PRESENT EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Equality Scheme Approval Committee Wednesday 27 February 2013 Minutes EC/13/05/9 Jane Morrice Michael Wardlow Dermot Nesbitt Patricia Feeney Stella Burnside Stephen McIlveen Deputy Chief Commissioner (Chair) Chief Commissioner IN ATTENDANCE Eileen Lavery Lisa King Patrice Hardy Aidan Fitzpatrick Louise Conlon Head of Advice and Compliance Director Advice and Compliance Equality Develop. Manager (Public Sector) Equality Develop. Manager (Public Sector) Secretariat, Manager APOLOGIES Peter Sheridan, Norman Trotter 1. MINUTES It was noted that the minutes needed to be amended to better reflect the discussion in relation to the Schemes from Habinteg Housing Association and the Open Door Housing Association. These Housing Associations had submitted Action Plans with no specific start or end date and Commissioners sought clarification on the circumstances when an authority, or the Commission, would review an Action Plan. The importance of maintaining a focus on outcomes was also stressed. Commissioners agreed to amend the November minutes, in the paragraph under Habinteg Housing Association to read;
A Commissioner identified the absence of a specific start and end date to the Action Plan attached to the Scheme. The Commission s assessment criteria for the authority s arrangements for assessing its compliance with the duties was discussed. The treatment of the commitment to develop an action plan in this section for previously approved schemes was confirmed. The Commission has the responsibility to keep under review the effectiveness of the duties. It can request a revised scheme at any time (Schedule 9 3.(1)(b)). Furthermore public authorities report annually on their progress and this would enable the Commission to review implementation of the scheme commitments before the requirement that the authority reviews its scheme within five years. The further commitments in the Timetable of Measures for actions that are time bound were also referenced. It was agreed that staff will confirm the number of Housing Associations who had used or appended the common NIFHA co-ordinated Action Plan to their Scheme at the next meeting. It was also noted that the Committee had already agreed to consider a report on the uptake of the Commission s recommendation on Action Plans for all Public Authorities during the next business year. The Minutes of the 28 November 2012 were agreed and signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting subject to the above amendment. 2. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 3. EQUALITY SCHEMES RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL Strategic Investment Board This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2011, was received by the Commission on 3 February 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 2 October 2012. The Committee was advised that the Strategic Investment Board s 2
Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2011 and was submitted on 27 June 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 19 December 2012. The Committee was advised that the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Northern Ireland Tourist Board This scheme was due for submission on 1 May 2012 and was submitted on 30 April 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 12 February 2013. The Committee was advised that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board s Ark Housing Association submitted on 31 July 2012. The Committee was advised that the Ark Housing Association s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model equality scheme. Clanmil Housing Association 3
submitted on 1 August 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 19 February 2013. The Committee was advised that the Clanmil Housing Association s Filor Housing Association submitted on 15 August 2012. The Committee was advised that the Filor Housing Association s Hearth Housing Association submitted on 1 August 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 8 November 2012. The Committee was advised that the Hearth Housing Association s Newington Housing Association submitted on 10 August 2012. 4
The Committee was advised that the Newington Housing Association s Triangle Housing Association submitted on 10 August 2012. The Committee was advised that the Triangle Housing association s Ulidia Housing Association submitted on 1 August 2012. The Committee was advised that the Ulidia Housing Association s Arts Council for Northern Ireland submitted on 30 October 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 15 February 2013. The Committee was advised that the Arts Council for Northern Ireland s Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute 5
submitted on 30 October 2012. The Committee was advised that the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Belfast Harbour Commissioners submitted on 30 October 2012. The Committee was advised that the Belfast Harbour s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland This scheme was due for submission on 1November 2012 and was submitted on 31 October 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 22 January 2013. The Committee was advised that the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company submitted on 1 November 2012. The Committee was advised that the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model 6
Warrenpoint Harbour Commissioners submitted on 1 November 2012. The Committee was advised that the Warrenpoint Harbour Commissioner s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Coleraine Harbour Commissioners submitted on 16 January 2013. The Committee was advised that the Coleraine Harbour Commissioners Loughs Agency submitted on 31 October 2012. Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 7 February 2013. The Committee was advised that the Loughs Agency s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority submitted on 22 October 2012 and was submitted on 22 February 2013. 7
The Committee was advised that the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission s model Following a number of minor amendments to the scheme it was re-submitted on 22 February 2013. 4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no further business. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of next meeting at 11am on Wednesday 24 April 2013. 8