COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 27 MAY 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting began in public session at 10.05 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
Mr Ross joined the meeting at 10.07a.m.
The minutes of the meeting on 20 May 2010 were agreed.
Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.08a.m.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 10.08a.m.
4. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a comprehensive Departmental reply to Dundonald Green Belt Association’s paper on the Knock Golf Club planning application and a Departmental reply on social housing applications.
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 10.25a.m.
Mr Dallat proposed that the Minister commissions an independent review of the processes involved in the Knock Golf Club planning application. Mr Beggs, Mr Wilson, Mr McKay, Mr Boylan, and Mr McGlone supported the motion. Mr Bell, Mr Ross and Mr McCrea abstained.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee calls for the Minister to commission an Independent review of the processes involved in the Knock Golf Club planning application.
The Chairperson informed members that he intended to take the Departmental briefing and return to Matters Arising later in the meeting.
5. Departmental briefing on June Monitoring Round
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on June Monitoring Round.
The main areas of discussion were ePIC, the Departmental priorities in the Monitoring Round, PPS21, RPA and vacancies within the Department.
Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 10.55a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking them to forward figures on proposed savings from the original ePIC business case to the Committee.
Agreed: That Committee staff prepare a response on monitoring round and circulate around members for approval.
Mr Dallat left the meeting at 11.10a.m.
4. Departmental briefing on EU funding opportunities
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on EU funding opportunities.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.27a.m.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 11.30a.m.
The main areas of discussion were funding streams, encouraging organisations to apply for EU funding, and the process of applying for EU funding.
Mr Dallat rejoined the meeting at 11.34a.m.
Agreed: That the Department asks the Department of Finance and Personel for information on whether the application process has been simplified.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking them to keep the committee informed on the progress of LIFE+ funding.
5. NILGA briefing on its work on European issues
Representatives NILGA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on its work on European issues.
Mr McKay rejoined the meeting at 11.47a.m.
Mr Wilson rejoined the meeting at 11.49a.m.
The main areas of discussion were the role of SEUPB, the role of Local Government, the lack of match funding, the distribution of EU funds, audit procedures.
Mr Beggs left the meeting at 12.05p.m.
Agreed:That NILGA provides the Committee with its model for performance in the EU.
6. Redeployment of Planning Service Staff
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with papers in relation to the redeployment of Planning Service staff.
There was a Committee discussion on the issue of the redeployment of Planning Service staff. Mr McKay informed members that he had been contacted by a Planning Service member of staff to say that they had received a letter stating that they were prohibited from contacting their local MLAs in relation to this issue.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if have given any direction in relation to contacting MLAs
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting that a financial workload model for the delivery of planning services is provided to the Committee before summer recess and asking for a mechanism in releasing deferred income of £4.6m.
Agreed: That the letter also notes the Committee’s concerns that redeployment is planned to commence without an appropriate workload model in place.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for the total number of vacancies within the Department to accommodate the redeployment of staff.
7. Statutory Rules
SR 2010/179 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/179 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
SR 2010/188 – The Air Quality Standards Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/188 – The Air Quality Standards Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
8. Matters Arising (Continued)
Members noted a Scoping Paper for an Environmental white paper on Better Regulation.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a copy of the DOE Business Plan 2010 – 2011.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking when it will have a Director of Finance and Business Planning Division in place, who will take responsibility for delivery of the objectives relevant to this post in the interim, how will they address slippages in timing of actions, if they are confident the measures will ensure successful delivery of all its PSA obligations and why the recycling measures are resource-dependent.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on sickness absence levels.
Members noted a copy of an Ulster Farmers’ Union letter to the Minister on the use of snares.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 12.35p.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with tabled papers in relation to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Agreed: That the papers are included in papers for the meeting on 3 June for further discussion.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with Departmental replies to Committee queries on qualified driving instructor checks and trainee instructors.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how many trainee driving instructors have passed their level 1 and level 2 stages.
Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the Driving Instructors’ Association
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to a secretariat paper on the early stages of European legislation along with a copy of the original secretariat paper.
Agreed: That the Secretariat carries out further work in relation to this issue.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the reduction of funding to NGOs.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to a Committee request for further information in relation to the Independent Review of Economic Policy Implementation Plan.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the ETI committee along with the response stating that the committee is content to note this response.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 12.42p.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on payments of invoices.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for the reasons why there isn’t a higher success rate and stating the Committee felt that there should be 10 day payment targets.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on insurance incentives for passing the advanced driving test.
Members noted a letter of resignation as Deputy Chair from Dominic Bradley and a letter confirming the appointment of Patsy McGlone as Deputy Chair.
Members noted comments from Belfast City Council on the Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill.
9. Consultations
Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Synopsis of Responses
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if an Inter-Departmental Co-ordination Group will meet the needs of those calling for greater co-ordination and efficiency of marine functions across NI Government and for the Department to provide further rationale for its decision not to carry out pilot projects.
Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7: Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas – synopsis of responses
Agreed: That Departmental officials brief the Committee at a future meeting.
Draft Consultation paper on the proposed Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
NIEA Enforcement Policy – Phase 2 Consultation
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
The Third EC Directive on driving licences - summary of consultation responses
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how they intend to address the issues raised in the consultation.
Permitted Development Rights – synopsis of responses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policies.
Consultation on the DOE Disability Action Plan 2010 – 2011
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Consultation on Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
12. Correspondence
E-mail re the proposed Kintyre Offshore Wind Farm and its potential adverse impact on the Causeway Coast.
Agreed: That a copy of the e-mail is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Departmental response to the Committee request for information regarding correspondence from the Irish Hare Initiative.
Agreed : That a copy of the letter is forwarded to Mike Rendle.
Memo from Finance and Personnel Committee re External Advisers employed by NI Departments.
Agreed: That a copy of the memo is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Letter requesting information regarding committee reports (Climate Change Inquiry) on non-legislative topics in relation to the Departmental and ministerial responses to these reports.
Agreed: That a response is sent stating that the Committee is awaiting the response from the Department to its climate change inquiry report.
Letter of invitation for member(s) to attend a Council meeting regarding the consistency of Planning Policy within each District Council Area.
Agreed: That the letter is sent to the Department for comment.
Copy of the NIAO good practise efficiency checklist.
Agreed: That the checklist is used for future monitoring round briefings.
Copy of the Assembly Research paper, Resources for Budget Scrutiny.
Agreed: That the Clerk prepares a response to the paper for consideration at the meeting on 3 June.
Copy of the High Hedges Bill – Delegated Powers Memorandum.
Agreed: That a copy of the memorandum is sent to the Examiner of Statutory Rules for comment.
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
Letter of thank you to the Committee for taking the time to visit Bryson Recycling.
Copy of Northern Ireland Newsletter, issue 19 Spring 2010.
Press release - Are predators responsible for the declines in songbird populations?
Copy of the CLG key issues and decisions taken at its meeting on Tuesday 18 May.
CPA Climate e-brief.
Copy of the Departmental response to the ETI Committee in relation to the draft tourism strategy.
13. Any other business
Mr Kinahan informed the Committee of instances of illegal dumping.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking which forthcoming legislation will provide sufficient powers to local authorities to deal with this issue.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 03 June 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.55 p.m.