Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 1 May 2024

Committee for Infrastructure - Minutes of Proceedings 1 May 2024.pdf (188.2 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA(Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Danny Baker MLA 

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Apologies:

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

In Attendance:

Mrs Kathy O’Hanlon (Assembly Clerk) Mr Philip Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 10:01 am in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed members of reports of a road traffic incident on the A5 which has resulted in the death of two teenagers.

The Committee expressed its condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and to all of those affected more widely.

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.

5. Matters Arising

None.

6. Correspondence

Peter McReynolds joined the meeting at 10:04 am.

Correspondence from CYCUL suggesting that the Committee may wish to hold dedicated session on active travel during Bike Week to investigate why targets are repeatedly not met.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence sessions with the Transport Road Asset Management Group from the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) and Sustrans on active travel.

Agreed: To respond to CYCUL outlining the Committee’s approach.

Correspondence from Strabane Greenways highlighting the lack of green space and greenways in West Tyrone.

Agreed: To include in the papers for the oral evidence session with Waterways Ireland scheduled for 8 May 2024.

Correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office seeking information on scrutiny of Common Frameworks.

Agreed: To provide the Committee for the Executive Office with details of the Common Frameworks considered by the Committee for Infrastructure.

Correspondence from Re-Gen outlining how its work aligns with the remit of the Committee.

Agreed: To advise Re-Gen that the issues highlighted fall within the remit of both the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Committee for the Economy and would therefore be more appropriate for those Committees to consider.

Correspondence from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on action being taken by the industry to tackle motor ‘Premium Finance’ and the publication of ABI’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Agreed: To consider the issues highlighted upon receipt of research previously commissioned by the Committee.

7. Review of the Taxi Operators Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 – Department for Infrastructure - oral evidence

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:06 am.

  • Dr Chris Hughes, Director, Safe and Accessible Travel Division, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Dorcas Cutrona, Safe and Accessible Travel Division, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Donald Starritt, Safe and Accessible Travel Division, Department for Infrastructure; and
  • Stephen Spratt, Driver Vehicle Agency – Enforcement.

The departmental officials provided the Committee with oral evidence on Review of the Taxi Operators Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.

A question and answer session followed.

The oral evidence session was reported by Hansard.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 11.28 am.

Agreed: to receive the tables as highlighted by officials to in the course of the evidence setting out, by class, the historical numbers of taxi licences and clarification regarding waiting ranks for taxis.

Agreed: to further consider the impact of the reducing availability of Class B accessible vehicles by inviting Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) to give oral evidence in the first instance.

Agreed: to advise DfI of the Committee’s view that it should respond to His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) consultation on VAT Treatment of Private Hire Vehicles setting out DfI’s assessment of the potential impact of proposals upon the taxi sector in Northern Ireland.

8. Reclassifying Resource and Capital Expenditure – Assembly Research and Information Service Briefing

The following Assembly official joined the meeting at 11:28 am.

  • Rachel Keyes, Research Officer, Research and Information Service

The Research Officer provided the Committee with an oral briefing on reclassifying resource and capital expenditure and initial observations on Translink’s use of public funds.

A question and answer session followed.

The Research Officer left the meeting at 11:58 am.

Danny Baker left the meeting at 11:58 am.

9. SL1 - The Parkgate Avenue, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered a proposal for a statutory rule to abandon an area of road in Parkgate Avenue, Belfast.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.

10. Subordinate Legislation – SL1 – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee noted three proposals for Statutory Rules, which are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SL1 - The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
  • SL1 - The Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions (Moy) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
  • SL1 - The Prohibition of Waiting (Schools) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

11. Subordinate Legislation – SR’s – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee noted three Statutory Rules, which are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SR 2024-91 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
  • SR 2024-97 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Larne) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
  • SR 2024-98 The Waiting Restrictions (Ballygally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.
    • SR 2024-96 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Carrickfergus) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

12. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the Draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: Following the announcement of the Budget for 2024-25, to schedule oral evidence from DfI at the earliest opportunity and to receive the bid templates submitted by DfI to the Department for Finance setting out its Capital and Resource requirements.

Agreed: To update the draft Forward Work Programme to reflect any decisions taken today.

17. Any Other Business

None.

18. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 12.03 pm.

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

8 May 2024