Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 2 October 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Strategic Planning Bill
4. Harbours Bill
5. Draft Budget / Programme for Government
6. Correspondence regarding a Bus Trip from Dublin to Newry
7. Public Meeting in Craigavon
8. Implementation of amendments to the COTIF Convention
9. Housing in Settlements - Planning Policy Statement
10. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage

Apologies:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)

Absent:
Mr W Hay

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

The meeting was called to order at 10:36 am.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2002 were agreed.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 10:40 am.

3. Strategic Planning Bill - Clause-by-Clause Consideration

Mr Savage left the meeting at 10:44 am.

The Committee conducted a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Mr Billy Gamble, Mr Ian Raphael and Ms Sharon Mossman from the Department joined the meeting at 10:42 am and answered members' questions on the Bill.

Agreed:The Committee was content with the Long Title and Clauses 1, 3 and 4 of the Bill. However, it was agreed that further consideration of Clause 2 was required. The Researcher was asked to provide further information in relation to this clause.

The Deputy Chairman thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 11:33 am.

Agreed:	a)	The Committee agreed an extension of the Committee stage and that the Chairman would put down the following motion: "Proposed: That in accordance with Standing Order 31(5) the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 16 December 2002 in relation to the Committee Stage of the Harbours Bill (NIA 5/02)"
	b)	To invite written submissions from a cross section of relevant groups.

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department, the Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee and from OFMDFM in relation to the draft Budget and draft Programme for Government.

Agreed: To invite officials from the Department to next week's meeting, to brief the Committee on the draft Budget and Programme for Government.

The Committee discussed a letter from an Ulsterbus / Bus Eireann passenger, regarding her experiences on a bus trip from Dublin Airport to Newry.

Agreed: To obtain the response from Translink in relation to this matter.

The Committee noted the travel arrangements for the public meeting to be held in the Council Chamber at the Craigavon Civic Centre on 16 October 2002.

The Committee noted the letter from the Department in relation to this matter.

Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting at 11:55 am.

Mr Billy Gamble, Mr Des Stephens and Ms Gail Armstrong from the Department joined the meeting at 11:48 am and gave a presentation on the draft Planning Policy Statement on "Housing in Settlements". The officials answered members' questions on the PPS.

Mr Hussey left the meeting at 12:21 pm.
Mr Byrne left the meeting at 12:21 pm.
Mr McNamee left the Meeting at 12:25 pm.

Agreed: The Members raised a number of points in relations to the draft PPS. Officials were asked to take on board the points members had raised.

The Committee was content for the Department to proceed with the public consultation and report back to the Committee with the findings of the consultation.

The Deputy Chairman thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 12:35 pm.

10. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 09 October 2002 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12:35 pm.

25 September 2002 / Menu