Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 06 June 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.38am 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 30th May 2012.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the correspondence received.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in respect of monitoring post project evaluations and agreed to forward it to the Department for comment. The Committee noted further correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in respect of a budget scrutiny discussion paper and agreed that the Clerk would draft a response for consideration at the meeting on 20 June 2012.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the Committee’s inquiry into un-adopted roads in Northern Ireland, and specifically NAMA properties subject to enforcement, and agreed to include it in the report.
Members noted correspondence from the Department in respect of queries raised by the Committee at its meeting on 16 May 2012 in respect of Translink.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of Bike Week which is scheduled to commence on 16 June 2012.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the Active Travel Strategy.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the A5 Western Transport Corridor Inspector’s Report.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of car parking charges.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Greenways in respect of Departmental investment in the cycling infrastructure and agreed to forward it to the Department for comment.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Community Relations Council in respect of a comparative analysis between the draft and revised Regional Development Strategy.
Following a request from Translink, the Committee agreed to forward a copy of papers, with personal details appropriately redacted, considered by the Committee at its meeting on 9 May
10.43am Mr Dickson joined the meeting
5. Guide Dogs for the Blind briefing: AV Pilot
10.44am The following Representatives joined the meeting:
Andrew Murdock – Policy and Engagement Officer – Guide Dogs for the Blind
Gertrude Johnston – Guide Dog Owner
Henry Mayne – Social Worker – Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Joanne McDonald – Equality Officer – MENCAP
The Representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.01am Mr Hussey left the meeting
11.02am Mr Hussey re-joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister indicating its support for the implementation of the Audio Visual scheme to the public transport network in Northern Ireland.
11.08am The Representatives left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing – AV Pilot
11.12am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Sean Johnston – Head of Public Transport Reform
Michael Deery - Audio Visual Project - Project Manager
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.18am Mr McNarry joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for the Environment in respect of legislative change to support the installation of Audio Visual systems on all public transport buses. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department to inquire about the availability of funding from Europe which would support Audio Visual systems on public transport, particularly to assist those with disabilities.
11.37am Mr Dallat left the meeting
11.39am The Officials left the meeting
7. Northern Ireland Environment Agency Briefing – Unadopted Roads Inquiry
11.40am The following Official joined the meeting:
Mark Livingstone – Northern Ireland Environment Agency
The Official presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.52am Mr Dallat re-joined the meeting
11.55am Mr Hussey left the meeting
11.58am Mr Hussey re-joined the meeting
12.00pm The Official left the meeting
12.01pm Mrs Kelly left the meeting
8. NIIRTA Briefing – Car Parking
12.02pm The following Representatives joined the meeting:
Glyn Roberts – Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association
Peter Carrington – Chairman, Lisburn Road Business Association
Adrian Farrell – President of the Portadown Chamber of Commerce
Aodhan Connolly – NI Retail Consortium
12.02pm Mr Moutray declared an interest as a member of NIIRTA
12.04pm Mrs Kelly re-joined the meeting
The Representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.29pm Mr Moutray left the meeting
12.39pm Mr McNarry left the meeting
12.46pm Mr McNarry re-joined the meeting
12.58pm The Representatives left the meeting
9. SL1: The Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that it is content with the merits of the policy proposals.
10. SR2012/196: The Durham Street and Hamill Street-Killen Street, Belfast (Stopping-up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule 2012/196: The Durham Street and Hamill Street-Killen Street, Belfast (Stopping-up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
12.58pm Mr McCrea left the meeting
11. SR2012/203: The Penalty Charges (Prescribed Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Deputy Chair put the Question:
Question: That the Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2012/203 The Penalty Charges (Prescribed Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and has no objection to the rule.
The Committee divided: Ayes 1; Noes 4.
Ayes: Mr Hussey
Noes: Mr Doherty; Mr Dickson; Mrs Kelly; Mr McNarry
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek an annulment to the proposed statutory rule
12. SR2012/207: The Route U5160, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule 2012/207 The Route U5160, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
13. SR2012/208: The Route B30 Newry Road, Crossmaglen (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule 2012/208 The Route B30 Newry Road, Crossmaglen (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
14. SR2012/209: The Marine Highway, Carrickfergus (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule 2012/209 The Marine Highway, Carrickfergus (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
15. SR2012/210: The Longlands Avenue, Newtownabbey, (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed:The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule SR2012/210: The Longlands Avenue, Newtownabbey, (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
16. SR2012/211: The Browning Drive, Londonderry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule SR2012/211: The Browning Drive, Londonderry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
17. Any other business
None
18. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 13th June 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21.
1.07pm The meeting was adjourned
Mr Pat Doherty MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
13th June 2012
