Minutes of Proceedings

10.31am The meeting commenced in open session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

None.

10.35am Mr Dickson left the meeting

10.35am Mr Dallat joined the meeting

3. Draft Minutes                 

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 14^th November 2012.

4. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received. 

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the DRD Equality Biannual Progress Report.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the breakdown of PCNs issued on urban clearway.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the cost of replacing/repairing waste water treatment plants/pumps.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Craigavon Borough Council regarding Shopmobility.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Down District Council regarding Shopmobility.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Rathlin Development and Community Association regarding the soil from the social housing building site.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Social Development Committee regarding Shopmobility.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Shopmobility.

10.36am Mr McCrea joined the meeting

10.36am Mr Dickson rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Public Accounts Committee regarding the reports into NIW and agreed to forward to the Department for response.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee regarding the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning regarding the European Commission work programme 2013 and agreed that the Clerk provide a response to the report.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the SIB September 2012 Report on the Executive’s Investment Strategy and agreed to ask officials to brief the Committee in relation to their role in delivering on the prosperity process including the different proposals from the INTERREG groups and asking if any European opportunities exist through the Rural Development Fund and to write to the Office of the First and deputy First Minister asking if the news of the G8 summit taking place in Fermanagh will have any impact on infrastructure proposals.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Roads Service regarding York Street Interchange Scheme.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding Health Inequalities in Early Years.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Western Health and Social Care Trust regarding the Inquiry into the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport Options and agreed to include as written evidence to the inquiry.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Assembly Research and Information Service regarding Price Cap Regulation in the UK Water Industry.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the National Farmers Union Scotland regarding the Use of Farmers for Winter Service- A Code of Practice.

5. Departmental Briefing:  Water & Sewerage Services Amendment Bill

10.39am The following Officials joined the meeting:

John Mills, Director for Water Policy Division

Stephen Rusk, Water Policy Division

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

10.47am Mr Hussey joined the meeting

10.57am Mr McNarry left the meeting

10.58am The Officials left the meeting

6. Departmental Briefing: Winter Readiness 

10.58am The following Officials joined the meeting:

Mr Andrew Murray, Chief Executive of Roads Service

Mr John Irvine, Acting Director of Network Services

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

11.06am Mr Easton left the meeting

11.07am Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting

11.32am Mr Hussey left the meeting

11.41am The Officials left the meeting

7. Northern Ireland Water Briefing: Winter Readiness 

11.41am The following Officials joined the meeting:

Mr Trevor Haslett, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Water

Ms Sara Venning, Director of Customer Service Delivery

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

11.43am Mr Hussey rejoined the meeting 

11.49am Mr McNarry left the meeting

11.56am Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting

11.57am Mr McCrea left the meeting

12.24pm Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting

12.25pm The Officials left the meeting

8. Northern Ireland Water Briefing: PC13 

12.25am The following Officials joined the meeting:

Mr Trevor Haslett, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Water

Mr Ronan Larkin, Director of Finance

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

12.29pm Mr Cathal Ó hOisín left the meeting

12.31pm Mr Cathal Ó hOisín rejoined the meeting

12.31pm Mr Dallat left the meeting

12.46pm Mr McCrea left the meeting

12.47pm Mr McAleer left the meeting

12.50pm Mr Dickson left the meeting 

12.54pm Mr Dickson rejoined the meeting

12.56pm Mr Hussey left the meeting

12.57pm Mr McAleer rejoined the meeting

1.02pm Mr Hussey rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister asking for information in relation to a Northern Ireland Water governance model option paper and for details on when it will be on the agenda at a future Executive meeting. 

1.03pm The Officials left the meeting

9. Committee motion on Unadopted Roads

Members agreed the Committee motion on Unadopted Roads and on its submission to the Business Committee.

1.04pm Mr McNarry left the meeting

10. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure

Members noted:

• The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 
• The Waiting Restrictions (Ahoghill) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 

11. Any Other Business

None.

12. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 28^th November 2012 at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber.

1.05pm The meeting was adjourned

Mr Sean Lynch MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
28/11/12