Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
Council
Total No
of invoices
(i)
WA 542
Paid within
30 days
(ii) (a)
Paid outside
of 30 days
(ii) (b)
North Down 10,217 8,456 1,761
Omagh 6,607 4,955 1,652
Strabane 4,706 4,201 505
Total 289,300 211,527 65,660
Notations
* Not provided
(a) Based on Invoice dates not dates of receipt of Invoice.
(b) Includes invoices disputed/queried or requiring further clarification prior to payment, thus delaying processing.
(c) Extrapolated from a sample of 419 Invoices.
(d) Extrapolated from a sample batch of invoices - 95% of all invoices passed for payment by the budget holder
were paid within 30 days.
(e) Extrapolated from a sample of 120 invoices for the 11/12 year.
(f) Figures calculated from estimated 20% paid beyond 30 days and 80% before.
Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
Mr Agnew asked the Minister of the Environment (i) what action his Department is taking to ensure
that the built environment is adapted to changing climatic conditions; and (ii) whether he intends to
introduce a climate change adaptation strategy.
(AQW 13548/11-15)
Mr Attwood: I am taking a range of actions to ensure the built environment is adapted to climate
change.
My Department jointly chairs a Stormwater Management Group with the Department for Regional
Development. This Group is examining a range of approaches to stormwater management to assist
in the development of more integrated and sustainable systems. A current pilot study in Ballyclare is
exploring the benefits of the implementation of sustainable drainage systems within the catchment of
the town.
I am considering legislation which will make it mandatory for new / retrospective planning applications
to install open / soft engineering stormwater management systems.
By applying Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 15, which takes account of climate change, my
Department adopts a precautionary approach to development in flood risk areas and seeks to avoid
inappropriate development in these areas. In addition, Policy LC3 of the second addendum to PPS 7
encourages greater use of permeable paving within new residential developments so as to help reduce
flash flooding from surface water run off.
In conjunction with the Rivers Agency in DARD my Department published guidance in December 2011
on the use of the Strategic Surface Water Flood Map.
I have commissioned research which will assist my officials in implementing an appropriate
management response to the impacts of climate change on our cultural heritage. Owners of listed
historic buildings have also been provided with advice and information on how to protect these
buildings.
Most importantly, as you are aware, my Department is currently developing a Northern Ireland
Adaptation Programme, which will be presented to the Executive in early 2013. This Programme,