Committee for Education

Minutes of Proceedings - 11 November 2021

20211111 Minutes of Proceeding - 11 November 2021.pdf (61.42 kb)

Committee for Education

Minutes of Proceedings

11 November 2021

Meeting Location: Teleconference

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Mr Chris Lyttle MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

Mr Robbie Butler MLA

Mrs Diane Dodds MLA

Mr Daniel McCrossan MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Robin Newton MBE MLA

Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)

Mr Marcus Matthews (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)

Ms Caroline Perry (Bill Clerk) (Item 5 only)

 

Apologies:

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

The meeting commenced at 9:09am in public session with Mr Sheehan acting as Chairperson.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Integrated Education Bill - Oral briefing by The Controlled Schools Support Council

The Committee noted the Controlled Schools Support Council response to the call for evidence on the Integrated Education Bill.

The following witnesses joined the meeting by video conference at 9:10am:

  • Mr Mark Baker, Chief Executive, Controlled Schools' Support Council
  • Ms Jayne Millar, Head of Education Support, Controlled Schools' Support Council

The witnesses briefed the Committee on the Integrated Education Bill.

The briefing was covered by Hansard.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Newton joined the meeting at 9:13am.

Mr Lyttle joined the meeting at 9:15am.

Mr McNulty joined the meeting at 9:17am.

Mrs Dodds joined the meeting at 9:23am

Mr Lyttle took the Chair at 9:25am

Mr Sheehan left the meeting at 10:00am

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for the briefing.

3. Integrated Education Bill - Oral briefing by the Education Authority

The Committee noted the Education Authority response to the call for evidence on the Integrated Education Bill.

The following witnesses joined the meeting by video conference at 10:12am:

  • Mr Mark Baker, Chief Executive, Controlled Schools' Support Council
  • Ms Jayne Millar, Head of Education Support, Controlled Schools' Support Council

The witnesses briefed the Committee on the Integrated Education Bill.

The briefing was covered by Hansard.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mrs Dodds left the meeting at 10:30am.

Mr McNulty left the meeting at 10:33am.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for the briefing.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Controlled Schools Support Council regarding statistics on the level of integration in the controlled sector, which gave rise to some discussion.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Education Authority seeking a detailed explanation of the conflict they saw between clause 7 of the Integrated Education Bill and existing legal duties in respect of area planning, and its potential consequences.

4. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

The Committee moved to closed session at 10:50am.

5. Integrated Education Bill - Committee Informal Consideration of the Bill

The Committee considered briefing by the Committee Clerk and the Bill Clerk.

Committee members discussed the clauses of the Integrated Education Bill.

Mr Newton left the meeting at 11:15am

6. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

The next formal Committee meeting will be held on Thursday 11 November 2021 by video conference at 5:00pm. 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:44am.

Chris Lyttle MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Education

17 November 2021