Minutes of Proceedings

10.31am The meeting commenced in public session

1. Apologies

Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín MLA

2. Chairperson’s Business

None

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 18^th January 2012.

4. Correspondence

Members noted correspondence received.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to the monitoring of Departmental Savings Delivery Plans.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from a member of the public in relation to the lack of public transport to and from the Belfast Stena Terminal. Members acknowledged the amount of high profile events scheduled for Northern Ireland in the near future and the amount of visitors expected to attend these events and agreed to write to the Ministers for Regional Development and Enterprise, Trade and Investment expressing concern at the lack of public transport currently servicing the Terminal.  The Committee further agreed to write to the Department for Regional Development and Translink seeking clarification in respect of this matter.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development in relation to EU negotiations and agreed to invite the Minister to a future meeting to brief the Committee in respect of the matter.

10.37am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting

5. Departmental Briefing on draft Departmental Business Plan 2011-2012

10.38am The following Departmental Officials joined the meeting:

Barry Jordan – Deputy Secretary Finance Resources & Water Policy

Barney McGahan – Deputy Secretary Regional Planning & Transportation

Geoff Allister – Chief Executive, Roads Service

Stewart Matthews – Strategic Planning Branch

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

Agreed: Members noted that discussions were on-going between the Department and officials from the Departments of Education and of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to the cost of school transport. Officials agreed to keep the Committee informed of the progress of the discussions.

Officials also agreed to forward statistical information on the Health and Wellbeing Programme.

10.57am Mr McCrea joined the meeting

11.13am  The Officials left the meeting

6. Accessible Transport Strategy draft Action Plan 2012-2015

11.14am The following officials joined the meeting:

Alan Preston – Strategic Policy & Co-ordination Division

Gregor Kerr – Strategic Policy & Co-ordination Division

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

Agreed: The Committee expressed concern at the amount of vehicles illegally parked in areas used by those with difficulties in accessing public transport, and agreed to write to the Department seeking views on how to deal with this matter.

11.46am Mr Copeland left the meeting

11.50am The representatives left the meeting

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 forward the response to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister as part of the Assembly consultation response on the draft Programme for Government.

8.  Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure

Members noted:

• SL1: The Bus Lane (East Bridge Street and Cromac Street, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
• SL1: The Bus Lanes (Belfast City Centre) Order (NI)2012; The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (NI) 2012; The Waiting Restrictions (Belfast City Centre) Order (NI) 2012
• The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (NI) 2012
• The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order (NI) 2012

9.  SL1: The Malone Beeches, 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 this proposal.

10.  SL1: The Shankbridge Road, Ballymena (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 this proposal.

11.  SL1: The University Terrace, 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 this proposal.

12.  SL1: The Westbourne Avenue, Ballymena (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 this proposal.

13. Visit to Gilnahirk Primary School

Agreed: Members noted and agreed a press release on behalf of the Committee relating to its visit, and meeting, in Gilnahirk Primary School.

11. Any other business

Agreed: Members noted a proposal from Mrs Kelly and agreed to add a visit to train stations in Portadown and Lurgan to the Committee’s forward work programme.

Members were also reminded of the meeting with a delegation from the Oireachtas scheduled for Thursday 26 January.

12. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 1^st February 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.

11.57am  The meeting was adjourned  

Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development

1^st February 2012