COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2007,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithí McKay
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance: Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Pauline Devlin (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting opened at 10.33a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 10.37a.m.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.38a.m.
The Chairperson raised the issues of the recent judicial review of Planning Policy Statement 14 (PPS 14), the Northern Area Plan judicial review, the Magherafelt Area Plan judicial review and the proposed visitors’ centre planning application at the Giant’s Causeway.
Agreed – that the Committee invite the Minister and senior officials to provide a briefing on these issues at the meeting on 20 September 2007.
The Chairperson advised members that the draft motion to extend time on the committee stage of the Taxis Bill had been sent to the Business Office.
The Chairperson advised that a letter containing the Committee’s answers to the Minister’s questions on the Climate Change Bill.
The Chairperson advised members that a letter to the Department containing questions on Planning Policy Statement 7 had been drafted and was included in members’ packs.
Agreed – that the letter be sent to the Department.
4. Taxis Bill
Members were advised that late submissions on the Taxis Bill had been received from the Consumer Council and the Belfast Public Hire Taxi Association.
Agreed: that the submissions are accepted and that both organisations are invited to give oral evidence.
Samuel Egerton, public hire taxi driver, outlined his views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.35a.m.
Stephen Long and Stephen O’Reilly, West Belfast Taxi Association, outlined their views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Robert McAllister, public hire taxi driver, outlined his views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.05p.m
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.10p.m.
5. Review of Public Administration
Gillian Kane and Graham Cash from PriceWaterhouseCooper briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the emerging findings of the Shared Vision for Local Government.
6. Proposals for Secondary Legislation – Statutory Rules
SR 2007/308 – The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces)(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2007/317 – The Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences)(Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences)(Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2007/318 – The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty)(Offences) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty)(Offences) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2007/319 – The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2007/323 – The Road Transport (Working Time)(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Road Transport (Working Time)(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2007/345 – The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.
7. Presentation by Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on SR 2007/372 - Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007.
Mr Clarke left the meeting at 12.46p.m.
Tom Gillen and Brian Campfield from the ICTU briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2007.
Agreed – that Departmental officials be invited to the meeting on 20 September to answer members’ queries on this rule.
8. Proposals for Secondary Legislation – SL1s
SL1–Proposed Commencement Order –Article 1(3) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007
Agreed – The Committee for the Environment considered the Proposed Commencement Order –Article 1(3) of the Road Traffic(Northern Ireland) Order 2007 and has no objections to the proposal.
Mr Gardiner left the meeting at 1.09p.m.
9. Correspondence
Consultation paper - Amendments to the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Regulations.
Agreed: That the department is advised that the Committee has no comments to make.
Letter from Shirelle Stewart, on behalf of the Coalition for Environmental Protection, requesting a meeting with the Committee to discuss the Review of Environmental Governance and the Establishment of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency.
Agreed: That the Coalition for Environmental Protection be invited to a future meeting when the Review of Environmental Governance is being discussed.
Copy of email from Lee Burke to Arlene Foster, Minister for the Environment updating on solution to collect CO2 emissions.
Agreed: Members noted this piece of correspondence.
Letter from Roisin Kelly, Clerk to the Committee for Regional Development, and attached paper providing an update on PPS12 in the context of the Semple Review. This is in response to member’s request to be kept informed of developments in this Review.
Agreed: Members noted this piece of correspondence.
Letter from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, re the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Agreed: That the Committee write to the department asking for an update on its progress in implementing specific departmental and cross cutting action points and targets.
Letter from the Consumer Council expressing their support for the Taxis Bill.
Agreed: That the Consumer Council letter is accepted as a submission and that the Consumer Council are invited to give oral evidence on the proposed Taxis Bill.
Invitation to the QPANI Environmental Conference.
Agreed: Members noted this piece of correspondence.
Letter from Department outlining proposed Programme of Work.
Agreed: Members noted this piece of correspondence.
Letter to the Department requesting clarification on the draft addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7: Residential Extensions and Alterations.
Agreed: Members agreed the content of a letter to the department.
Proposed draft Road Freight (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to a future committee meeting to update members.
Letter from Department clarifying the timescales for processing planning application C/2007/0017/F (site at Belraugh Road, Garvagh) and an update on the proposed waste management and recycling centre at Dernaflaw Road.
Agreed: That a copy of this letter is forwarded to Eamon Mullen (re Belraugh Road) and Gavin McGill (Dernaflaw Action Committee)
The Committee noted the following publications:
Publication – Healthy Cities: Belfast Healthy Urban Planning Seminar Report.
Publication – Shooting and Conservation Sept/Oct Edition.
Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland Newsletter Autumn 2007 edition.
The Committee noted the following Departmental press releases:
DOE Press Release – ‘Minister Condolences for Road Crash Victims’
DOE Press Release – ‘Architectural Gems Open this Weekend’
DOE Press Release – ‘Environment Minister Opens New Wood Recycling Plant’
DOE Press Release – ‘Statement on PPS14 Judicial Review’
10. Any other business
Members were advised of a seminar in the Senate Chamber on Monday 17 September, 11a.m. – 12p.m., relating to the Budget.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 September 2007 at 10.30am in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.13 pm.