Present were:- Rev Dr Wm McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy

Apologies:- Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

In attendance:- Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Miss M Devine (Administrative Support)

The meeting commenced at 10.30am.

1. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting of 28 June 2001 were agreed.

(i) Consultation Document on Listed Substances
The Committee considered a draft response to the above Consultation Document.

Agreed: To seek clarification on some issues identified by the Committee, incorporate as appropriate and respond.

(ii) Local Government (Best Value) Bill

Dr W McCrea, Ms C Hanna, Mr D McClarty and Mr M Murphy declared an interest as Local Councillors before this item was discussed.
The Committee discussed the Bill introduced to the Assembly.

Agreed: To seek clarification on an issue identified by the Committee.

(b) Replies Outstanding
(i) Proposed ferry crossing - the outcome of the economic appraisal from Newry and Mourne District Council is awaited;
(ii) Ballyrickard Landfill Site - update awaited;
(iii) Telecommunication Masts - a reply is awaited from the Department.

3. Presentation by representatives of the National Trust
Mr Patrick Casey, Regional Chairman, Ms Diane Forbes, NI Affairs Manager, and Mr John Baird, Project Manager, from the National Trust, joined the meeting at 10.52am and gave a presentation on issues regarding the proposals for the Giant's Causeway Visitors Centre.

After their presentation, the representatives answered questions from the Members.
The Chairperson thanked them for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.23am.

4. Presentation by representatives from Moyle District Council (MDC)
Cllr Randal McDonnell, Council Chairman, Mr Kevin McGarry, Tourism Development Manager of MDC, Mr Richard O'Rawe of Venture International, and Mr Kenneth Crothers of Kenneth Crothers, Deane and Curry, joined the meeting at 11.25am and gave a presentation on MDC's proposals for the Giant's Causeway Visitors Centre.

After the presentation, the representatives answered questions from the Members. The Chairperson thanked them for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.56am.

5. Consideration of revised near-final Draft of School Transport Public Inquiry Report.
The Committee considered and agreed the amendments within the Draft Report.

6. Draft Response to Executive's Position Report
The Committee considered a draft response to the above Document.

Agreed:
(i) To write to the Department on the lack of progress on implementing the Waste Management Strategy; and
(ii) To respond to the Report as discussed.

7. Road Safety Strategy Consultation Document
The Committee considered a draft response to the above Document.

Agreed: To amend the Draft and respond as agreed.

The Committee considered a SL1 on the above proposed Rules.

Agreed:
(i) That the Committee had no comment to make on these proposed Rules; and
(ii) To write to the Department regarding the scientific evidence on the proposed new vehicles and concerns about such heavy vehicles on smaller roads.

(c) The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Continuation (with Amendment) of Temporary Lifting of Drivers' Hours Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
The Committee discussed the SL1 on the proposed Rules.

Agreed: That the Committee has no comment to make on this proposed Rule.

9. Consultation Document on Development Control and Advice Notice 4
The Committee discussed the above Consultation Document from the Department.

Agreed:
(i) To write to the Department with a number of questions from the Committee; and
(ii) To prepare a draft response for the Committee's consideration when the Department's reply to (i) above has been received.

10. Letters to the Committee
(a) RSPB
(i) The Committee noted the response to the Department's Consultation Document, Partners in Protection - ASSIs;
(ii) The paper on EHS Resources will be discussed with the Department's Finance Officials in September/October; and
(iii) The paper on the proposed Planning Amendment Bill will be discussed with the Department's Officials in September.

(b) Overdevelopment on Maxwell Road, Bangor
The Committee discussed a letter from a Mr Taylor, Bangor.

Agreed: To refer the letter to the Department for comment.

(c) Demolition of 2 - 4 Holyrood, Malone
The Committee discussed a letter from the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.

Agreed: To refer the letter to the Department for comment.

(d) Regional Development Strategy Draft
The Committee noted a letter from the Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group and that the RDS Draft was discussed in an Assembly Plenary earlier in the week.

(e) Sustainable Building
The Committee discussed a letter from Prof Tom Woolley regarding the need for sustainable building.

Agreed: To invite Prof Woolley to give a presentation to the Committee.

(f) Freight Transport Association (FTA)
The Committee discussed a letter regarding licencing of Heavy Goods Vehicles in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: To invite the FTA to give a presentation to the Committee.

11. AOB
(a) Cottonmount
The Chairperson updated the Committee on the latest position regarding the proposed development at Cottonmount.

Agreed: To write to the Department to ensure that the views of the residents are properly considered.

(b) Sustainable Development
The Committee discussed inviting Mr Jonathan Porrit, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission to a proposed seminar in Parliament Buildings.

Agreed: To make arrangements for a seminar, possibly on 21 November 2001.

12. Date of next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 6 September 2001 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 12.55pm.

Dr Wm McCrea
(Chairperson)