Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 14 March 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.30am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 29th February 2012.
10.31am Mr Moutray joined the meeting
4. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received.
Correspondence from the Speaker in relation to a public petition by Mr Conal McDevitt MLA regarding car parking at College Park Avenue.
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for the Environment in relation to the Progress Report on the Road Safety Strategy and agreed to forward it to the Department for comment.
Correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to the monitoring and reporting arrangements for the Programme for Government, as discussed with PEDU.
A copy of correspondence between the Department and a member of the public in relation to improvements to the cycling infrastructure in Belfast.
Correspondence from the Department in relation to the Long Term Water Strategy.
Correspondence between Roads Service and residents of the Old Church Road, Newtownabbey regarding the Old Church Road Abandonment Order.
Correspondence from the Department in relation to the review of financial assistance for properties not served by a water main.
Correspondence relating to the consultation on Train Driving Licenses.
Correspondence from the Consumer Council in relation to the Ministerial Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement.
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Cyclist Touring Club in relation to a visit by the Danish Cycling Embassy. Members agreed to invite the Embassy to make a presentation at its meeting on 20 June 2012.
A copy of a press release relating to the Inspector’s Report on the A5 Scheme.
Correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the abolition of the Department for Employment and Learning and the transfer of its functions.
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for the Environment regarding the Marine Bill and agreed to forward it to the Department for comment.
Correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development in relation to the Roads Service agency status and the publication of the Regional Development Strategy 2035.
5. Departmental Briefing – Ecar Project
10.36am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Irene Breen – Ecar Project Team Manager
Celia Chambers – Head of Transportation Policy Unit
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.07am The Officials left the meeting
11.07am Mr Lynch joined the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing – Access to bus stations
11.07am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Brian White – Director of Ports and Public Transport Division
Sean Johnston – Programme Manger Public Transport Reform
David Strain – Deputy Principle Public Transport Reform
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.22am Mr Moutray left the meeting
11.26am Mr Moutray rejoined the meeting
11.32am Mr Ó hOisín joined the meeting
11.38am The Officials left the meeting
7. Committee negotiations on EU priorities
The Clerk briefed the Committee on EU priorities.
Agreed: In relation to the Committee’s visit to Brussels, Members agreed to inform the Committee Office of their attendance.
8. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure
Members noted:
- The Road Races (Croft Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Internationally Rally) Order (NI) 2012
- The Road Races (Tandragee 100) Order (NI) 2012
9. SL1: The College Avenue, Belfast (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that it is content with the policy merits of these proposals.
10. Statutory Rule: SR2012/57: The University Terrace, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule SR2012/57: The University Terrace, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012and had no objection to the rule.
11. Statutory Rule: SR 2012/58: The Shankbridge Road, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule SR2012/58: The Shankbridge Road, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
12. Statutory Rule: SR 2012/60: The Malone Beeches, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule SR 2012/60: The Malone Beeches, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
13. Statutory Rule: SR 2012/70: The Westbourne Avenue, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule: SR 2012/70: The Westbourne Avenue, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
14. Visit to Killhevlin Water Treatment Works
Members noted that the next meeting will be at the Killyhevlin Hotel followed by a visit to the Killyhevlin Water Treatment Works.
15. Any other business
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider possible lines of inquiry in relation to public transport and the use of public funds to support it.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to go into closed session to consider embargoed correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development.
16. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 21st March 2012 at 10.30am in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen.
12.05pm The meeting was adjourned
Mr Pat Doherty MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
21st March 2012
