Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 10 October 2001 in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Audio Coverage of Public Sessions of Committee Meetings
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Matters arising
4. Statutory Rules
5. Executive Programme Funds - Second Tranche Bids
6. Family of Settlements Report
7. Environment Committee Report
8. Audit and Accountability in the Public Sector - Consultation Document
9. Correspondence from the Omnibus Partnership
10. AOB
11. 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 W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr P McNamee
Mr J Wells
Apologies:
Mr G Savage
Absent:
Mr R Hutchinson
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mrs S Young (Executive Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)
Ms S Kerin (Assembly Research Team)
The meeting commenced at 10.34am.
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Audio Coverage of Public Sessions of Committee Meetings
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Minutes of last meeting
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Matters arising
The Committee noted the updated guidance which explained that once a public session has commenced, and the red transmission button has been pressed, proceedings of the Committee will be transmitted throughout the Assembly on TV channels 26-28.
The minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2001 were agreed.
- Elected Members Training Conference on the Local Planning System and Conference on Improving the Planning System
- Retail Planning Policy
The above conferences are to be held on 12 October and 8 November 2001 respectively. Members were asked to inform Committee staff of their intention to attend the conferences.
Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 10.39am.
The Committee discussed the Minister's letter and Terms of Reference for the appointment of external consultants to carry out retail research which will inform the Department's new retail planning policy guidance.
Mr Ervine joined the meeting at 10.45am.
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 10.47am.
Members expressed concern that the Terms of Reference did not specifically mention the need to preserve the character and retail mix of Northern Ireland's market towns, particularly given their importance to our tourism product.
As the consultant's research is expected to take six months to complete, the Committee would like to know how many planning applications for major retail developments are currently lodged with the DOE Planning Service pending approval.
Agreed: The Clerk will write to the Clerk of the Environment Committee to obtain the information on planning applications. When the information is received, the Clerk will write to the Department, asking it to give consideration to a moratorium on planning permission for retail developments until the results of the research are made available. The Department will also be informed of the Committee's concerns about the need to preserve the character and retail mix of Northern Ireland's market towns.
- The Committee noted three Statutory Rules which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.
- The Committee considered the Statutory Rule:
Proposed Stonard Street, Moneymore (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001
The Department intends to make this Rule which is subject to negative resolution.
The Committee agreed the course of action proposed in the Rule.
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Executive Programme Funds - Second Tranche Bids
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Family of Settlements Report
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Environment Committee Report on Transport used for Children Travelling to and from School
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Audit and Accountability in the Public Sector - Consultation Document
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Correspondence from the Omnibus Partnership
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AOB
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Date of Next Meeting
Agreed: As the Department's response to a number of questions on the second tranche bids, draft Programme for Government and draft Budget had only been received, it was agreed to defer consideration of this matter to next week's meeting.
Agreed: Sinead Kerin, Assembly Researcher, was asked to research the Family of Settlements Report, to ensure that it is in agreement with the Regional Development Strategy. The Committee will consider this matter further at next week's meeting.
Agreed: To defer consideration of this item until the Department's response has been received.
The Committee considered the Department of Finance and Personnel consultation document. Members asked if Trust Ports would come under the public sector audit arrangements.
Agreed: The Clerk will write to the Department of Finance and Personnel to seek clarification on this point.
The Committee considered a copy of a letter which has been sent to Translink from the Chairperson of the Omnibus Partnership, regarding safety of wheelchair passengers on trains and buses. Members shared the concerns raised by Mr McDonald in his letter.
Mr Wells left the meeting at 11.14am.
Agreed: The Clerk should copy the correspondence to the Environment and Education Committees for their consideration. The Clerk will write to the Department to make it aware of this matter.
The Clerk advised the Committee that Mr Kevin Fearon from the European Commission office would be willing to brief the Committee on EU Structural Funds.
Agreed: Mr Fearon should be invited to make a presentation to the Committee.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 October 2001 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 11.22am.