Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 04 October 2011
Venue: Room 30
The meeting opened at 10.04am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Agreed: that the evidence sessions at Agenda items 5, 6 and 7 are recorded by Hansard and the Official Report published on the website.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 28 September 2011
Agreed: that the minutes are published on the Assembly website.
3. Matters Arising
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.07am
Mr Adrian McQuillan joined the meeting at 10.09am
Table of Requests for Information from DFP
The Committee noted the table of requests for information from the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) which provided an update on any matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
DFP: Response from Minister regarding Equal Pay
The Committee considered a response from the Minister of Finance and Personnel to the Committee’s request for further information in relation to the groups of staff excluded from the Equal Pay settlement, including NICS retirees and staff within PSNI, NIO, and other non-departmental public bodies.
Agreed: to forward the response from the Minister to all relevant stakeholders who have previously contacted the Committee on the issue.
Agreed: to write to the Minister seeking clarification on NICS secondment arrangements, with reference to correspondence from the Head of the Civil Service to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which had been copied to the Committee for information.
Agreed: to write to the DFP Minister seeking information regarding the amount of money set aside for the Equal Pay settlement and any balance remaining.
Agreed: that Committee staff will review the evidence received to identify any issues upon which the Committee may wish to consider seeking its own legal advice.
4. Options for strategic budget stages – Assembly Research briefing
The Committee received a briefing from Assembly Research and Information Services.
Agreed: to forward the research paper to DFP, asking that the Committee’s ongoing work on this issue is taken into account in relation to the Department’s discussion paper on the Executive’s Review of Financial Process.
Agreed: that the Committee Clerk and Researcher have informal discussions with Assembly Legal Services to establish the feasibility of the various options in advance of any formal legal advice being sought by the Committee.
Agreed: following discussion with Legal Services, to circulate the research paper to the other relevant Assembly committees to update them on this cross-cutting issue and to invite comments.
5. Corporation Tax – Evidence from Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting at 10.53am
Members took evidence from the following witnesses: Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive, NICVA and Lisa McElherron, Policy Manager, NICVA. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
6. Update on Outcome of Consultation on Devolution of Corporation Tax Powers – DFP Evidence session
Members took evidence from the following DFP officials: Bill Pauley, Head of Strategic Policy Division, Central Finance Group and Tony Simpson, Strategic Policy Division, Central Finance Group, DFP. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr Adrian McQuillan left the meeting 11.22am
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.29am
Mr William Humphrey left the meeting at 11.37am
Mr William Humphrey returned to the meeting at 11.38am
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 11.47am
Mr Adrian McQuillan returned to the meeting at 11.48am
Mr Mitchell McLaughlin returned to the meeting at 11.50am
Mr Paul Maskey left the meeting at 11.55am
7. Banking Issues – DFP Evidence session
Members took evidence from the following DFP officials: Bill Pauley, Head of Strategic Policy Division, Central Finance Group and Tony Simpson, Strategic Policy Division, Central Finance Group, DFP. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
Mr William Humphrey left the meeting at 11.56am
Mr Paul Maskey returned to the meeting at 12.00am
Mr Paul Maskey left the meeting at 12.22am
Mr Ross Hussey left the meeting at 12.23am
8. Subordinate Legislation
Members considered the following proposal from DFP for subordinate legislation:
SL1 – The draft Rates (Payment by Owners by Agreement) Order (NI) 2012
Agreed: the Committee has considered DFP’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the SL1 – The Draft Rates (Payment by Owners by Agreement) Order (NI) 2012, and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
9. Initial consideration of options for Inquiries
The Committee agreed to postpone this session until next week’s meeting.
10. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- DFP Press Release: “Delivering quality public services is a key challenge”;
- DFP Press Release: “Finance Minister meets Coleraine Town Traders”;
- DFP: Public Procurement Guidance for SMEs, SEEs;
Agreed: to advise DFP that the Committee is content with the draft guide. - Public Accounts Committee: Accountability Arrangements in the NICS;
- Committee for Social Development: Fuel Poverty Event;
Agreed: to forward a list of potential stakeholders to the Committee for Social Development as requested. - Committee for Regional Development: October Monitoring Round;
- DFP Press Release: “Finance Minister refutes NIRC claims on small business rate relief scheme”;
- DFP: Response regarding Public Procurement;
Agreed: to forward the response to Citizens Advice Bureau.
Agreed: to write to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman to clarify his role in private sector complaints relating to the public procurement process. - Lady Hermon MP MLA: Equal Pay for Retirees.
11. Committee Work Programme
Members considered a draft of the Committee work programme.
Agreed: that the work programme is amended to reflect decisions made today, and the revised programme is published on the Assembly website.
12. Any Other Business
13. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 October at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.37pm.
