Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2009/2010
Date: 03 March 2010
COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 03 MARCH 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms Jennifer McCann MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Peter Weir MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry MLA
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA
Ms Dawn Purvis MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA
In Attendance: Mr Shane McAteer (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Karen Jardine (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Kathy O’Hanlon (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Kevin Marks (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
The meeting commenced at 10.07am in open session.
1. Apologies
There was one apology, as detailed above.
Agreed: that the evidence session with Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) officials at agenda item 4 is recorded by Hansard, and the Official Report published on the website.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 24 February 2010
Agreed: that the minutes be published on the Assembly website.
3. Matters Arising
Request for information from DFP
The Committee noted the composite request for information from DFP which provided an update on any matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
Mr O’Loan joined the meeting at 10.08am.
Support for Carers
The Committee considered a secretariat paper outlining options available should the Committee wish to pursue the issue of support for carers.
Agreed: that the Committee will recommend that DFP further investigates the feasibility of increased rate relief for carers.
Agreed: that the further work by DFP should focus on designing a targeted rate relief scheme to reduce the financial burden on pensioner carers, which aims to achieve the optimum level and uptake of additional support relative to the associated administrative costs.
Agreed: the Committee will propose the establishment of an Assembly ad hoc joint committee to undertake a strategic review of support for carers. Members will consider a draft letter for issue to other Assembly committees in this regard at the Committee’s meeting on 10 March 2010.
Mr Hamilton joined the meeting at 10.20am.
Inquiry into Public Procurement
The Committee noted the secretariat paper reviewing media coverage of the Committee’s Report on the Inquiry into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in NI.
Mr Paisley Jr joined the meeting at 10.24am.
European Funding
The Committee noted the secretariat paper providing a record of the meeting of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Finance and Personnel committees. The Committee also noted the first edition of SEUPB’s public affairs bulletin, ‘euroPA’.
Agreed: the Chairperson will request that relevant correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment is copied to the Committee for information.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 10.25am.
4. February 2010 Monitoring Round Outcome (DFP Briefing)
The Committee took evidence from Michael Daly, Head of Central Expenditure Group, DFP, Deborah McNeilly, Finance Director, Corporate Services Group, DFP and Joanne McBurney, Central Expenditure Division, DFP, on the outcome of the February 2010 Monitoring Round.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
The Committee moved into closed session at 10.40am
7. Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments: Consideration of Draft Committee Report
Mr McNarry returned to the meeting at 10.41am.
The Committee undertook paragraph-by-paragraph consideration of its draft Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
Agreed: that paragraphs 1–6 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraphs 7–10 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 11stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 12 stands part of the Report subject to the addition of the following sentence to the end of the paragraph, as proposed by Mr O’Loan:
“An opinion was expressed by some members that a wider ranging mechanism of prioritisation to address the additional public expenditure pressures should have been conducted”.
Agreed: that paragraphs 13–15 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraphs 16–20 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 21 stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 22 stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraphs 23–24 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 25 stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraphs 26–112 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraph 113 stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that paragraphs 114–131 stand part of the Report, with minor amendments to paragraphs 114 and 115;
Agreed: that paragraphs 132–133 stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that the Executive Summary stands part of the Report;
Agreed: that the Appendices stand part of the Report;
Agreed: that the extract of the unapproved minutes of proceedings of today’s meeting will be checked by the Chairperson and included in Appendix 1;
Agreed: that the Report, as amended, be the Second Report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel to the Assembly for session 2009/10.
Agreed: that the Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments be printed.
Agreed: a draft press release for issuing when the Report is published.
Members noted that, in line with normal protocol, a typescript copy of the report will be issued to DFP and two typescript copies will be laid in the Business Office in advance of printed copies being made available.
Agreed: that the Report will be issued to all MLAs when published, and also to the following recipients:
- All Assembly statutory committees;
- Chairpersons’ Liaison Group;
- Those who have provided written submissions.
Dr Farry left the meeting at 10.50am.
The Committee moved into open session at 10.50am.
6. Subordinate Legislation
The Committee considered SR 2010 No. 21 The Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010. Members noted the Eleventh Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules, which raised no issues by way of technical scrutiny.
Agreed: that the Committee for Finance and Personnel has considered SR 2010 No. 21 The Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee considered SR 2010 No. 37 Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Heriditaments) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010. Members noted the Eleventh Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules, which raised no issues by way of technical scrutiny.
Agreed: that the Committee for Finance and Personnel has considered SR 2010 No. 37 Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Hereditaments) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee considered SR 2010 No. 38 The Rates (Payment of Interest) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010. Members noted the Eleventh Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules, which raised no issues by way of technical scrutiny.
Agreed: that the Committee for Finance and Personnel has considered SR 2010 No. 38 The Rates (Payment of Interest) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
Mr Paisley Jr left the meeting at 10.50am.
5. Assembly Research Briefing on the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)
The Committee received a briefing on two Assembly Research papers on NAMA.
Agreed: that Assembly Research will provide further information as requested during the briefing.
Mr Paisley Jr returned to the meeting at 10.52am.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.08am.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 11.10am.
Ms Purvis left the meeting at 11.13am.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting 11.13am.
Dr Farry returned to the meeting at 11.13am.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.27am.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence:
- DFP: Promotion of townland names.
Mr Weir returned to the meeting at 11.29am.
- DFP: Strategic Financial Issues - Block Grant Query.
The Committee noted that the correspondence is included evidence base for the Committee’s Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
- DFP: Strategic Financial Issues - Staffing Level Query.
The Committee noted that the correspondence is included in the evidence base for Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
Agreed: the correspondence will also be included in the evidence base for the Committee’s forthcoming report on public sector efficiencies and effectiveness.
- DFP: Equality and Diversity Plan - Follow up from session on 10 February 2010.
- Historic Buildings Council: 17 th Report 2007-2010.
- NI Environment Link: “The Way Ahead” Review 2010.
Agreed: that the correspondence will be forwarded to DFP for comment before considering the request by NI Environment Link to give an oral briefing.
- NI Electrical Standards Lobbying Group: Update to Committee.
- QUB School of Law / Human Rights Centre: Response to the DFP Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
The Committee noted that the submission is included in the evidence base for the Committee’s Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
- The Stroke Association NI: Response to the DFP Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
The Committee noted that the correspondence is included in the evidence base for the Committee’s Report on the Review of 2010-11 Spending Plans for NI Departments.
- The Speaker: BBC Documentary series on the work of the Assembly.
- Assembly and Executive Review Committee: Financial Implications of the Devolution of Policing and Justice.
Agreed: the Committee will consider this correspondence further at its meeting on 10 March 2010.
- Chairperson’s Liaison Group: Note of key issues from 16 February 2010.
- DFP: Letter from Minister regarding Community Transport.
Agreed: the Committee will forward the correspondence to the Committee for Regional Development.
- DFP: Letter from the Minister on Equal Pay settlement.
- Correspondence from a Civil Servant: Request for a copy of a report on unclaimed benefits considered by the Committee.
Agreed: the Committee will forward a copy of the report as requested.
Agreed: the Committee will request further information from DFP with regard to the improvement in take up of benefits. The Committee will also invite DFP, Help the Aged, Age Concern, and A2B to give evidence on progress in benefits take up.
- Committee for Employment and Learning: Inquiry into young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training.
Agreed: the Committee will forward the correspondence to the Minister as requested.
- DFP: Update on Dormant Accounts Scheme.
Agreed: that the Committee will continue to pursue this issue.
9. Committee Work Programme
Agreed: that the current draft of the programme will be published on the Assembly website.
10. Any Other Business
Members noted that the press launch of the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme will take place on Monday 16 March 2010 at 2.30pm on the steps of Parliament Buildings.
11. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 at 10.00 am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.41am.
