members noted stakeholder interest and potential developments in areas such as the Common Housing Selection Scheme; rent-setting and rent alignment in the social housing sector; the provision of accommodation for Travellers and the funding and governance of Housing Associations. It is anticipated that these issues will continue to be of interest to the Social Development Committee in the next mandate. The Committee also noted the anticipated revision of the Supporting People Strategy including the development of new independent living units in-line with the recommendations of the Bamford report. The Supporting People Strategy has been the subject of extensive Committee review and consideration in the current mandate and is expected to continue to be the subject of review in the next. The Committee considered several important pieces of tenancy legislation in the present mandate. It is anticipated that the Social Development Committee may in future wish to follow-up on Ministerial assurances including a review of tenancy-related fines and penalties; a statutory review of the residential protections set out in the Caravans Bill; revisions of the Housing Association Guide and Anti-social Behaviour guidance and legislation on fitness standards in private housing. The Committee reviewed at some length the funding challenges facing the Social Housing Development Programme. Given ongoing issues which were surfaced during the Draft Budget 2011-15 consultation process, it is expected that this too may be the subject of further Committee scrutiny in the next mandate – in particular the role of Housing Associations in new social housing provision. The Committee recently considered a Gateway review of the procurement of Egan contracts by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and an audit of general governance arrangements in NIHE. The Committee was greatly concerned by the findings of both reports. In the last meetings of the last session, the Committee also considered the Department’s wide-ranging review of the Housing Executive. It is anticipated that subject to agreement with other relevant Committees further consideration of a range of matters concerning the Housing Executive will be undertaken in the next mandate. The Committee devoted considerable time in the current mandate to the review of measures to alleviate fuel poverty. It is anticipated that in the next mandate, the Committee will give further consideration to the Department’s new Fuel Poverty Strategy. Welfare and Child Maintenance The next mandate is expected to include significant pieces of legislation relating to: the introduction of Universal Credit; the reform of Disability Living Allowance; changes to Housing Benefit and the reform of Child Maintenance. The Committee has developed an extensive body of evidence which it is anticipated will inform the understanding of the Social Development Committee in respect of these issues in the next mandate. During the present mandate the Committee took evidence on the Carer’s Allowance Bill. Owing to the scheduling of the 2 nd Stage of the Bill, the Committee had insufficient time to conclude the Committee Stage. As above, it is hoped that the evidence collected in the limited time available will inform Members’ scrutiny should the Bill be re-introduced in the future. The Committee also reviewed in some detail the Customer First Project (previously known as the Strategic Business Review of the Social Security Agency). It is anticipated that the Committee will in the next mandate review the rollout of Customer First across all of Northern Ireland. In respect of the many and wide-ranging reforms proposed by the Westminster government for Welfare and Child Maintenance, a key consideration of the Committee has been the issue of parity. It is therefore anticipated that the implications of the parity principle for the outworking of these reforms will continue to be of interest to the Committee. Urban Regeneration / Community Development The Department began but did not conclude the development of a new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Framework. This was a key recommendation of the Committee’s Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration. The Framework is designed to underpin all aspects of the Department’s urban regeneration and community development work and will link its endeavours to a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. This may be the subject of further study by the Committee in future. Members also reviewed with interest the new Concordat between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector. The Committee may in future choose to review the outworking of the new Concordat and its impact on community development programmes. Following a recommendation by the Committee in its Inquiry on Town Centre Regeneration, the Department launched a consultation on the introduction of statutory Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The Department also launched consultations on Pavement Cafes and a revision of the Sunday Trading Laws. The Committee may in future choose to consider all of these issues in detail. Other The Committee Stage of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 was undertaken in the earlier part of the mandate and an accelerated passage Bill was reviewed in March 2011. Members have taken considerable interest in the outworking of the charities legislation and the expected impact of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. It is therefore anticipated that this will continue to be of interest to the Committee in future. The Committee Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill was taken in 2010-11. The Committee is likely to review the regulations relating to irresponsible drinks promotions in the next mandate. The Department working with DHSSPS also launched a consultation on minimum alcohol pricing. The Committee is also likely to review this issue in the next mandate. Members previously expressed strong views in connection with planned liberalisation of gambling controls in Northern Ireland. The Department launched a consultation on changes to the regulation of gambling in Northern Ireland. The Committee is therefore also likely to review these proposals in the next mandate. MEMBERSHIP AND POWERSThe membership of the Committee since 9 May 2007 has been as follows: 2 5 Mr Simon Hamilton (Chairperson) 1 With effect from 20 May 2008 Ms Carál Ní Chuilín replaced Mrs Claire McGill Committee meetings & visits
Bills
Statutory Rules
Committee Inquiries
Committee Reports (excluding Bill and Inquiry reports)
Budget Scrutiny
Primary Legislation Scrutiny
Members of the Committee attending the CIH Conference “Investing in Affordable Housing” 21 Oct 2010 External Committee meeting held in Slieve Donard Hotel Newcastle 27 May 2010
Members of the Committee visiting Macmillan cancer care support centre Belfast City Hospital 17 June 2010
The Chairperson of the Committee meeting with representatives of National Autistic Society at the launch of their campaign “Don’t write me off” 4 March 2010
The Chairperson with the then Minister for Social Development at the launch of the NICVA publication Vital Links March 2009
Members of the Committee with the Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Development Committee participating in a joint visit to the Belfast Streets Ahead project 14 May 2010
Members of the Committee attending an informal stakeholder meeting in the Long Gallery 10 February 2011
Members of the Committee visiting the Woodbrook Ecovillage Lisburn (Biomass plant) 8 Jan 2009
Members of the Committee attending the Informal Stakeholder meeting on 5 November 2009
Committee visit to the Council for the Homeless NI Accommodation Project: Shepherd’s View Visit 10 Dec 2009
Members of the Committee receiving a briefing from NI Co-Ownership Limited during Informal Stakeholder meeting on 21 Feb 2008 |
