COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
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 Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Daithi McKay

The meeting commenced in public session at 10.34 a.m. with Mr Boylan in the Chair

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes

Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 27 November were agreed subject to a minor amendment.

3. Matters Arising

Draft Committee Response to Rooney International Coach Hire:

The Chairperson advised members that Eamonn Rooney, Rooney International Coach Hire wrote to him on 17 November 2008 regarding the discussions which took place at the meeting on 16 October 2008 when the Committee was briefed by Departmental officials on the issues raised about bus route licensing.

Agreed: That the Committee response is issued to Mr Rooney.

Consultation on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008:

The Chairperson advised members that a draft Committee response on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 consultation paper had been included in meeting papers for consideration following discussions at last week’s meeting.

Agreed: That the Committee response is issued.

Committee Visit to Fife/Edinburgh:

The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with a draft itinerary for the Committee visit to Fife and Edinburgh.

4. Briefing by the Minister of the Environment

Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.51a.m.

Mr Weir joined the meeting at 10.55a.m.

The following members declared an interest:

Mr Beggs, Mr Ford, Mr Weir, Mr McCrea, Mr McClarty.

The Minister of the Environment, Sammy Wilson MP MLA, briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on PPS21, infractions proceedings, Review of Public Administration and ASSI designations.

Agreed: That the Department forward their infractions proceedings schedule to the Committee.

Agreed: That the Department forward the membership of the PPS21 Review Group to the Committee.

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12. 13p.m.

5. Departmental briefing on the December Monitoring Round

Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the December Monitoring Round.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with more information in relation to the figures in their presentation.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with more information in relation to the backlog of planning applications.

Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with a cumulative monitoring round paper.

Agreed: That the Committee contacts the DFP Committee in relation to DOE easements following delays in recruitment and HR Connect.

Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.35p.m.

6. Briefing by Research and Library Services on Health Effects of Electric Fields and Interconnectors paper

A member of Assembly Research and Library Services briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the research paper on the health effects of electric fields and interconnectors.

Agreed: That Assembly Research provides the Committee with the Westminster all party group report on electric fields and childhood leukaemia.

7. Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill Report

Mr Beggs declared an interest.

The Chairperson advised members that clause by clause scrutiny of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill had now been completed and that they needed to consider the second draft report on the Bill.

The Committee agreed the main body of the report:

Membership, read and agreed
Executive Summary, read and agreed
Recommendations, read and agreed
Introduction, read and agreed
Appendix 1, read and agreed
Appendix 2, read and agreed
Appendix 3, read and agreed
Appendix 4, read and agreed
Appendix 5, read and agreed

Agreed: That an extract from the minutes of the Committee meeting on Tuesday 2 December is included in the report along with an extract of the minutes from the meeting on Thursday 4 December as agreed by the Deputy Chairperson, and Hansard transcripts from the same dates

Agreed: That the Committee Report be printed.

8. Departmental Consultations

The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with copies of Departmental consultations in their meeting papers.

The Draft Waste Management Strategy Regulations (NI) 2009:

Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested from the Department and that Departmental officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members.

Marine Minerals Dredging Regulations: Supplementary Consultation on Revised Application Fees:

Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested from the Department and that Departmental officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members.

Northern Ireland Environmental Noise Directive Action Plan and Action Plan guidance:

Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested from the Department and that Departmental officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members.

Consultation on PPS 21, Sustainable Development in the Countryside:

Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested from the Department and that Departmental officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members.

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 they should inform the Committee Secretariat.

10. Correspondence

    1. E-mail from Ian Kernohan, Chairman, Craigmore and Randalstown Environmental Group regarding planning application T/2001/0517/F, landfill site at Craigmore Quarry.
       Agreed: That a copy of the last Departmental response to the Committee on this issue is forwarded to Ian Kernohan.
    2. Letter from Clerk to the Committee for the OFMDFM regarding the Impact of the Economic Downturn on Employment in the Construction Industry.
       Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Minister of the Environment for comment.
    3. Letter from Clerk to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public, to the Environment Minister, regarding issues raised by Asthma UK Northern Ireland.
       Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Minister of the Environment for comment.
    4. Letter from the Clerk to the Committee on Procedures, regarding an inquiry into Assembly Questions.
       That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer.
    5. Letter from Roger Wilson, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Coleraine Borough Council to Committee Chairperson, regarding the Council’s query to the Chief Executive, Planning Service concerning Planning Application - Decision Notices.

    Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment and that clarification is sought on the timing involved in issuing notices of approval and notices of refusal.

    6. E-mail and accompanying letter from Terry Young, Chairman, Lough Foyle Wildfowlers commenting on copies of Departmental documents regarding regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands.

    Agreed: That c copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.

    7. Members noted a Departmental response following a request from the Committee regarding th e timing of new nuisance high hedges legislation.
    8. Members noted an e-mail from Paul King, Chief Executive, UK Green Building Council, bringing to the attention of the Committee the work of the UK-GBC’s Code for Sustainable Buildings Task Group and inviting responses from UK-GBC member organisations and other key stakeholders on this issue.
    9. Invitation from Chris Clark, CEO, BT to the Chairperson, to come and celebrate Christmas at the Top of the Tower on Tuesday 16 December between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm at Riverside Tower, Lanyon Place, Belfast.
       Agreed: That the Chairperson is asked to respond directly to Mr Clark.
    10. Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
    “New Rural Planning Policy is Balanced, says Wilson”
    “Craigavon Farmer Fined £2,000 for Pollution Offence”
    “Environment Minister Stresses Need for Innovation in Tackling Waste”
    “ Wilson Sets Out Council Reform Challenges”
    The Advice NI ‘Annual Report 2008’ and 2009.
    ‘Rose Energy News – Issue 2’.
    ‘NEBOSH News – Issue 26’.
11. Any other business
12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 11 December 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.p.m.

Cathal Boylan
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
11 December 2008

02 December 08 / Menu