COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
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 David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.39a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meetings on 3 and 8 July were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Chairperson’s meeting with Hugh McAnulty, Yellow Line Coach Hire:
The Chairperson updated members on a meeting he had with Hugh McAnulty, Yellow Line Coach Hire, in relation to a complaint he had made to the Department.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to a future meeting to brief members on this issue and that Mr McAnulty and Karen Magill, Federation of Passenger Tranpsort, are informed of this.
Research paper – Health effects of electric fields and interconnectors:
The Chairperson informed members that a research paper on the health effects of electric fields and interconnectors was included in members’ meeting papers.
Agreed: That the Assembly researcher is invited to brief the Committee on this paper at a future meeting.
Letter from Minister re Committee response on road safety proposals:
The Chairperson informed members that the Minister’s response to the Committee’s request for further clarification on the road safety proposals was included in members’ meeting papers.
Letter to Dept requesting update on MOT tests:
The Chairperson informed members that a response from the Department regarding any proposed talks between DVA and the motor industry on the possibility of allowing private garages to carry out MOT tests was included in members’ meeting papers.
Memo from Dept re Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs briefing:
The Chairperson informed members that the DOE officials due to brief the Committee on the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs have asked to be accompanied by DFP officials due to the cross-cutting issues involved.
Agreed: That the Committee Clerk makes the necessary arrangements with the Clerk of the Finance and Personnel Committee.
Member’s meeting with Premier Power:
Mr Weir briefed members on a meeting he had held with representatives of Premier Power.
Proposed meeting between Chairperson and Permanent Secretary to discuss ‘one stop shop’ issue:
The Chairperson informed members that Assembly Research has prepared a paper in relation to the idea of a Departmental ‘one stop shop’. Members were also informed that the Chair would soon meet with the Department’s Permanent Secretary to discuss the matter further.
Agreed: That the Chair reports back on the meeting with the Permanent Secretary at the meeting on 25 September.
Agreed: That the Assembly Research paper is forwarded to members and the Permanent Secretary.
Lunch with Permanent Secretary:
The Chairperson reminded members that lunch with the Permanent Secretary and senior Departmental officials had been arranged for 1pm in the Long Gallery.
The Chairperson informed members that the Clerk, Patricia Casey would soon be moving to a new post in the Bill Office. The Chairperson thanked Miss Casey for the hard work and guidance she had provided to the Committee and welcomed Dr Alex McGarel as her replacement.
The Chairperson informed members that Mr Gardiner would be leaving the Environment Committee to join the Health Committee and his replacement would be Mr Roy Beggss. The Chairperson thanked Mr Gardiner for the hard work he had carried out on the Committee and wished him well in his role on the Health Committee.
4. Update on Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
The Chairperson informed members that the Bill was in Committee stage and that the Committee had received 3 responses to its public notice calling for submissions of views on the Bill.
Agreed: That the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the Horticulture Forum, Planning Service and DOE enforcement officials are invited to future meetings to give oral evidence.
5. Briefing on Department’s meeting with British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) re Supplementary Planning Guidance to PPS 18
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on recent meetings with the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) in relation to the supplementary planning guidance to PPS 18.
6. Committee consideration of draft Forward Work Programme
The Committee deliberated on their draft Forward Work Programme
Agreed: That the Forward Work Programme is discussed further at the meeting on 18 September.
7. Proposals for Secondary Legislation
SL1 – Proposed legislation to introduce the motorcycle manoeuvres test
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on proposed legislation to introduce the motorcycle manoeuvres test.
Agreed: That copies of the 5 submissions to the DOE consultation on this proposal are requested along with the departmental response to the submissions.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Permanent Secretary asking what structures are in place to ensure that very late items of business are no longer introduced to the Committee, including those relating to possible infractions proceedings. The letter is also to ask what training and awareness measures are provided to department officials in relation to the devolution process and the workings of the Environment Committee.
SL1 – The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objections to the proposal.
SL1 – Proposed legislation to implement the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between the UK and Ireland.
Agreed: That the Committee considered Proposed legislation to implement the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between the UK and Ireland and had no objections to the proposal.
8. Correspondence
The Chairperson reminded members that, during summer recess, members had been provided with a copy of correspondence for noting.
- Letter from Mr Mike Turner requesting the opportunity to brief committee re safety issues with good vehicles.
Agreed: That Mr Turner is invited to brief the Committee at a future Committee meeting and that details Mr Turner’s meeting with the former Environment Minister are requested. - E-mail from Karen Magill regarding Passenger Industry concerns.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Federation of Passenger Transport is included as a consultee. A copy of the e mail is also to be sent to the Department. - Members noted a letter from the Department regarding publication of the consultation paper on High Level Marine Objectives.
- Departmental response to Committee’s request for further information concerning repute checks for taxi drivers, particularly in cases where drivers incur convictions during the period when they are licensed.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification on the contract with Access NI. - Letter from Department re Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Dangerous Wild Animals Order ( Northern Ireland) 2004.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a synopsis of responses to the consultation. - Copy of correspondence re Planning Application C/2007/0267/O.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department to enquire about ownership and the policy of ownership. - Members noted a Departmental response regarding the Committee’s request for clarification on wording contained in the Disability Action Plan.
- Memo from Clerk, Committee for Regional Development re information from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Agreed: That a copy of the memo is sent to the DOE. - Letter from Paul Cormacain re famous cliff path at Gobbins, Islandmagee.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DETI Committee and a response is sent to Mr Cormacain informing him that this is a tourism issue within DETI’s remit. - Members noted a response from the Clerk, Committee for Regional Development, regarding the Committee request for details of any funding applications made to the Department for Regional Development by Sustrans.
- Departmental response to Committee request for comments on the correspondence from Keith Toner re Ards and Down Area Plan 2015. Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for an update on this matter.
- E-mail to Chairperson from Federation of Master Builders requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Agreed: That a copy of the e-mail is sent to the Planning Service and the Department. - Letter from Clerk, DRD Committee re Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment. - Letter from Chairman, Assembly and Executive Review Committee re joint meeting to discuss proposals to legislate to end duel mandates.
Agreed: That a reminder is issued to DOE regarding a suitable date for a meeting. - Members noted an e-mail from Karen Magill regarding the Environment Committee Road Safety response.
- Letter from Department re consultation document on draft revised UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2006 2030.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee on their input to this strategy at a future meeting. - Departmental response to Environment Committee regarding Fiona McKinley correspondence on George Best Airport.
Agreed: That copy of the response is sent to Fiona McKinley and the Education Committee. - Departmental response to Committee regarding a letter from Mr Samuel Egerton on fuel surcharges.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is sent to Mr Egerton. - Letter from the Minister re the completion of policy review of NILGOSC constitution.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to members. - Letter regarding the Lisnaragh / Dunamanagh designation of an area of special scientific interest (ASSI 288). A local group from that area has requested the opportunity to present to the Committee, issues of concern they have with this designation.
Agreed: That representatives from the group are invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting. - Letter from Department regarding the Committee’s request on information regarding the display of MOT discs.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for more information on how the Department intend to resolve this issue. - Members noted a Departmental response regarding information requested by the Chairperson, during an interview with David Dunseith (Talkback Show), on statistics provided by DVA to Press Association regarding failure to attend for MOT.
- Letter from Department regarding Consultation on the Determination of fees for Entertainments Licences.
Agreed: That representatives from the entertainments industry are invited to brief the Committee at a future Committee meeting. - Members noted a copy of an e-mail from Alex Kay, British Standards Solutions, inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft Public Available Specification (PAS).
- Letter from the Clerk of the DARD Committee regarding a Report into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.
Agreed: That a response is sent to the DARD Clerk stating that the Committee has no comment to make. - Members noted a response from the Minister regarding clarification on several issues regarding progress of the Local Government (Contracts and Compulsory Purchase) Bill.
- Members noted a response from Minster Sammy Wilson regarding clarification on the Assembly procedure for the ‘Local Government (Finance) Bill’.
- Letter from the Clerk of the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is sent to the DOE for comment. - Departmental response to Committee’s request for clarification on the Departments policy for dealing with similar Article 31 applications (Craigmore Quarry).
Agreed: That a copy of the response is sent to the Craigmore and Randalstown Environmental Group and that representatives of the group are invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting. A letter is also to be sent to the Minister asking for a decision to be withheld until the Committee has discussed this issue further. - Members noted a letter from Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA regarding the Assembly and Executive Review Committee – Multiple Mandates.
- Members noted a letter from the Department regarding query about a synopsis of responses to the REACH consultation.
- Members noted a letter from Professor Sue Christie, Director NIEL, to the Chairperson, asking the Committee to consider issues related to the DOE Emerging Proposals paper (Northern Ireland Planning System reform).
- Members noted a letter from the Department regarding Consultation on Northern Ireland’s Environmental Noise Directive Action Plan and Action Plan Guidance.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking when they first became aware of this issue and asking for a synopsis of the responses to the consultation. - Members noted an nvitation to Committee Members to attend Capita’s 4 th National Conference ‘Improving the Life Chances of Children in Care’ on Tuesday 25 th November 2008.
- Members noted an invitation to attend the ‘ManAlive’ Males Health Conference on Tuesday 9 th September 2008.
- Members noted an e-mail from Mr Sam Perez regarding Commercial Guide Initiative: Commerce and the Environment.
- Letter from the Minister regarding Emerging Proposals for Planning Reform.
Agreed: That Planning Service officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members on this issue.
Members noted the following press releases:
- DOE News releases –
“Northern Ireland Water fined £2000 for pollution offences”
“Fined for illegal signage”
“Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Newsletter – August/September”
9. Any other business
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 18 September 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.13p.m.