Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 13th February 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Regional Planning Policy Statement on "Housing in Settlements"
4. Regional Transportation Strategy
5. Waste Water Treatment Works Investment Programme
6. Railway Safety Bill
7. Draft Framework
8. AOB
9. Date of the next meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage
Absent:
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mrs S Young (Executive Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)
Mr S Wilson (Assembly Research Team)
The meeting was called to order at 10.38 am.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th February 2002 were agreed.
2. Statutory Rules
- The Committee noted three Statutory Rules, which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.
- The Committee considered the Statutory Rule:
Proposed Steam Mill Lane/Bradford Square, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002.
The Department intends to make this Rule, which is subject to negative resolution.
The Committee agreed the course of action proposed in the Rule.
3. Regional Planning Policy Statement on "Housing in Settlements"
At 10.40 am officials from the Department briefed the Committee on proposals for the Regional Planning Policy Statement on "Housing in Settlements". The officials were: Mr Denis Glass, Mr Billy Gamble and Mr Angus Kerr.
Mr Savage joined the meeting at 10.43 am
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 10.51 am
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 10.53 am
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 10.53 am
The officials noted the Committee's comments and will bear these in mind when preparing the draft policy paper which should be available in 3 to 4 weeks.
The Chairman thanked the officials left the meeting at 11.51 am.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.52 am.
4. Regional Transportation Strategy
Agreed: To seek the views of other Departmental
Committees on the proposed Regional Transportation Strategy.
5. Waste Water Treatment Works Investment Programme
At 11.54 am Water Service officials briefed the Committee on the Waste Water Treatment Works Investment Programme. The Officials were: Mr John McMillen and Dr George Alexander.
The officials answered Members' questions and agreed to provide the Committee with a clear map showing Waste Water Treatment Works.
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 12.15 pm.
The Chairman thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 12.42 pm.
6. Railway Safety Bill
The researcher was asked to provide an analysis with Railway Safety legislation in the Republic of Ireland.
7. Draft Framework for developing Northern Ireland's participation in the European Union
Agreed: That it would not be possible to respond by the 15th February deadline set by the Committee of the Centre, but if members had any substantive concerns they should raise them at next week's meeting.
8. AOB
Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
The Chairman advised that the Minister is scheduled to attend next week's meeting to discuss this issue in a public session.
Agreed: To invite to next week's meeting, those organisations who had previously written to the Committee on this matter.
9. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 20th February 2002 at 10.30 am. Venue to be confirmed.
The meeting adjourned at 12.55 pm.