COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Iain Elliott (Clerical Officer)
Mr Richard Clarke (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Daithi McKay
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.34a.m.
The Chairperson informed members that Iain Elliott, Clerical Officer, is leaving and that Richard Clarke would be replacing him. The Chairperson thanked Iain for all his work with the Committee.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 9 October were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Departmental response on Planning Reform – Emerging Proposals query and copies of submissions from NILGA, Institute of Directors, RMi and CBI:
The Chairperson advised members that, at the meeting on 25 September, the Committee was briefed by Departmental officials and Professor Greg Lloyd on the emerging proposals for reform of the planning system. The Chairperson also advised members that the Department has asked for the Committee’s initial views on the emerging proposals to allow them to move forward to consultation
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the DOE advising that the Committee is happy for the consultation to proceed.
Updated draft of Sustainability consultation responses:
The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with an updated synopsis of the responses to the consultation on ‘Sustainability the Regulator’s Role’. He also advised that a draft Committee response, as agreed at last week’s meeting and subject to a further minor amendment, was included in members’ meeting papers.
Agreed: That the Committee response is issued.
Freedom of Information request:
The Chairperson advised members that a Freedom of Information request had been received from Claire Murray, Community Places. The request, relating to the Emerging Findings on the Review of Planning in Northern Ireland, will be processed by the Assembly FOI Unit under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Letter from Clerk, Assembly and Executive Review Committee regarding a meeting to discuss multiple mandates:
The Chairperson advised members that the Clerk, Assembly and Executive Review Committee had written to the Committee reiterating its interest in holding a joint meeting with the Minister of the Environment to discuss multiple mandates.
Agreed: That a reminder letter is issued to the Department.
Copy of planning report from Daniel McKay and Departmental response:
The Chairperson advised members that Daniel McKay had forwarded a copy of the Development Control Officer’s Professional Planning Report for the Committee’s consideration.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification on draft PPS14 and why the interpretation of draft PPS14 was particularly used in this case.
Rose Energy:
The Chairperson advised members that the Committee Clerk had, following discussions at last week’s meeting, conducted further research on the Committee’s proposed visit to a poultry waste disposal plant.
Agreed: That the Committee visit Fife to talk to councillors, local residents, community groups and environmental health regarding the chicken letter plant.
Agreed: That a copy of the research recently requested by the DARD Committee is forwarded to the Committee.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to Morrow Communications to advise that the Committee will not be visiting the proposed site at Glenavy at this time.
4. Departmental briefing on Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill – secondary legislation raising powers
Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 11.10a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the secondary legislation raising powers of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking where they feel draft affirmative resolution is more important in the Bill.
5. Departmental briefing on issues relating to a complaint from Yellow Line Coach Hire
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on issues relating to a complaint from Yellow Line Coach Hire.
The main areas of discussion were the level of fines for travelling on an unlicensed route, the validity if insurance whilst driving a bus on an unlicensed route, the degree of co-operation with the PSNI on these matters and the lessons learnt from the handling of this complaint.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for the list of licensed routes granted by the DOE over the last 5 years and also asking was there a live application from Rooney International when the complaint from McAnulty coach hire was made.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the British Insurers’ Association to check on the validity of insurance for coaches being used on illegal routes.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.25p.m.
6. Briefing by Disappointed Lisnaragh Landowners Group on the proposed designation of an ASSI at lands in Lisnaragh
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.41p.m.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.45p.m.
Representatives from the Disappointed Lisnaragh Landowners Group briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed designation of an ASSI at lands in Lisnaragh.
Agreed: That DOE officials are invited to a future meeting to discuss this issue.
Agreed: That the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside are invited to a future meeting to discuss this issue.
7. Briefing by Mike Turner on road safety issues
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 1.00p.m.
Mr Mike Turner briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on road safety issues in relation to people travelling to and from a place of work in the back of vans.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Chief Constable of the PSNI enquiring about the current legislation on this issue and the enforcement of it.
8. Statutory Rule
SR 2008/387 – The Motor Vehicles (Taxi Drivers’ Licences) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Motor Vehicles (Taxi Drivers’ Licences) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
ESR Report dated 10 October 2008:
Members noted the Examiner of Statutory Rules third report.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 1.13p.m.
Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 1.14p.m.
9. Correspondence
- Departmental response to the Committee’s request for information in relation to Mr O’Flaherty’s query on the issue of ‘Houses of Multiple Occupancy’.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr O’Flaherty. - Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the appointment of the New Course Organiser to Deliver Rehabilitation Courses for Convicted Drink Drivers.
- Departmental response to the Committee’s request for confirmation that the Minster’s proposals on road safety cover the passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) industry.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Karen Magill, Federation of Passenger Transport - Members noted a letter from the Department regarding September Monitoring Round Submission.
- Letter from Mr Barry McElduff, Chairperson for Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to Minister for the Environment regarding ‘Pollution Prevention Measures for Local Rivers’.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Minister of the Enviornment. - Members noted a NILGA response to the Committee’s request for its views regarding the consultations on the draft Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 and the Financial Provision for Waste Management Activities in Northern Ireland.
- E-mail from Ms Orla Patterson, Chairperson of the Ards Against Incineration group regarding planning application x/2006/0744 (as considered under PPS 14).
Agreed: That a copy of the e-mail is forwarded to the Department for comment. - Members noted a letter from Mr John Stewart, Director of Clerking, thanking the Committee for the opportunity to attend the Environment Committee on the 2 nd October 2008.
- Members noted a letter from Mr Gordon Best, Chairman of the Construction Industry Group Northern Ireland (CIGNI) requesting the opportunity to present the Committee with the industry’s views on the Review of the Planning System and what part the Construction Industry can play in delivering the objectives set out in the NI Sustainable Development Strategy.
- Members noted a response from Ulster Farmers Union regarding the Committee’s request for further information following their briefing on 25 September 2008.
- Members noted a letter from Mr Malachy Campbell, Policy Officer, WWF (NI) introducing their new report ‘Closing the Energy Gap’.
- Members noted an invitation to Advice NI Annual Meeting 2008 on 14 November 2008 in Grosvenor House.
- E-mail from Shelly Cunningham regarding the current status of PPS 14.
Agreed: That a copy of the recent update on PPS14 is sent to Miss Cunningham. - Members noted an e-mail inviting members of the Committee to attend the ‘All Ireland Conference’ on Irelands Electronic Waste Challenge, the ERP Perspective, at Clontarf Castle, Dublin on Wednesday 19 th of November 2008.
- Members noted the following DOE Press Releases/Publications.
“Agency Sounds Mauve Stinger Jellyfish Alert”
NIEL Newsletter - October 2008 Edition
Shooting and Conservation Magazine – October 2008 issue
NIIRTA Newsletter – September 2008 issue
11. Any other business
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 23 October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.17p.m.