Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 2.14 p.m.

1.  Apologies

As above.

2.  Chairperson’s Business

Committee Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

EU Panel Meeting

The Chairperson provided Members with an update in relation to the EU Panel Meeting on Monday 5 December 2011.

Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 2.20 p.m.

Briefing on Social Investment Fund Consultation

Members had a discussion in relation to whether the briefing on the Social Investment Fund consultation should be in closed session.

Mr Spratt proposed that the briefing on the Social Investment Fund Consultation be taken in closed session.

The Committee divided:

Ayes: 3                 Mr Clarke, Mr Humphrey, Mr Spratt

Noes: 2                 Mr Elliott, Mr Nesbitt

Abstained: 1         Mr Lyttle

Agreed:                That the Committee takes the briefing on the Social Investment Fund consultation in closed session.

3.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2011

Agreed:                The draft minutes of proceedings of 16 November 2011 was agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

The Committee noted a response from the Department regarding the work schedule of the cross-Party Group looking at the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Commission on a Bill of Rights

The Committee noted a letter of thanks from the Chair of the Commission on a Bill of Rights.

NICEM Submission

The Committee noted a copy of NICEM’s submission to the consultation on the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Third Party Organisations Grants Manual

The Committee considered a copy of the Department’s Third Party Organisations Grants Manual. Members agreed to consider and raise any issues if necessary.

European Commission Work Programme

The Committee considered a copy of the European Commission’s Legislative Work Programme for 2012. Members agreed that this would be considered in more detail over the coming period.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

5.  Correspondence

Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

The Committee considered correspondence from the Chief Electoral Officer, inviting the Committee to attend the count in the Scottish Local Government Elections in May to view an electronic system.

Agreed:                The Committee agreed to accept the invitation and Members will confirm attendance nearer the time. 

Employers for Childcare

The Committee considered a request from Employers for Childcare to brief the Committee.

Agreed:                The Committee agreed to schedule the briefing into its forward Work Programme. 

Chairpersons’ Liaison Group

The Committee noted correspondence from the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group in relation to key issues discussed.

Committee for Justice

Agreed:                The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding sustainable development to the Department.

Strike Action

The Committee noted correspondence from NIPSA concerning strike action.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

The Committee noted the Equality Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011.

The meeting moved into closed session at 2.46 p.m.

6.  Social Investment Fund

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.46 p.m.

Mr Clarke left the meeting at 3.21 p.m.

Departmental officials, Mr Tim Losty and Mr Ricky Irwin briefed the Committee on the Social Investment Fund consultation. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.24 p.m.

The meeting moved into public session at 3.25 p.m.

7.  January Monitoring Round

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.26 p.m.

Departmental officials, Mr Noel Lavery, Mr Stephen Boyd and Mr Gavin Patrick briefed the Committee on the Department’s January Monitoring Round proposals. A question and answer session followed. Officials agreed to provide further information in relation to Victims and Survivors and the Strategic Investment Board.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.45 p.m.

Mr Clarke re-joined the meeting at 3.51 p.m.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 3.51 p.m.

8.  Outcomes Model

A Departmental official joined the meeting at 3.52 p.m.

Departmental official, Dr Stephen Donnelly briefed the Committee on the “Outcomes Based” Model of Poverty Reduction. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.27 p.m.

Agreed:                The Committee agreed to forward copies of the discussion paper and the presentation to all statutory committees for their consideration.

9. Draft Programme for Government

The Committee had a discussion in relation to how it may wish to consider the draft Programme for Government and Investment Strategy.

Mr Clarke left the meeting at 4.36 p.m.

The meeting moved into closed session at 4.47 p.m.

10. Proposals to Update Legislation to Reform the Office of the Ombudsman

The Committee had a discussion in relation to the proposals to reform the Office of the Ombudsman. Members will consider this issue at next week’s meeting.

11. Any Other Business

The Committee noted a number of tabled items.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 7 December 2011 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.54 p.m.

 Mr Tom Elliott MLA

Chairperson,

Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister