THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2001 AT 2.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

In Attendance:   Mr G Martin   Mr S Graham   Mr K Barker   Mr L Hart   Ms V Surplus

Apologies: Sir John Gorman, Mr G Kelly, Mr D McClarty, Mr D O'Connor

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.14pm.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Child Support (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.

4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions

The Committee passed the following motion:

"The Social Development Committee has considered Statutory Rule 2000 No. 340 - The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Temporary Increase) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, Statutory Rule No. 380 - The Social Security (Disclosure of State Pension Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and Statutory Rule 2000 No.350 - The Jobseeker's Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2000 - and has no objections to the Rules."

The Committee agreed that a paper would be prepared on changes to the handling of Subordinate Legislation by the Committee.

Public Session

5. Presentation by representatives of the Centre Managers Sustainability Working Group in relation to the work of Women's Centres in the Greater Belfast area

Those in attendance: Maire McCotter - Co-ordinate of the Women's Support Network   Julie Murray - Co-ordinate of Greenway Women's Centre   Ann Graham - Co-ordinate of Ballybeen Women's Centre   Stephanie Garvin - Co-ordinate Lisburn Women's Initiative

The Chairman welcomed the representatives to the meeting at 2.19pm. After which the representatives made their presentation. A summary report of the social and economic impact of Women's Centres in Greater Belfast and the Women's Support Network response to the Northern Ireland Executive Draft Programme For Government 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 3.05pm.

6. Proposed Housing Bill

The Chairman welcomed the officials to the meeting at 3.09pm.

DSD officials: Mr David Crothers   Mr George Davidson

The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

The Chairman thanked the officials and they left at 3.50pm.

Private Session

Following discussions with the researchers and the explanation from the officials of the policy intentions behind the following legislative proposals the Committee agreed to investigate;

• Private Sector Renewal

• Houses in Multiple Occupation and the Regulation of the Private Rented Sector

• Large Scale Voluntary Transfers

• Housing Association Tenants - right to buy

• Anti-social Behaviour

• Homelessness

The Committee further agreed that the Clerk and the researchers should agree draft Terms of Reference for the Committee to consider at next week's meeting.

7. Review of the Legislative Process in the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Committee agreed the content of a draft response to the Chairman of The Committee on Procedures regarding the Review of the Legislative Process in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

8. Any Other Business

(i) The Committee agreed to invite The Northern Ireland Housing Executive to give a presentation on the Voluntary Licensing Scheme for landlords with a House of Multiple Occupation at some future date following completion of the research referred to in section 6 of these minutes.

(ii) The Committee agreed to invite the Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group to discuss how the planning system, if used well, could encourage private sector involvement in the regeneration of Belfast at a date to be arranged.

(iii) The Committee agreed to invite the National Energy Action NI to give a presentation to the Committee on the DEES II scheme at next week's meeting.

9. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 01 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

January 2001