MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2001
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
4. DEES II - Rent Order
5. L/Derry Visit and Outcome
6. Any Other Business
7. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Sir John Gorman
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr D O'Connor
Mr E ONeill
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr K Barker
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Apologies:
Mr D McClarty, Mr S Wilson
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.11pm.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
The Committee agreed that the letter tabled by the Clerk setting out the Committee's views on DEES II as expressed at last week's meeting should be issued to the Minister.
The Committee noted that officials are to be invited to give a short presentation and answer questions on 'parity' of Statutory Rules at a forthcoming meeting.
The Committee noted that the Clerk is to bring forward initial proposals and possible Terms of Reference for a Committee investigation and Report into Urban Regeneration and Community/Social Development at next week's meeting.
The Committee noted that the presentation by BT in the 'Long Gallery' sponsored by Ms M Gildernew and Sir J Gorman and discussed at last week's meeting had been arranged for 14 March between 12.00 and 2.00pm. Sir J Gorman advised that he may be unable to attend due to another engagement but Mr B Hutchinson and Mr E ONeill indicated their intention to attend.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
(i) Departmental Officials: John O'Neill - Social Security Legislation Branch
Joan Crabb - Social Security Legislation Branch
The Chairman welcomed the above-named officials to the meeting at 2.20pm. and they gave a brief explanation of the proposed Statutory Rule. The officials briefed the Committee on the rationale for and implications of the proposed Statutory Rule - The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001. Following clarification the Committee agreed that they wished further time to consider it's implications and it was agreed that the officials would attend next week's meeting. The Chairman thanked the officials for their briefing and they left the meeting at 2.45pm.
(ii) Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Social Security (Claims and Payments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and The Social Security (Credits and Incapacity Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations. (Northern Ireland) 2001.
4. DEES II - Rent Order
Researcher: Ms Eileen Regan
The Chairman welcomed the researcher to the meeting at 2.45pm after which she made a presentation. A summary of the presentation was circulated to the Members. After discussion the Committee agreed to consider this issue again at some future date. The Chairman thanked the researcher and she left at 2.55pm.
5. L/Derry Visit and Outcome
The Committee agreed that the visit to L/Derry was well organised, worthwhile and valuable and deepened their understanding of local issues. The Committee thanked Mr J Tierney for his assistance in helping to make the visit a success. Mr M Robinson also advised that Mr W Hay a local MLA wished his thanks to Mr J Tierney to be placed on record.
The Committee agreed that the Clerk should consider scheduling further visits relating to urban regeneration to North, South, East and West Belfast, Lurgan, Dublin and Sheffield.
The Committee further agreed that consideration should be given to the Committee meeting academics from Magee College in relation to urban regeneration and social development.
6. Any Other Business
The Committee noted that the Clerk will present proposals for the overall timetable for work for the investigation and report into the proposed Housing Bill and the Terms of Reference for Large Scale Voluntary Transfers and the NIHE, Right to Buy, Anti-social Behaviour and Homelessness at next week's meeting.
The Committee noted that the researcher would make a presentation in relation to 'The Pension Credit' at next week's meeting.
The Committee agreed to meet the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) on 8 March at 11.30am.
The Committee noted the Bids for Additional Resources - February monitoring 2000 - 2001 and agreed that no further action was required.
7. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 01 March 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
February 2001
15 February 2001 / Menu / 1 March 2001