Committee for the Economy
Minutes of Proceedings - 06 October 2021
06-october-2021-committee-for-the-economy-minutes-of-proceedings-.pdf (202.86 kb)
Committee for the Economy
Minutes of Proceedings
6th October 2021
Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings
Dr Caoímhe Archibald (MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Claire Sugden MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk
Mr Thomas Manning (Clerical Officer)
Ms Sinead Kelly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Jean Barkley (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced at 10:06am in open session.
1. Apologies
As noted above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised Members of the current issues with applying for the High Street Support Scheme and finding that your National Insurance number has already been allocated to an application.
Agreed: to write to the Department seeking an update on this issue and on the rollout of the scheme.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes from 29th September 2021.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft Record of Decision from 29th September 2021.
4. Briefing from the Skills Strategic Advisory Group – Skills Strategy
The witness joined the meeting at 10:10am Members received a briefing from:
- Mr Mark Huddleston, Deputy Chair, Skills Strategic Advisory Group
Key issues discussed included: the establishment of the Skills Strategic Advisory Group in Summer 2020, the delayed development of the 14-19 Strategy, the need to deliver the skills needed for a ‘high growth scenario’ and the current skills shortages in Northern Ireland.
The witness left the meeting at 11:25am
Agreed: to ask the Department for clarification as to why the business case for the all-age apprenticeships programme was rejected by the Department and what work is now being done to take it forward
5. Departmental Briefing – Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill
The officials joined the meeting at 11:29am Members received a briefing from:
- Mr Colin Jack, Director of Business & Employment Regulation, DfE
- Ms Kellie Sprott, Employment Relations Policy and Legislation, DfE
- Mr Laurence Rogers, Employment Relations, DfE
Key issues discussed included: the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill, the option for amendments to the Bill and the response from the Minister to the Committee’s summary table.
The officials left the meeting at 11:56am
The Committee agreed to go into closed session at 11.56am to receive advice from the Bill Clerk.Agreed: to draft an options paper in relation to potential amendments as discussed for consideration at next week’s meeting.
The Committee returned to open session at 12.30pm.6. Matters Arising
Noted: Members noted a copy of an update from the Minister on the HE Cheating Services Prohibition Bill.
Noted: Members noted a response from the Departmental regarding a number of Committee queries on the HSSS.
Noted: Members noted a response from the Departmental regarding a Committee query about clarity on what contingency plans are in place for assessments and vocational qualifications in the event of further lockdowns.
7. Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill
This item was dealt with at Agenda Item 5.
8. Small-Scale Green Energy Bill
Members considered a number of papers in relation to the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill and a Committee motion to extend Committee Stage to the 28th January 2022.
Agreed: “That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 28th January 2022, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22)”.
Agreed: to invite Mr. John O’Dowd MLA to provide and oral briefing and next week’s meeting.
9. SR 2021/253 (C.10) The Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021
Members noted SR 2021/253 (C.10) The Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021.
10. Correspondence
Noted: Members noted a copy of correspondence from the Assembly’s EU Affairs Manager regarding the protection of critical infrastructure.
Noted: Members noted a copy of correspondence from the Assembly’s EU Affairs Manager regarding a draft EU energy taxation directive.
Noted: Members noted a copy of the Department for Economy’s input to the House of Lords Scrutiny report on the UK-EEA/EFTA Trade Agreement.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from Amnesty International regarding a report on the appropriate state response to abuses in Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and workhouses in Northern Ireland.
Noted: Members noted a copy of the Airport Operators Association quarterly update.
Noted: Members noted a copy of the Consumer Council’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2020-21.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Committee on Procedures to all Statutory Committees regarding whether Committees have experienced any particular challenges relating to LCMs since its last consultation exercise.
Agreed: for the Clerk to respond indicating the Committee’s view on legislation via Westminster.
Noted: Members noted a copy of correspondence from the Clerk Assistant to the Chairperson’s Liaison Group highlighting the current work pressures in Committees as we approach the end of the mandate.
Noted: Members noted a copy of the ‘Belfast Business Sustainability Survey’ from the Belfast Chamber.
11. Any Other Business
There were no items of business.
The meeting was adjourned at 12.50pm.
Dr Caoímhe Archibald MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy 13th October 2021
