Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 12 December 2012
Venue: Room 29
2:05 pm The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 5 December 2012
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Correspondence from DRD
The Committee noted a holding reply from Mr Danny Kennedy, Minister for Regional Development relating to clarification sought by the Committee following the Memoranda Of Reply on ‘The Performance of NI Water’ and ‘Procurement and Governance of NI Water’.
Correspondence re Procurement Practices
The Committee noted correspondence from a small business regarding public sector procurement policies and their effect on the ability of small- to medium-sized businesses to compete against larger more established companies.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the correspondence to the Committee for Finance and Personnel for its attention since the issues raised are policy considerations.
Correspondence from Committee for the Environment
The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for the Environment seeking a briefing in due course on the counterfraud work undertaken by C&AG as an outcome of the case of the Waringstown Rath and Grange development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
2:10 pm The meeting went into closed session.
4. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered draft copies of letters to the proposed witnesses for its forthcoming evidence sessions following the Easter recess.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue the letters as drafted.
2:12 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on a potential timing issue relating to its evidence session on ‘Invest NI: A Performance Review’ on 6 February 2012.
Agreed: The Committee that the Clerk should establish alternative options and report back to the Committee.
5. Consideration of Draft Committee Report on ‘Statement of Rate Levy and Collection 2009-10 and 2010-11’
Mr Anderson and Mr Clarke declared an interest as members of Craigavon Borough Council and Antrim Borough Council respectively.
The Committee considered its draft report on ‘Statement of Rate Levy and Collection 2009-10 and 2010-11’.
2:26 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
Paragraphs 1 - 5 read and agreed.
Paragraph 6 read, amended and agreed.
2:34 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
Paragraphs 7 – 9 read and agreed.
2:38 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.
2:39 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.
Paragraph 6 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraphs 10 - 11 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraphs 12 read and agreed.
Paragraph 13 read, amended and agreed.
New paragraph added.
Paragraphs 14 – 15 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 16 – 18 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraphs 19 – 20 read and agreed.
2:47 pm Mr Hussey entered the meeting.
Paragraphs 21 – 22 read, amended and agreed.
2:50 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
2:51 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
Paragraph 23 read and agreed.
2:55 pm Mr Rogers entered the meeting.
2:56 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.
3:00 pm Mr McKay left the meeting.
Paragraph 24 - 25 read, amended and agreed.
3:02 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.
Paragraph 26 read and agreed.
Paragraph 27 – 29 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraph 30 – 34 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 35 – 36 read, amended and agreed.
3:11 pm Mr Clarke left the meeting.
Paragraphs 37 – 41 read and agreed.
Consideration of the Executive Summary
Paragraph 1 – 7 read and agreed as per the main report.
3:15 pm Mr Clarke entered the meeting.
3:17 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the correspondence to be included within the report.
Agreed: The Committee ordered the report to be printed.
6. Issues Arising from the Oral Evidence Session on ‘NIHE: Management of Response Maintenance Contracts’
3:19 pm Mr Anderson declared an interest stating that he was a former member of the housing council.
The Committee considered and added to an issues paper relating to the evidence session held on ‘NIHE: Management of Response Maintenance Contracts’.
3:25 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
7. Any other business
Arrangements during Christmas Recess
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson or in her absence the Deputy Chairperson would deal with any Freedom of Information requests received during recess.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would convene a meeting if required over recess.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3:26 pm.
Ms Michaela Boyle
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
23 January 2013
