Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
Mr Attwood: Prior to 31 March 2012 when property service contracts expired, contractors were
employed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to clean its properties, including a small
number of beaches. Due to challenges to the procurement process, new contracts could not be let as
planned and must be retendered.
The only beaches in the southern part of County Down which have been cleaned and maintained
by NIEA are those at Killard National Nature Reserve at the mouth of Strangford Lough. These were
cleaned about six times a year under the former contract which expired on 31 March 2012. No other
beaches will be affected by the failure to let new contracts.
Since the expiry of the property maintenance contracts NIEA has been using - and will continue to use
- its own staff and volunteers to clean and maintain the beaches at Killard until a new contract can be
let. It is hoped that a high standard of cleanliness can be maintained, though the main beach is always
subject to the washing up of flotsam and jetsam.
Contracts for the Cleaning and Maintenance of Beaches
Mr Hazzard asked the Minister of the Environment, in light of the suspension of contracts for the
cleaning and maintenance of beaches, what consideration has been given to extending the existing
contracts until the issue is resolved.
(AQW 13281/11-15)
Mr Attwood: The previous contract for cleaning and maintenance services expired on 31 March 2012;
it was both time-bound and included an expenditure ceiling which had almost been reached. Having
been extended twice already, there was no scope for further extending the contract once it had expired.
Tickets for the Jubilee Garden Party
Mr Allister asked the Minister of the Environment how many tickets for the Jubilee Garden Party on 27
June 2012 were allocated to (i) the Minister; (ii) his Department; and (iii) its arm’s-length bodies.
(AQW 13290/11-15)
Mr Attwood: I was allocated 4 tickets with a further 150 allocated to my Department for the event to
celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. All staff were invited to express an interest and 196 did so
seeking over 300 tickets. As this was greater than our allocation, a random selection process was
implemented resulting in 48 staff receiving tickets at an average of 3 per person. No tickets were
allocated to Arms Length Bodies.
Consultations with UNESCO on the Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort Planning Application
Mr Allister asked the Minister of the Environment to list the dates and methods of the consultations he
has held with UNESCO on the Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort planning application.
(AQW 13401/11-15)
Mr Attwood: Your question refers to an issue which inter alia is before the High Court by way of a
judicial review. That case is listed for hearing on 27 November for 4 days. The member will appreciate
that I am therefore constrained in what I can say, save that I am satisfied and content with the decision
and process around the decision.
Changing the Name of a Road
Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the process for changing the name of a road.
(AQW 13405/11-15)
Mr Attwood: Article 11 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order
1995 sets out the powers of district councils in relation to street naming. (For the purposes of the
legislation, the term “street” is defined as including a road).
WA 540