MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 10th APRIL 2002
Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday 10 April 2002
in room 135, Parliament Buildings
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Absent:
Mr G Savage
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss C Lagan (Executive Support)
Mrs S Young (Administrative Support)
The meeting was called to order at 10.47am in public session.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2002 were agreed.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 10.50am.
2. Statutory Rules
a) The Committee noted one Statutory Rule, which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.
b) The Committee considered the Statutory Rules:
Proposed Meetinghouse Street, Ballymoney (Stopping-up) (Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
Proposed Route U345 Tullybryan Road, Ballygawley (Abondonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
Proposed Dundrod Circuit (Admission Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Department intends to make these Rules, which are subject to negative resolution.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the course of action proposed in the Rules.
The Committee also considered the Statutory Rule which is subject to negative resolution:
Proposed M1 - M2 Link (Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
Agreed: To add this Statutory Rule to the agenda for the meeting on 17 April and to request Department officials to attend this meeting.
3. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered one Statutory Rule, subject to negative resolution, which has been made and laid in the Assembly.
Question Put and Agreed: That the Regional Development Committee has considered the Statutory Rule 65/2002 -
Century Street, Belfast (Stopping Up) Order (NI) 2002
and has no objection to the Rule.
4. Redesignation of leases within Harbour Estate
Mr Peter Robinson (Regional Development Minister), Mr Nigel Hamilton (Permanent Secretary), Mr Robin McMinnis and Ms Barbara Faloona joined the meeting at 10.55am. They gave a presentation on the redesignation of leases within the Harbour Estate and answered members questions on the issue.
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 11.16am
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 11.37am
The Chairman thanked the Minister, Permanent Secretary and officials for attending the meeting and they left at 11.50am.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.52am.
5. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
Mr Paul Sweeney and Ms Lindsay Hodges from the Department and Mr Ted Hesketh from Translink joined the meeting at 11.52am to update the Committee on the Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line. They gave a presentation and answered members' questions on the costs of keeping the line open and maintaining it. It was suggested that the Committee should look at the big picture with regard to railway issues in Northern Ireland before making a decision on this issue.
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 12.08 pm.
Agreed: The Committee should consider visiting and travelling on the Antrim - Knockmore line.
Mr Byrne left the meeting at 12.23pm.
The Chairman thanked Mr Sweeney, Ms Hodges and Mr Hesketh for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.35pm.
6. Strategic Planning Bill
Mr Billy Gamble, Mr Denis Glass and Mr Ian Raphael from the Department joined the meeting at 12.36. They gave a briefing to members on the changes to the Bill and discussed the comments received following the consultation period. They gave a handout to Members with a summary of the consultation responses.
The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 1.15pm.
7. Committee for Finance and Personnel Inquiry into Structural Funds
As the Department's response had not been received, the item was deferred until the meeting on 17 April 2002.
Agreed: Add this item to the agenda for the meeting on 17 April 2002
8. Any Other Business
a) Spending Review 2002
Members noted the Departments position and will respond in due course.
Agreed: Prepare a response for the Department on the Spending Review 2002
b) Proposed Increases in Metered Water and Trade Effluent Charges
Agreed: This item would be added to the agenda for the meeting on 17 April 2002.
c) Programme of Work
The Members were given an updated version of the Programme of Work with the items marked as 'Must do' and 'Could do'. They discussed it and suggested the possibility of an additional meeting.
Agreed: Item to be added to the agenda for the meeting for 17 April 2002.
d) Committee Visit to Welsh Assembly
Members discussed a possible visit to the Welsh Assembly on 9 May 2002.
Members were informed that the Clerk of the Welsh Committee for the Environment, Planning and Transport will be visiting the Northern Ireland Assembly on Wednesday 24 April.
Agreed: Committee Office to check with each member and confirm if they are available to visit Wales on 9 May 2002.
e) Newtownstewart Bypass
Mr Hussey declared an interest as a member of Strabane District Council
Mr Hussey updated the Committee on this issue. He informed the Committee that a delegation from Newtownstewart would be meeting with the Minister to discuss the matter.
Agreed: To discuss the possibility of the delegation meeting the Committee after their meeting with the Minister.
f) Northern Ireland Road Authority and Utilities Committee (NIRAUC) Award Panel
No members expressed an interest in becoming a member of this panel.
Agreed: Committee Office to contact Members not present to check if they are interested in becoming a member of this panel.
9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 April 2002 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 1.22pm.
