Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2009/2010
Date: 30 September 2009
Venue: Room 135
The meeting opened at 10.05am in closed session
Appointment of Acting Chairperson
The Committee Clerk called for nominations to fill the role of acting Chairperson.
Agreed – that Mr McClarty take the chair.
10.07am M r McClarty took the chair at 10.07am.
10.10am The meeting moved into public session
10.10am Ms Lo joined the meeting
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 23rd September 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from Invest NI officials on the Short Term Aid Scheme
10.20am Mr Clarke joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from Charles Hamilton and Damian McAuley of Invest NI on the Short Term Aid Scheme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Briefing from UNISON on the proposed privatisation of services at the University of Ulster
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of UNISON: Jonathan Swallow, Consultant, Nuala Conlon, UNISON Area Organiser, Ken Newberry, UNISON Branch Secretary, University of Ulster (Jordanstown Campus), and May McWilliams, UNISON Shop Steward, University of Ulster (Art College) on the proposed privatisation of services at the University of Ulster. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
4. Briefing on the closure of the German Studies Department at Queen’s University
The Committee received a briefing from Professor David Johnston, Dr David Robb and Mr James Maxwell on the planned closure of the German Studies Department at Queen’s University. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11.50am Mr Hilditch left the meeting
5. Primary Legislation – Employment Bill
Members noted a revised timeline for the Committee Stage of the Employment Bill.
The Committee also noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the proposed amendments to the Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions: Northern Ireland Committee (NIC-ICTU) seeking views on the proposed amendments to the Bill.
12.03pm Ms Lo left the meeting
6. Matter Arising
12.04pm Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting
- Priorities for European Engagement Report 2008-09 End of Year Report
Agreed: Members noted the above report and agreed to forward to the Minister seeking an update on the Department’s progress in relation to the content of the Report. - Draft Holyland Action Plan
Agreed: Members noted the above report from the Department and agreed to defer the matter to the meeting on 7 th October. - Draft response to DSD’s Voluntary Advice Services Consultation
Agreed: Member approved the above draft response and agreed to forward to the Committee for Social Development. - Dates for Committee motions on HE/FE Childcare provision and Access to the Education Maintenance Allowance
Members noted that the above Committee motions have been scheduled for 13 th October and 20 th October, respectively. - Change of Committee Room
Members noted that the Committee will, in the near future, be moving from its normal meeting room to Room 30. This arrangement will stay in place until the 2010 Easter recess.
7. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. Members also noted a number of forthcoming events.
8. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.
9. Any Other Business
- CEF Proposal – “Revitalising Construction Apprenticeships in NI”
Agreed: Members noted the above paper from the CEF and agreed to write to the Minister seeking views on the proposals. - Monitoring of Departmental Efficiency Delivery Plans
Members noted the above correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel. - Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for the period of September to December 2009. - Steps to Work Programme Update
Members noted a scheduled announcement from the Minister on 1 st October in relation to the addition of a new strand to the Steps to Work Programme, “Step Ahead”. - Invitation from South Eastern Regional College
Agreed: Members noted an invitation from the South Eastern Regional College to visit its new Lisburn Campus and agreed to schedule a visit in the near future. - BBC Press Article – “Stormont consultant fees top £100m
Members noted the above press article, published by the BBC on 24 th September. - Committee for Finance and Personnel Invitation
Members noted an invitation to the Finance and Personnel Committee’s stakeholder conference “Maximising the Economic and Social Benefits from Public Procurement” on 21 st October. - Proposed Autism Legislation
Members noted correspondence from the Committee on Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to a proposed Autism Bill (NI) and agreed to defer the matter to the meeting on 7 th October. - Capita Conference Invitation
Members noted an invitation from Capita to attend its 7 th National Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) Conference. - Correspondence from the University of Ulster on Childcare Provision
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the University of Ulster on its childcare provision and agreed to write to the University’s Vice-Chancellor seeking clarification on the information contained in the correspondence.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 7 th October at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Acting Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:12pm.
