Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 13 September 2011
Venue: Room 30
The meeting opened at 10.04am in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above. The Chair welcomed Mr Paul Maskey to the Committee, replacing Caitríona Ruane. The Chair thanked Ms Ruane for her contribution to the Committee.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 7 September 2011
Agreed: that the minutes are published on the Assembly website.
3. Matters Arising
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.
NI Economic Conference
Members noted a copy of the NI Economic Conference Programme.
Agreed: that Mr Leslie Cree MLA will represent the Committee at the event.
Correspondence from Members of the Public on Equal Pay Issues
Members noted correspondence from members of the public on equal pay issues.
Draft letter to the Minister on Equal Pay
Members considered a draft letter to the DFP Minister on equal pay issues.
Agreed: members approved the draft, and agreed to forward it to the Minister.
Agreed: to copy the letter for information to the Justice Committee, NIPSA, Civil Service Pensioner’s Association and the other stakeholders who have contacted the Committee.
Conduct and Discipline in the Civil Service
Members considered a follow-up note from Assembly Research on Conduct and Discipline in the Civil Service.
Agreed: the note is copied to PAC for information.
Effective Public Services – CIPFA conference
The Chair informed members he will attend the CIPFA conference on behalf of the Committee.
4. EU Issues – Assembly Research Briefing
Mr Girvan joined the meeting at 10.15am.
The Committee received a briefing on EU Issues from Dr Robert Barry of Assembly Research and Library Services.
Agreed: that follow-up information requested will be provided by Assembly Research.
5. European Structural Fund Issues – DFP Evidence Session
The Committee took evidence from the following DFP officials: Brian McClure, Head of European Division and Maura Young - EU Division, Central Finance Group.
Agreed: that DFP officials will provide any follow up information as requested by the Committee.
Mr Girvan left the meeting at 11.16am.
Mr Girvan returned to the meeting at 11.19am.
6. Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) Evidence Session
The Committee took evidence from the following witnesses: Pat Colgan, Chief Executive, SEUPB and Sean Henry, Director, SEUPB.
Mr Girvan left the meeting at 11.45am.
Mr Girvan returned to the meeting at 11.46am.
Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 11.53am.
Mr McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.56am.
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 12.06am.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12.16am
Mr Bradley returned to the meeting at 12.24am.
Agreed: that the witnesses will provide any follow up information as requested by the Committee.
7. Initial Consideration of Stakeholder Responses
Members considered the responses received from stakeholders over the summer.
Agreed: to defer consideration until a later date.
8. Subordinate Legislation
SL1 – The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (NI) 2011
Members considered a proposal from DFP for Subordinate Legislation, SL1 – The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (NI) 2011.
Agreed: That the Committee for Finance and Personnel has considered DFP’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (NI) 2011, and has no objections to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
SL1 – Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme (NI) 2011
Members also noted the above proposal for Subordinate Legislation. The proposal is not subject to any further Assembly procedure.
9. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- DFP: Efficiency Delivery Plan 2008 – 11- Update July 2011;
- DFP: Monitoring Post Project Evaluations - Q/E 31 July 2011;
Agreed: to copy the correspondence to the other statutory committees and the Public Accounts Committee for information.
- DFP: Budget Flexibility and 2011-12 Monitoring Rounds;
- Friends of the Earth correspondence regarding its response to the HM Treasury consultation on Rebalancing the Economy;
- DFP: Annual Report of Progress on the Implementation of its Equality Scheme.
12. Committee Work Programme
The Committee noted a Research paper on Budget System Laws which members will receive a briefing on at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: to copy the research paper to DFP.
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.
13. Any Other Business
14. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 21 September at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.31pm.
