COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Peter Weir
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 Jonathan Bell
Mr John Dallat
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
The meeting began in public session at 10.06a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Departmental briefing on the Budget process 2011 – 2014
The Chairperson informed members that he would call the Departmental officials to brief the Committee first due to a lack of quorum to make decisions.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Beggs – member of Carrickfergus Borough Council and the SLB
Mr Wilson – member of North Down Borough Council
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Budget process 2011 – 2014.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 10.12a.m.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council and the Strategic Leadership Board.
The main areas of discussion were the allocation of resources, redeployment of Planning Service staff, proposed priority spending plans, savings delivery plans SWIF funding and local government reform.
Agreed: That the Department is asked to provide details of its plans to make savings as soon as they are available and before being submitted to DFP.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 1 July 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a reply from MEPs to Committee queries on the EU Drivers’ Hours legislation.
Agreed: That the response is sent to the Department asking it to indicate its understanding of the legislation as it currently stands in Europe and how it is taking account of this situation in relation to enforcement.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with Departmental replies to Committee queries on the redeployment of Planning Service staff and deferred income and a letter from the Minister advising of 60 new posts for planning staff.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking the Department to explain why it is using a ‘lottery-style’ selection method to decide which staff will be redeployed.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee would like to be kept updated on the progress of redeploying Planning Service staff and to remind the Department of the urgent need for a comprehensive workforce model.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the OFMdFM Committee asking what action they are proposing to take on the backlog being faced by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) and to draw their attention to the excess staff within the Planning Service that could be used to help the PAC.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the drafting of The Solvent Emissions (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department welcoming its commitment to ensure that that the drafting style suggested by the Examiner is adopted in future Regulations and asking when the Department will present the Committee with a new set of regulations.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with letters to the Minister from the Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Road Safety Committees in relation to the funding of road safety committees and a reply from the Minister to the Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee in relation to funding.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as Treasurer of Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department noting the Committee’s disappointment that it had not been informed of UnLtd’s role in administering road safety funding, to ask for further information on UnLtd and when the decision was made to award the contract to this organisation. The Committee would also like details of the road safety funding that has been awarded by UnLtd to date.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the auditing of tyre depots and information on tyre numbers held.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing the Committee’s concern at the reply and asking if the Department would consider the introduction of a light touch audit process as a means of encouraging the proper disposal of tyres. Members would also like to know what action the Environmental Crime Unit has taken on this issue.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on how it was going to deal with planning applications under PPS 21 that were deferred and have now been refused.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to the Committee’s queries in relation to advice given on sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDs) in relation to PPS7.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for more information on the ‘operational difficulties’ that the use of permeable paving would present and for more information on the nature of expert advice that would be required.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on landfill infractions.
Agreed: That this item of business is deferred to the meeting on 9 September 2010.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a reply from the NIAO in relation to Committee queries on the Local Government Auditor report.
Agreed: That letters are sent to the Department and the Local Government Auditor inviting them to jointly brief the Committee at a future meeting.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a letter from the Regional Development Committee inviting submissions to the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill.
Agreed: That the Committee would make a decision on this issue after reading the Departmental response at the next meeting.
Mr McGlone left the meeting at 11.43a.m.
Members noted a Departmental update on the Planning Reform Bill.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the strategic review of DVA services.
Members noted the Planning Service Annual Report and Accounts 2009 – 10.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a research paper on interconnectors and the precautionary principle.
Agreed: That a copy of this research paper is sent to the Department asking if the Department has considered following the example of Wyre Borough Council in refusing planning permission for developments under high voltage power lines.
5. Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 - The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2010/227 – The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/228 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Trainee Licence) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report’.
SR 2010/228 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Trainee Licence) Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/228 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Trainee Licence) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report’.
SR 2010/252 – The Local Government (Provision of Services) Regulations (NI) 2010 and Ministerial letter re EU Services Directive
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
Question put and agreed:
‘That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/252 – The Local Government (Provision of Services) Regulations (NI) 2010and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report’.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 09 September 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.55a.m.