ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM

 

Meeting of the Infrastructure Sub-Group

held at 3.30pm on Friday 9th March

in Clarence Court

 

 

Present:                        Jim McCusker (Chairman)

John Gilliland

Bryan Gregory

Janice Treacy

Doreen Brown

 

Apologies:                     Peter McNaney

 

 

1.0       Note of Previous Meeting

 

1.1               The note of the previous meeting held on 16 January was agreed without amendment.

 

2.0              Matters Arising

 

2.1               Iain Osborne was unable to attend the meeting but would be willing to attend at a future date.  It was agreed that he should be invited to the next meeting to brief the Sub-Group on Energy matters and on the changes in OFREG’s remit.

 

3.0       Construction Sector Capacity

 

3.1               The report on progress in implementing the Action Plan arising from the Capacity Study showed a positive picture, although it related to the position in 2006.  A further update was expected in late March/early April.

 

3.2               The report highlighted some useful developments in relation to the Planning Service, eg, pre-application meetings and the establishment of a special unit to deal with major schemes.  However, there was concern in the Sub-Group that, even with the existence of the special unit, significant problems still existed, eg, what was the threshold to qualify as a major scheme.

 

3.3               There could be value in a discussion about Planning when the future of local government was clearer.

 

3.4               The Sub-Group wished to explore further the changes in Green Book processes, eg, the inclusion of the cost of carbon in economic appraisals, something which would impact on ISNI.  They also wished to be made aware of relevant aspects of procurement processes.

 

3.5               It was agreed that:

 

·                     the further update report would be circulated when available;

·                     briefing would be provided on economic appraisals and on procurement processes.

 

4.0       Public Sector Capacity Study

 

4.1               The Action plan being produced on foot of the Public Sector Capacity Study was discussed.

 

4.2               It was agreed to issue an invitation to John Cole (Health Service Estates) to attend a future meeting of the Sub-Group to discuss any problems being encountered in delivering the health sector elements of ISNI.

 

5.0              Operation of Sub-Groups/EDF

 

5.1               The Chairman had spoken to DETI about the experience of operating the Infrastructure Sub-Group.  DETI had subsequently produced a paper which had been circulated to the Sub-Group members which was to be discussed at the next EDF plenary meeting.

 

5.2               The Sub-Group agreed on a number of points:

 

·                     The desirability of the Secretariat being provided by DETI to all the Sub-Groups;

·                     The need for the Secretariat to take responsibility for pursuing the recommendations from the Sub-Group which were accepted by EDF;

·                     The undesirability of all sub-groups being required to use the same template for reporting.

 

5.3       The Sub-Group also discussed the role and operation of EDF itself.  It was agreed that it would be important for EDF to have an opportunity to hold a macro discussion of priorities for ISNI2 and to consider capacity issues, procurement methods and integration with the Sustainable Development Strategy.  SIB should be invited to attend the next EDF meeting.

 

5.4       It would also be timely to have a review of the overall purpose and effectiveness of EDF.

 

6.0       Next Meeting

 

The sub-group would meet again on Thursday 10 May at 10.30am in Room G-29, Clarence Court.