COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Michelle McIlveen MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Allan Bresland MLA
Willie Clarke MLA
Danny Kinahan MLA
Trevor Lunn MLA
Conall McDevitt MLA
George Robinson MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Alison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Billy Leonard MLA
Ian McCrea MLA
The meeting commenced at 10.14am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Members noted papers which were tabled for consideration later in the meeting.
2. Briefing from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF)
10.17am Mr Boylan joined the meeting.
10.19am Mr Kinahan joined the meeting.
The Committee received briefing from representatives of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), Ciarán Fox and Adrian Dixon, in relation to the construction industry’s current position, impacts on Northern Ireland’s infrastructure that may occur as a result of expenditure cuts.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request additional information from the CEF and to consider how best to progress the issues raised when that information is received.
3. Briefing from the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI)
The Committee received briefing from representatives of the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI), Gordon Best and Laverne Bell , in relation to the findings of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme (ALCS) Review, the implications of the ALCS ending in 2011 and the application for State Aid Approval for a continued rebate of the Aggregates Levy.
10.59am Mr McDevitt left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to raise QPANI’s concerns with the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Northern Ireland MEPs. It also agreed to copy the correspondence to QPANI, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for the Environment and to inform the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
4. Briefing from the NILGA Planning Workgroup
11.05am Mr McDevitt returned to the meeting.
Ms McIlveen, Mr Bresland, Mr Clarke, Mr Kinahan, Mr Lunn and Mr Robinson declared an interest in this item of business as councillors and Mr Lunn also declared an interest as a Member of the Public Accounts Committee.
The Committee received briefing from representatives of the NILGA Planning Workgroup, Councillor Eddie Rea, Councillor Jack Beattie, Councillor David Rodway and Keith Sutherland , in relation to the need to ensure that planning issues do not act as a barrier to economic development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department for Regional Development requesting that it ensures that, as the Regional Development Strategy is developed, appropriate provision is made for an efficient interface between spatial planning and the planning process, and to write to the Environment Committee enclosing this correspondence.
6. Briefing from Down District Council Planning Sub Committee
11.30am Mr Clarke joined the meeting.
Mr Clarke declared an interest in this item of business as a member of Down District Council.
The Committee received briefing from representatives of Down District Council Planning Sub Committee, Councillor Colin McGrath, Councillor Eamonn Mac Con Midhe, Councillor Liam Johnston and Ms Sharon O’Connor , in relation to roads infrastructure difficulties in and around Downpatrick, with specific reference to the Eastern Link Road from Downpatrick.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking that it gives consideration to how a solution to the issues raised by Down District Council might be achieved.
7. Ministerial briefing on Procurement Governance in Northern Ireland Water
The Committee received briefing from Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development, Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Permanent Secretary, and Gary Fair, Director of the Shareholder Unit, in relation to the ongoing issue of procurement governance in Northern Ireland Water.
12.41pm Mr Kinahan left the meeting.
1.13pm Mr Kinahan returned to the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of correspondence from Mr Declan Gormley until it has had the opportunity to consider the outcome of the Public Accounts Committee meeting of 2 September 2010.
1.36pm The meeting moved to closed session.
1.40pm Mr Kinahan left the meeting.
1.43pm The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
1.43pm Mr Lunn left the meeting.
2.15pm The meeting resumed in closed session.
2.27pm Mr Robinson left the meeting.
2.34pm The meeting returned to open session.
Agreed: The Committee considered and agreed a press statement on this matter for issue today. It was agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson meet with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee to consider how to progress this issue.
8. Departmental briefing on bids and proposed savings delivery plans for Budget 2010
The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials, Nigel McCormick, Roger Downey, Stewart Barnes and Terry Deehan , in relation to bids and proposed savings delivery plans for Budget 2010 .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the requirement for further briefing on this issue at the meeting of 8 September.
Agreed: The Committee noted an invitation from NICVA to attend its round table discussion “Smart Solutions in Tough Times” on 2 September 2010 and agreed that an Assembly Research Officer attend the event on behalf of the Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed to consider proposals, at the meeting of 8 September 2010, for a stakeholder engagement event in relation to the Budget 2010 process.
9. Any Other Business
No other items of business were raised.
10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8 September 2010, at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.53pm.