Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Assembly Business

2.1 Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Alex Attwood replace Mr Colum Eastwood as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; that Mr Fearghal McKinney replace Mr Alban Maginness as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; that Mr Alban Maginness replace Mrs Dolores Kelly as a member of the Committee for the Environment; that Mr Joe Byrne replace Mrs Dolores Kelly as a member of the Committee for Regional Development; and that Mr Alex Attwood be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Mr P Ramsey
Mrs K McKevitt

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

3. Committee Business

3.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: The Health and Social Care (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 27/11-15)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 11 December 2013, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Health and Social Care (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 27/11-15).

Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion - Town Centre Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern over the ongoing pressures on small businesses, in particular, those in the retail sector; notes the current and forthcoming policies and programmes in relation to business rates, planning, Business Improvement Districts, public transport, the development of shared space and urban regeneration; and calls on the Minister for Social Development to produce an overarching strategy for town centres, high streets and urban villages to ensure the effective co-ordination of the current and future initiatives.

Mrs J Cochrane
Mr S Dickson
Mr K McCarthy

4.2 Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘regeneration;’ and insert:

‘further notes that the majority of local authorities have extensive town centre plans; and calls on the Minister for Social Development and the Executive to enable these plans by utilising all the funding mechanisms at their disposal.’

Mrs D Kelly
Mr D Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr McLaughlin) took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Amendment was carried without division.

The Question being put, the Motion, as amended was carried without division.

4.3 Motion - Practices of Car Parking Companies

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern over the practices of some car parking companies and how they operate; questions the adequacy of signage both on parking times and penalties, as well as the quantum, nature, content and design of penalty demands, the threat of legal action and the absence of appeals mechanisms; believes that we need a more robust code of practice for enforcement and more effective regulation by the British Parking Association; and calls on the Minister of the Environment to meet with the Secretary of State for Transport to outline these concerns.

Mr P Frew
Ms P Brown
Mr P Weir

Debate ensued

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.

5.2 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.

6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

6.1 Motion - Practices of Car Parking Companies

Debate resumed on the Motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.21pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
7 October 2013

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
2 – 7 October 2013

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Legislative Consent Memorandum - UK Intellectual Property Bill- Freedom of Information Provisions (OFMDFM)

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division Annual Report on Decision Making 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (DSD)

Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Care Bill (DHSSPS)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2013/233 The Frederick Street, Belfast (Footpath)(Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/234 The C338 (unnamed road), Moneymore, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013(DRD)

S. R. 2013/239 The Lands Tribunal (Salaries) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DOJ)

For Information Only:

S. R. 2013/235 The Waiting Restrictions (Belmont Road, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ireland (DHSSPS)

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation - Ground-mounted solar PV above 250Kw (DETI)

Consultation on Implementation of Electricity and Gas Metering and Billing Provisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) (DETI)

9. Departmental Publications

Learning to Learn A Framework for Early Years Education and Learning October 2013 (DE)

Northern Ireland Audit Office DoE Planning: Review of Counter Fraud Arrangements (DFP)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications