RD 13/02 (2)

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee

Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday 17 April 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Harbour Orders
4. Programme of Work
5. Metered Water and Trade Effluent Charges
6. Committee for Finance and Personnel - Inquiry
7. Grass Cutting Policy Review
8. Visit to Welsh Assembly
9. Recent Breakdowns of Enterprise Train
10. Proposed M1 / M2 Link (Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
11. Railway Safety Bill
12. Water Resource Strategy
13. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness(Chairman)
Mr A McFarland(Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Byrne
Mr W Hay
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage

Apologies:
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr D Ervine
Mr D Hussey

Absent:
Mr P McNamee

In Attendance:
Mr L Barr(Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie(Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss C Lagan(Executive Support)
Mrs S Young(Administrative Support)

The meeting was called to order at 10.40am.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2002 were agreed.

1. The Committee noted five Statutory Rules, which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.
2. The Committee considered the Statutory Rule:

The Department intends to make this Rule, which is subject to negative resolution.

Agreed:The Committee agreed the course of action proposed in the Rule.

The Committee considered the Departments response to its suggestion that the Orders might explicitly state that Board Members should be appointed for a maximum of two four-year terms. The response stated that this would limit the Minister's discretion in those situations where it may be administratively necessary to go beyond the two terms. It added that this would only be used in exceptional circumstances and is unlikely to rise in the future.

The Committee was content with the Departments response.

The Committee considered the future work programme which identified those issues which could be classed as 'Must Do'. Members also considered a note from the Department setting out what it sees as those areas of work with top priority.

Agreed:An additional meeting or an all day meeting should be arranged in the near future in order to alleviate the workload.

The Clerk advised Members that the Minister was keen for the Committee to accompany him on a site visit to see an example of the poor Water Service infrastructure.

Agreed:To participate in such a visit with the Minister.

The Committee were asked for their comments on a memorandum from Water Service about proposed increases in metered water and trade effluent charges for 2002 / 03.

Agreed:The Committee noted the charges.

To invite Jamie Delargy from UTV to give a presentation to the Committee on Welsh Water before the Committee's visit to Wales.

6. Committee for Finance and Personnel - Inquiry into Structural Funds and Community Initiatives

Members were given a copy of the Department's reply to the Finance and Personnel Committee on this inquiry. The Committee had no comments to make on the reply or on the inquiry.

Agreed:To forward the Department's response to the Finance and Personnel Committee and state that the Regional Development Committee has no comments on the inquiry.

The Committee considered the emerging findings of the review of the Roads Service grass cutting policy. Members broadly welcomed the findings but raised a number of concerns.

Agreed:To write to the Department outlining the Committee's concerns.

The Chairman advised that eight members have agreed to go on the visit to the Welsh Assembly. The Clerk will finalise the arrangements and provide members with an itinerary for the visit.

Members raised concerns about the recent breakdowns of the Enterprise Train.

Agreed:To write to Translink detailing the Committee's concerns about the recent breakdowns of the Enterprise train and request a report on the incidents.

Mr Stephen Pollock, Mr Roy Sherman and Mr Jim Getty from the Department joined the meeting at 11.22am. They explained in detail the proposed statutory rule on the M1 / M2 link and answered members' questions on the issue.

The officials agreed to provide statistics on traffic volumes on a number of key arterial routes in and out of Belfast.

The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.10pm.

Mr Rick Eager from AD Little joined the meeting at 12.10pm. He gave a presentation on his views and concerns about the Railway Safety Bill and answered Members' questions.

The Chairman thanked Mr Eager for his attendance and he left the meeting at 12.40pm.

Agreed:This item should be added to the agenda for the meeting on 24 April 2002.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 24 April 2002 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.44pm.

10 April 2002 / Menu / 24 April 2002