COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 05 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Michelle McIlveen MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Allan Bresland MLA
Billy Leonard MLA
Ian McCrea MLA
Conall McDevitt MLA

In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Alison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
Danny Kinahan MLA
Trevor Lunn MLA
Fra McCann MLA
George Robinson MLA

The meeting commenced at 4.27pm in open session. The Deputy Chairperson took the chair.

Members noted papers which were tabled for consideration later in the meeting.

The Committee also noted arrangement for its evidence gathering event for the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill at 5.00pm in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Draft Minutes of meeting held on 29 September 2010

Agreed : The minutes were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.

3. Matters Arising

4.29pm Mr Cobain joined the meeting.

• The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 28 September 2010, in relation to the issue of gritting footpaths during the winter period.
• The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 29 September 2010, in relation to correspondence from Nu-Key Consulting.
• Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 29 September 2010, in relation to road signage and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Committee for the Environment.
• The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development, dated 29 September 2010, in relation to issues raised during its briefing to the Committee on its draft Disability Action Plan.
• The Committee noted a statement from Northern Ireland Water on its former contract with Steria.
• Agreed: The Committee noted background information on aviation policy and agreed that a sub-group of the Committee would request a meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the issue of tree cutting and building height in the area around Belfast International Airport and other issues of concern in relation aviation policy and safety. Members nominated one Member from each party to join the sub-group, as follows: Mr Leonard, Mr McDevitt and Ms McIlveen.

The following Members were nominated to reflect the decision that one Member attends from each party: Mr Kinahan and Mr Lunn. These Members will be asked to confirm their participation at the Committee meeting of 20 October 2010.

4. Subordinate Legislation

Members noted the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation:

• The waiting Restrictions (Ballymoney) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
• The Bramblewood Grove (Footway) (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.

Members noted that the SL1 memos from the Department on the above proposals made no reference to their having been the subject of a public inquiry. Members noted that the Department has confirmed that the police service and relevant local councils affected by the above proposals have been informed, and the Committee office has not received any comments from the relevant councils regarding these policy proposals.

Members considered the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation, which were noted at the Committee meeting on 29 September 2010, and agreed to defer final consideration of these proposals pending receipt of additional information:

• The Trunk Roads T3 and T6 (Western Transport Corridor) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and The Private Accesses at A5 Western Transport Corridor (Stopping-Up) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
• The Trunk Road T9 (Coleman's Corner to Ballyrickard Road) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and The Private Accesses (A8 Belfast to Larne Dual Carriageway (Coleman's Corner to Ballyrickard Road)) Stopping-Up Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.

Members considered the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation, which were noted at the Committee meeting on 29 September 2010:

• The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.8) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
• The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.7) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
• The Cycle Racing on Roads (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee would write to the Department, indicating that it was content with the policy merits of these SL1s.

Members considered the following statutory rule which was laid in the Assembly’s Business Office by the Department for Regional Development and is subject to the negative resolution procedure. Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules reported on this rule in the Second Report to the Assembly for the 2010/11 session:

• 2010/316 The Back Streets at Alliance Drive and Alliance Gardens, Belfast (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.

In the absence of any objections, the following question was put and agreed:

• ‘That the Committee for Regional Development has considered 2010/316 The Back Streets at Alliance Drive and Alliance Gardens, Belfast (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.’

Members decided that the Committee Clerk would inform the Business Office of the decision made today.

5. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) in relation to the Aggregates Levy Training Scheme (ALTS).

The Committee noted the “Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2009” report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland.

Members noted the Equality Commission’s September 2010 newsletter.

Members noted the following Departmental press releases:

• “Regional Development Minister presents student bursary awards ”;
• “Minister welcomes small ferries project report”;
• “Major strengthening works on A2 Bangor Ring Road”; and
• “Radical shake up for traffic in Belfast City Centre announced”.

6. Any Other Business

Agreed: Members considered a revised forward work programme for the Committee and agreed that the revised work programme should be published on the Assembly website.

7. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 20 October 2010, at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.37pm.

Michelle McIlveen, MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
20 October 2010

29 September 10 / Menu