THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2002 AT 2.000 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson) Sir J Gorman Ms M Nelis Mr B Hutchinson Mr S Wilson Mr E ONeill
Apologies: Mr J Tierney Mr M Robinson
In Attendance: Mr S Graham Mr L McLernon Miss K Kelly Mr S Farrell
Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.10 p.m.
Public Session
1. Minutes of the meetings held on the 19 September and 24 September
The minutes of the meetings were agreed.
2. Housing Bill.
The Chairman welcomed Departmental official Mr Scott Carson to the meeting
The Committee continued its initial clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Housing Bill. The clauses were read together with the related commentary in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum.
Mr E ONeill left the meeting at 2.14 pm
Mr B Hutchinson left the meeting at 2.15 pm
Clause 145 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 145 as drafted.
Clause 146 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 147 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Clause until a later date.
Clause 148 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 148 as drafted.
Clause 149 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 149 as drafted.
Clause 150 was considered.
Agreed: that the Committee is content with the clause 150 as drafted.
Schedule 1 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Schedule until a later date.
Schedule 2 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Schedule until a later date.
Schedule 3 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Schedule until a later date.
Schedule 4 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Schedule until a later date.
Schedule 5 was considered.
The Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the Schedule until a later date.
Mr Carson indicated the Department intended to bring forward a number of amendments to the Bill relating to some of those Clauses which been deferred for further consideration by the Committee.
Members agreed that the meeting on Tuesday 1 October be held in closed session to enable the Assembly's Research team to provide an overview of the main issues in the Bill and to discuss the handling arrangements for dealing with the deferred clauses.
3. Forward Plan of Business
The Committee noted the updated Forward Plan of Business.
4. Subordinate Legislation
Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make a Statutory Rules in respect of the following:-
The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
Motions
The Committee passed the following Motions subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's Report:
"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:
SR 2002 No. 284 - The Social Fund (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland)
2002
SR 2002 No. 279 - The Occupational Pension Schemes (Member-nominated Trustees and Directors)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 275 - The Social Security (Employment Programme Amendment) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2002
And has no objections to the Rules"
5. Victoria Square Development
The Committee agreed the terms of the draft letter to the Minister welcoming his decision to support the Victoria Square Development.
6. Annual Report on the Standard of Decision Making and Payment Accuracy in the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency 2001/2002.
The Committee noted the letter from the Department, dated 12 September, and the related Annual Report. Following discussion Members agreed that Departmental officials be invited to make a presentation about the Report to the Committee, particularly in relation to shortcomings in performance.
The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
7. Any Other Business
2002/03 Public Expenditure - September Monitoring
The Chairman referred the Committee to the letter from W B J Davies Director of Corporate Services, dated 17 September, detailing the Department's bids and reduced requirements. Following discussion Members agreed that Departmental officials be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss some of the bids.
The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
Needs and Effectiveness Evaluation
The Committee noted the letter from Derek Baker, dated 19 September, providing the information about the Needs and Effectiveness Evaluation. Members agreed to let the Clerk have comments.
Mr B Hutchinson joined the meeting at 2.24 pm
Housing Bill NIA 24/01
Members noted the letter from the Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, dated 20 September, in which he indicated the Committee would not be putting forward any specific comments on the Housing Bill, but the Committee had raised specific rural concerns with the Minister for Social Development.
Draft Budget 2002
The Chairman referred the Committee to the letter from the Chairman Committee for Finance and Personnel, dated 24 September, concerning the Draft Budget 2002 and requesting the Committee's views and comments by Friday 25 October 2002.
Members noted the Clerk had written to the Department to invite officials to attend a meeting of the Committee to discuss the DSD element of the draft PFG and draft Budget in sufficient time to enable the Committee to respond to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
Mr E ONeill joined the meeting at 2.34 pm
Departmental Press Release
The Committee noted the Department's Press Release, dated 24 September, about the launch of the Homelessness Strategy and agreed the Committee should issue a further Press Release welcoming the new Strategy.
Clanmil Housing Association - 25th Anniversary Long Gallery Event 10th October 2002
The Committee noted the change of time for the event, and agreed the Committee's meeting for the 10th October should revert to its original starting time of 2.00 pm.
Freedom Of Information Act 2000 - DSD Publication Scheme
The Committee noted the Paper from the Departmental Records Officer, dated 10 September.
Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations Seminar
The Committee noted the a presentation by Professor Midwinter University of Strathclyde of his research paper on the Northern Ireland Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations is scheduled for the 4th October.
Members agreed to advise the Clerk if they planned to attend.
Committee Stage of Housing Bill
The Committee discussed the timescales involved in completing the Committee Stage the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill, in light of recent political developments, and agreed to consider the matter further on Tuesday, 1 October.
8. Date of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday 1 October in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
Mr F Cobain
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SEPTEMBER 2002
