COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Tommy Gallagher
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 Cathal Boylan
Mr David Ford
Mr Daithi McKay
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.35 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 20 November were agreed. A proposed amendment by Mr Ford noting his support for a Traffic Commissioner but indicating that he would not record his objection to each clause was rejected.
3. Matters Arising
Consultation on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008:
The Chairperson advised members that the Department wrote on 16 September 2008 informing the Committee that it was issuing a consultation paper on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008. The Committee now needed to decide how it wished to respond on this issue.
Agreed: That the Committee formulate a response and forward to the Department.
Developing Northern Ireland’s Waste Infrastructure Conference:
The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with a copy of the invitation to a Developing Northern Ireland’s waste infrastructure conference on Wednesday 3 December 2008 for their consideration.
Agreed: That Mr Beggs will attend the conference.
Committee Christmas Cards:
The Chairperson advised members that Committee staff will be circulating a list containing the names of individuals/organisations to which the Committee propose sending Christmas cards this year.
December Monitoring Round:
The Chairperson advised members that the Department will be unable to get briefing papers on the December Monitoring Round to the Committee in time for members’ packs next week. Instead they will be circulated electronically to members as soon as they are received and tabled at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee at the meeting on 4 December.
Lisnaragh ASSI Designation:
The Chairperson informed members that a letter had been received from the Minister informing members of his intention to re-designate lands in Lisnaragh as an ASSI.
Agreed: That copy of the letter is forwarded to the Disappointed Lisnaragh Landowners Group.
4. Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Members deliberated on the Committee’s draft report on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Agreed: That the information on EU member states previously requested from the Department is requested again.
Agreed:ThatDepartmental officials are invited to a meeting on 2 December to further discuss proposed amendments around Clause 50 and Schedule 4.
5. Briefing by Tobermore Concrete Products Ltd on environmental benefits of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS)
Representatives from Tobermore Concrete Products Ltd briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the environmental benefits of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS).
The main areas of discussion were the lifespan of the product, the ability of the product to deal with exceptional rainfall, the difference between the SUDS system and traditional brick paving and discussions the company has had with councils and the Department of the Environment in relation to the product.
Agreed: That information on the product is forwarded to OFMDFM, DRD and DCAL.
6. Briefing by Southern Group Environmental Health Committee (SGEHC) on Community ECO-Challenge
Representatives from the Southern Group Environmental Health Committee (SGEHC) briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Community Eco-Challenge.
The main areas of discussion were the level of funding received for the project from the DOE, the work carried out with local schools, the level of take up of grants for solar panels and the sustainability of the project.
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 11.58a.m.
Agreed: That representatives of the Southern Group Environmental Health Committee liaise with Committee Secretariat to arrange a visit for members to view the project in operation.
7.Statutory Rules
SR 2008/418 – The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008and has no objection to the rule.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.08p.m.
8. Correspondence
- Reply from Nichola Murphy, A/Head Command Secretariat, PSNI, regarding the practice of carrying passengers in the rear of vans with improvised seating and no seatbelts.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to Mr Mike Turner.
Agreed: That the Committee issue a Press Release on this issue. - E-mail and letter from Karen Magill, Chief Executive, Federation of Passenger Transport NI Ltd commenting on DOE and ABI correspondence regarding Mr McAnulty’s Yellowline Coach Hire complaint.
Agreed: That a copy of the correspondence is forwarded to the DVA ahead of a prospective meeting between Mr McAnulty and the DVA. - Departmental response and copy of letter from the Minister following a request from the Committee asking for a copy of the Minister’s response to Coleraine Borough Council’s Chief Executive’s letter of 17 October about Planning Service’s Management Board Referral Procedure.
Agreed: That copy of the response is forwarded to Coleraine Borough Council and that clarity is sought from the DOE in relation to the Management Board referral system. - Members noted a Departmental response following a request from the Committee asking for further information on DVA negotiations with Vehicle Operators and Services Agency (VOSA) regarding access to the GB MOT database.
- Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding Article 31 planning application Z/2004/2742, proposed extension to the existing Westwood Shopping Centre.
- Members noted a Departmental response with details of the deliberations with the EU Commission, DEFRA and the Planning and Environmental Policy Group concerning SL1 – the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (NI) 1995 (the ‘Habitats Regulations’).
- Letter from Graham Furey, President, Ulster Farmers Union, inviting the Committee Chairperson to participate in a BIOPROS project Training Day on 2 nd December 2008 at Brook Hall Estate, Londonderry.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the UFU advising that the Chairperson is unable to attend. - Members noted an invitation from CPPS Seminars to attend the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Seminar on Monday 19 th January 2009 at the Royal Commonwealth Society in London.
- Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications
“Co Tyrone Farmer Fined £1,500 for Polluting Discharge to a Waterway”
“Listed Building Owner’s Forum gets Advice from the Environment Agency”
“Belfast Forest Park’s Green Excellence Flagged up by Wilson”
“Minister Welcomes PPS21 Progress”
“ Londonderry Man Fined £10,000 for Non-Compliance with Enforcement Notices”
“Claudy Businessman Fined £4,000 for Waste Offences”
E-newsletter by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, ‘Equality Focus - Anti-Racist Workplace Week 3-7 November.
The Architectural Heritage Fund publication ‘Annual Review 2007-08’.
Carson McDowell publication ‘Projects Update’.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of the
Committee’s Forward Work Programme and if members wished to add an issue to is they should inform the Committee Secretariat.
10. Any other business
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with flight and hotel details in relation to their visit to Fife and Edinburgh in January 2009 to discuss planning reform and the local biomass plant in Fife.
Agreed: That flights should be booked to leave from and return to Belfast International Airport.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next full meeting will be held on Thursday, 4 December 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.18p.m.