Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 15 February 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.30am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
Mr Seán Lynch MLA
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 8th February 2012.
10.32am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting.
4. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Accessible Transport Strategy
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department on the de-agentisation of Roads Service.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to transfers between transport hubs. The issue had originally been raised by a member of the public through the Committee. The Committee agreed to update Ms Garvin on the matter.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Business Plan 2011-12.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Speaker in relation to a public petition regarding car parking in College Park Avenue, Belfast.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel and agreed that it be forwarded to the Department for comment.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht Affairs thanking the Committee for its hospitality and co-operation during the recent visit to Parliament Buildings.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Quarry Products Association in relation to ground radar technology.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from a member of the public in relation to road dangers to cyclists and the lack of infrastructure for cyclists, particularly in Belfast and agreed to forward this to the Department to respond directly.
The Committee noted an update on the work of IMTAC.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Killen in relation to the Old Church Road Abandonment Order.
5. Departmental briefing: Development of long term water strategy
10.35am The following Departmental Officials joined the meeting:
Stuart Wightman – Head of Environment Team – Water Policy Division
Julian Smyth – Water Policy Division
Ryan Bartlett – Water Policy Division
10.35am Mr Beggs joined the meeting
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.52am Mr Moutray left the meeting
Agreed: It was agreed that the Officials would provide statistical information to the Committee in relation to water leakage and the anticipated cost of bringing it under control.
11.13am Mr Moutray rejoined the meeting
11.18am The Officials left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing – Control Over Land Order
11.19am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Brian White – Director of Ports and Public Transport
George Kearns – Policy/Legislation Branch, Ports and Public Transport Division
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: The Committee noted the policy merits of the proposals in relation to Control Over Land Orders.
11.29am The Officials left the meeting
11.30am Mr Doherty left the meeting
7. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure
Members noted:
- The Parking Places and Loading Bays on Roads (Londonderry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Parking Places on Roads (Kilkeel) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Prohibition of Traffic (Lenadoon, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Prohibition of Traffic (Lower Windsor, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Roads Races (Bush, Dungannon) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
8. SL1: The Grange Lodge, Antrim (Abandonment) order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that the Committee is content with the policy merits of these proposals.
9. SL1: The Shore Road and Northwood Parade, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that the Committee is content with the policy merits of these proposals.
10. SL1: The Loopland Court, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that the Committee is content with the policy merits of these proposals.
11. Any other business
Mr McNarry raised concerns regarding the procurement process around the awarding of contracts for the planned roads infrastructure improvements. It was noted that the Committee had been briefed on the matter before Mr McNarry had joined the Committee and that the Clerk would provide the Member with copies of the relevant briefing papers.
12. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 22nd February 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.
11.43am The meeting was adjourned
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
22nd February 2012
