Minutes of Proceedings

10:30am The meeting commenced in open session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson's Business

None.

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 24th April 2013.

10:32am Mr McAleer joined the meeting

4. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received.

Agreed: The Committee noted information received from Welsh Water during the recent study visit to Wales.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development regarding the Strangford Ferry Fare Review and agreed to arrange a briefing from the Department in September/October 2013.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development regarding the Regional Transportation Strategy Monitoring Report.

Agreed: The Committee noted a paper from IMTAC regarding an assessment of the current accessibility of public transport in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Sustrans regarding a press article on the future of cycling in Britain.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding Public Sector Renewable Generation uptake and agreed to forward to the Department for information.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Public Service Pensions Bill 2013.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence to be released under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the cost of Committee refreshments.

Agreed: The Committee noted details of Members' workshops on Scrutiny of Public Finance and agreed that the Clerk liaise with Members to check their availability to attend.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development regarding the Sponsorship Division for Translink.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Shauna Doherty regarding a Penalty Charge Notice issued in Omagh and agreed to forward to the Department for comment.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence relating to the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland – Investing Activity Report.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Lisburn City Council regarding the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed to forward to the Department for comment.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Mr John Simpson regarding Translink papers from the meeting on 24th April 2013 and agreed to forward a copy of the papers to Mr Simpson.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Guide Dogs regarding the Road to Nowhere report and agreed that the Clerk liaise with their representative to arrange a briefing.

5. Consumer Council Briefing: The Inquiry into Comprehensive Transport Delivery Structures

10:37am The following representatives joined the meeting

Scott Kennerley – Head of Transport, Community Council

Aodhan O'Donnell – Director of Policy, Consumer Council

The representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the work of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

10:41am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting

10:55am Mr Hussey left the meeting

11:01am Mr Hussey re-joined the meeting

11:15am Mr McNarry left the meeting

11:18am Mr McNarry re-joined the meeting

11:18am The representatives left the meeting

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Consumer Council asking for a brief overview of the types of consumers they engage with on public transport issues and the areas in which they have engaged with them.

6. Translink Briefing: The Inquiry into Comprehensive Transport Delivery Structures

11:19am The following officials joined the meeting

John Trethowan – Chairman, Translink
Catherine Mason – Chief Executive, Translink

The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

11:55am Mr Dallat left the meeting

12:00pm The officials left the meeting

Agreed: The Committee would write to Translink asking how much money is left in Translink's reserves following the use of the £5.8m and what is the value of the assets currently held by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

7. Department for Regional Development Briefing: The Inquiry into Comprehensive Transport Delivery Structures

12:01pm The following officials joined the meeting

Ciaran Doran – Director of Transport Finance and Governance Division, DRD

Sean Johnston – Head of Public Transport Reform, DRD

Anne Breen – Transport Services Division, DRD

The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

12:02pm Mr McAleer left the meeting

12:09pm Mr McCrea joined the meeting

12:20pm Mr McAleer re-joined the meeting

12:21pm Mr Hussey left the meeting

12:29pm Mr Dallat re-joined the meeting

12:30pm The officials left the meeting

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department asking what is the rental income on properties held by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department requesting a briefing on the new contract process.

8. Subordinate Legislation not subject to Assembly Procedure

Members noted:

The Parking Places on Roads (Londonderry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013

10. Any Other Business

Mrs Kelly and Mr Dallat raised the issue of Penalty Charge Notices for parking violations.

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department requesting an update on the process for issuing Penalty Notice Charges, highlighting the lack of clarity in the appeals process.

Mr Dallat raised the issue of the Foyle Ferry.

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department requesting a briefing on the Foyle Ferry service.

Mr Dallat raised the issue of the Sponsorship Division for Translink.

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department asking the Minister to brief the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 8th May 2013.

11. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 8th May 2013 at 10:30am in Room 21.

12:33pm The meeting was adjourned

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Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
08/05/13