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Social Development CommitteeAnnual Report 2009-10The 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 the power to:
The Committee has 11 members including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and a quorum of 5. The 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 Annual Report 2009-10During the period 1 September 2009 until 31 August 2010, the Social Development Committee completed a substantial work programme including 38 meetings – 31 of which were entirely in public. 7 meetings were partially in private session to allow Committee Members to consider procedural advice and review draft reports. The Chairperson and Members of the Committee undertook 13 informal meetings with stakeholders. Details of the key items of business considered by the Committee are given below. Primary LegislationHousing (Amendment) Bill The Housing (Amendment) Bill 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 Bill also included amendments to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). As part of the Committee Stage of the Bill, the Committee obtained submissions from approximately 40 different stakeholder groups and considered oral evidence from 10 organisations. The Minister agreed to all of the Committee’s amendments to the Bill including a modification to the HMO definition; the introduction of Assembly procedure in relation to the review of registered rents and the introduction of a requirement for the Housing Executive to have regard to Departmental guidance when formulating homelessness advice. The Committee secured important Ministerial assurances in respect of a review of the Common Housing Selection Scheme and the introduction of anti-social behaviour strategies for the social housing sector. The Committee submitted its report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill to the Assembly in November 2010. The Assembly agreed to support all of the Committee’s amendments to the Bill. Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill included provisions to transfer the functions of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal in Northern Ireland to the UK Tribunal Service. As part of its consideration of this Bill, the Committee received oral evidence from the Pensions Advisory Service and from the Minister. The Committee agreed to support the progression of the Bill by the Accelerated Passage procedure. Welfare Reform Bill The overall purpose of the Welfare Reform Bill was to amend the existing legislative framework in respect of social security and certain other related areas. In particular, the Bill contained the following elements: the phased complete migration of Income Support claimants to Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); the introduction of “Work for your benefit” schemes and the introduction of benefit sanctions for fraudsters; claimants convicted or cautioned for violence against benefits staff and claimants failing to attend certain mandatory interviews. As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee undertook extensive consideration of the clauses and schedules of the Welfare Reform Bill receiving oral evidence from 7 key voluntary and advice organizations. The Committee set out its reservations in respect of the mandatory nature of “work for your benefit” schemes and their impact on vulnerable claimants. The Committee secured assurances from the Minister particularly in respect of:
Following significant debate and discussion, the Committee agreed that owing to parity considerations there was limited opportunity to amend the clauses of the Bill. The Committee submitted its report to the Assembly in June 2010. Caravans Bill The Caravans Bill is a Private Members Bill which is intended to introduce statutory provisions similar to those which already exist in Great Britain, for those who occupy a caravan as their main residence on sites which have been approved for that purpose. The Bill also creates protections for caravan owners on seasonal sites by introducing a requirement for written agreements to be in place between site owners and caravan owners. The latter protections are not currently in place in Great Britain. At this time and as part of the Committee Stage of the Bill, the Committee has considered evidence from 9 key stakeholders including the caravan industry groups; the Department for Social Development; the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for the Environment. The Committee Stage will conclude in the autumn. Other Bills The Social Development Committee made a submission to the pre-legislative consultation on the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill – expressing support for a light-touch landlord registration scheme; tenancy deposit guarantee schemes and improved measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. The Committee commenced the Committee Stages of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill and the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill. The Committee Stages for these bills are expected to conclude before Christmas 2010. The Committee also made a submission to the Committee Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill in support of the abolition of game licenses and game dealers’ licenses which were part of the remit of the Department for Social Development. Subordinate LegislationThe Committee considered 68 proposed statutory rules. Most statutory rules are associated with the social security, pensions and child maintenance. A majority of Committee Members 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 recently amended related procedures adding additional weather stations. The Committee 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 considered 60 statutory rules that were laid in the Assembly. Inquiries / ReportsTown Centre Regeneration In addition to two Bill Reports, the Committee also produced a report into its Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration. The Committee began consideration of Town Centre Regeneration in November 2007. Owing to the large number of stakeholders and Committee legislative commitments, the consideration of evidence for the inquiry was not concluded until September 2009. The Terms of Reference of the Inquiry can be found at the following link: http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/social/2007mandate/reports/report_14_09_10R.htm The Committee’s Report made the following recommendations:
The Committee’s Report was debated and endorsed by the Assembly in November 2009. The Committee noted the Departmental response to the Inquiry in February 2010. The Department accepted many of the Report’s recommendations which are expected to be reflected in the new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Framework. It is understood that in response to the Committee’s recommendations the Department is considering legislation relating to the establishment of statutory BIDs. The Committee also reviewed progress associated with the Belfast Streets Ahead urban regeneration project – visiting the key development locations and seeking assurances on the minimisation of disruption to local traders. Budget ScrutinyThe Committee considered and endorsed aspects of the Department’s budgetary submissions made as part of the monitoring round process – particularly in respect of additional funding for Egan contractors undertaking improvement work on NIHE homes and in respect of private sector housing improvement grants. Evidence was obtained from Departmental officials and industry stakeholders in support of the Committee’s deliberations. It was noted that as a consequence of lobbying by the Committee, additional allocations were secured by the Department in subsequent monitoring rounds for these pressures. The Committee considered in detail proposed revised Departmental Expenditure Plans. 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 is to consider the implications of Budget 2010 during the autumn. Policy ScrutinyThe 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 agreed to undertake a further review visit to the Welcome Organisation in the next session. 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 funding and governance arrangements for Housing Associations. The Committee commissioned a research report summarising the reserves and gearing levels of all Housing Associations in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed to review funding and house-building capacity of Housing Associations following the completion of the legislative programme. 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. Further evidence from the Housing Executive has been sought. 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 is to consider 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 principle of convergence for all social rent levels and tenure conditions. The Committee is expected to give further consideration in the autumn to the proposal to establish an independent rent-setting body for social tenures. 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. As OFMDFM has joint responsibility for this with DSD, the Committee is to undertake a concurrent meeting with the OFMDFM Committee in the next session. 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 and the concordat between the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and the Government. The Committee has 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. Articles were published in a number of publications setting out the Committee’s views on key issues including: urban regeneration and housing in House Magazine and in Agenda NI. Responses The Committee made numerous formal responses to DSD and Department for Work and Pensions consultations. These included the following:
EngagementDuring 2009-10, the Committee undertook a range of activities to enable interested organisations and groups to engage with the Committee: Informal Receptions The Committee organised an informal reception for stakeholders in the Long Gallery on 5 November 2009. The event was attended by representatives of 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. Informal Meetings The Chairperson also met informally with the following individuals and organisations: the Minister, officials from the Social Security Agency, the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group, the Corporate Policy Unit, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division of the Department for Social Development; the Chairperson of the Charities Commission; the Chief Executive and Finance Director of the Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing Association; the Chief Executive of the Volunteer Development Agency; members of the Northern Ireland Housing Council; members of the Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland; representatives of Community Places; a representative of NICVA and the Chairperson and the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive. The Deputy Chairperson (with Members of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee) also informally met with the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation to discuss social tariffs. Events The Chairperson addressed the following events on behalf of the Committee: 22 March 2010 NICVA Vital Links Launch 25 March 2010 Northern Ireland Housing Conference 12 May 2010 NIHE Management Conference 21 May 2010 University of Ulster Conference on the future of Housing Associations 27 May 2010 Chartered Institute of Housing Conference of the Isles 30 June 2010 Clanmil Housing Association Annual General Meeting Visits The Committee undertook the following visits: 10 December 2009 Shepherds View Young Parents’ Project in Derry City, County Londonderry. Fact-finding visit to inform the Committee’s review of the Supporting People Programme. 11 March 2010 Dungannon Supported Housing project. Fact-finding visit to inform the Committee’s review of the Supporting People Programme. 18 March 2010 Employment and Support Allowance Processing Centre in James House Belfast. Visit to inform the Committee’s review of Welfare Reform. 20 May 2010 Belfast Streets Ahead Project. Visit with Members of the Regional Development Committee to assess the urban regeneration impact of this major investment project. 27 May 2010 CIH Conference of the Isles Committee attendance at the conference was designed to advise Members of upcoming housing issues. 17 June 2009 Macmillan / CAB Cancer Support Advice Centre. Visit to inform the Committee’s ongoing consideration of Welfare Reform and related poverty issues. Meetings outside Parliament Buildings The Committee undertook the following meetings outside of Parliament Buildings: 10 December 2009 Millennium Forum, Derry City, County Londonderry 11 March 2010 Bank House Hotel, Dungannon, County Tyrone 27 May 2010 Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, County Down Photographs of engagement activities conducted by the Committee are included at Annex B. Committee Motions – Savills ReportThe Committee considered the findings of the Ford Report and the Savills Report on social housing. The Committee wrote to the Department expressing concerns relating to the proposed significant reduction in funding for certain NIHE housing maintenance programmes. 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 therefore proposed a motion which was agreed by the Assembly on 8 March 2010 which called upon the Assembly to note the findings of the Savills Report and called upon the Minister to ensure equity in the delivery of new social housing and the maintenance of existing Housing Executive stock and to limit the reduction in funding for Housing Executive maintenance contractors, in view of the adverse economic situation. Key Priorities for Next SessionThe Committee’s priorities for the next session will be focused on the legislative programme. The Committee intends to complete the Committee Stages of 3 bills before Christmas. The Committee will also devote substantial time and resources to the consideration of the implications of Budget 2010; the revised Supporting People Programme; the new Fuel Poverty Strategy; the new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Framework; the review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the revised Strategic Guidelines for the Social Housing Development Programme. The Committee also hopes to undertake further work on housing issues particularly: the funding of social house-building; the Common Housing Selection Scheme and the funding and governance of Housing Associations. ANNEX A Committee for Social Development |
Budget area |
Details |
Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| Committee Travel - Committee Members and staff travel and subsistence in relation to visits and meetings outside Parliament Buildings | Includes the cost of Committee visits to:
|
£1,231.73 |
| Printing of Committee reports | Includes the cost of Committee reports on:
|
£3,837.57 |
| Advertising – the cost of public notices relating to Committee inquiries, the Committee Stage of bills and meetings held outside Parliament Buildings | Includes the cost of public notices in relation to:
|
£7,288.71 |
| General expenses | Cost of refreshments for Committee meetings, working lunches, seminars, room hire and witness expenses | £6,927.41 |
| Total = £19,286 |
Chairman of Committee at launch of vital links 22 March 2010
Members of the Social Development Committee with the National Autistic Society 4 March 2010
Social Development Committee visit to Macmillan Cancer Support Centre 17 June 2010
Members of the Social Development Committee during the Committee visit to Dungannon 11 March 2010
