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09 May 2006

Minutes of the

Policy Development Committee Meeting

9^th May 2006

Attending: Robin Wilson (Chair), Edwin Graham, Neil Jarman, Tony McCusker, Nelson McCausland

Apologies: Declan O’Loan, Ward Erwin, Peter Thompson

In attendance: Duncan Morrow, Jacqueline Irwin, Dympna McGlade, Ali McAllister, Gemma Attwood

Welcome to Tony McCusker by committee chair and members.

Minutes of last meeting

Agreed with one correction; the issue surrounding the Equality Monitoring Report had been scheduled for the previous meeting in April but was not discussed as Nelson McCausland wasn’t present. It was not placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Matters arising

Speakers for future meetings were discussed. Alan McBride, WAVE is attending the next meeting to present on the topic of ‘Dealing with the Past’. It was also suggested that Brandon Hamber and/or Roy McClelland may also be approached.
Discussions on further co-optees to PD Committee highlighted one position available but three expressions of interest had been received. Decision was made to correspond with all co-optees with regard to their wishes to remain on the committee.
RPA– Duncan, Jacqueline and Dympna updated members on progress on the three sub-groups attended – Governance and Community Planning and Local Government.

Governance – members of sub-groups becoming ‘bogged down’ in issues not relevant or changeable within this structure eg flags and emblems.

Community Planning – Dympna gave out details of group membership and terms of reference. The first meeting agreed the following actions:

Marie-Therese Mc Givern will coordinate the preparation of a draft position paper/policy options paper which will provide background to the legislative position regarding community planning as it currently exists throughout the UK and RoI, identifying the key issues to be addressed in relation to developing specific legislative proposals to enable the duty of community planning and the power of well being to be devolved to local councils in NI.

Sharon O'Gorman will coordinate preparations for a wide stakeholder engagement event towards the end of June, to enable draft final proposals developed by the sub group to be aired within the wider local government, business, community / voluntary and other key sectors, providing an opportunity to take on board views and comments before the final report of the sub group is ratified by the sub group membership.

A fact finding / study visit to Scotland is also being arranged.

Local Government Group – Jacqueline detailed issues such as the size of the sub-group, the makeup of the membership, to include vested interests and the very limited timescale of the project were discussed.

Committee felt that a letter to the Secretary of State outlining the need to set parameters rather than wrestle with overarching ASF issues in sub group setting as it would deter from core business.

Health– Edwin Graham updated members on the new Health structures which will comprise of one single regional health authority with 5 super trusts. This group was moving quite fast compared to other groups.

Information was also distributed about RPA progress in the education sector.

Staff updates

Gemma:

BelfastCity Council, Capital City Development Plan – BCC Development Department appeared to be focusing solely on economic development and it was agreed that the response highlighting the social and spatial implications was important. Policies in relation to housing, regeneration and community development must all include an ASF focus at their core.
Department of Education EQIA – discussion surrounding the make-up of the working group (four main churches) and the negative perspective which this has/will promote. The opportunity to meet with Department of Education Officials to discuss the EQIA was extended to committee and it was agreed that Edwin and Tony would attend with Gemma.

General discussion followed on the process of accessing and responding to consultations and it was agreed that members should refer any consultations to PD programme

Ali:

Progress on ASF programme to date highlighted the need for committee’s input to the process. Recommendations have been produced across 8 themes with a further set of overarching recommendations. Action now to be taken:

The Triennial Action Plan (TAP) has been launched and needs to be examined in ‘real’ terms.