MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2000
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Street Trading Bill
4. Housing Bill
5. Any Other Business
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Sir John Gorman
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr G Kelly
Mr D McClarty
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr S Wilson
Apologies:
Mr E O'Neill
In Attendance:
Mr G Martin
Mrs J McMurray
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Ms E Regan
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.07pm
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Street Trading Bill
The Committee considered the Street Trading Bill, the accompanying Memorandum and a synopsis of the Departmental responses so that any difficulties or amendments may be identified prior to Committee stage.
Members raised several points:
- Definition is required regarding 'Car Boot Sales'. Present legislation dictates that such sales be held at least 10 metres from a public street which may create difficulties for charitable organisations such as Churches.
- Clause 5(8) of the Bill mentions that a council 'shall within a reasonable time give notice in writing to the applicant'
- The Committee considered that it may be necessary to include legislation within clause 9 where a trader has been found to supply 'unsuitable' goods, for example goods which would be in breach of Health or Trading Standards.
- The Committee also considered that it may be necessary to add a clause to clause 10 of the Bill which would prevent an applicant from employing underage employees (ie youngsters operating stalls)
Members also sought clarification on the difference between charitable and non charitable organisations holding Car Boot Sales.
Members queried whether a maximum time limit should be specified.
Should this also be included under clause 5?
Agreed: The Clerk will consult with the Department for clarification on these points.
General discussion took place as to whether individual organisations should be invited to give oral submissions in relation to the Bill.
Agreed: The Chairman, Deputy Chairperson and Clerk will discuss further and decide which organisations to invite.
4. Housing Bill
- Members were requested to advise the Clerk as to which organisations should be included in the consultation list.
- The Clerk will endeavour to find out how much money is held in reserve by each of the Housing Associations.
5. AOB
The Chairman advised that the following consultation documents had been received:
Illustrations of Money Purchase Pensions
Security for Occupational Pensions
Committee members were invited to consider them and forward any comments to the Clerk.
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 19 October 2000 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting ended at 3.30pm
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
October 2000