COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 30th April 2008
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Willie Clarke MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA
George Robinson MLA
Jim Wells MLA
Brian Wilson MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Christine Darragh (Assembly Clerk)
Oliver Bellew (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor)
Annette Page (Clerical Officer)
Stephanie Galbraith (Researcher)
Apologies: None
The Committee decided to hold the meeting in open session.
The meeting opened at 10.37 a.m. in open session.
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 10.40 a.m.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting of 23 April 2008.
The minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2008 were agreed.
3. Chairpersons Business.
The Committee noted that the Chair had a meeting with the Federation of Passenger Transport, during which the Federation undertook to provide written briefing to the Committee on the issues discussed. Members agreed to return to the issue when this is received.
4. Matters Arising.
Members considered the criteria for the appointment of a special adviser to support the Committee in its consideration of its response to the public consultation on the Independent Review of Water and Sewerage.
Members agreed the final terms of reference and criteria for appointment.
Members agreed the ‘without prejudice’ letters publicising the opportunity to tender.
Raymond McCartney joined the meeting at 10.46 a.m.
Members agreed the advertisements informing of the opportunity to tender, and agreed that these be placed on the Assembly’s website and published in newspapers.
Members agreed the weighting to be attributed to quality and cost in evaluating tenders.
The Committee agreed to form a subgroup to consider the issues, comprising one Member from each party. These are: Fred Cobain, Jim Wells, Raymond McCartney, Brian Wilson and John Dallat.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 10.58 a.m.
The Committee agreed to consider the issue in more depth at the meeting of 7 May 2008.
The Committee noted a query which had arisen in relation to the SL1 The Old Belfast Road, Bangor (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 presented to the Committee when the proposed scheme covered by the SL1 had been the subject of a public inquiry.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Brian Wilson would meet with Departmental officials to discuss the issue and report back to the Committee.
Members noted that further information on the publication and availability of the independent inspectors report has been requested from the Department.
The Committee noted receipt of a briefing from the Department of the Environment on the issue of additional housing yield and the use of brownfield and greenfield development sites for housing. Members agreed to invite the Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group to brief the Committee on the issue.
The Committee noted receipt of the Quarterly Progress Report from DRD’s Equality Unit.
The Committee noted receipt of the DRD Corporate Plan 2008-11, and Business Plan 2008-2009, and agreed that these be sent to them electronically.
The Committee noted receipt of the Better Regulation Annual Report 2006/7, which was forwarded to the Committee from the Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee, and agreed that these be sent to them electronically.
The Committee noted that, due to the Committees attendance at the conference entitled ‘Transport Ireland: Towards a Modern and Sustainable Future’, the Committee meeting scheduled for 14 May 2008 will not now take place.
5. Sustainable Development - Departmental Briefing
Departmental officials Doreen Brown and Bob Cairns, and Northern Ireland Water Executives Paddy Brow and Darren Mawhinney joined the meeting at 11.05 a.m.
The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials and Northern Ireland Water executives on the Department’s responsibilities and actions under the Sustainable Development Strategy and action plan.
John McCallister joined the meeting at 11.08 a.m.
Following a question and answer session, officials agreed provide more detailed information on a range of issues.
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 12.02 p.m.
William Irwin left the meeting at 12.10 p.m.
John McCallister left the meeting at 12.12 p.m.
Departmental officials left the meeting at 12.15 p.m.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 12.16 p.m.
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 12.16 p.m.
6. Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland - Briefing.
Climate Change Coalition representatives Lisa Fagan, Declan Allinson, Steven Patterson and Claire Hanna joined the meeting at 12.17 am.
The Committee received briefing from the Climate Change Coalition on a range of issues around climate change, transport and spatial planning .
Following a question and answer session, Climate Change Coalition representatives agreed to provide a written paper on an 80% CO 2 reduction target.
Climate Change Coalition representatives left the meeting at 12.55 a.m.
John Dallat left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
Cathal Boylan left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
Raymond McCartney left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
The Clerk drew the Chairperson's attention to the fact that a quorum was no longer present. The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
John Dallat rejoined the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 1.00 p.m.
Raymond McCartney rejoined the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
Cathal Boylan rejoined the meeting at 1.01 p.m.
7. Speed Management Policy – Committee Response.
The Committee noted receipt of three research papers which they had previously requested to aid their consideration of the draft Speed Management policy.
8. Rapid Transit for Belfast.
Members decidedto postpone consideration of Rapid Transit for Belfast until a later date.
9. Subordinate Legislation
Members noted the following new SL1s received:
- The Road Traffic (Traffic Wardens) (Revocation) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Loading Bays and Parking Places on Roads Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Parking Places on Roads (Fivemiletown) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Control of Traffic (Antrim) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Traffic Weight Restrictions (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Cross-Border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Penalty Fares (Increase) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Waiting Restrictions (Cookstown) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
- The Cycle Routes Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members indicated that they were content with the following SL1s noted at the meeting of 16 April 2008:
- The Road Races (Glens of Antrim Stages Rally) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rule which is not subject to any Assembly procedure:
- 180/2008 – The Parking and Waiting Restrictions ( Belfast) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rule which is subject to negative resolution:
- 173/2008 - The Bann Road, Ballymoney (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rule which is subject to affirmative resolution:
- The Donaghadee (Harbour Area) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 1.08 p.m.
Members noted receipt of the fourteenth Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees, which was published on 28 April 2008. In the absence of any objections, the following questions were put and agreed:
That the Committee for Regional Development has considered 2008/149 The B2 Silverwood Road, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.”
All those in favour: Fred Cobain, John Dallat, Raymond McCartney, Cathal Boylan, George Robinson, William Irwin, Brian Wilson.
All those against: None
That the Committee for Regional Development has considered 2008/173 The Antiville Road and Ballymena Road, Larne (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
All those in favour: Fred Cobain, John Dallat, Raymond McCartney, Cathal Boylan, George Robinson, William Irwin, Brian Wilson.
All those against: None
10. Correspondence.
The Committee notedthe following items of correspondence:
- Letter dated 18 April 2008, from Chris Mellor to Peter Matthews Chairman, Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR), informing him that Northern Ireland Water (NIW) will be cooperating with the mis-apportionment of costs investigation by NIAUR, and that the internal review by NIW will be considered at the board meeting held on 29 April 2008.
- Letter dated 21 April 2008, from Iris Robinson MP, MLA Chairperson Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety forwarding a letter from the Trossachs Area Residents’ Association regarding the closure of the lane linking Katrine Park and The Vines at Erinvale, off Finaghy Road South. Members agreed to write to Iris Robinson acknowledging receipt of the letter, andagreedto forward the letter to the Department for comment.
- Letter dated 23 April 2008, from Denis Hegarty, Chairman Dungiven Bypass Committee. Members agreed to write to the Dungiven Bypass Committee inviting them to brief the Committee.
- Letter dated 23 April 2008, from DALO Alan Doherty clarifying reports the Enterprise Belfast to Dublin service is in need of a £500m overhaul. Members agreed to write to the Department requesting further information on the options being considered, and requesting briefing on this issue.
- Letter dated 23 April 2008, from Dr. Andrew McCrea, Executive Director, Action Renewables asking Members to sign the Climate Change No Day Named Motion. The Committee agreed to write to Dr McCrea of Action Renewables acknowledging receipt of the letter, and advising him of the Committee’s intention to conduct an inquiry into carbon emissions and transport, and that it had briefing from the Climate Change Coalition on the issue. Members noted that the motion was available for signature in the Business Office.
- Email dated 23 April 2008, from Gordon Best, Regional Director Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland forwarding a copy of the Association’s newsletter.
- Letter dated 24 April 2008, from DALO Alan Doherty outlining DRD’s response to the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) position paper on Taxis. Members agreed to write to IMTAC enclosing the response received from DRD, and to seek IMTAC’s comments.
11. Any Other Business.
Members agreed that, following publication of the investigations by Northern Ireland Water and the Regulator, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would seek a meeting with the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee to discuss the referral by the Committee for Regional Development, of issues around Northern Ireland Water’s Strategic Business Plan.
12. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting.
The next meeting will be at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 7 May 2008 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 13.15 p.m.