COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 26 JUNE 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance: Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Iain Elliott (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Samuel Gardiner
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.35a.m.
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Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 19 June were agreed.
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Matters Arising
Committee Office Freedom of Information procedures:
The Chairperson informed members that the Committee Office had provided guidance on dealing with Freedom of Information (FoI) requests which are received during periods of recess.
Agreed: That the chairperson and deputy chairperson submit, during periods of recess, views on the releasing or withholding of the information in any non-routine/contentious FoI requests received.Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.40a.m.
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.45a.m.Local Government (Finance) Bill:
The Chairperson informed members that that the Minister of the Environment wrote to the Committee on 17 June 2008 regarding plans to bring forward the Local Government (Finance) Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department seeking clarity on the procedures being used for this Bill.
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Departmental briefing on Rivers Basin management
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Rivers Basin management plan.
Mr Ford joined the meeting at 11.09a.m.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.10a.m.
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Committee consideration of responses to Road Safety consultation
The Chairperson thanked all the organisations that responded to the Committee’s questionnaire on Road Safety.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 11.14a.m.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.24a.m.
The Committee considered responses to its consultation on Road Safety which followed the Minister’s statement on 10 January regarding proposals for a new Road Safety strategy.
Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 11.25a.m.
Agreed: That the Committee Secretariat prepares a response to the Department encapsulating the Committee’s deliberations on Road Safety.
Agreed: That the Committee’s response is forwarded to the organisations that submitted responses to the Committee’s consultation on Road Safety.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.20p.m.
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Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 – The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008and had no objections to the proposal.
SL1 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations (NI) 2008
SL1 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations (NI) 2008
SL1 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (NI) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee considered theLocal Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations (NI) 2008, Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations (NI) 2008 and Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (NI) 2008 and had no objections to the proposals.
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Statutory Rules
SR 2008/234 – The Disclosure of Vehicle Insurance Information Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Disclosure of Vehicle Insurance Information Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2008/235 – The Planning (Avian Influenza) (Special Development) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Planning (Avian Influenza) (Special Development) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008and has no objection to the rule.
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Correspondence
1 . Members noted departmental response to Committee request for further information on Planning Policy Statements.
2. Departmental response to Committee request for clarification on the Department’s handling of Mr McAnulty’s complaint (Yellow Line Coach Hire).
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the department asking for an explanation of their complaints procedure.
3 . Letter from Keith Toner re Ards and Down Area Plan 2015.
Agreed: That a copy of this letter is forwarded to the department for comment.
4. Members noted a copy of Planning Service’s Corporate and Business Plans 2008/09 – 2010/11.
5. Departmental response to query from Robert McAllister re George Best Belfast City Airport.
Agreed: That a copy of the departmental response is forwarded to Mr McAllister.
6. Departmental response to query from Eamon Cadden re American stretch limousines and other novelty cars.
Agreed: That a copy of the departmental response is forwarded to Mr Cadden.
7. Departmental response to request for extension to the date for Committee to respond on Supplementary Planning Guidance on PPS 18.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee after summer recess.
8. Members noted a letter from Minister to Chairperson re Article 31 - Reference No. Q/2006/1075/F
9. Members noted a letter from Minister to Chairperson re Article 31 – Reference No. A/2004/0976/F
10. Members notes a copy of a letter from the DOE Permanent Secretary to John McMillen, OFMDFM re RPA.
11. Letter from Fiona McKinley, Belfast City Airport Watch, and background information re airport fight increase.
Agreed: That this letter is considered in more detail at the meeting on 3 July.
12. Letter from Minister to Chairperson accepting invitation to attend Committee meeting on 3 July 2008.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Minister advising that members would like to discuss RPA, PPS14, climate change and legislation.
13. Letter from Clerk, DRD Committee with attached copy of paper from Federation of Passenger Transport regarding the regulation of passenger transport.
Agreed: That this is accepted as a submission to the Committee’s consultation on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
14. Members noted a letter from the Clerk, Committee for Finance and Personnel re departmental monitoring round submissions and copy of response from Department of Finance and Personnel.
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 12.30p.m.
15. Members noted a copy of a briefing from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association with a suggested supplementary question on shared surfaces for Trevor Lunn MLA's question on road safety.
16. Departmental response to Committee’s request for a synopsis of responses to the Department’s consultation on proposed Regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee after summer recess.
Publications and Press Releases:
- Minister steps in to save listed stables in Sion Mills.
- Illegal hauliers face clampdown.
- Wilson to meet anglers.
- Environment and Heritage Service probes two pollution incidents.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.34p.m.
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Any Other Business
The Chairperson informed members that the DVA had written to the Committee inviting them to visit Lisburn MOT centre on 8 or 9 July.
Agreed: That the Committee visit the MOT centre on Tuesday, 8 July.
The Chairperson informed members that the Consumer Council had requested a quote from him to go into a press release on the launch of their booklet ‘The Consumer Council’s Guide to Taking Taxis’.
Agreed: That the Chairperson submits a quote to the Consumer Council on behalf of the Committee.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 3 July 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.35p.m.