Thursday 4 October 2001 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

Apologies: Mr G Kelly Mr D O'Connor

In Attendance: Mr S Graham Mr L McLernon Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.10 p.m.

1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 27 September 2001

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Tax Credits

The Clerk confirmed that he had been in touch with the Research Department to commission research in relation to 'parity matters'.

3. Finance 2001/2002 AND 2002/2003

The Chairman welcomed the Minister and his Departmental Officials to the meeting at 2.16 p.m.

In attendance:   Mr Maurice Morrow, Minister   Mr Michael Sands   Mr Bryan Davis   Mr Walter Hutchinson

The Committee discussed with the Minister and officials, the September Monitoring Bid and the bids for the second tranche of Executive Programme Funds as well as the draft Programme for Government and the draft Budget for 2002/2003. The discussion was recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

Mr Tierney left the meeting at 2.19 p.m.

The Chairman thanked the Minister and officials and left the meeting at 3.42pm

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.43 p.m.

The Committee discussed and agreed its response to the Draft Programme for Government and the terms of its reply to the Finance and Personnel Committee in relation to the Draft Budget for 2002/2003. Members expressed concerned about the absence of the Service Delivery Agreement.

Mr Robinson rejoined the meeting at 3.50 p.m.   Mr Wilson left the meeting at 3.59 p.m.

4. Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland - Consultation Paper on Urban Renewal

The Committee agreed that the Clerk should proceed to prepare a Special Report on the basis of the 'options paper' which had been tabled.

5. Role and Purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group

The Committee noted the paper on the Role and Purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group. The Chairman undertook to suggest that matters such as the handling arrangements for consultations on Executive Programme Funds could usefully be discussed by the Liaison Group in order to establish a common approach across Committees.

6. A.O.B.

Improving the Planning System

The Committee noted details of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors one day Conference to be held on Thursday 8

Blackie Community Groups Association

The Committee noted correspondence from the Blackie Community Groups Association and agreed that the letter be referred to the Department. It was further agreed that the Chairman should write to Minister of Finance about 'gap funding'.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 11 October 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

OCTOBER 2001