COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday 18 FEBRUARY 2009
Room 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson).
Cathal Boylan, MLA.
Allan Bresland, MLA.
Willie Clarke, MLA.
John Dallat , MLA.
John McCallister, MLA.
Raymond McCartney, MLA.
George Robinson , MLA
Alastair Ross, MLA.
Jim Wells, MLA.
Brian Wilson, MLA.
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk).
Conor Coughlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk).
Annette Page (Clerical Officer).
Kevin Stewart (Clerical Officer).
Apologies:
Members decided to commence the meeting at 10.35 a.m. in open session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies were received from:
No apologies were received.
2. Chairperson’s Business.
Members noted that following the meeting, a lunch will be held for Members of the Committee for Regional Development and the Committee for Finance and Personnel in room 21. Members also noted, that following lunch, a concurrent meeting of the Committee for Regional Development and the Committee for Finance and Personnel is being held in the Senate Chamber, commencing at 1.30 p.m.
Members noted that a Committee photograph will be taken at today’s meeting showing the Committee seated at the meeting table. Members decided that the photograph will be published on the Committee’s web pages.
Members decided that the Chairperson and the Clerk will attend a meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport on Wednesday 25 February 2009, in Dublin. Members also decided, that in place of the scheduled Committee meeting of Wednesday 25 February 2009, to hold the Committee meeting after the adjournment debate on Tuesday 24 February 2009, to consider the standing items of matters arising, subordinate legislation and correspondence. Members decided that Committee staff will make arrangements for this meeting and include these arrangements in the Committee packs to be issued on Friday 20 February 2009.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 11 February 2009, from the Department regarding a request for briefing on the reclassification of Northern Ireland Water. Members decided to request oral briefing from the Department on the written briefing paper provided by the Department. Members also decided that this session could be held in closed session, if required by the Department.
Raymond McCartney joined the meeting at 10.40 a.m.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 12 February 2009, from the Department regarding the Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan 2009-12, and that oral briefing from the Department has been indicatively scheduled for April/May 2009. Members decided to seek the views of relevant stakeholders in relation to the Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan 2009-12. Members decided to form a view on this issue after consultation with stakeholders.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 2 February 2009, from the Department regarding the Disability Action Plan 2007-10. Members noted that this is the reviewed and updated version of the Disability Action Plan 2007-10. Members decided to seek the views of relevant stakeholders in relation to the Disability Action Plan 2009-10. Members decided to form a view on this issue after consultation with stakeholders.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 5 February 2009, from Translink enclosing a copy of their response to Mrs. Cosgrove, regarding her query to Translink concerning incorrect ticketing. Members decided to write to Mrs. Cosgrove detailing the outcome of Committee discussion on the matter.
Member noted receipt of correspondence, dated 10 February 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development regarding the Budget Bill (NI) 2009, 2008-09 Supplementary Estimates.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 2 February 2009, from the Department regarding Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Members decided to forward this correspondence to the Environment Committee.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 10 February 2009, from the Department regarding Infrastructure for Spatial Information. Members decided to request that the Department keep the Committee updated should any further issues arise on this matter.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 4 February 2009, from the Department regarding a presentation by Karin Eyben entitled ‘A Day in the Life of a Village’.
5. Review of the Regional Development Strategy: Departmental briefing.
Departmental officials Ian Raphael and Jackie King joined the meeting at 10.48 a.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials on the Review of the Regional Development Strategy.
Cathal Boylan joined the meeting at 10.56 a.m.
Following a question and answer session with officials, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing .
Departmental officials Ian Raphael and Jackie King left the meeting at 11.20 a.m.
Raymond McCartney left the meeting at 11.20 a.m.
Members noted the briefing and decided to request further information from the Department on the outcome of the forthcoming Ministerial sub-group meeting on the Review of the Development Strategy.
Raymond McCartney re-joined the meeting at 11.23 a.m.
6. PC10 Ministerial social and environmental guidance: Departmental briefing.
Departmental officials John Mills, Stuart Wightman and Ryan Bartlett joined the meeting at 11.25 a.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials on PC10 Ministerial social and environmental guidance.
Following a question and answer session with officials, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing .
Departmental officials John Mills, Stuart Wightman and Ryan Bartlett left the meeting at 11.47 a.m.
Members noted the briefing and decided to request details on the consultation process to be undertaken by the Department, including a full list of all planned consultees. Members decided to hold a special session on this issue during the public consultation to hear the views of the consultees and statutory stakeholders. Members also decided to write to the Department requesting that an extension of three weeks, because of Easter Recess, to the submission deadline to enable the Committee to consider the views of the consultees and statutory stakeholders.
7. Strangford Lough Ferry Service: Departmental briefing.
Departmental official Michael Parkinson joined the meeting at 12.00 p.m.
Alastair Ross left the meeting at 12.00 p.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental official on the Strangford Lough Ferry Service.
Alastair Ross re-joined the meeting at 12.06 p.m.
Following a question and answer session with officials, Members thanked the Departmental official for his briefing .
Departmental official Michael Parkinson left the meeting at 12.12 p.m.
Members also decided to recommend that the Department undertake a survey into the levels of customer satisfaction on the Strangford Lough ferry service. Members decided to request oral briefing from the Department on the written briefing provided by the Department regarding the Lough Foyle ferry service. Members decided to commission research from Assembly Research and Library Services on the Roads ( Northern Ireland) Order 1993, Articles 99 and 100.Members also decided to request a copy of the current contract for the Lough Foyle ferry service, and briefing on the implications for the Lough Foyle ferry service when the current contract ends in June 2009.
8 . Subordinate Legislation.
Members noted receipt of the following new SL1s:
- The Parking and Waiting Restrictions ( Belfast) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Bus Lane ( Shankill Road, Belfast) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Prohibition of Waiting (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Waiting Restrictions (Moira) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Road Races (Drumhorc Hill Climb) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Road Races (Spelga Pass Hill Climb) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Road Races (Mid Antrim 150) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009; and
- The Parking and Waiting Restrictions ( Belfast) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Members also noted receipt of the following new SL1:
- The Route F1400 Beech Path Footpath, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
Members noted that an objection had been received to this proposal from NIE, which has a plant in the area, and that if this objection is not withdrawn, a public inquiry will be necessary.
Members also noted receipt of the following new SL1:
- The Bus Loop Service Road (Off Lakeview Road), Craigavon (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Members noted that an objection has been received to this proposal from a taxi driver, and a further objection received from NIE, which has a plant in the area. Members decided to request further information from the Department on the objection received from the taxi driver.
Members decided that they were content with the policy merits of the following SL1, which was noted at the meeting of 11 February 2009:
- The Parking Places, Loading Bays and Waiting Restrictions (Antrim) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
9. Correspondence.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 5 February 2009, from the Department noting receipt of the Committee’s letter regarding the roads maintenance industry, and that, a response will be issued shortly.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 5 February 2009, from the Department regarding the review of Roads Service winter gritting policy and criteria, and that, a response will be issued shortly.
Members noted receipt of an email, dated 10 February 2009, from Sandra Dane of BMF Services, inviting the Chairperson, Fred Cobain, MLA, to give a short talk on the role of the Committee in relation to water and sewerage, at a conference taking place on Wednesday 20 May 2009, in the Stormont Hotel. Members decided to accept the invitation, and that the Chairperson or a Member of the Committee will be nominated at a later date to participate in this event.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 11 February 2009, from the Institute of Directors (IoD) Northern Ireland, thanking the Chairperson, Fred Cobain, MLA, and the Deputy Chairperson, Jim Wells, MLA, for their attendance at the IoD Business Environment Committee, with an offer from the IoD to provide advice to the Committee on any issues which may arise.
Members noted receipt of a memo, dated 12 February 2009, from Aoibhinn Treanor, Clerk to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), regarding the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR): Social Action Plan 2009-14. Members decided to provide the Committee’s response to the NIAUR: Social Action Plan 2009-14 to the OFMDFM Committee when it has been agreed. Members also decided to forward a copy of its response to the NIAUR: Social Action Plan 2009-2014 to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, the Social Development Committee and the Environment Committee.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 17 February 2009, from the Department responding to the Environment Committee’s request for Roads Service officials to attend their meeting on 5 March 2009. Members decided to forward this response to the Environment Committee.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to a CPPS seminar entitled ‘How best will we take forward effective housing policy on housing in the economic downturn?’ to be held at the Royal Commonwealth Society in London on Friday 3 April 2009. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office should they wish to attend this event.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to a Northern Ireland Water Environmental Stakeholders Forum on ‘Environmental Sustainability’ to be held at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on 1 April 2009. Members decided that if a Member would like to attend this event on behalf of the Committee, they should contact the Committee office.
Members noted receipt of a Departmental press release, dated 11 February 2009, regarding the Mayor of Belfast visiting the Belfast Sewers Project. Members noted that this press release was forward to them on 11 February 2009. Members also noted that the Clerk had received an invitation from Northern Ireland Water (NIW) for the Committee to visit a waste water treatment works and the Belfast Sewers Project tunnel. Members decided to accept this invitation and that the Clerk will liaise with NIW to confirm dates and arrangements for this visit.
Members noted receipt of a Departmental press release, dated 11 February 2009, regarding the Minister’s announcement of the preferred corridor for the A2 Ballykelly bypass. Members noted that this press release was forwarded to them on 11 February 2009.
Members noted receipt of a Departmental press release, dated 11 February 2009, regarding the closure of the M2 motorway. Members noted that this press release was forwarded to them on 11 February 2009.
Members noted receipt of the IMTAC newsletter, dated January 2009, entitled ‘Transport Matters’.
Members noted receipt of the CIPFA newsletter, dated January 2009, and that copies of this newsletter are available from the Committee office.
Members noted receipt of the Advice NI newssheet, dated Winter 2008/09, and that copies of this newssheet are available from the Committee office.
10. Any other business.
Members noted receipt of an email and photographs from Alastair Ross, MLA, concerning health and safety issues on the Belfast to Larne line trains, which he had received from a constituent. Members decided to forward the email and photographs to the Department and Translink for comment, and written briefing.
Members decided to write to the Department following discussion of the problems and delays faced by motorists as a result of a partial closure of the M2 motorway on Sunday, 15 February 2009, in order to urge the Department to ensure adequate traffic management systems are in place prior to any future closures of the M2 motorway.
11. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.
The next meeting of the Regional Development Committee will take place on Tuesday 24 February 2009, following the adjournment debate. Members decided that Committee staff would make arrangements for this meeting and inform Members in advance of the meeting.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.27 a.m. .