Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in part public/part closed session on Wednesday, 12 September 2001 in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Possible closure of Antrim to Knockmore railway line
4. DFP response to PAC Report
5. Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment
6. Regional Development Strategy (RDS)
7. DSD Consultation document on Urban Regeneration
8. DSD Consultation document - Partners for Change
9. Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS)
10. Regional Development Strategy (RDS)
11. Car Parking fees in Newry
12. AOB
13. Date of next meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Apologies:
Mr W Hay
Mr J Wells
Absent:
Mr G Savage
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mrs S Young (Executive Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)
Mr H Lowe (Assembly Research Team)
The meeting commenced at 10.45am in public session.
The Committee observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect for those who had suffered and died in the atrocities which occurred in the USA on 11 September 2001.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2001 were agreed.
2. Statutory Rules
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 10.50am
The Committee considered two Statutory Rules, subject to negative resolution, which have been made and laid in the Assembly.
Question Put and Agreed:
That the Regional Development Committee has considered Statutory Rule 264/2001 - Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
and has no objection to the Rule.
Question Put and Agreed:
That the Regional Development Committee has considered Statutory Rule 265/2001 - Rail Vehicle (Exemption Applications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
and has no objection to the Rule.
3. Possible closure of Antrim to Knockmore railway line
The Committee noted the Department's consultation document on the Equality Impact Assessment carried out on the proposed discontinuance of the Antrim to Knockmore railway line.
Agreed: That the Committee will await the outcome of the public consultation exercise and consider the matter further at that time.
4. DFP response to PAC Report on Structural Maintenance of Roads and Management of On-Street Parking
The Committee noted the DFP response to the PAC Report on Structural Maintenance of Roads and Management of On-Street Parking, and welcomed DRDs intention to take forward PACs recommendations.
5. Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment
The Committee noted the discussion document produced by the Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment.
Agreed: Members who wish to do so should complete the response questionnaire provided in the document.
6. Regional Development Strategy (RDS)
The Committee considered a letter from Dennis Glass and Billy Gamble dated 3 September 2001 detailing amendments to the text of the final version of the Strategy.
Members expressed concern that the proposed amendment to page 73 did not specify the brownfield target of 60%.
Agreed: That the Clerk will contact the Department to discuss this amendment to page 73 of the text.
7. DSD Consultation document on Urban Regeneration
Agreed: The Committee will give further consideration to this matter at a meeting in the near future.
8. DSD Consultation document - Partners for Change
The Committee noted the DSD Consultation document entitled Partners for Change - Government's Strategy for Support of the Voluntary and Community Sector (2001-2004).
The Committee met in closed session.
9. Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS)
At 11.10am the Committee received a briefing from:
Dr Malcolm McKibbin }
Ms Aileen Gault } Regional Transportation Strategy Division
Mr Peter McWilliams }
Mr Bert Bailie }
The DRD officials updated the Committee on the RTS and apprised Members about the key issues to be discussed at the conference scheduled for 28 September 2001.
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 11.47am.
The Chairman thanked the officials for briefing the Committee. They left the meeting at 12.19pm.
The Committee returned to the discussion on the Regional Development Strategy.
10. Regional Development Strategy (RDS)
Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 12.32pm
Agreed: That the Committee would not need to table an amendment to the motion if the Department can give an assurance that the text at page 73 will be amended to specify the brownfield target of 60%. The Clerk will speak to the Department about this matter.
11. Car Parking fees in Newry
The Committee discussed correspondence from Mr Robert Matchett, Secretary of the Canal Street/North Ward Regeneration Group in Newry, raising concerns about the impact of new car parking charges on traders in Newry town centre.
Agreed: That the Clerk would write to Mr Matchett, advising him that he may wish to take the matter up with Newry & Mourne District Council, as it had instigated the introduction of the car park charges.
12. AOB
(a) Inquiry into Titanic Quarter Leases
Members were issued with a copy of the Inquiry report. The Committee discussed when the report should be released to the media. The Clerk explained the Speaker's view on the release of reports to the media prior to the report being debated in the Assembly.
Agreed: The Committee was of the view that given the timing of the debate (scheduled for 4.30pm on 17 September 2001) the report should be released to the media on the morning of 17 September. The embargo label on the reports would, therefore, read 'Embargoed until 00.01 on 17 September 2001'.
The Clerk was asked to make the Speaker aware of the Committee's intentions.
It was agreed that Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Harland and Wolff could have an advance copy of the report on 14 September 2001.
13. Date of next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 September 2001 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 12.51pm.