MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS AT 1.30 PM ON TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2002.
Apologies:
Mr J Tierney
Sir J Gorman
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Miss K Kelly
Mr S Farrell
Mr Cobain took the Chair at 1.52 p.m.
Public Session
- Housing Bill.
The Chairman welcomed officials to the meeting at 1.54 p.m.
Mr Scott Carson Bill Team Leader
George Davidson Housing Management
Mr Stephen Baird Housing Management
Mr Carson made a statement outlining the reasons for the need for the legislation and the main thrust of provisions in the Bill.
The Committee proceeded to carry out its initial clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Housing Bill. The clauses were read together with the related commentary in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum. Officials provided clarification in relation to a number of clauses.
The Long Title was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the long title as drafted.
Clause 1 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 2 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 3 was considered.
Following discussion about the definition of "nuisance", the Committee agreed that it was content with the clause, subject to assurances given by Departmental Officials in relation to the provision of guidance notes for this Clause and on the basis that officials would present, to the Committee at a future date, examples of how the Northern Ireland Housing Executive might interpret "nuisance", in practice.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 3 as drafted.
Clause 4 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 5 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 5 as drafted.
Clause 6 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 7 was considered.
Following discussion it was agreed that potential amendments to previous Clauses might affect Clause 7. The Committee therefore agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 8 was considered.
The Committee expressed concern over the use of the word "his" to represent both males and females. Officials confirmed that the use of "his" was in keeping with provisions in the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland). The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 9 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 9 as drafted.
Clause 10 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 11 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 11 as drafted.
Clause 12 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 13 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 14 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 15 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 15 as drafted.
Clause 16 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 16 as drafted.
Clause 17 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 18 was considered
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 19 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 20 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 21 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Members agreed to resume Clause by Clause consideration of the Bill on 19 September. The meeting was suspended at 2.20pm to enable the Chairman to propose Motions, in plenary session, to extend the Committee Stages of the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill.
2. Date of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 19 September in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.
Mr F Cobain
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SEPTEMBER 2002