THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2001 AT 2.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Ms M Gildernew Sir J Gorman Mr T Hamilton Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson
Apologies: Mr G Kelly Mr B Hutchinson Mr E ONeill
In Attendance: Mr S Graham Mr L McLernon Mrs J McMurray Ms V Surplus Miss F Douglas
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.09 p.m.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 5 July 2001
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
The Law Society
The Committee noted that the Clerk has written to the Law Society seeking clarification in relation to a number of issues on the General Consumer Council's Report 'Improving the House Buying Process'.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals to make Statutory Rules in respect of the following -
The Social Security (Capital Disregards Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
The Committee passed the following Motion subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report:
"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules;
SR 2001 No. 258 - The Social Security (Volunteers Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 259 - The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 261 - The Social Security (Discretionary Housing Payments Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 278 - The Social Security (Students and Income-Related Benefits Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 287 - The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Persons Abroad: Benefits for Widows and Widowers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, and
SR 2001 No. 289 - The Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rules
Ms Gildernew joined the meeting at 2.16 p.m.
Public Session
5. Social Security Fraud Bill
The Chairman welcomed Departmental Officials to the meeting at 2.17 p.m.
In attendance: Mr John O'Neill Miss Doreen Roy
Mrs Sandra Lowe
Mr David McCurry
The question and answer session and scrutiny of the Bill were recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence
Clause 1 - "Additional powers to obtain information"
The Committee divided Ayes 4, Noes 2.
Clause 2 - "Electronic access to information"
The Committee was content with Clause 2.
Sir J Gorman joined the meeting at 2.34 p.m.
Clause 3 - "Code of practice about the use of information"
The Committee was content with Clause 3.
Clause 4 - "Arrangement for payments in respect of information"
The Committee divided Ayes: 5, Noes 1.
Clause 5 - "Supply of information."
The Committee was content with Clause 5.
Clause 6 - "Loss of benefit for commission of benefit offences"
The Committee was content with Clause 6.
Clause 7 -"Effect of offence on joint-claim JSA"
The Committee was content with Clause 7.
Clause 8 - "Effect of offence on benefits for members of offender's family"
The Committee was content with Clause 8.
Clause 9 - "Power to supplement and mitigate loss of benefit provisions"
The Committee was content with Clause 9.
Clause 10 - "Loss of benefit regulation"
The Committee was content with Clause 10.
Clause 11 - "Consequential amendments"
The Committee was content with Clause 11.
Clause 12 - "Interpretation of sections 6 to 11"
The Committee was content with Clause 12.
Clause 13 - "Delegation of functions"
The Committee was content with Clause 13.
Clause 14 - "Colluding employers"
The Committee was content with Clause 14.
Clause 15 - "Offence of failing to notify a change of circumstances"
The Committee was content with Clause 15.
Clause 16 - "Repeals"
The Committee was content with Clause 16.
Clause 17 - "Commencement"
The Committee was content with Clause 17.
Clause 18 - "Short title and interpretation"
The Committee was content with Clause 18.
Schedule 1 - It was agreed that it should stand as part of the Bill
The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 2.45 p.m.
Mr Hamilton and Mr Tierney left the meeting at 2.46 p.m.
6. Belfast Regeneration Office Strategy 2001 - 2004
The Chairman welcomed Mr John Hunter, Permanent Secretary and Mr George Mackey, Director of the Belfast Regeneration Office to the meeting at 2.50 p.m. and the officials made a presentation.
Mr Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 3.00 p.m.
Mr Tierney rejoined the meeting at 3.10 p.m.
The presentation was recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked Mr Hunter and Mr Mackey and they left the meeting at 3.27 p.m.
Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.27 p.m.
Sir J Gorman left the meeting at 3.40 p.m.
Private Session
7. Housing Inquiry
A revised section on 'Larger Scale Voluntary Transfer' was circulated. Members agreed to consider it and forward any comments to the Clerk by Tuesday 11 September.
8. Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland - Consultation Document
Members considered the Consultation Document in the context of the Committee's Inquiry into Urban Regeneration and Community Development. The Committee agreed that a detailed response should be submitted to the Department, but the Clerk was asked to seek an extension to the
1 October 2001 deadline.
The Clerk advised that it might be appropriate for the Committee to 'stand down' its own inquiry into Urban Regeneration and Community Development.
The Clerk was asked to bring forward proposals for 'oral' evidence sessions.
9. Draft Policy Paper on Town Centre Reinvigoration
Members considered the Clerk should respond to the Department indicating that the Committee has considered, and endorses, the draft policy.
10 Promoting Social Inclusion - Consultation on Future Priorities
Members were referred to a paper prepared by the Researchers. The Clerk was asked to draft a response based around the research paper, also highlighting 'neighbourhood regeneration and strengthening weak community infrastructure' as future priorities under PSI.
11. Any Other Business
Departmental Paper on Housing Associations
The Committee agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister thanking him for the Paper and indicating that the Committee found it useful.
NIHE Consultation Paper on House Sales
The Committee asked that the NIHE Consultation Paper on House Sales be tabled at next week's meeting.
NIAO Report on the Management of Social Security Debt Collection
Members noted the exchange of correspondence between the Audit Office and the Law Centre.
Review of the Voluntary Activity Unit
The Committee strongly agreed with Section 11 point 1 of the paper. The Committee agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister indicating that the Committee had considered the paper and support of the proposed Implementation Plan and it was strongly in favour of Section 11 point 1 of the paper.
Research, Development and Innovation Strategy
The Committee agreed that the Clerk should submit a 'Nil' response to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the above strategy.
Forward Work Programme
Members agreed the Forward Work Programme.
Dungannon Visit
The Clerk was asked to proceed to make arrangements for a visit to Dungannon to include the 'ONE' Initiative.
Conference - Belfast Sustainable Growth and Development
Members agreed to inform the Clerk if they are interested in attending the conference which is to be held on 27 and 28 September.
Developing the Programme for Government and the Budget for 2002/2003
Members noted the Department's letter of the 3 September 2001.
Finance Seminar
Members were reminded of the Finance Seminar in the Long Gallery on 12 September.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 13 September 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SEPTEMBER 2001
