COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday 21 JANUARY 2009
Room 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson).
Cathal Boylan, MLA.
Allan Bresland, 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).
Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor).
Annette Page (Clerical Officer).
Apologies:
Willie Clarke, MLA.
Members decided to commence the meeting at 10.37 a.m. in open session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies were received from:
Willie Clarke, MLA.
2. Chairperson’s Business.
Jim Wells, MLA, providedan overview of the climate change conference, held in London on 19 January 2009, which he attended on behalf of the Committee.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2008.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 10.41 a.m.
Following revision, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 12 January 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development concerning the Roads Service winter gritting policy and criteria. Members decided to write to the Minister for Regional Development requesting further information on the scope for discretion in the gritting policy, and on the accident statistics quoted in his response.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 14 January 2009, from the Department concerning the Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan 2010-12 and noted that the Department is proposing to provide briefing on this issue to the Committee on 18 February 2009. Members agreed to schedule briefing from the Department on the Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan 2010-21, at the meeting to be held on 18 February 2009.
Members noted receipt of a quarterly update from the Department, dated 9 January 2009, on the Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan.
Brian Wilson joined the meeting at 10.50 a.m.
Members noted receipt of a presentation on fuel poverty delivered by John McMullan, Chief Executive of the Bryson Group, at a seminar on fuel poverty hosted by the Utility Regulator in November 2008. Members decided to forward the presentation to the Committee for Social Development.
Members noted receipt of a quarterly update from the Department, dated 7 January 2009, on Abandonments and Land Disposal by the Department.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 5 January 2009, from the Department regarding the cost of ferry services, in response to queries raised by Mr Ray Spence. Members decided to forward the Department’s response to Mr Ray Spence.
Jim Wells re-joined the meeting at 10.51 a.m.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 29 December 2009, from the Department concerning the Broadway Underpass Review. Members decided to schedule further briefing on this issue at a date after April 2009.
Members noted receipt of a memo, dated 15 December 2008, from the Department of Finance and Personnel regarding revised dates (subject to Executive and Business Committee approval), for the remaining stages of the Strategic Stocktake of Budget 2008-11. The Committee also noted that this information had been emailed to Members on 9 January 2009.
5. Subordinate Legislation.
Members noted that they were content with the policy merits of the following SL1s which were noted at the meeting of 14 January 2009:
- The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Armagh) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Parking Places on Roads (Armagh) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Parking Places on Roads (Newry) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Ballycloughan Road (U214), Saintfield (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Lylehill Road, Templepatrick (Part-time Speed Limit) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (Amendment No.4) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The New Forge Road, Magheralin (Footway) (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009; and
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Members noted receipt of the following statutory rules which are not subject to any Assembly procedure:
- The Parking Places on Roads (Omagh) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Waiting Restrictions (Newtownards) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009;
- The One Way Traffic (Londonderry) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
- The Prohibition of Traffic (Lower Ormeau, Belfast) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Members noted receipt of the following statutory rules, which are subject to negative resolution.Members also noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules will forward his report before the end of the relevant statutory period, which is 10 February 2009:
- 2008/501 The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
- 2009/6 The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
6. Correspondence.
Members noted receipt of an e-mail, dated 5 January 2009, from Alex McGarel, Clerk to the Environment Committee, attaching the terms of reference for the Environment Committee’s inquiry into climate change and informing Members that they will be invited to submit written evidence to the inquiry during the public consultation phase scheduled for the end of January 2009.
Members noted receipt of a memo, dated 16 January 2009, from Hugh Farren, Clerk to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety attaching the Health Committee’s terms of reference for an inquiry into obesity, and a letter to forward to the Minister for Regional Development. Members agreed to send the letter to the Minister for Regional Development.
John McCallister joined the meeting at 10.55 a.m.
Members noted receipt of a press release, received 14 January 2009, from Gordon Best, Regional Director, Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland, regarding a meeting between the organisation and the Minister for Regional Development to discuss roads maintenance budgets. Members decided to write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel, requesting further information on the government finance regulations in relation to this issue, and that the Committee is kept informed of any work the Committee for Finance and Personnel undertakes on this issue.
Members noted receipt of the following invitations:
- Seminar hosted by the Utility Regulator entitled ‘What can energy consumption do for consumers and how do we achieve it?’ to be held in the Linenhall Library, Belfast on 13 February 2009.
- Lecture by Archbishop Desmond Tutu entitled ‘The triumph of goodness’, to be held in the Royal Geographical Society, London on 19 February 2009.
- Northern Ireland Housing conference 2009, entitled ‘How can we best ensure regions and cities weather the storm of recession?’, to be held in the Royal Commonwealth Society, London on 20 February 2009.
Members decided that , if they wish to attend any of these conferences, they would contact the Committee Office.
Members noted receipt of the following reports:
- Think Transformation: Development Initiatives for the economic transformation of West Belfast and Greater Shankill.
- Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Statistics, July to September 2008.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 11.09 a.m.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 11.15 a.m. with Fred Cobain, Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, John Dallat, John McCallister, Raymond McCartney, George Robinson, Alastair Ross, Jim Wells and Brian Wilson in attendance.
7. Committee Inquiry: Managing Data Risks in Northern Ireland Water. Oral Evidence from the Department for Regional Development.
Departmental officials John Mills, Gary Fair and Andrew Grieve joined the meeting at 11.15 a.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials.
Following a question and answer session with officials, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing.
Departmental officials John Mills, Gary Fair and Andrew Grieve left the meeting at 11.55 a.m.
Brian Wilson left the meeting at 11.55 a.m.
Members decided to move the meeting to closed session at 11.55 a.m.
Members decided to return to open session at 12.13 p.m. with Fred Cobain, Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, John Dallat, John McCallister, Raymond McCartney, George Robinson, Alastair Ross and Jim Wells in attendance.
8. Committee Inquiry: Managing Data Risks in Northern Ireland Water. Oral Evidence from the Consumer Council.
Consumer Council executives Eleanor Gill, Kathy Graeme and Graham Smith joined the meeting at 12.13 p.m.
The Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members of the Committee for Regional Development, noted the recent announcement of Eleanor Gill’s intention to step down from her position as Chief Executive of the Consumer Council and to start her own business. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson thanked Eleanor Gill for the time and expertise she had given to the Committee, and wished her every success in her new business venture.
Members received briefing from the Consumer Council executives.
Following a question and answer session with executives, Members thanked the Consumer Council for their briefing.
Consumer Council executives Eleanor Gill, Kathy Graeme and Graham Smith left the meeting at 12.46 p.m.
9. Any other business.
Members noted receipt of an e-mail from the Department concerning the setting of local speed limits in Northern Ireland. Members decided to view the consultation documents upon publication and to decide on a way forward at a later meeting.
John Dallat , MLA, raised the problems faced by the Northern Ireland Road Safety Council and requested that the Committee writes in support of this body. Following discussion of the contribution and importance of the Road Safety Council Northern Ireland, Members decided to defer decision on this matter pending a verbal report from Cathal Boylan, on the meeting between the All Party Assembly Group on Road Safety and the Environment Minister.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.56 p.m. for lunch.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 2.02 p.m. with Fred Cobain, Cathal Boylan, Raymond McCartney and Jim Wells in attendance.
The Clerk advised the Chairperson that, with four Members present, the Committee was quorate to hear evidence from officials, but that five Members were required in order for the Committee to transact business.
10. Ports Policy: Draft Guidance on Port Master Plans – Consultation.
Departmental officials Brian White and Peter Barbour joined the meeting at 2.02 p.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials.
Following a question and answer session with officials, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing.
Brian Wilson joined the meeting at 2.22pm
The Clerk advised the Chairperson that the five Members required in order for the Committee to transact business were now present.
Departmental officials Brian White and Peter Barbour left the meeting at 2.25 p.m.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 2.25 p.m.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 2.32 p.m. with Fred Cobain, Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, John Dallat, Raymond McCartney, Alastair Ross, Jim Wells and Brian Wilson in attendance.
11. Northern Ireland Water: Change in contractual agreement
Northern Ireland Water executives Chris Mellor, William Duddy and David Gilmour joined the meeting at 2.33 p.m.
Members received briefing from the Northern Ireland Water executives.
Alastair Ross left the meeting at 2.44 p.m.
John McCallister joined the meeting at 2.45 p.m.
Alastair Ross re-joined the meeting at 2.50 p.m.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 3.00 p.m .
Following a question and answer session with executives, Members thanked Northern Ireland Water executives Chris Mellor, William Duddy and David Gilmour for their briefing.
Northern Ireland Water executives left the meeting at 3.17 p.m.
Members decided to request further information from Northern Ireland Water on the current cost of the contract, and baseline information from the Strategic Business Plan, with a view to scrutinising the future benefits which may accrue from the changed contractual arrangements.
12. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.
The next meeting of the Regional Development Committee will take place on Wednesday 28 January 2009, in Room 21, Parliament Buildings at 10.30 a.m.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.18 p.m.