Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 18 January 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.29am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
None
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
10.31am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 11th January 2012.
4. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department relating to the Reservoirs Bill.
The Committee noted correspondence from CTC on cyclist safety and the cost benefits of cycling.
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from Strategem inviting Members to visit the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI), and agreed to respond asking for details on how the work of SONI aligns with the Regional Development Strategy.
The Committee considered correspondence from the Department regarding a fare review for the Strangford Lough ferry. Members noted that the Department was due to provide the Committee with an update by March 2012.
10.33am Mr Moutray joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to January Monitoring Bids and agreed to write to the Department seeking further information on the Department’s Bids.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for the Environment in relation to unauthorised car parks in the vicinity of the Belfast International Airport and agreed to copy this to the Committee for the Environment for information.
Agreed: The Committee considered further correspondence relating to the Old Church Abandonment Order and agreed that the Clerk respond.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department relating to staffing matters within the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.
5. Briefing by NILGA on Unadopted Roads
10.37am The following NILGA representatives joined the meeting:
Evelyne Robinson – President
Dermot Curran – Vice President
Arnold Hatch – Vice President
David McCammick – Chief Executive, Antrim Borough Council
The representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.55am Mr Beggs left the meeting
10.57am Mr Beggs re-joined the meeting
11.14am The representatives left the meeting
6. Departmental briefing on Unadopted Roads
11.15am The following officials joined the meeting:
Dr Andrew Murray – Director of Network Services
Francis Miskelly – Principal Technical Engineer
The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.40am Mr Doherty left the meeting
11.44am Mr Doherty re-joined the meeting
11.52am Mr Copeland left the meeting
11.55am The representatives left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from the Chairperson and agreed to launch a formal inquiry on matters relating to unadopted roads. It was agreed that the Committee would consider terms of reference for the inquiry at the meeting of 1 February 2012. The Committee also agreed to notify any other relevant committees of its intention to commence the inquiry.
7. Committee Response to the consultation on Programme for Government
Agreed: Members noted a draft copy of the Committee’s response to the consultation on Programme for Government and agreed to defer consideration of the final response until the next meeting.
8. Statutory Rule: SR2011/423: The Drumnabreeze Road & Lough Road, Gamblestown, Donaghcloney (Abandonment) Order (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/423 The Drumnabreeze Road & Lough Road, Gamblestown, Donaghcloney (Abandonment) Order (NI) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
9. Statutory Rule: SR2011/426: The Shipquay Place, Londonderry (No.2) (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/426 The Shipquay Place, Londonderry (No.2) (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
10. Forthcoming Visits
Agreed: Members noted that the committee meeting scheduled for 25 January 2012 will be held in Gilnahirk Primary School and that the visit will include a demonstration of the ‘Bike It’ project.
Members also noted that the Committee was scheduled to meet with a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht affairs on Thursday 26 January at 11.30am in the Senate Chamber. Members were asked to inform the Clerk of their attendance.
11. Any other business
None
12. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 25th January 2012 at 10.30am in Gilnahirk Primary School.
12.01pm The meeting was adjourned
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
25th January 2012
