COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 15 JANUARY 2009,
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 Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr John Devlin (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Young (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr David McClarty
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 11 December were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members that the working lunch had been rescheduled to take place next week, 22 January, following the Committee meeting and will be held in Room 144.
Members discussed the report entitled ‘Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2007’.
Agreed: That Drinking Water Quality officials are invited to brief members on the report.
Members noted the report by Carbon Trust entitled ‘NI Renewable Energy Supply Chain’.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.39a.m.
Members discussed arrangements for the Committee’s inquiry into climate change.
Agreed: The public notice to be issued week commencing 19 January with a four week consultation period. Members also agreed to the issue of a press release on the inquiry and to place public notice on Committee website. Members were invited to provide further names for inclusion on the ‘stakeholder’ list.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.48a.m.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister regarding the UK Climate Change Act.
Agreed: That Committee staff prepare a draft response to the Minister for consideration at the meeting on 22 January.
Agreed: That the Committee requests an update from the Department on the Eco-business website.
Members discussed the proposed visit to view Southern Group Environmental Health Committee (SGEHC) projects.
Agreed: Committee agreed to visit projects in Newry and Craigavon on 12 March 2009 and to hold the meeting locally.
Members discussed the process of engaging on future PPSs.
Agreed: That Committee staff advise regarding suitable dates for proposed meeting with Planning and Natural Resources Division officials for consideration at next week’s working lunch.
The Chairperson advised members to seek clarification from Clerk, Standards and Privileges Committee if they require further guidance regarding the declaration of interests.
4. Briefing on proposed North South interconnector
Mr Boylan declared an interest as proposals will impact on his constituency.
Representatives from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed North South interconnector.
The main areas of discussion were the proposed route, cost comparisons for overhead lines and underground cables, possible compensation and possible health effects.
Agreed: That the Committee requests further information from NIE on costs differential between overhead lines and underground cables and costs for consumers and information on the guidelines used in Denmark and other EU countries for distances between overhead lines and dwellings and why the proposed overhead line was diverted to avoid a chicken house.
Agreed: That the Committee requests information on the longest comparable underground cable in the world excluding any going through a tunnel.
Agreed: That the Committee invites the Electricity Regulator, Ian Osborne, to brief members on the proposed North South interconnector project.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.00p.m.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 12.00p.m.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.01p.m.
5. Departmental briefing on SL1s
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposals (SL1s) to increase fees in respect of the driver practical and theory test fees and public service vehicle (PSV) licence fees.
The main areas of discussion were the percentage increases, overhead costs and dual roles to allow flexibility.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.32p.m.
Agreed: That the Committee requests a breakdown of the overhead costs associated with driver testing and PSV licensing and also details of the numbers involved in drive testing/driving examiner dual roles that allow for flexibility.
SL1 – Increase fees in respect of the driver practical and theory test fees.
The Committee divided: Ayes 3; Noes 2
AYES NOES
Roy Beggs Trevor Clarke
David Ford Patsy McGlone
Peter Weir
Agreed: That the Committee considered proposed legislation to increase fees in respect of the driver practical and theory test fees and had no objections to the proposal.
SL1 – Increase fees in respect of public service vehicles (PSV) licence fees
The Committee divided: Ayes 3; Noes 2
AYES NOES
Roy Beggs Trevor Clarke
David Ford Patsy McGlone
Peter Weir
Agreed: That the Committee considered proposed legislation to increase fees in respect of public service (PSV) licence fees and had no objections to the proposal.
6. Proposals for secondary legislation
SL1 – The Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objections to the proposal.
SL1 – The Draft Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Draft Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objections to the proposal.
7. Departmental Consultations
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus District Council.
Mr McGlone declared an interest as a member of Cookstown District Council.
Mr Clarke declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council.
Mr Ford declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council.
Mr Weir declared an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council.
Members considered the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) consultation paper on the proposals to amend the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006.
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
8. Correspondence
- Letter from Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to all Statutory Committee Clerks, enclosing a letter from DFP re outstanding Post Project Evaluations.
Agreed: That the Committee request revised targets from DOE and advise the Finance and Personnel Committee of this action - Letter plus executive summary of a NIPSA commissioned report on the ‘Use of PFI/PPPs in Northern Ireland’.
Agreed: That the Committee refer this letter to the Finance and Personnel Committee and notify NIPSA of this action. - E-mail from David Gibson to the Committee and the Department regarding Lead Shot Correspondence.
Agreed: That a copy of the Department’s responses to Mr Gibson are requested. - E-mail from Grainne Browne, Public Sector Marketing Manager Ireland, re proposed presentation by Chris Tuppen, Chief Sustainability Officer for BT.
Agreed: That the Committee invites Mr Tuppen to provide evidence at a future meeting. - Memo from Clerk to the Employment and Learning Committee plus letter from Sue Ramsey MLA, Committee Chairperson, to the Environment Minister, regarding evidence received from representatives of the Employment Services Board (ESB).
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the letter to the Minister of the Environment. - Departmental reply to Committee request for further information in relation to Mr Peter Ward’s allegation of information being withheld in relation to the Lisnarragh ASSI designation.
Agreed: That the Committee requests details of the ASSI designation process and why information was provided to the agent. - Departmental letter in relation to the recent Performance Efficiency and Delivery Unit (PEDU) review of the Planning Service.
Agreed: That the Committee invites Planning officials to attend a future meeting on this issue. - E-mail from the Committee for Finance and Personnel plus associated DFP Letter, informing members of the proposal to transpose the EU Directive 2007/2/EC, in establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information (INSPIRE) into law.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the letter to the DOE for comment. - Members noted a copy of a letter regarding Northern Ireland Occupiers’ Liability Regime from Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) to Mr Ronnie Carser, Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs, in response to a letter from Mr Carser, dated 13 October addressed to the Chairperson and subsequently passed on to the DFP for action.
- Departmental response to the Committee’s request for more information on the impact of changes proposed in the consultation paper on the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the letter to NILGA for information. - Departmental response to the Committee’s request for more information on the Management Board Referral (MBR) procedures currently in operation between Planning Service and local authorities, with specific emphasis on clarification of the criteria for acceptance and on how the Board/Department has restricted the MBR process.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the letter to Coleraine Borough Council. - Departmental response to the Committee’s request for an update on the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in Northern Ireland and what the Department has done to date in terms of any legislation that might ensue.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of theletter to Tobermore Concrete Ltd. - Members noted an e-mail from Brian Wilson, Tobermore Concrete Products Products Ltd, thanking the Committee for an update with respect to the progression of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).
- Members noted a copy of the Departmental response in answer to queries raised by Terry Young, Lough Foyle Wildfowlers Association, on various Departmental documents forwarded by the Committee to Mr Young.
- E-mail from Gary Gray thanking the Committee for taking an interest in the issue of Garden Grabbing in Rathmore Avenue, Bangor.
Agreed: That the Committee reconsider this item at the meeting on 22 January. - Departmental response to the Committee’s request for a copy of the report published by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency into the condition of ASSIs.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the response to Peter Ward. - Members noted a copy of letter from the Minister to the Chairperson, Committee for Employment and Learning, in reply to a letter regarding the downtown in the Construction Industry dated.
- Members noted a copy of letter from the Minister to the Chairperson, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, in reply to a letter regarding the downtown in the Construction Industry.
- Departmental response to the Committee’s request for further information on potential Departmental Infractions, plus a DOE Infraction Schedule.
Agreed: That the Committee requests a Departmental briefing on terminology and long standing cases. - Letter from the Minister to the Chairperson regarding the current situation on the policy review of NILGOSC’s constitution.
Agreed: That the Committee forwards a copy of the letter to Tom Gillen, ICTU. - Members noted a copy of letter from the Ministers’ private secretary to Mr John Doran, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport Ltd regarding the planning application for an extension to the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport.
- Members noted the Departmental response to the Committee’s request to be copied in to the reply to Mr Roger Wilson, Coleraine Borough Council, regarding Planning Applications – Decision Notices.
- Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chairperson regarding a decision on Article 31 planning application, New Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.
- Members noted a letter from Eamon Rooney, Rooney International Coach Hire, expressing dissatisfaction with the Committee’s response on complaints made by Yellow Line Coach Hire.
- Members noted a letter of thanks from Mr Ronnie Carser, Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs.
- Ministerial letter and Executive Summary of report into the potential for the sustainable development of bioenergy in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That the Committee requests that the Department keep it fully informed on the potential for sustainable development of bioenergy in Northern Ireland. - Members noted the Departmental response regarding queries on the December Monitoring Round following the briefing on 4 December 2008.
- Members noted the e- mail from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the December Monitoring Round and details of departmental reduced requirements, bids and allocations.
- Members noted the letter from NIEA regarding the declaration of an ASSI at Ross, County Fermanagh.
- Departmental letter offering the Committee an opportunity to be briefed by the Planning Service and view a demonstration of the ePIC system in Millennium House.
Agreed: That Committee staff arrange a visit to Millennium House on a suitable date. - Members noted an invitation to conference on Scotland’s Natural Wealth in Glasgow Science Centre on Monday 2 February 2009.
Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
“MOT Waiting Times Make Significant Improvement”
“Public Warned to Steer Clear of Illegal Driving Instructors”
“Minister Chairs First Built Heritage Stakeholder Meeting”
“Strangford Lough Archaeology Book Scoops Top Award for Environment Agency”
“Minister Joins Prince on Tour of Model English Village”
“ Northern Ireland Air Quality Continues to Improve”
“Noise Complaints on the Decrease”
“Minister Backs Freight Industry Efficiency Advice Scheme”
“Minister Invites Public to Comment on River Basin Management Plans”
‘ Belfast Building gets Environment Agency’s Largest Ever Grant Award’
‘Rare Breeds Munching Boosts Nature Reserve Biodiversity’
‘Minister Congratulates Road Safety Spokesman on New Year’s Honour’
‘Minister Announces Another Step Forward for Waste Management’
‘European Heritage Open Day Attracts Record Number of Visitors’
‘Untaxed Vehicles Face New Year Crackdown’
‘Man Fined £250 for Non-Compliance with Enforcement Notice’
‘Lowest Road Deaths on Record’
‘Farmer Given Five Month Prison Sentence for Illegal Waste Disposal’
County Tyrone car breaker fined £250 for waste offences
E-mail from David McCann, NI Environment Link (NIEL), advising registered members that the December issue of NIEL News is now available for downloading or viewing on-line.
E-mail from Claire Paterson, The Participation Network, advising that the latest edition of their newsletter, Winter 08 is now available for downloading or viewing on-line.
Letter from Joanne McCoy, Money Advice Co-ordinator, Advice NI, introducing the Wiseradviser training brochure for 2009.
Environmental Protection UK, January 2009 Briefing.
Shooting and conservation – January/February 2009 Issue.
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 12. 55p.m.
9. Any other business
The Chairperson advised members that the Department’s response in relation to PPS 21 and PPS 4 would be discussed at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: That the Committee’s discussion on the response in relation to PPS 21 and PPS 4 is held in closed session.
Agreed: That the Department’s response in relation to the Craigmore Quarry planning application is circulated to members with relevant Departmental officials invited to the Committee meeting on 29 January 2009 to discuss the issue.
Agreed: That the proposed Rose Energy Plant is included on the agenda of a future Committee meeting.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 22 January 2009 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 13.00p.m.