Increased funding for the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions

The Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister welcomes confirmation from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister that it is to increase the funding for the Commissions.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Danny Kennedy MLA said:
“During its consideration of the draft Budget and Investment Strategy, the Committee noted with concern the backlog in planning appeals and called for additional resources for the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions.

“ The Committee therefore welcomes the commitment from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to provide additional funding for the next 3 years.

“The Committee now expects to see early progress in the appointment of additional Commissioners and will monitor the use of additional funding to ensure that it is used effectively to help clear the backlog of outstanding appeals.”

Notes for Editors:

1. At the Committee meeting on 9 January 2008, the Committee received confirmation from OFMDFM that they have made provision within the Draft Budget 2008-2011 for additional funding of £0.51m, £0.52m and £0.538m respectively as a net increase to its baseline budget.

2. The Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister is one of the statutory committees established by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 May 2007.

The role of the Committee as set out in Standing Orders for the Northern Ireland Assembly is “to advise and assist the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the formulation of policy with respect to matters within their responsibilities as Ministers jointly in charge of the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister.”

Committee Membership: -
Danny Kennedy, Chairperson
Naomi Long, Deputy Chairperson
Martina Anderson
Tom Elliott
Dolores Kelly
Barry McElduff
Francie Molloy
Stephen Moutray
Jim Shannon
Jimmy Spratt
Jim Wells

Media enquiries should be addressed to
Kieran Dougan
Information Office, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX
Tel: 028 9052 1642
Mobile 07825 146794
Website: archive.niassembly.gov.uk