COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Jim Wells, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
John Dallat, MLA
John McCallister, MLA
Brian Wilson, MLA
Willie Clarke, MLA
Cathal Boylan, MLA
Alastair Ross, MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Conor Coughlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Annette Page (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson)
Raymond McCartney, MLA
George Robinson, MLA
Allan Bresland, MLA
Members decided to commence the meeting at 4.40 p.m. in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from:
Raymond McCartney , MLA
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson)
George Robinson , MLA
Allan Bresland , MLA
2. The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2009
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Members noted receipt of a memo, dated 13 March 2009, from the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group regarding work shadow placements during disability week. In addition, Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
Members noted receipt of a letter, dated 16 March 2009, from the Department regarding railway safety and the Larne line, and an email, dated 18 March 2009, from Translink responding to the Committee’s request for written briefing on the Larne line. In addition, Members decided to invite officials from the Department to brief the Committee on railway safety and the Larne line.
Members noted receipt of a letter, dated 19 March 2009, from the Environment Committee regarding the Regional Development Committee response to the PC10 draft Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage. Members agreed to write to the Environment Committee outlining the Regional Development Committee approach to the matter and indicating that Members are content to share their response with the Environment Committee in due course.
Members noted receipt of a letter, dated 18 March 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development regarding re-appointments to the Board of Northern Ireland Water. Members agreed to write to the Minister noting receipt of the correspondence.
Members noted receipt of papers from George Robinson, MLA, regarding the Magilligan to Greencastle Ferry Service and providing clarification on the security and other costs to Limavady Council. Members agreed to write to the Department requesting written briefing on the outcome of the meeting on this issue between Arlene Foster, MLA, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment, and the Regional Development Minister.
4. Subordinate Legislation
Members noted receipt of the following new SL1s:
- The Dill Road, Castlereagh (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The T6 Land Frontier-Aughnacloy-Ballygawley-Enniskillen-Belcoo-Land Frontier Trunk Road Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Road Races ( Ulster Rally) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.5) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ; and
- The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballymoney) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
Members noted receipt of the following new SL1, and agreed to write to the Department requesting that the objection to it be resolved prior to the making of the rule:
- The Cabragh Link Road, Dungannon (Stopping-Up) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
Members decided that they were content with the policy merits of the following SL1s, which were noted at the meeting of 18 March 2009:
- The Barbour Gardens and Kingsway, Dunmurry (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Clifton Street and Glenravel Street, Belfast (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Parking Places on Roads (Dundonald) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Parking Places on Roads (Medical Practitioners) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Waiting Restrictions (Dunloy) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Road Races (Mourne Stages Rally) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ; and
- The Road Races (Cookstown 100) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
5. Correspondence
Members noted receipt of an invitation from Gordon Anderson, and Members agreed to hold a meeting of the Regional Development Committee in George Best City Airport, and to receive a presentation by the Senior Management team, at a date to be agreed in the forward work programme.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to attend a project leadership conference entitled “Building and Improving Teams”. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office if they wish to attend this conference.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to attend a seminar entitled “Effectively addressing the health of offenders and those accused of offending- from arrest to release”. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office if they wish to attend this seminar.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to attend a conference entitled “Third Sector Commissioning”. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office if they wish to attend this conference.
Members noted receipt of the Feb/March 2009 e-newsletter from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office to obtain a copy of the e-newsletter.
Members noted receipt of the February 2009 issue of Waterline, the staff magazine of Northern Ireland Water. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office to obtain a copy of the staff magazine.
Members noted receipt of a news sheet entitled “Marine Spatial Planning- delivering sustainability in a multiuse environment”. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office to obtain a copy of the news sheet.
Members noted receipt of the Utility Regulators 2007/08 Cost and Performance Report: An assessment of Northern Ireland Waters costs and performance in 2007/08. Members noted that they should contact the Committee office to obtain a copy of the report.
6. Any other Business
Members noted that the meeting next week will be followed by a joint stakeholder engagement event with the Environment Committee, on the draft River Basin Management Plans in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.
Members noted that taxis will leave the east door of Parliament Buildings at 5.20 p.m. for Members participating in the Committee visit to Dublin.
7. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
Members decided that the next meeting of the Regional Development Committee will take place on Wednesday 1 April 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.57 p.m.