PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW AND PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT; RATES CHARGES; AND WATER REFORM
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 13 December 2006 in the Senate Chamber,
Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Mr David McNarry MLA
Present: Mr Leslie Cree MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Ms Margaret Ritchie MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Ms Kathy Stanton MLA
In Attendance: Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr David Douglas (Clerical Officer)
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Senior Researcher)
Ms Roisin Kelly (Assembly Researcher)
Mr Brian Crowe (UUP Researcher)
Dr Dara O’Hagan (SF Researcher)
Mr Joseph Doherty (SF Researcher)
Mr Richard Bullick (DUP Researcher)
Ms Grainne McEvoy (SDLP Researcher)
The meeting commenced at 10.08am in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr Mark Durkan MP MLA, Mr Mitchell McLaughlin MLA and Mr Peter Weir MLA.
Ms Margaret Ritchie deputised for Mr Mark Durkan, Ms Kathy Stanton deputised for Mr Mitchell McLaughlin. Mr Paul Girvan deputised for Mr Peter Weir from 1.55pm.
2. Draft Minutes of the Meeting of 6 December 2006
The draft minutes of the meeting of 6 December 2006 were agreed for publication on the Assembly website.
Proposed: Mr Jim Shannon
Seconded: Mr Leslie Cree
3. Matters Arising
Mr McCartney requested that it be placed on record that, due to the late receipt of papers for the meeting, it was not possible to read them all in time for the meeting.
4. Revised Sub-Group Procedures
Members noted the revised Sub-Group Procedures.
5. Updated Work Plan
Members agreed the Updated Work Plan. It was agreed, by consensus, that the next meeting of the sub-group on Wednesday 20 December would be held in room 135.
6. Updated Assembly Research Paper on Water Reform
Members noted the updated Assembly Research Paper on Water Reform.
7. Correspondence
Members noted the contents of the following documents:-
- Uncorrected Hansard Transcript of evidence taken at the Economic Sub-Group
meeting on Thursday, 7 December from the Department of Regional
Development.
- CBI submission on Comprehensive Spending Review in Northern Ireland.- Letter dated 4 December 2006 from the Committee on the Programme for
Government to the Secretary of State seeking deferment of the water
Reform legislation and reply from the Secretary of State dated 7 December 2006.
Members noted the contents of the following tabled documents:-
- Covering letter dated 12 December 2006 and submission received from the Northern
Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation.- Copy letter dated 30 November from the Northern Ireland Office to the Programme
for Government Committee.- Copy letter dated 11 December 2006 from the Chairman of The General Consumer
Council to the Minister for Regional Development.
Open session
8. Evidence Session with the Regulator (Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation)
Members noted the written submission received from the Regulator.
Members took evidence from the Regulator, Mr Iain Osborne.
The Chairman thanked the witness for attending.
9. Evidence Session with the Coalition Against Water Reform
Members noted the written submissions received from the Coalition Against Water Reform and the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network.
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr Pat Torley, Official, Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union –
representing the Water Service Trade Union.
Ms Goretti Horgan, Chairperson, NI Anti-Poverty Network
Mr John Corey, General Secretary Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance/Chairperson, Coalition against Water Reform.
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
12.30pm – the meeting adjourned for lunch
1.15pm – the meeting resumed in closed session.
10. Issues arising from morning session and preparation for afternoon session
Following discussion it was agreed that Members should forward, to the Clerk, any additional questions that they wish the Regulator to address in writing. The Clerk will then submit these to the Regulator for response.
Members noted the contents of a tabled document, outlining the layout for Sub-Group Reports, which had been agreed at the Programme for Government Committee meeting on 12 December 2006.
Members noted the contents of a tabled written submission received from the General Consumer Council.
Open session
11. Evidence Session with the General Consumer Council
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr Steve Costello, Chairman, General Consumer Council
Mrs Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive, General Consumer Council
1.55pm Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.25pm - the meeting adjourned
2.25pm - Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting
2.33pm - the meeting resumed in open session
12. Evidence Session with the Department for Regional Development and the Water Service
Members took evidence from the following witnesses:-
Mr David Sterling, Grade 3, Department for Regional Development
Mr Nigel McCormick, Grade 5, Department for Regional Development
Ms Katharine Bryan, Chief Executive, Water Service
The Chairman thanked the witnesses for attending.
Closed session
7. Any Other Business
It was agreed that the Clerk would produce a draft Report on Water Reform and issue it to Members for their comments.
8. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the sub-group will take place on Wednesday 20 December 2006 at 10.00am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 4.15pm.