Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 25 October 2021

Forward Look

  • Please find attached a rundown of legislation currently passing through the Assembly. Of particular note are the two Climate Change Bills and the Health and Social Care Bill.

  • The Northern Ireland Assembly will rise for its Halloween recess on Monday. The next plenary session is scheduled for Monday 1 November.

  • The Executive has agreed that face coverings can be removed when eating, drinking or dancing in any indoor setting in anticipation of further relaxation of restrictions facing the hospitality sector on 31 October.

  • The Executive published its Autumn/Winter Covid-19 Contingency Plan. In the event of cases rising the plan sets out four contingency measures. These include more focused communications, Covid-19 status certification in high-risk settings, strengthened self-isolation rules and the re-imposition of legal requirement for minimum social distancing. To view the plan: LINK

  • The Boundary Commission published its Initial Proposals Report for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Review. Proposals include renaming two constituencies and moving twenty local government wards to other constituencies. The proposals will be subject to several consultations and a public hearing before final recommendations are made by 1 July 2023.

  • Applications for the High Street Voucher Scheme will close on Monday. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has encouraged those who have not applied to do so.

  • A High Court judge overseeing legal action against the DUP’s boycott of the North South Ministerial Council has suggested that the Attorney General could be consulted on the case in the coming weeks.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has launched a consultation on a proposed new affordable rent model that will increase affordable housing options. The deadline for responses is 14 January 2022.

  • Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has launched a competition to appoint a new Chair to the Board of Northern Ireland Screen. The deadline for applications is 11 November.

  • Green MLA Rachel Woods has introduced the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill. Its Second Stage is to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

  • Before stepping down, Fra McCann’s Hospital Parking Charges Bill had its first stage in the Assembly. Its Second Stage is to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Fra McCann’s replacement Aisling Reilly MLA is expected to take over the sponsorship of the bill.

  • The Autumn Budget and 2021 Spending Review will be published on Wednesday. The Spending Review will set out the devolved administrations’ block grants for 2022/23 and 2024/25.

  • Northern Ireland Questions will take place on Wednesday in Parliament. Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP will also appear before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the Governments legacy proposals.

  • Belfast City Council has issued a call for tenders to develop an economic strategy to support sustainable and inclusive growth in Belfast for the period 2022-2030. Deadline for applications is 12 November.

  • Belfast International Homecoming will go green for its seventh annual conference on 4 November focusing on the climate emergency and the need to transition to a carbon neutral economy. For more information: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • Aisling Reilly was officially signed in as the new Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast, replacing Fra McCann.

  • The Communities Committee has launched its ‘Call for Views’ on the new Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill which will amend the 1985 legislation.

  • The Northern Ireland High Court refused to quash planning permission for the North South Interconnector despite identifying a legal flaw in the ministerial decision-making process.

  • SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has reshuffled the party’s frontbench Assembly team. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin has been appointed Chair of the Executive Office Committee, Colin McGrath MLA has moved to the Health Committee, and Matthew O’Toole MLA has been appointed deputy Chair of the Economy Committee.

  • A survey published by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce has found that one in three businesses are performing better than before the pandemic, but 80% of respondents are finding it difficult to gain staff.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA opened a new £3 million Cancer Care Unit at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

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