Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10.09am in public session.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.10am

 1. Apologies.

Apologies as detailed above.

Agreed: that Agenda item 4 is recorded by Hansard and the Official Report published on the website.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 23 November 2011 

Agreed: that the minutes are published on the Assembly website.

3. Matters Arising

Table of Requests for Information from the Department of Finance and Personnel

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.

          Request for advice from NI Audit Office on Review of Financial Process

Members noted the briefing paper from Assembly Research regarding the advice required from the NI Audit Office on the Review of Financial Process

Agreed: to forward the paper to the Audit Office for a response.

4. Large Retail Levy and Small Business Rates Relief – Evidence from DFP

The Committee took evidence from the following witnesses: Mr Brian McClure – Head of Rating Policy Division, Central Finance Group and Dr Veronica Holland - Rating Policy Division, Central Finance Group.  The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

Mr Adrian McQuillan joined the meeting at 10.20am

Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting at 10.21am

Mr David Hilditch joined the meeting at 10.22am

The meeting was suspended at 10.40am

The meeting resumed at 10.53am

Mr Ross Hussey joined the meeting at 10.53am

Mr Paul Maskey joined the meeting at 10.55am

The meeting moved into closed session at 11.11am

5. Large Retail Levy and Small Business Rates Relief – Initial Consideration of Committee’s Draft Report on its Response

Members considered a working draft of the Committee’s report in response to the proposed large retail levy and extension of the small business rate relief scheme.

Mr William Humphrey joined the meeting at 11.42am

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.58am

Mr Ross Hussey left the meeting at 12.03pm

Agreed: that any additional issues raised by the Committee today would be forwarded to DFP for a written response before final consideration of the Committee’s position at next week’s meeting.

The meeting moved into open session at 12.11am

6. Correspondence

Members noted the following items of correspondence:

• Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA): Letter to the Speaker regarding industrial action planned for 30 November;
• Committee for the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister: Investing Activity Report;
  • DFP: EU Structural Fund Issues.

7. Committee Work Programme

Members considered a draft of the Committee work programme.

Agreed: that the Committee work programme is amended to reflect decisions made today, and the revised programme is published on the Assembly website.

8. Any Other Business

Chancellor’s Budget Statement

Agreed:  to request an oral briefing from DFP on the impact of today’s Chancellor’s Budget Statement on Northern Ireland.

9. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 December at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.11am.

Conor Murphy MP MLA
Chairperson
Committee for Finance and Personnel.
7 December 2011