COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2009,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr David Ford
Mrs Dolores Kelly (Chairperson)
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Steven Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Adrian McQuillan
The meeting began in public session at 10.33a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 17 September were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s business
Procurement methods:
The Chairperson informed members that a letter was sent to the Department in August regarding procurement methods used by local government divisions to appoint consultants or agencies, specifically with regard to reform of local government. A copy of the response had been included in meeting papers for consideration.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the DOE asking for more information on this issue.
Meeting start time:
The Chairperson proposed that the Environment Committee meetings would start at the earlier time of 10.00am to facilitate those who have further business to attend after the meeting.
Agreed: That the Committee meetings will start at 10.00am starting from 1 October 2009.
Meeting with Minister on 5 November:
The Chairperson informed members that the Minister has agreed to brief on the planning reform consultation at the meeting on 5 November. The Minister has asked that he also briefs members on PPS21 at the meeting.
Agreed: That the Minister also briefs on PPS21 at the meeting on 5 November and that a request is made for the appropriate papers in advance of this meeting.
4. Matters arising
Amended Minutes from meeting on 10 September:
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided with a copy of amended minutes from the meeting on 10 September for discussion.
Agreed: That members were content with the amended minutes.
Provision of Information to the Committee:
The Chairperson informed members following a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and Departmental Management Board, the Department had forwarded the following information:
- briefing on the Local Government (Finance) Bill, which had been previously received by the Committee in April and June 2009;
- a copy of the consultation document on nuisance high hedges, issued in August 2005, along with a synopsis of responses; and
- details of the provisions to be covered in, along with a timetable for, the Wildlife Bill.
DOE Update on planning issues around the building of slurry tanks:
The Chairperson informed members that at the meeting on 10 September the Committee agreed to request a written briefing on planning issues around the building of slurry tanks before deciding if an oral briefing from DOE and DARD officials was still necessary. The response had been included in meeting papers for consideration.
Agreed: That members were content with the response and no oral briefing was required
Declaration of interests:
The Chairperson informed members that her declaration of interest was included in meeting papers for information.
Craigmore Quarry (Garvagh):
The Chairperson informed members that at the meeting on 17 September Mr Dallat raised the issue of the planning application for a landfill site at Craigmore and invited Mr Dallat to speak on the issue.
Agreed: That further information in relation to the planning application is requested from the Department.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Environmental Health Department of Coleraine Borough Council asking for their views on the planning application.
4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – Oral Evidence Session – Omagh District Council
The following members declared an interest:
Dolores Kelly – Member of Craigavon Borough Council
Roy Beggs – Carrickfergus Borough Council
John Dallat – Coleraine Borough Council
Danny Kinahan – Antrim Borough Council, substitute of South Antrim council on Arc21
Peter Weir – North Down Borough Council, Vice President NILGA, member of Policy Development Panel A
Ian McCrea – Cookstown Borough Council
David Ford – Antrim Borough Council
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a paper from the Examiner of Statutory Rules on the delegated powers of the Bill along with a Bill timeline.
Omagh District Council officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
The main areas of discussion were Statutory Transmission Committees, severance and governance.
5. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – Initial clause by clause consideration
The following members declared an interest:
Dolores Kelly – Member of Craigavon Borough Council
Roy Beggs – Carrickfergus Borough Council
John Dallat – Coleraine Borough Council
Danny Kinahan – Antrim Borough Council, substitute of South Antrim council on Arc21
Peter Weir – North Down Borough Council, Vice President NILGA, member of Policy Development Panel A
Ian McCrea – Cookstown Borough Council
David Ford – Antrim Borough Council
The main areas of discussion were vesting powers, certified contracts and SWIF funding.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Minister to ascertain his views on the widening of vesting powers.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an update version of the Committee Forward Work Programme for information.
Members noted that the Committee meeting on 22 October would take place in Derrygonnelly Field Studies Centre, Fermanagh.
7. Inquiry into Climate Change update
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of a draft inquiry report for further consideration.
Agreed: That further discussion of the report takes place at the end of the meeting in closed session.
Agreed: That the timescale for the final report to be published is extended to the end of November to allow for fuller discussion on recommendations and conclusions in the report.
8. Correspondence
Mr Ross left the meeting at 11.57am
1. Letter from World Wildlife Fund requesting the opportunity to brief the Committee on River Basin Management Plans.
Agreed: That Dr Claire Cockerill is invited to a future meeting to brief the Committee on this issue.
2. Members noted a letter from NIEL regarding Committee consideration of the Environment Liability Directive.
3. Letter from Finance and Personnel Committee Clerk regarding the monitoring of efficiency delivery plans from the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Agreed: That the committee requests a copy of the Department’s efficiency delivery plan along with an indication of how it is progressing to date.
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
Press release from the Health Protection Agency “Still no basis for health effects from low level radiowaves, say biologists”.
E-mail regarding NIEL News September 2009.
Press release from the Health Protection Agency “Scientists probe laptops’ Wi-Fi emissions”.
Update Letter from Department on the Minister’s intention to launch the public consultation paper, “Reform of the Planning System in NI: Your chance to influence change’.
Memo from Committee for Regional Development regarding NIEL information on proposals to reform the planning system
Memo from Committee for Regional Development regarding a DRD response to consumer council submission on draft river basin management plans.
Letter from Antrim & District Angling Association regarding a petition to save Northern Irelands’ treasured trout resource.
Department of the Environment Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009
Members noted the following DOE press releases:
- Minister updates Assembly on planning reform
- Views sought from motorcyclists into roads safety issues
- Minister goes back to school with road safety message
- Poots launches the new Ulster Way route
- Kilkeel man found guilty of illegal waste offence
- Minister gives top marks to Armagh school
- Vehicle breaker fined £3000 for waste offences
- Mauve stinger jellyfish returns to north Antrim coast
Members noted the following invitations:
Invitation From Utility Regulator - “Information Event on Price Control 2010 to 2013 Draft Determination for NI Water”
Committee on Climate Change - “A strategy for Meeting Carbon Budgets”
Capita Interactive Seminar “Understanding the European Union”
Invitation for Chairperson to speak as guest speaker at the National Association of Councillors’ Annual Conference
Chairperson invitation to meet with Quarry Products Association
12. Any other business
13. Climate Change Inquiry – closed session
Members discussed the conclusions of the draft report.
Agreed: That the timescale for the final report to be published is extended to the end of November to allow for fuller discussion on recommendations and conclusions in the report.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 1 October2009 at 10.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.58p.m.