Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton 
Mr Jim Wells
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson 
Mr Robin Newton 
Mr Paul Butler

Attendance: Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Mr Leslie Cree.

The meeting opened at 10.32 a.m. in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Declaration of Interests.

There were no new interests declared.

3. Minutes of meeting held on 16 October 2008.

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 16 October 2008 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

The Committee noted a draft letter from the Chairperson to the Utility Regulator

Agreed: The Committee agreed to send a letter to the Utility Regulator.

Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.45 a.m. and took the Chair

5. Budget Stock Take

Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 11.10 a.m.

Departmental officials Noel Lavery and Bernie Brankin briefed the Committee on the Departmental Budget Stocktake. Key issues discussed included the easements and pressures on the Departmental budget.

Officials left the meeting at 12.07 p.m.
The meeting went into closed session at 12.13 p.m.
The meeting returned to Public Session at 12.20 p.m.

6. Credit Union Inquiry – Briefing from the Financial Services Authority

Paul Sharma and Chris Hibben joined the meeting at 12.20 p.m.

Financial Services Authority officials Paul Sharma and Chris Hibben briefed the Committee on their submission to the Committee’s Inquiry on Credit Unions. Key issues discussed included the options for possible changes to regulation and the range of services provided by Credit Unions in Great Britain.

Sean Neeson left the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
Paul Sharma and Chris Hibben left the meeting at 1.02 p.m.

7. Credit Union Inquiry – Briefing from the Consumer Council

Carol Edwards and Julie Megrath joined the meeting at 1.07 p.m.
Paul Butler joined the meeting at 1.10 p.m.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 1.10 p.m.

Consumer Council Officials Carol Edwards and Julie Megrath briefed the Committee on their submission to the Committee’s Inquiry on Credit Unions. Key issues discussed included the need to improve the range of services which Credit Unions in Northern Ireland can provide, the benefits of group membership and the impact of changes in regulation.

Alan McFarland left the meeting at 1.30 p.m.
Carol Edwards and Julie Megrath left the meeting at 1.32 p.m.

8. Draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy

Members noted a draft copy of the Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.

9. Forward Work Programme

Members noted a revised version of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: Members agreed that they would begin their meeting on 6 November in the NITB Headquarters at 10.00 a.m.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted the following correspondence:

• Letter from the Department providing details of policies/legislation considered and screened out for Equality Impact Assessments during the period April – September 2008.

Agreed: That further details should be sought from the Department.

• Letter from the Chair of the OFMDFM Committee advising of an Inquiry into European Issues.

Agreed: That written briefing should be sought from the Department.

Agreed: That relevant Assembly research papers should be provided to members.

• Letter from the Department regarding a consultation document: Proposals for the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008.

Agreed: That this topic should be dealt with at a future Committee meeting.

• Invitation from the Department regarding a seminar on the Reform of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation which is being held on Wednesday 5th November in the Templeton Hotel.

Agreed: That members would advise the Committee Office if they would be interested in attending.

• Letters from the Consumer Council to Phoenix Gas. NIE and the Utility Regulator regarding energy prices.
• Letter from the Consumer Council to the Utility Regulator regarding the mechanism applied when under recovery occurs.

11. Any Other Business.

There were no other items of business

12. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6 November at 10.00 a.m. in NITB Headquarters, North Street, Belfast.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.40 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
October 2008