COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 27 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 Ian McCrea
Mr Alex Maskey
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: Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members that the motion to annul SR 2007/372 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2007 had been lodged with the Business Office.
Following the briefing from the Minister at the meeting on 20 September, the Chairperson advised the Committee that some members had viewed the Giant’s Causeway visitors’ centre planning application file.
Agreed: That the Committee write to the department to formally request all papers in relation to the planning application, all reports informing opinion and all recommendations received.
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.39a.m.
4. Taxis Bill
Members noted an e-mail from Monica Wilson, Disability Action requesting the opportunity to make an oral presentation to the Committee re: the Taxis Bill.
Agreed: That Disability Action are invited to give oral evidence at the Committee meeting on 11 October 2007.
Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 10.41a.m.
The Committee noted a letter from the department outlining standard fines scales.
Michael Lorimer and Barbara Fleming, Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (Imtac), outlined their views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.33a.m.
Sean Smyth, Unite the Union, and Andrew Overton and Richard Daniels from the London Taxi Industry Vehicles, outlined their views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Jimmy Beckett and James Matier, Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU), outlined their views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Tony McCloskey, George Best Belfast City Airport Taxis, outlined his views on the proposed Taxis Bill and answered members’ questions.
Mr McKay rejoined the meeting at 12.28p.m.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.30p.m.
Mr Maskey left the meeting at 12.30p.m.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 12.30p.m.
5. Proposal for Secondary Legislation – SL1
SL1– The Planning (General Development) (Amendment No. 2) Order (NI) 2007
Agreed – The Committee for the Environment considered The Planning (General Development) (Amendment No. 2) Order (NI) 2007 and has no objections to the proposal.
6. Correspondence
Consultation Paper on the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the department asking to be kept informed of progress on this consultation and asking where the 2002 order is deficient in terms of ASSIs.
Members noted the Department’s Equality Scheme Annual Progress Report, approved by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Letter from Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group re: the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP).
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited as a matter of urgency to brief the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 4 October 2007.
Members noted a letter from the Department outlining proposed amendments to the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992.
Members noted a letter from Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group to highlight the importance of reforming the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Members noted a letter from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel, advising that NILGA and SoLACE have been invited to address their Committee on RPA issues that fall within their remit. (a copy of response issued by Committee for Finance and Personnel to NILGA and SoLACE is also attached)
Letter from Mourne and Slieve Croob Residents Action Group requesting a meeting to discuss the National Park Working Party’s report.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the department asking about timescales for implementing recommendations contained in the report and that a letter is sent to the Mourne and Slieve Croob Residents Action Group inviting them to a meeting at a later date.
Letter from Mourne Heritage Trust requesting a meeting to discuss the issues arising from the National Park Working Party’s report.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Mourne Heritage Trust inviting them to a meeting at a later date.
Members noted a letter from Clerk to the Regional Development Committee re: the judicial review on PPS14.
Members noted a letter from Larne Promenade Action Group and a copy of letter to the Minister re: proposed development of Marina.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Larne Promenade Action Group advising them that the Committee are unable to visit the promenade at the moment due to ongoing work pressures.
Members noted a copy of the 2nd Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules (ESR).
Letter from Countryside Alliance requesting a meeting regarding the conservation of the Irish Hare.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the department for clarification on the status of the statutory rule. Once a reply is received a letter is to be sent to the Countryside Alliance to update them.
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 12.42p.m.
Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 12.45p.m.
Members noted a letter from Department re clarification of concessions/reduced fees for applicants with disabilities who have to renew their licences every three years.
Members noted the following publications and press releases:
Mourne National Park Working Party – Report to the Minister.
DOE Press Release – ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’
DOE Press Release – ‘Foster Throws Down an Ecology Challenge to Communities’
DOE Press Release – ‘Arlene Foster Celebrates Environmental Award Winners’
Environment & Heritage Service Annual Report.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Letter from the department advising of the Minister’s decision to make a report to the Assembly on road safety issues addressed through the North South Ministerial Council Transport Sector meeting.
Copy of report to the Assembly by the Minister, made on 25th September, on road safety issues identified at the North South Ministerial Council (Transport Sector) meeting.
Letter from Chairperson, Mark Durkan, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment requesting a meeting to discuss the Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Site.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to Mark Durkan agreeing to a meeting with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.
7. Any Other Business
Members discussed the Committee’s Forward Work Programme
Agreed: That the Committee meet informally over a working lunch to discuss the Forward Work programme.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 10.00am in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.53 p.m.