COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2008,
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance: Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Chris Corr (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
The meeting commenced in public session at 1.38p.m.
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 1.42p.m.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 1.44p.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above
2. Matters Arising
The Chairperson advised members that they should declare any interests in relation to the Review of Public Administration (RPA). The following members declared an interest:
Patsy McGlone – Councillor, Cookstown District Council
David Ford – Councillor, Antrim District Council
Trevor Clarke – Councillor, Antrim District Council
Peter Weir – Councillor, North Down Borough Council and Vice President, Northern Ireland Local Government Association
The Chairperson advised members of his recent meeting with Ian Maye in relation to the Review of Public Administration.
The Chairperson passed on the Committee’s best wishes to the Minister on hearing of her recent illness.
The Chairperson informed members that ‘thank you’ letters had been drafted to Moyle District Council, The National Trust and the Causeway Hotel following the successful meeting on 13 March in relation to the Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre proposals.
Agreed: That the letters are sent to the organisations listed above.
3. Review of Public Administration
The Chairperson informed members that the Minister had requested to meet the Committee at the meeting on 3 April to discuss the RPA and possible accelerated passage for the Local Government (Boundaries) Bill and the Local Government (Contracts) Bill.
Agreed: That the Minister is invited to the meeting on 3 April to brief members on the issues above.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the recent Ministerial announcement in relation to the Review of Public Administration.
Agreed: That the Committee is provided with a written briefing paper on RPA ahead of the meeting with the Minister on 3 April. This paper is to include details of the proposed timetable and information on the 11B model.
4. Any Other Business
The Chairperson informed members that Committee office staff had received a Freedom of Information request in relation to recent briefings on PPS18 and the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency.
Agreed: That the request is passed to the Freedom of Information Unit.
The Clerk advised members that a briefing on MOT pass/fail rates and the loss of discs by DVA had been arranged for the meeting on April 3.
Agreed: That this meeting is deferred to a later date.
5. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.43p.m.