MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY, 03 MAY 2001
1. Customer Service and Welfare Reform and Modernisation
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
5. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
6. Any Other Business
7. Housing Inquiry - Oral Evidence
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Sir John Gorman
Mr T Hamilton
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr G Kelly
Mr D O'Connor
Mr E ONeill
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr S Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr D Martin
Mr K Barker
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Apologies:
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.10pm.
Public Session
1. Customer Service and Welfare Reform and Modernisation within the Social Security Agency/One Pilot Initiative
Those in attendance: Chris Thompson - SSA Chief Executive
Mickey Kelly - SSA
Bernie O'Hare - T&EA
The Chairman welcomed the representatives to the meeting at 2.12pm after which the representatives made their presentation. A summary of their presentation was circulated to the Members. There followed a question-and answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left at 2.55pm.
Private Session
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the meetings of 26 April and 1 May were agreed.
There were no matters arising.
4. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Discretionary Financial Assistance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals and Discretionary Financial Assistance) (Consequential Amendments and Repeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) (Transitional and Savings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and The Housing Renovation etc Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001(subject to the Examiners Report).
5. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
The Committee passed the following motion:
"The Social Development Committee has considered SR 2001 No. 151 - The Social Security (New Deal Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 152 - The Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 NO. 157 - The Social Security (Capital Disregards Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, - SR 2001 No. 165 - Street Trading (Fixed Penalty) (Notice and Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 166 - Street Trading (Form of Licence) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 175 - The Social Security (Claims and Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and SR 2001 No. 176 - The Social Security (Work-focused Interviews) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - and has no objections to the Rules."
The Committee noted the content of the letter, tabled by the Clerk, in relation to the Executive Task Forces to combat unemployment and poverty in West Belfast and agreed to review its progress after 6 months.
The Committee noted the request, tabled by the Clerk, from Groundwork Northern Ireland to make a presentation to the Committee. The Committee agreed to invite Groundwork Northern Ireland to attend one of the oral evidence sessions in relation to the Committee's Inquiry into Urban Regeneration and Community Development.
The Committee noted the content of a letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Committee of the Centre in relation to the Proposed Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order NI 2001.
The Committee noted the content of a letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Minister of Finance and Personnel in relation to Consultation on Departmental Budgets. The Committee agreed that the clerk should write to the Department for Social Development and the Minister of Finance and Personnel restating the Committee's concerns with regards to this matter.
The Committee noted the content of the letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Chair of the Education Committee in relation to the Funding of After School Projects. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward the letter to the Department for Social Development indicating the Committee's support for the role of such projects in delivering effective regeneration and the importance of mainstreaming pilot projects.
7. Housing Inquiry - Oral Evidence
The Committee noted the content of further papers in relation to the Housing Inquiry containing further submissions, a further synopsis and a revised timetable. The Committee agreed to consider their content in advance of the oral evidence session scheduled for Tuesday 8 May.
Public Session
Mr Hutchinson declared his interest as a member of Filor Housing Association.
Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland to the meeting at 3.25pm.
In attendance:
Mr Kieran Walsh
Mr John Perry
Ms Janet Hunter
Mr John Gartland
The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left the meeting at 4.00pm.
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations to the meeting at 4.05pm.
In attendance:
Ms Jean Fulton
Mr Chris Williamson
Mr Gerry Kelly
Mr Graham Merton
The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left the meeting at 4.20pm.
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 12.00pm on Tuesday 08 May 2001 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
MAY 2001.
1 May 2001 / Menu / 8 May 2001