MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY, 15 MARCH 2001
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
5. Urban Regeneration and Community Development
6. Housing
7. Regional Development Strategy
8. Any Other Business
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Sir John Gorman
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr E ONeill
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr S Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr K Barker
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Apologies:
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson), Mr G Kelly, Mr D O'Connor,
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.08pm.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
The Committee agreed to consider Urban Regeneration/Community Development as agenda item 5.
The Committee agreed to consider Housing as agenda item 6.
The Committee agreed to consider the Regional Development Strategy as agenda item 7.
The Committee noted that the BT In Contact Proposal event scheduled to be held on 14 March had had to be postponed due to the unavailability of the sponsor Sir J Gorman and others who had prior commitments. The Committee agreed to consider rescheduling the event after the Easter recess in the form of a presentation to the Social Development Committee.
The Committee agreed that a letter from the Chairman of the Finance and Personnel to the Department for Social Development in relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPP) could issue via the Social Development Committee offices. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should ask the Research Department to identify if there are any business areas within the Department where PPP/PFI might usefully be applied and further that the Research Department should obtain details of existing and proposed DSD schemes.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Social Security (Invalid Care Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Social Security (Joint Claims Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Social Security (Capital Disregards and Recovery of Benefit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2001 and The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (subject to the Examiner's report).
4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
The Committee passed the following motion:
"The Social Development Committee has considered Statutory Rule 2001 No.79 - The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and Statutory Rule 2001 No.88 - The Social Security (Credits and Incapacity Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objections to the Rules." (subject to the Examiner's report).
5. Urban Regeneration and Community Development - Proposals and Draft Terms of Reference
The Committee agreed that, given the Department's ongoing review in this area, the Clerk should write to the Department to obtain up to date details of the review. The Committee further agreed to proceed with its investigation based on the agreed Terms of Reference and that the Research Department be asked to identify a substantive list of voluntary and community groups that the Committee might draw from to invite submissions, include in its visits programme or call for evidence.
6. Housing - Draft Terms of Reference & Timetable
The Committee noted that the Clerk is continuing to discuss with the Research Department the practical arrangements to progress this investigation. The Committee agreed that Terms of Reference in respect of topics 3 and 4 i.e. 'Large Scale Voluntary Transfers and the NIHE' and 'Rights of Housing Association Tenants to Buy Their Properties' and a timetable for the completion of the investigation in respect of topics 1 to 4 should be tabled by the Clerk at next week's meeting.
7. Regional Development Strategy
The Committee agreed to consider the Regional Development Strategy document and the contents of a paper tabled by the Clerk as the first item of business at next week's meeting.
8. Any Other Business
The Committee noted the letter from the Minister dated 7 March in relation to the proposed Housing Bill.
The Committee noted the reply to the Chairman from the Minister dated 6 March in relation to the Strategic Options Study into the future financing of public sector housing. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking the Terms of Reference for the study.
The Committee noted the replies from OFMDFM and the Department in relation to
The Women's Support Network.
The Committee noted the content of the Strategy 2010 document provided by the Enterprise Trade and Industry Committee.
The Committee agreed to await the publication of the report on Sunday Betting before expressing a view on the matter.
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 22 March 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
March 2001
8 March 2001 / Menu / 22 March 2001