COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir

In Attendance: Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Patricia Casey (Bill Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Richard Clarke (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Daithi McKay

The meeting commenced in public session at 10.38 a.m.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes

Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 6 November were agreed subject to a minor amendment.

3. Matters Arising

PPS 4: - Planning and Economic Development:

The Chairperson advised members that Departmental officials will be attending the meeting on 20 November 2008 to brief the Committee on PPS 4: - Planning and Economic Development.

Agreed: That the briefing session takes place in closed session

Freedom of Information Request:

The Chairperson advised members that a ‘Freedom of Information’ request had been received from Lisa Fagan, Friends of the Earth. The request, relating to the letter issued by the Committee on the Lisnaragh ASSI designation, will be processed by the Assembly FOI Unit under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Independent Briefing on Chicken Litter and Meat and Bone Meal Incineration:

The Chairperson advised members that following the identification (by Assembly Research Service) of a company, Enviros, that specialises in giving independent advice on waste management to local authorities in England, the Committee Clerk had requested a quote for providing the Committee with independent information on the incineration of chicken litter and meat and bone meal.

Agreed: That the DARD Committee is contacted in relation to any material they may have on this issue before a decision is made on the quote from Enviros.

Update on Budget 2009-2011 Strategic Stocktake:

The Chairperson advised members that the Department had provided the Committee with an update of the Budget Strategic Stocktake.

Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 20 November.

4. Clause by clause consideration of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill

The Bill Clerk provided an update on the Examiner of Statutory Rules paper on the secondary legislation raising power of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.

Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 11.13a.m.

DOE officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions as the Committee continued its clause by clause consideration of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with further information in relation to consignment notes and the threshold of their applicability.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with their views on the Examiner of Statutory Rules paper on the secondary legislation raising power of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.

Agreed: That the Committee seeks Assembly legal services opinion on the weight given to any Ministerial statement before the Bill is introduced at Consideration Stage.

Agreed: That the proposed Ministerial statement provided by the Department is reviewed and amended.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with information in relation to how EU legislation applies in other areas of Europe such as Spain, France and the Republic of Ireland.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with information as to the length of time the role of Traffic Commissioner has been in operation in Great Britain.

Agreed: That the Freight Transport Association is asked to provide further information in relation to their recent letter regarding the establishment of a Traffic Commissioner.

5. Correspondence

   1. E-mail from Brian Wilson, Sales & Marketing Manager, Tobermore Concrete Products Limited requesting an opportunity to present to the Committee the benefits of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

      Agreed: That Tobermore Concrete Products Limited are invited to a future Committee meeting.

   2. Members noted an e-mail from John Haffey, requesting an opportunity to meet with members of the Committee to introduce themselves and their Company, TKB Associates .
   3. Departmental response following a request from the Committee asking for further information on planning application T/2001/0517/F for a landfill site at Craigmore Quarry, Randelstown.

      Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the Craigmore and Randalstown Environmental Group.

   4. Copies of five letters from local residents, two addressed to the Minister and three to Patsy McGlone, objecting to the proposed Rose Energy Chicken Waste Incinerator Project at Ballyvannon Road, Glenavy.

   Agreed: That copies of the letters are forwarded to the DOE for information

   5. Letter requesting clarification of procedures from James O’Flaherty, Rosetta Design Services Ltd., regarding Subject Plan for Belfast City Council 2015 – HMOs and associated letter from David Moffatt, Planning Service Secretariat, the Planning Service.

   Agreed: That a letter is sent to Mr O’Flaherty advising him to contact the Ombudsman.

   6. Letter from Sean Smyth, Regional Industrial Organiser, Unite the Union, requesting an opportunity to meet with members of the Committee to discuss the change to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the effect of the proposed changes on members of the Union.

   Agreed: That this is discussed further at the meeting on 20 November.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.13p.m.

7. Letter from Sam Knox, Group Chief Environmental Health Officer, Southern Group Environmental Health Committee requesting an opportunity to present to the Committee progress of the ‘Community Eco-Challenge’ Project, launched in September 2007 by Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

Agreed: That the group are invited to a future Committee meeting.

8. Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding progress on implementing the Local Government Reform Programme, including an offer to brief the Committee in person.
9. Departmental response following a request from the Committee asking for clarification on progress towards compliance and the risk of infraction concerning Consultation on Northern Ireland’s Environmental Noise Directive Action Plan and Action Plan Guidance.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department seeking a timescale and further clarity on these issues particularly in relation to any future ramifications for the Committee.

10. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the rollout of the NI Direct 101 customer contact telephony project and associated NI Direct documentation.
11. Departmental response and associated documents regarding issues surrounding a complaint from Mr Hugh McAnulty, Yellow Line Coach Hire.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr McAnulty and Karen Magill, Federation of Passenger Transport.

12. Letter from Derek Fawell, Policy Adviser, Motor, ABI in response to a request for clarification regarding insurance for coach hire companies.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Karen Magill, Federation of Passenger Transport.

13. Members noted a Departmental response following a request from the Committee for a meeting with the Minister to discuss the issue of multiple mandates.
14. Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding timescales relating to the introduction of the UK Marine Bill – Final Policy Clearance and Legislative Consent Motion, plus associated document entitled “UK Marine Bill – Clauses for which LCM is Needed”.
15. Letter from Abigail Thomas addressed to the Northern Ireland Assembly entitled ‘Please Act to Protect the Irish Hare’.

Agreed: That a letter is forwarded to Ms Thomas advising that the Committee recently passed a Statutory Rule providing protection to the Irish Hare.

16. Copy of a response from the Minister to Ms Sue Ramsey MLA, Chairperson, Committee for Employment and Learning re European Social Fund – Matched Funding Bids.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the DEL Committee.

17. Members noted a letter from Felicity Huston, Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland advising of the publication of the 2007/2008 Annual Report, available on the OCPA NI website.
18. Members noted two thank you letters to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively, from the Disappointed Lisnaragh Landowners.
19. Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding Article 31 planning applications X/2004/1800/F, X/2005/0653/O and X/2005/1156/F.
20. Copy of a response from the Minister to Barry McElduff MLA, Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding pollution incidents in local rivers.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the CAL Committee.

21. Departmental response to the Committee’s request for a detailed written briefing on all policies relating to the proposed landfill site at Craigmore Quarry (Article 31 planning application T/2001/0517/F) and the context in which it is set.

Agreed: That this is further discussed when the Minister briefs the Committee on 4 December.

22. Members noted a reminder of the invitation from Martin Tobin, General Manager ERP Ireland and Scott Butler, General Manager ERP UK to attend the European Recycling Platform Conference on 19 th November 2008 in Clontarf Castle, Dublin.
23. Members noted an invitation from Capita Conferences to attend Capita’s 4 th National Conference entitled ‘Improving the Life Chances of Children in Care’ on Tuesday 25 th November 2008 – Copthorne Tara Hotel, London.
24. Invitation from Colum Delaney, RSPB NI Policy Advisor for the Committee to hold a public session in Castlewellan, Co. Down early in 2009, including an offer to present the Review of the Wildlife ( Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the RSPB accepting their invitation.

25. Request from Joris Minne, JPR NI (a Public Relations Agency), to provide the Committee with an update of progress to date on the North South Interconnector.

Agreed: That JPR NI are invited to accompany NIE to a future meeting.

26. Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications

    Assistant Local Government Boundaries Commissioners Appointed”

“Cookstown Man Fined for Dumping Tyres on Bonfire”

“Co Antrim Farmer Fined for Polluting Discharge to a Waterway”

‘Resource Management & Recovery’

6. Any other business

Mr Boylan thanked all Committee members for their role in the withdrawal of the proposed ASSI at lands in Lisnaragh.

7. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next full meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.25p.m.

Patsy McGlone
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
20 November 2008

11 November 08 / Menu