THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2000 AT 1.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson) Sir John Gorman Mr B Hutchinson Mr G Kelly Mr D McClarty Mr D O'Connor Mr E ONeill Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson
In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mrs J McMurray Mr L Hart Ms V Surplus Ms E Regan
Mr Cobain took the chair at 1.05pm.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed
2. Matters Arising
An explanation in relation to The Social Fund (Recovery by Deductions from Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, which had been queried at the last meeting, had been received.
Agreed: The Committee accepted the Department's proposals.
The Department's response to the points raised regarding the Street Trading Bill was circulated to the members.
3. Any Other Business
Housing Bill A draft of organisations that would be asked to make written comment had been drawn up. The Chairman asked that any suggestions for additions be conveyed to the Clerk.
Renewal and Beyond: Housing and Economic Development A conference has been organised in the Portmarnock Hotel, Dublin on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th November 2000. Those interested in attending were asked to contact the Clerk.
Subordinate Legislation Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following: Proposals for Regulations In Respect Of Pensions: Proposals for Commencement Orders in respect of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000.
4. Budget
Members asked that the Department explain what is meant by 'Resource Accounting Adjustments'. The Clerk undertook to write to the Department.
Four main areas of concern were discussed:
Rent Increases Urban and Rural Regeneration Replacement Schemes (kitchens and bathrooms) Fuel Poverty
It was noted that the bid in relation to Urban Regeneration was down 4.4% on the previous year and that the Housing Executive was only up 1.5% (another cut).
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 1.35pm.
The Committee noted that to reject the Rent increase of GDP + 2% would have an impact on existing schemes. Members felt, however, that rents should not be raised each time this stage of the budget was reached. Members unanimously agreed that there was no further justification to follow the existing GDP formula as the reality was that other benefits/Pensions did not go up at that rate. The Committee suggested a need to get back to inflationary rates. Members discussed the funding of the Housing Associations, as it appears that Associations may not have spent their full allocations in the last 3 years.
Members noted that no provision had been made in respect of Fuel poverty or schemes to upgrade kitchens and bathrooms in Housing Executive homes and queried why these issues were included in the Programme for Government when no money had been provided for them. The Committee did, however, accept that the Programme relates to the next three years and may not match the existing budget.
No additional funding was directed towards the North Belfast Scheme. Members agreed that some commitment must be made to the Committee for next year.
Public Session
Presentation by the Minister for Social Development in relation to Budget Allocations.
DSD Officials: Mr Maurice Morrow MLA - Minister For Social Development Mr John Hunter - Permanent Secretary Mr Bryan Davis - Director of Corporate Services Mr Michael Sands - Departmental Finance Official
The Chairman welcomed the Officials to the meeting at 2.15pm, after which the Minister gave an opening statement. There followed a question-and-answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the Minister and Officials and they left at 3.40.pm.
Mr Cobain, Mr O'Connor, Mr Kelly and Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.45pm Ms Gildernew took the Chair.
5. Presentation in relation to the Street Trading Bill
Panel Members: Mr Kieran Kerr - Street Trader Mr John McKeever - Street Trader Ms Mary McKinney - Enforcement Officer (Coleraine Borough Council) Mr William Elder - Enforcement Officer (Coleraine Borough Council)
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed the panel to the meeting at 3.50pm. Ms McKinney and Mr McKeever made presentations to the Committee and these were followed by a question-and-answer session. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.
Mr O'Connor returned to the meeting at 4.05pm. Mr Wilson left the meeting at 4.18pm
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the panel and they left at 4.35pm
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 9 November in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
October 2000
