Minutes of Proceedings

10.33am  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 16^th November 2011.

The Committee noted Mr Byrne’s apologies for the meetings of 9^th and 16^th November 2011 due to other commitments.

10.38am  Mr Copeland entered the meeting

4. Correspondence

Members noted correspondence received.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Omagh District Council on the re-profiling of the funding for the A5 Western Transport Corridor and agreed that the Chairperson, deputy Chairperson and any other Member who wished to attend could attend an informal meeting with the delegation.

5. Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group – Regional Development Strategy

10.39am  The following representatives joined the meeting:

Peter Carr – Chairman

Christine Cosgrove – Treasurer

Peter Diehl – group member

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

10.51am  Mrs Kelly entered the meeting

10.55am The representatives left the meeting

Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mr Beggs and agreed to write to the Department on the definition of brownfield land contained in the draft Regional Development strategy and on the apparent conflict with Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning and Economic Development 7

Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mr McCrea and agreed to write to the Committee for Environment seeking its view on the issue of the proposed definition of brownfield land contained in the draft Regional Development strategy and on the apparent conflict with Planning Policy Statement 4 Planning and Economic Development 7

Agreed:  The Committee noted a proposal from Mr Copeland and agreed to write to the Department requesting a copy of the Construction Employers’ Federation submission to the consultation on the Regional Development Strategy

6. Departmental Briefing – Public Transport Reform: Policy for new permit system

10.56am  The following officials joined the meeting:

Brian White – Director of Ports and Public Transport

Sean Johnston – Ports and Public Transport Division

David Strain – Ports and Public Transport Division

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

11.26am  The representatives left the meeting

7. Departmental written briefing – Equality Unit Biannual Report

Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mrs Kelly and agreed to write to the Department seeking information on the outcome of the retrospective equality screening of the decision to cease funding for Easibus services in Bangor and Londonderry.

8. Committee Forward Work Programme

Agreed: Members considered the draft forward work programme for November to December 2011 and agreed that the Committee office should make arrangements for the visits and briefings in the programme.  Members noted the itinerary for the meeting and visit to Dublin on 7^th and 8^th December 2011.

Agreed: Members noted the visit to the Audio Visual on Public Transport Project on 6^th December 2011 and agreed to let the Committee office know of availability to attend.

Noted: The Committee noted apologies from Mr Doherty (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Byrne, Mrs Kelly, Mr Ó hOisín and Mr Lynch for the meeting of 30^th November 2011.

9. Programme for Government Update

Agreed: Members noted that the Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister plans to coordinate a response from all statutory committees on the draft Programme for Government and Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.  The Committee agreed to hold an event on Monday 12 December 2011 to take stakeholder views to inform the Committee response.

10. Any Other Business

None               

11. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 30^th November 2011 at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings

11.37am  The meeting was adjourned

Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
30^th November 2011