COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
In Attendance:
Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Iain Elliott (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.34a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 18 September were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Declaration of Interests:
The Chairperson advised members that a copy of the interests as declared by Roy Beggs was included in members’ meeting papers for information.
Committee response on DFP review of N.I. Executive budget logistics:
The Chairperson advised members that they had been invited to submit any comments they wished to make in response to the DFP questions on the Review of Budget Logistics. Members were also advised that a copy of the DFP questions on the Review of Budget Logistics had been provided for their consideration.
Members deliberated over the response to the Review of Budget Logistics.
Agreed: That Committee staff make the necessary changes before further discussion at the meeting on 2 October.
Chairperson’s meeting with Permanent Secretary:
The Chairperson advised members he met with Stephen Peover, Permanent Secretary, on 18 September 2008 to discuss the need for straightforward signposting for environmental information. Details of the meeting were included in members’ meeting papers for information.
4. Briefing by Federation of Retail Licensed Trade on the consultation on the determination of fees for entertainment licences
Representatives from the Federation of Retail Licensed Trade briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the DOE’s consultation on the determination of fees for entertainment licences.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for indicative costs, an update on the frequency of inspections at licensed premises and the process of relicensing across council areas.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department advising that the Committee is content for the consultation to proceed and that the Committee would like a synopsis of responses to the consultation.
5.Briefing by Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) on Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Representatives from the UFU briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.32a.m.
The main areas of discussion were exemptions, agricultural contractors and the position of agricultural vehicles under the corresponding legislation in Great Britain.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the UFU requesting further information on the statistics in their submission.
6. Briefing by Road Safety Council on proposed legislation to introduce the motorcycle manoeuvres test
A representative from the Road Safety Council briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed legislation to introduce the motorcycle manoeuvres test.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.47a.m.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 11.49a.m.
Agreed: That members considered the proposed legislation to introduce the motorcycle manoeuvres test and had no objections to the proposal.
Mr McKay rejoined the meeting at 12.28p.m.
7. Departmental briefing on Planning Reform: Emerging Proposals
DOE officials and Professor Greg Lloyd briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the emerging proposals on planning reform.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.39p.m.
The main areas of discussion were third party appeals, the ePIC system, the timetable for the proposals and possible slippage, regional significance and local need, resources and staffing, regional strategic planning, the area plan process and the statutory deadline to respond to consultations.
Agreed: That a synopsis of stakeholder responses is requested from the Department along with a list of consultees.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 12.50p.m.
8. Correspondence
- Invitation for Chairperson to attend the Freight Transport Associations ‘Transport Manager Seminar’ at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle on Wednesday 15 th October 2008.
Agreed: That a reply is sent stating that the Chairperson is not able to attend due to a prior engagement. - Members noted an invitation to attend the ‘Northern Ireland 08’ conference (Transforming the Delivery of Public Services) on Tuesday 11 th November 2008 at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
- Members noted an invitation to attend a session on ‘The Code for Sustainable Homes – Its Impact on the Sustainability of the Built Environment’ to be delivered by Sir Neville Simms.
- Letter from the Department regarding a Consultation Document on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to NILGA asking for their views on this issue. - E-mail from Samuel Egerton regarding fuel costs.
Agreed: That a copy of the e-mail is forwarded to the Department for comment. - Letter from the Department regarding NI Environment Agency’s consultation paper on proposed provision for waste activities in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to NILGA asking for their views on this issue. - Invitation to attend the ‘Developing Northern Ireland’s Waste Infrastructure Conference’ on Wednesday 3 rd December 2008 at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
Agreed: That a reply is sent advising that Mr McKay will attend the conference. - Members noted an invitation to attend Capita’s 4 th National Conference on ‘Improving the Life Chances of Children in Care’.
- Members noted a copy of an e-mail regarding contact details for the Citizens Advice Bureau.
- Members noted a copy of the Department of the Environment Resource Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2008.
- Letter from Lisa Fagan, Friends of the Earth NI, requesting the opportunity for Dr Alice Bows (Senior Research Fellow at the University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research) to present her latest findings on climate change at the Committee meeting on 23 October 2008.
Agreed: That a letter is sent inviting Miss Fagan and Miss Bows to the Committee meeting on 23 October.
Members noted the following DOE Press Releases
- “Cliff Top Path Closed For Conservation and Safety Reasons ”
“ Wilson urges schools to offer road safety courses”
“Co Armagh man fined for breach of tree preservation order”
11. Any other business
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 2 October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.58p.m.