All of Ms Liz Kimmins’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
We discussed the situation in Ards and North Down in a recent Adjournment debate. Funding is allocated to each division using a very technical methodology, and we talked about that at length in that debate. As I said in my previous answers, there is no doubt that we do not have enough money to do all the work that is…
As part of the new strategy that we are currently working on — I will be considering it in detail in the coming weeks — we want to focus on higher-quality repairs that will be more sustainable. That will involve the use of modern technology to direct our investments where they are needed most, ensuring smarter…
I have said in the Chamber before that officials are currently working on a new road maintenance strategy for all the reasons outlined. We have staffing shortages across the Department as well as a lack of investment in the Department for Infrastructure. His former colleague, who previously served as Infrastructure…
My Department maintains its financial records by financial year on the NICS accounting system, Account NI. Given the time of year, the figures that are available in relation to claim numbers and expenditure on vehicle damage compensation due to road surface defects since February 2024 may be subject to change. This is…
I thank the Member for the question. As elected representatives from different constituencies, we all hear about some of the delays. I have introduced a number of measures to improve that planning consultation process, including the publication of quarterly and annual reports on statutory consultation performance to…
I will go back to my previous answer and say that that is exactly one of the reasons why my predecessor, John O'Dowd, initiated the work on the planning improvement programme. It is critical for everything across government that we talk about here, whether it be housing, the economy, education or health. I agree with…
The planning system plays a key role in supporting sustainable development and economic growth. It must operate in the public interest and provide a fair and balanced framework for all types of development, regardless of the extent or scale of investment. We are all very aware that planning is a collective issue, and…
I do not have specific detail on that question, Sian, but I am happy to come back to you about it. This is more specific to Glenshesk Road. I will come back to you in writing about the detail of your question and confirm the point.
To be blunt, it is very difficult to prevent future slippages along the road, given the ground conditions and the topography. To reduce the risk of and potential for future slippages, my Department will incorporate an improved drainage regime along the carriageway that will, hopefully, help to alleviate some of the…
I am happy to advise that the works associated with a significant embankment failure on the Glenshesk Road commenced on Tuesday 18 March this year. The works will involve drainage improvements, slope reconstruction and resurfacing. It is anticipated that all works will be completed by the end of August 2025, with a…
As I have said, there is some cross-departmental work ongoing between DFI, DFC and the Department for the Economy. We will look at that as part of those discussions.
As I said, I appreciate that that remains a major area of concern, not in all council areas but, as Members have outlined, in certain ones. As things stand, the LDPs have some means of addressing the issue of second homes at a local level. Notwithstanding that, I can advise that early discussions by the…
As I said, we have the planning improvement programme, which is an opportunity to feed all those issues into the discussion. We are engaging with local councils, councillors, architects and all the stakeholders who are involved in that process. If, coming out of that, there is scope to intervene, we can definitely…
I take the Member's point. However, the extent of the short-term let or the changes to the use or the character of the property will impact on whether planning permission is required. The situation varies for different units. You will be aware that decisions on planning applications that seek permission for a change…
I will take into consideration what the Member said. I appreciate that it is a very important issue. As I said, it relates more to the local development plans. It is important that councillors, as elected representatives, feed into that as best as possible. It is about trying to strike the right balance as well.
The Department's regional development strategy 2035 and the strategic planning policy statements support the creation of balanced communities. The policy approach to all types of housing is to facilitate an adequate and available supply of quality housing to meet the needs of everyone. Council local development plans…
I have had regular engagement with officials, particularly those in DFI Rivers, because a huge amount of work has gone into the study. As I outlined, there were 22 recommendations, and we need to make sure that we are well prepared, because, as we are all aware, such incidents will become more frequent, particularly…
Part of my constituency was impacted on by what the Member outlined. I can speak only about my Department and what we were allocated. We were provided with £10·5 million of additional funding for the response and remedial actions that were required following the major flooding incidents that he mentioned. That was…
The published 'Review of South East Flooding: Autumn 2023' detailed 22 recommendations, which the Department and multi-agency partners will be responsible for delivering. The recommendations include developing flood forecasting capability and further enhancements to communications, resilience and surface water…
Following the flooding in 2023, my Department commissioned a consultant to undertake a feasibility study to determine whether there were viable options to alleviate the threat of flooding in Downpatrick. The study is using information not only from the 2023 flooding incident but from additional historical records. A…
Our rates bills go towards all our public services, which further strengthens my argument about why we should not impose further bills and costs on households and families at a time when the cost of everything else is going up. We have to improve what we have, but there are ways in which to do that within the remit…
I have made it clear what I am doing. I have pointed out the three things that we are doing specifically, which are working with Executive colleagues, undertaking the developer contributions consultation, which is out at the minute, and introducing legislation. Those three things are very clear. I am, however, glad…
We have seen what mutualisation has done, and the Member alluded to what has happened in Wales. Mutualisation does not necessarily deliver the immediate benefits that others may have perceived that it would. We have seen that significant issues remain in the waste water system. Companies are burdened by excessive debt…
Yes, the accountant is in place, and the work has commenced. As it stands, the work is running on time. I will consider the report when it comes back to me and will share it with the Committee and the Assembly in due course.
As I said, I am considering a review that officials have undertaken. We have done numerous reviews to date and looked at all options, but no one has brought forward an alternative that will not lead to water charges, which I am not prepared to implement. If others want to do so, they should make that clear. My point…