COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 13th February 2008
Ballymena Business Centre, Galgorm
Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA
George Robinson MLA
Jim Wells MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor)
Annette Page (Clerical Officer)
Stephanie Galbraith (Researcher)
Apologies:
Willie Clarke MLA
Brian Wilson MLA
The meeting opened at 10.42 a.m. in public session.
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Apologies.
Apologies were received from Willie Clarke and Brian Wilson.
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Chairpersons Business.
Members were reminded that due to the Committee visit to the Netherlands, the next meeting would take place on 27 February 2008.
Members agreed that their briefing papers for the Netherlands visit would be sent to them at their home addresses.
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Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting on 6 February 2008.
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
The Committee noted the copy of the Hansard transcript from the Assembly debate on the Review of the Draft Planning Policy Statement 14. Members noted that a revised draft PPS 14 should be published at the end of April 2008, and that this would be followed by a four month public consultation period.
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Briefing from Department of Regional Development officials on the 5 Year Review of the Regional Development Strategy.
Department of Regional Development official Ian Raphael joined the meeting at 10.50 a.m.
John McCallister joined the meeting at 10.54 a.m.
The Committee received briefing from the Departmental official on the Five-Year Review of the Regional Development Strategy.
Ian Raphael left the meeting at 12.01 p.m.
The Committee agreed to consider a draft response to the Review of the Regional Development Strategy at the next Committee meeting on 27 February 2008.
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Subordinate Legislation.
Members noted the following new SL1s received:
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Temple Road (U1118) Londonderry (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Kernan Grove and Central Walk, Craigavon (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- M2 / A6 ( Ballee Road East) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
- The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland International Rally) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
Members agreed to postpone further consideration of these SL1s pending receipt of further information from the Department on various aspects of the newly received SL1s.
Members indicated that they were content withthe following SL1s noted at the meeting of 6 February 2008:
- The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.5) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.4) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Cycle Routes (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rule which is not subject to any Assembly procedure:
- 2008/43 The Extinguishment of Right to Use Vehicles on Roads (Lisburn) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rules subject to negative resolution. The Examiner of Statutory Rules will forward his report before the end of the statutory period.
- 2008/36 The Trunk Road T15 ( Carland Bridge Realignment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
- 2008/44 The Eastburn Avenue, Ballymoney (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland)
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Correspondence.
Members noted receipt of the following items of correspondence:
- Email dated 5 February 2008 from Bob Pue regarding a Light Rail system. Members agreed to return to this issue in the spring. In the interim, Members agreed to issue a holding response to Mr Pue.
- Email dated 6 February 2008 from Sarah Molloy, Belfast City Council inquiring about the debate into Smoke Alarms in Homes.
- Letter dated 8 February 2008 from Iain Osborne, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation to Katherine Bryan, Fred Cobain and Eleanor Gill, enclosing two letters sent to the Minister for Regional Development. Members agreed to return to the detail of this correspondence during the Committee’s consideration of the outstanding issues from the Strand One and Two Water Reports.
The Committee moved into closed session at 12.08pm.
- Letter dated 11 February 2008 from the Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer informing the Committee of the Department’s intention to advertise posts for the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC) board.
- Email dated 12 February 2008 from the Board of the Utility Regulator inviting the Chair of the Regional Development Committee, Fred Cobain MLA to dinner on the evening of 2 April.
Members noted the following press articles:
- Articles dated 7 February 2008 relating to fears of eviction by residents living near City of Derry Airport.
- Article dated 12 February 2008 regarding delays on the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue Dual carriageway scheme.
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Any Other Business.
The Committee agreed to seek specialist advice on the proposal from the Great Northern Railway Company ( Ireland) Ltd for a Light Rail System in the Greater Belfast Area.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 12.20 p.m.
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Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting.
The next meeting will take place on 27 February 2008 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.23 p.m.