THURSDAY 13 JANUARY 2000 AT 2.00 PM AT THE OFFICES OF LAGANSIDE CORPORATION, CLARENDON DOCK

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

Apologies: Sir J Gorman   Mr B Hutchinson

In Attendance: Mr G Martin, Mr L Hart, Mr D Harkin, Ms V Surplus

Mr Cobain took the Chair.

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising  

Agreed:

i. There will be a change to the future work programme to accommodate the Minister's attendance at the Committee's meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 January to discuss the Departmental budget for 2000/2001. This will, however, be subject to the Committee's having had adequate prior notice of the figures and proposals for expenditure. The Clerk will follow up this matter.

ii. The presentation by the Social Security Agency will be brought forward to Thursday 20 January.

3. Subordinate Legislation

Question put and agreed to:

That the Social Development Committee has considered the Statutory Rule 1999 No. 486 - the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and has no objection to the Rule.

The Clerk will report immediately the Committee's consideration of the Rule to the Business Office for inclusion in the Assembly's minutes of proceedings

4. Presentation by Laganside Corporation

Panel Members: Mr T Hopkins, Chairman   Mr M Smith, Chief Executive

The above named entered the meeting at 2.20 PM and gave a comprehensive presentation on the work to date on Laganside and their vision for the future. There followed a question-and-answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the officials for their presentation, and they left the meeting at 3.15 PM.

5. AOB

The Chairman advised the Committee that he and the Deputy Chairperson have been receiving general briefings on related issues such as urban/rural regeneration and the voluntary and community sector to help inform the Committee's decision on the prioritisation of a programme of work.

Agreed: Where necessary, the Committee will meet additionally on Tuesdays in preparation for its weekly scheduled meeting, and to allow Members to crystallise their thoughts for deliberation on forthcoming issues.

6. Date and Time of the Next Meeting

The next meeting will be at 2.00 PM on Thursday 20 January in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN  

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN