Committee for Communities

Minutes of Proceedings - 20 October 2026

Committee for Communities - 20 October 2026.pdf (162.98 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

 

Present:

Mr Colm Gildernew MLA (Chairperson)

Mrs Kellie Armstrong MLA

Mr Paul Boggs MLA

Mrs Pam Cameron MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

Mrs Sian Mulholland MLA

 

In Attendance:

Mrs Emer Boyle (Assembly Clerk)

Mrs Victoria Bourquin (Assistant Clerk)

Mr Chris McAfee (Clerical Supervisor)

Ms Kathryn Black (Senior Assistant Clerk)

 

The meeting commenced in closed session at 12.00 p.m.

 

1. Declarations of Interest

The following interests were declared:

  • Colm Gildernew - Charity Trustee.
  • Pam Cameron – Former Junior Minister with sight of Executive and cross-departmental policy, strategy and legislation.

 

2. Apologies

Mr Andy Allen MBE MLA

Mr Maurice Bradley MLA

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

 

3. Charities (Amendment) Bill: Committee Deliberations

The Committee considered the Clause by Clause table which detailed all the comments and evidence received as part of the Call for Evidence for Charities (Amendment) Bill.

The Bill Clerk joined the meeting to address any queries during the informal deliberations.

Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 12.36 p.m.

Members discussed Clauses 9 to 14 of the Bill, and the range of stakeholder views and comments received.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department seeking clarity on use of the word “Department”  in regards to clause 10, line 4 of the Explanatory Financial Memorandum.

Agreed: That the Bill Clerk draft amendments on the following for consideration:

  • Clause 10(4) to require the Commission to undertake “consultation and publication” in advance of making future Regulations under subsection (1);
  • Clause 10(4) in the event that future Regulations pertain to “significant changes”; and
  • Addressing Committee concerns in relation to the absence of a commencement timeline in relation to Clause 13(2).

 

4. Date, time and location of the next meeting

The next meeting is at 10.00 a.m. on Thursday 22 October 2026, in Room 29, Parliament Buildings, with an informal meeting at 1pm on Tuesday 20 October, in Room 29.

 

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.44p.m.

 

Colm Gildernew MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Communities