EC/13/05/9
EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
Equality Scheme Approval Committee
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Minutes
PRESENT
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
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
2
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
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 equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
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
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Ark Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
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.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Clanmil Housing Association
3
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
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
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Filor Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
submitted on 15 August 2012.
The Committee was advised that the Filor Housing Association’s
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Hearth Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
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
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Newington Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
submitted on 10 August 2012.
4
The Committee was advised that the Newington Housing Association’s
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Triangle Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
submitted on 10 August 2012.
The Committee was advised that the Triangle Housing association’s
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Ulidia Housing Association
This scheme was due for submission on 1 August 2012 and was
submitted on 1 August 2012.
The Committee was advised that the Ulidia Housing Association’s
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Arts Council for Northern Ireland
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
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
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
5
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
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 equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Belfast Harbour Commissioners
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
submitted on 30 October 2012.
The Committee was advised that the Belfast Harbour’s equality scheme
broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
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 equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended
Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
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 equality scheme.
6
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Warrenpoint Harbour Commissioners
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
submitted on 1 November 2012.
The Committee was advised that the Warrenpoint Harbour
Commissioner’s equality scheme broadly follows the Equality
Commission’s model equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Coleraine Harbour Commissioners
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
submitted on 16 January 2013.
The Committee was advised that the Coleraine Harbour Commissioners’
equality scheme broadly follows the Equality Commission’s model
equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Loughs Agency
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
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 equality scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority
This scheme was due for submission on 1 November 2012 and was
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 equality scheme. Following a number of minor amendments to
the scheme it was re-submitted on 22 February 2013.
The Committee agreed to approve the Scheme, as recommended.
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