COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Dolores Kelly (Chairperson)
Mr David Ford
The meeting began in closed session at 10.05a.m.
A Bill Office official briefed the Committee on Consideration Stage of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.25a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Planning Reform Consultation.
The meeting went into public session at 11.04a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 21 January were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a copy of the minutes from the meeting with the DOE Permanent Secretary and Departmental Board along with contact details for the Departmental Board.
Members noted that the Committee Motion on support for the Lough Neagh and Lower Bann Advisory Committees has been tabled for discussion at Plenary on 9 February and that information packs will be made available to members shortly.
Members noted tabled correspondence from the Belfast Hills Partnership in relation to funding cuts.
Mr Kinahan declared an interest as a board member of Belfast Hills Partnership.
4. Matters arising
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on illegal racing at Nutts Corner.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing the Committee’s view that planning applications for racing at Nutts Corner must be dealt with as soon as possible.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on Drivers’ Hours legislation.
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 11.10a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to NIFDA for more information on how this legislation will impact on their members.
Members noted a Departmental reply to a Committee letter on Lisnarragh ASSI.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on issues raised by the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental letter relating to proposals for secondary legislation on Approved Driving Instructors.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for more information on the licensing procedure of approved driving instructors and the potential impact of this legislation on road safety.
Members noted an NIEA reply to Committee queries on the Criminal Justice Inspection’s recommendations along with a contact list for NIEA officials.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the capping of historic buildings grant-aid.
Mr Danny Kinahan an interest as a member of the Historic Houses Association
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that w hile the Committee acknowledges that pressures on the budget might necessitate a cap on grant aid, members would like to see the Department explore other, more proactive, efforts to help owners of listed buildings such as rate relief which is being considered by another department.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on strategic regional planning applications.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting more information on the degree of opposition to the applications to help members get an indication of the trends that are blocking applications.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on services for disabled people.
Agreed: That the Departmental response on services for disabled people is forwarded to the Committee for Regional Development for their information.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on INTERREG projects.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 11.22a.m.
Members noted a letter from OFMDFM in relation to the Take Note debate for the End Year Delivery Report for the PFG.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Ministerial letter on Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking what the implications are of this information on the North/South Interconnector and how, based on the evidence provided, the Department has come to the conclusion that costs would be prohibitive in taking electromagnetic fields into consideration when extending power lines.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to queries from the Committee for Regional Development on noise levels at Belfast City Airport.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a copy of the latest annual noise report and a noise map for Belfast City Airport.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Executive Summary of an OFMDFM Inquiry Report into Consideration of European Issues.
Agreed: That the report is forwarded to the Department for their comments on the recommendations attributed to government departments.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on Marine Legislation.
Agreed: That this item would be discussed in closed session at a future meeting.
Members noted a Castlereagh Borough Council reply to Committee queries on their investigation into the Lock Keeper’s Inn.
5. Departmental briefing on February Monitoring Round and Revised Departmental Expenditure Plans 2010-11
The following members declared an interest:
Roy Beggs – Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council, Member of Strategic Leadership Board
Ian McCrea – Member of Cookstown Distrcit Council, Member of Mid Ulster Transition Committee
John Dallat – Member of Coleraine Borough Council
Danny Kinahan – Member of Antrim Borough Council, Arc 21 board member
Peter Weir – Member of North Down Borough Council, Member of Policy Development Panel A, Vice President of NILGA
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the February Monitoring Round and Revised Department Expenditure Plans 2010 - 2011.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.54a.m.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.00p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting a list of all DOE funded organisations that are facing cuts to their funding budgets and details on how the proposed cuts will affect non government organisations.
Agreed: That the Committee Clerk prepares a draft Committee position on Expenditure Plans for discussion at the meeting on 4 February.
6. Departmental briefing on enforcement of the Taxis Act
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the enforcement of the Taxis Act
The main areas of discussion were enforcement, staffing levels, enforcement in rural areas and the introduction of fixed penalty notices.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee would like the Department to expedite the fixed penalty scheme.
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 12.27p.m.
7. Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
Members noted a copy of the Bill timeline and a copy of the delegated powers memorandum.
Agreed: That a memo requesting the extension of the Committee stage of the Bill is drafted for agreement at the meeting on 4 February.
Agreed: That a copy of the delegated powers memorandum is forwarded to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for comments.
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had also been provided with a copy of a request to brief the Committee and a briefing paper from the Countryside Alliance.
Agreed: That a decision on inviting organizations to give oral evidence is deferred until receipt of further submissions to the Committee’s public notice.
8. Consultations
Members noted a consultation on the legal definition of waste and its application.
Consultation on Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 1999 to increase maximum width of certain trailers
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Proposed consultation on the Draft Air Quality Standards Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Members noted a consultation on the 3rd EC Directive on Driving Licences.
Proposal for a new EU Common Agricultural Policy
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
9. Correspondence
E-mail from WWF NI inquiring regarding the budget for river basin management plans
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for information on river basin management plans budgets.
E-mail from RSPB NI regarding the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure’s Inquiry into participation in sport and physical activity
Agreed: That this correspondence is forwarded to the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Copy of MPA Sustainable Development Report 2009
Letter from the Department informing the Committee that the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill NIA 15/07 received Royal Assent on 22 January
10. Any other business
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 04 February 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.34 p.m.