COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2009,
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Steven Mealy (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Tommy Gallagher
The meeting began in public session at 10.34a.m. with Mr Boylan in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 19 February were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Meeting to discuss Committee engagement on future PPSs:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that he, the Chairperson and two members of the Committee met with Maggie Smith and Anne Lockwood (Planning Services) on 17 February 2009 to discuss Committee engagement on future PPSs.
Draft Committee response to the Independent Review of Economic Policy commissioned by DETI:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that at the meeting on 12 February they were invited by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to consider submitting a response to its Independent Review of Economic Policy.
Agreed: That the Committee response is issued.
North South Interconnector:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of the response from North East Pylon Pressure detailing approximate costs for bringing Professor Noack (author of Askon Report on Undergrounding) to a Committee meeting.
Agreed: That Professor Noack is invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting.
ePIC Demonstration:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that the proposed ePIC demonstration in Millennium House prior to today’s meeting was cancelled and will be re-scheduled. Members interested in attending a re-arranged demonstration should liaise with Committee staff regarding suitable dates.
Letter from John McMullan, Chief Executive, Bryson Charitable Group:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that the letter from John McMullan, Chief Executive, Bryson Charitable Group had been included in meeting papers for further consideration as agreed at last week’s meeting.
Agreed: That this item is deferred until the Chairperson is present to provide an update.
Local Government Contracts and Compulsory Purchase Bill:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that the consultation period on this Bill ends in mid March and officials will be briefing the Committee with a synopsis of responses on 26 March 2009.
Visit to Rose Energy proposed chicken litter plant site:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that it was proposed that the Committee visit the site of Rose Energy’s proposed chicken litter plant site on April 7.
Agreed: That the Committee visit the site on April 7 and combine it with their visit to George Best Belfast City Airport.
Legislative Consent Motions:
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that at the meeting on 19 February the Committee was asked to consider outlining their experiences and views on legislative consent motion procedures in response to the Committee Procedure’s Inquiry. Members had been provided with a draft response.
Agreed: That the response is issued.
4. Ministerial briefing
The following members declared an interest as councillors for the discussion on local government bills:
Mr Beggs – Carrickfergus Borough Council
Mr Clarke – Antrim Borough Council
Mr Ford – Antrim Borough Council
Mr McClarty – Coleraine Borough Council
Mr McCrea – Cookstown District Council
Mr Weir – North Down Borough Council
Mr Clarke declared an interest with his involvement in the motor trade for the discussion on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee for the discussion on road safety.
The Minister of the Environment, Sammy Wilson, briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on climate change, the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill, local government bills, road safety, PPSs and dual mandates.
Agreed: That the Minister keeps the Committee updated on the progress of Planning Policy Statements.
Mr Weir proposed that the Committee invite the Minister to brief members on Planning Reform at a future Committee meeting. Mr Ross seconded the proposal.
Agreed: That the Minister is invited to brief the Committee on Planning Reform at a future Committee meeting.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.27p.m.
5. Briefing by Ulster Architectural Historical Society
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.33p.m.
Representatives from the Ulster Architectural Historical Society briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the re-use of traditional buildings.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.55p.m.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 12.56p.m.
6. Climate Change Inquiry
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that the sub-group to consider applications from potential Specialist Advisers will be asked to meet on Wednesday 18 March with a view to bringing their decision to the full Committee on Thursday 19 March.
Agreed: That the meeting takes place on Wednesday 18 March.
7. Departmental Consultations
The Committee considered the following consultations: -
Transposing the Mining Waste Directive (2006/21/EC) in Northern Ireland
Agreed: That the Committee request a synopsis of responses to the consultation.
Consultation on River Basin Management Plans
Agreed: That the Committee host a stakeholder event in the Long Gallery on 1 April 2009 to deal with this issue.
8. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the revised Committee Forward Work Programme.
9. Correspondence
- Letter from S R B & Co to the Chairperson requesting clarification on draft PPS21 policy CTY8 section 5.35.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.
- Internal Memo from Head of outreach regarding British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) Committee report.
Agreed: That this is discussed further at the meeting on 5 March.
- Internal Memo from Head of outreach regarding British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) Committee report.
Agreed: That this is discussed further at the meeting on 5 March.
- Members noted an e-mail from Clerk to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, cover letter and report regarding public authorities who failed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Order 2006 requirement to produce a Disability action plan.
- Members noted a letter from the Department regarding planning application S/2008/0893, phase 2 Sprucefield Park.
- E-mail from Regional Director QPANI to the Committee regarding a link to the recent announcement from the Scottish Executive to waive some of the fees in a move which could save businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds .
Agreed: That the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is contacted to provide further details on this issue.
- Members noted a letter from the department to Clerk to the Committee for Regional Development regarding Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
- Members noted a memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Regional Development regarding a request for information on responding to the Northern Ireland Authority on Utility Regulation’s Social Action Plan consultation.
- Letter from Chairman of Ballymoney Borough Road Safety Committee to the Chairperson, requesting a meeting with the Committee regarding the Minister’s decision to withdraw core funding from the Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That this is discussed further at the meeting on 5 March.
- Members noted an e-mail from Kevin Taylor to the Committee regarding a Discussion blog on “NI Crunch Talk”.
- Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
“Minister welcomes new members to Natural Heritage Advisory Body”
“ Wilson commends significant improvement in sewage discharges”
“Minister notes 2009/2010 district rates”
“Imtac Transport Matters Newsletter January 2009”
“Advicematters - Quarterly Newssheet from Advice NI, and AGM report (Crunch Times at the Frontline)”
“HPA Advice on the land disposal of solid radioactive waste”
“Sprucefield proposal to go to public inquiry”
“Food lovers champ at the bit for this year’s potato festival”
“Dungiven quarry owner fined £300 for pollution offence”
“Minister takes part in celebration of innovative environmental design”
“Catalogue flags up buildings at risk”
12. Any other business
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 5 March 2009 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.02 p.m.