Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2012/2013

Date: 07 November 2012

Venue: Room 21

10.30am The meeting commenced in open session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed members about the Total Transport Conference he attended in London and agreed to forward the papers from the conference to members.

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 17^th October 2012.

4. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development regarding Comments on the Draft Report on Unadopted Roads Inquiry and agreed to print.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding Health Inequalities and agreed to forward to the Department for comment.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Environment regarding Belfast City Airport Watch.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding Delivering a Prosperity Process: Opportunities in North/South Public Services and agreed to forward to the Department for comment.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the A2 Shore Road Dualling – Notice of making of Vesting Order, Belfast Harbour Commissioners: Release of Value to the Executive, Rathlin Island Roads Issues – Additional Query, Rathlin Island Ferry Service, Comments Regarding Engage with Age Briefing, Comments Regarding Engage with Age Briefing, Mapping Poverty and Social Deprivation, Establishment of Transport NI, Brian Simpson Visit, Translink Funding and Departmental Budget, Railway Investment and Performance and Other Translink Matters, Translink Outline Business Case, Guide Dogs For The Blind Association - Transport & Accessibility Issues & The Impact These Have On The Blind & Partially Sighted, A5 Western Transport Corridor, NSL Services Group Queries, Presentation to Committee from Shop Mobility NI Representatives, Lisburn Road Business Association – Tidal Urban Clearway, Job Losses Due to Savings Delivery Plans.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Into the West regarding the proposed Inquiry into Translink.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) regarding Barriers in the Pedestrian Environment Walking Report and a Policy Paper on Driver Licensing.

Agreed: The Committee noted an Article in respect of the A5.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) confirming attendance at Committee.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Mark McAlpine & CO regarding Bachelors Walk, Lisburn – Loading Facilities and agreed to forward to the Department for comments.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Community Transport Association (CTA) and agreed to include in the Inquiry report.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Northern Ireland Water regarding Vulnerable Customer Forum 16/11/12 at 9.30am at Capital House Belfast.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Lisburn City Council, Banbridge District Council, Strabane District Council, Fermanagh District Council, Antrim Borough Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Larne Borough Council, Armagh City and District Council, Newtownabbey, Borough Council, Ballymoney Borough Council, Cookstown District and Ballymena Borough Council regarding Shop Mobility Funding.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding a meeting with Mr Brian Simpson MEP.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding Parking Enforcement Protocol.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding Utility Regulator and agreed to write to the Department seeking clarification on point 2 as this does not coincide with the response that Mr McNarry received from the Utility Regulator.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding taxis in bus lanes.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding winter preparations.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding Inquiry in to the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport Options.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding Shop Mobility.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Belfast City Council regarding Shop Mobility.

Agreed: The Committee noted a signpost advertisement for the Committee Inquiry into Transport Delivery Structures and agreed to publish.

10.41am Mr McAleer joined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee consider agenda item 6 as its next item of business.

6. Committee Inquiry into Transport Delivery Structures: Terms of Reference

The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with the draft Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into Translink.

10.45am Mr McAleer left the meeting

10.48am Mr McCrea joined the meeting

10.50am Mr McAleer rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to the Terms of Reference for the inquiry subject to amendments.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking for information on Translink’s procedures for awarding procurement contracts.

The Chairperson also informed members they had been provided with a draft press release relating to the Inquiry.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the press release.

5. Departmental Briefing: Impact of Public Transport Authority in DRD

11.00am The following Officials joined the meeting:

Mr Sean Johnston, Programme Manager, Public Transport Reform

Mr Terry Deehan, Acting Director of Corporate Services

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

11.05am Mr Easton left the meeting

11.25am The Chairperson left the meeting and the deputy took the chair.

11.34am Mr McNarry left the meeting

11.34am Mr Dickson left the meeting

11.37am Mr Dickson rejoined the meeting

11.37am Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department asking if Translink have been awarded a contract for Rapid Transit and if this has been accepted.

11.48am The Officials left the meeting

7. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure

Members noted:

The Bus Lanes (East Bridge Street and Cromac Street, Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Control of Traffic (Apsley Street, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Off-Street Parking (Amendment No.6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012