THURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2000 AT 2.00PM 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 J Tierney
In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr K Barker Mr L Hart Ms V Surplus Ms E Regan Mr M Finnegan
Apologies: Mr D O'Connor, Mr E ONeill, Mr M Robinson, Mr S Wilson
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.07pm
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
As no reply had yet been received from the Department as to when the Housing Bill is likely to made available to the Committee and in what form, the Committee agreed that the Clerk should write again to the Department.
3. Subordinate Legislation
The Committee passed the following motion:
The Social Development Committee has considered Statutory Rules
SR 2000 No 321 - The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, and
SR 2000 No. 324 - The Statutory Maternity (General) (Modification and Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, and has expressed no objections to the Rules.
Public Session
4. Street Trading Bill - Committee Stage
The Chairman welcomed the officials and the Assembly Legal Adviser to the meeting at 2.13pm.
DSD Officials: Mr Gordon Gibson Mr Ivan McMaster
Legal Adviser: Imelda McAuley
The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.
Clause 3 - the Committee agreed that it should stand as part of the Bill.
Clause 9 - following receipt of legal advice and after discussions regarding 'adequacy' the Committee agreed to include in its report to the Assembly a suggested amendment.
Clause 15 - following receipt of legal advice and after discussions the Committee agreed to consider this clause again in more depth at the next meeting.
Clause 18 - the Committee agreed that it should stand as part of the Bill.
The Chairman thanked the officials and the Assembly Legal Adviser and they left at 2.48pm.
5. Presentation by the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in relation to the implications of any increase in Northern Ireland Housing Executive rents.
NIHE Officials: Mr Paddy McIntyre - Chief Executive Mr Colin McCaughley - Director of Client Services Mr John Wilson - Assistant Director of Finance
The Chairman welcomed the Chief Executive and the officials to the meeting at 2.50pm. After which the Chief Executive gave an opening statement which was circulated to the members. There followed a question-and answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive and officials and they left at 3.32pm.
Private Session
6. Programme For Government
Committee staff circulated a paper entitled Departmental SR2000 Bids, Budget Allocation and Draft Programme for Government Lead Issues. The Committee agreed to digest its content and consider its response to the Draft Programme for Government at the next meeting.
7. Any Other Business
- The Clerk advised that an invitation had been received from the Clerk of Committees to any members interested in attending a short briefing on Government finances at a date yet to be arranged.
- The Committee considered a request from Ewarts to meet the Committee and decided not to take any immediate action.
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 07 December 2000 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
November 2000.
