MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2001.

Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr G Kelly
Mr S Wilson

Apologies:
Mr D O'Connor
Sir J Gorman
Mr T Hamilton

In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.05 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2001.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Dungannon Visit

The Committee noted the Programme and associated papers for the visit to the One Centre and agreed the terms of the Press Release.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make a Statutory Rule in respect of the following: -

The Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

The Income Support (General) and Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

4. Social Security Fraud Bill - Code of Practice

Members noted that the Social Security Fraud Bill had received Royal Assent on 15 November 2001. The Committee also noted the terms of the a letter from the Minister, dated 7 November, confirming the associated Code will be issued for consultation with a 12 week period allowed for responses.

The Chairman undertook to write to the Minister about the proposed date for launching the Public Consultation and to seek further clarification about human rights proofing.

5. Rent Increases in 2002/2003

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 8 November, concerning the Northern Ireland Housing Executive rent increases for 2002/2003 and agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister requesting an analysis of range of percentage options for Rent Increases and the implications for spending programmes.

The Clerk was asked to prepare a separate letter in relation to House Sales receipts for consideration by the Committee.

6. Proposed Housing Support Bill

Members noted the terms of a letter from the Minister, dated 8 November, in which he advised he will be writing to the Executive Committee to seek authority to prepare and publish a draft Housing Support (Northern Ireland) Bill.

The Committee agreed that Officials should be invited to give a presentation on the Proposed Housing Support (Northern Ireland) Bill and the Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements.

7. Any Other Business.

Tax Credits

The Chairman confirmed that a Motion on Tax Credits had been tabled with the Business Office for debate on Monday 19 November and that he would be speaking to the Motion along the lines agreed at the Committee's meeting on 27 September 2001.

Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 2.43 p.m.

Northern Ireland Housing Forum Meeting

Members noted the invitation to attend the next meeting of the Housing Forum scheduled for 9.30 a.m. on Thursday 6 December at Belfast Castle and agreed that the Chairman and the Clerk should attend.

Executive Programme for Children - Consultation

Members noted a letter, dated 13 November, from the Chairman Committee for Finance and Personnel concerning the Executive Programme Fund for Children and Community and Voluntary Sector Involvement and agreed the Clerk should commission research.

Accommodation Review

The Committee noted the letter from the Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee dated 8 November about the Northern Ireland Civil Service Accommodation Review and requested that the Clerk should prepare a reply for consideration by the Committee.

Healthy Cities Belfast

Members noted two documents, Healthy Cities Belfast annual report 2000 - 1 and A Strategy for Equity, Sustainability and Intersectoral Co-operation 2001 - 2003 and agreed that research be commissioned to identify and provide comment on any relevant Social

8. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 22 November 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
NOVEMBER 2001

8 November 2001 / Menu / 22 November 2001