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AD HOC COMMITTEE ON LOCAL POSTAL SERVICES

Minutes of Proceedings

THURSDAY 15th MAY 2008,
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Robin Newton (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Thomas Burns
Mr Fra McCann
Mrs Claire McGill
Mr George Savage

In Attendance:
Mrs Mairead Mageean (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor)

Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr John Dallat
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr William Irwin
Mrs Naomi Long

The meeting opened at 1.08pm in public session.

  1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above. Mr Beggs attended in place of Mr Armstrong. Mr Burns attended in place of Mr Dallat.

  1. Declaration of Interests.

The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

  1. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 13 th May 2008.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 13 th May.

  1. Matters Arising.

The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to two tabled papers from Assembly Research Services.

  1. Evidence Session – Rural Community Network.

The witnesses joined the meeting at 1.10pm.

Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Glynn Community Development Association which has received funding from the Rural Community Network.

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Mr Michael Hughes, Chief Executive.
Mr Mark Allan, Research Officer.
Ms Karin Eyben, Policy Officer.

A question and answer session followed the presentation from the Rural Community Network.

Mr Savage joined the meeting at 1:32pm.

Mr McCann left the meeting at 1.35pm.

The witnesses left the meeting at 1.59pm.

  1. Consultation Responses.

Members noted receipt of a written submission by Down District Council.

  1. Committee Report.

The Chairperson advised Members that any suggestions on the findings and recommendations of the report should be forwarded to the Clerk as soon as possible.

Mr Beggs left the meeting at 2.05pm.

  1. Any Other Business.

The Chairperson advised Members that the closing date for responses to the Committee enquiry was 12:00pm on Friday 16 th May and that the Committee would need to meet on Tuesday 20 th May to agree submissions and the motion for plenary.

The Chairperson further advised Members that the Committee would also need to meet on Wednesday 21 st May to agree the full report.

The Chairperson informed Members that Postcomm has requested a meeting with Members on Thursday 29 th May.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th May, Room 135 at 12:30pm.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.12pm.

MR ROBIN NEWTON
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee on Local Postal Services.
20th May 2008.

13 May / Menu