MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2001
1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 4 October 2001
2. Matters Arising
3. Draft Programme for Government
4. Draft Budget 2002/2003
5. Northern Ireland Housing Executive House Sales Scheme
6. N.I. Region of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters
7. A.O.B.
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Mr T Hamilton
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr E ONeill
Mr S Wilson
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Apologies:
Mr G Kelly
Mr D O'Connor
Sir J Gorman Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.10 p.m.
1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 4 October 2001
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
Gap Funding
The Committee noted the letters sent to the Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Finance.
NIHE Rent Increases
In light of the Ministers' request for the Committees' views on the rent increase for 2002/2003, the Committee agreed that the Chairman write to the Minister recommending there should be no "real" increase in Rent. Any increase should be in line with the prevailing level of inflation.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.23 p.m.
3. Draft Programme for Government
The Committee considered the draft response to the OFMDFM and agreed it should be issued without amendment.
The Committee considered the draft response and agreed that it be issued subject to the inclusion of a reference to increased running costs in relation to the section entitled Objective 1.
5. Northern Ireland Housing Executive House Sales Scheme
After a lengthy discussion the Committee endorsed the following proposals;
Eligibility to Purchase
Tenancy qualification - Endorsed
Joint Purchase - Endorsed
Anti-social Behaviour - Endorsed
What is Sold and the price Paid
Development Land - Endorsed
Maximum cash discount ceiling - Endorsed*
Cost floor (historic cost) - Endorsed
* In relation to "Maximum cash discount ceiling" the Committee suggested that the Housing Executive needs to clarify, for those tenants considering the purchase of a property (e.g. a property which may be the subject of improvement work, or have been the subject of improvement work in the recent past) what implications the cost of this work may have in calculating the level of discount.
Administrative and Technical Changes
Time allowed for issue of offer- **
Re-determinations of market value - Endorsed
Succession and Discount entitlement - Endorsed
Previous discounts - Endorsed
** In relation to Time allowed for issue of offer, the Committee regards the Housing Executive's existing policy as providing a useful measure of its performance. Therefore, the Committee urges the Housing Executive not only to retain a time specific period for issuing offers but also to make every effort to meet such a target.
Changes considered but rejected
The Committee agreed with the Housing Executive's assessment that it would be inappropriate to introduce a Portable discount measure.
The Committee agreed with the Housing Executive's assessment that there is no need to introduce a policy which would deny tenants the right to buy in rural areas.
The Committee agreed with the Housing Executive's assessment that the existing arrangements enable it to re-purchase properties where it is considered necessary.
The Committee agreed with the Housing Executive's assessment that the concept denying the right to buy in areas of high need may have merit, in principle. The Committee also concurred with the Housing Executive's view that the rights and equality issues as well as the practical difficulties associated with implementing such a measure combine to outweigh any potential benefit of adopting a policy of exclusion in high need areas.
A considerable debate was held by the committee concerning the Over 60's exclusion proposal.
It was proposed by Mr S Wilson 'that the right to buy should be extended to everyone' seconded by Mr J Tierney
The proposal 'that the right to buy should be extended to everyone' was put to the Committee
The Committee divided Ayes 3, Noes 4
The 'Over 60's exclusion' It was proposed by Mr B Hutchinson and seconded by Mr E ONeill
The proposal " that the Committee endorse 'Over 60's exclusion" proposal as written in the NIHE Consultation Document' was put to the Committee
The Committee divided Ayes 5, Noes 1
6. N.I. Region of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters
The Committee considered the response from the Department and agreed to invite a delegation from the Federation of Sub-Postmasters to attend a future meeting.
The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
Social Security Fraud Bill
The Committee considered the letter from the Minister dated 9 October and agreed it had no objections to his proposals to seek to suspend Standing Order no 40 (1) to allow 'final stage' to be taken as soon as possible.
The Committee agreed that the Chairman write accordingly to the Minister.
Laganside Corporation - Quinquennial Review
The Committee considered the letter, dated 14 September, to the Minister raising the Committee's concerns and the Minister's reply, dated 21 September, but only received by fax on 8 October.
The Committee agreed that it should request copies of the Quinquennial Review to enable it to consider the matter further.
The Clerk was asked to write accordingly to the Department.
Association of Independent Advice Centres NI
The Committee considered the letter from Mr Stronge, Director Association of Independent Advice Centres, and agreed that the Chairman should accept the invitation. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write accordingly to Mr Stronge.
Draft Report 'Housing in Northern Ireland'
The Chairman referred the Committee to the Draft Report and examples of presentation style. The Committee agreed a preferred style and that the draft report be considered at next weeks meeting.
Social Security Agency's Report on Decision Making
The Chairman referred the Members to the Press Release, dated 10 October, and the Social Security Agency Annual Report titled 'Decision Making in the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency 2000/2001.
The Committee agreed the Clerk should review the Report and identify major issues.
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 18 October 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
OCTOBER 2001
4 October 2001 / Menu / 18 October 2001