COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 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 Daithi McKay
Mr Adrian McQuillan
The meeting began in public session at 10.07. a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 1 October were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s business
DOE progress on the Barroso Report:
The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with a table showing DOE progress in relation to actions identified in the Barroso Report.
Agreed: That the report is forwarded to the Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) for comment and included for discussion at a future meeting.
Brussels visit press release:
The Chairperson advised members that they had been provided with a copy of a draft press release for the Brussels visit.
Agreed: That the press release is issued.
4. Matters arising
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of a letter from the Department advising that they are proposing to make a Commencement Order under powers conferred by section 56 of the Taxis Act 2008.
Agreed: That a copy of the Order is forwarded this to public and private hire taxi organisations. That the Department is asked for an update of the timing of further commencement orders under the Taxis Act.
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.11a.m.
5. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – formal clause by clause consideration
The following members declared an interest:
Dolores Kelly – Member of Craigavon Borough Council
Roy Beggs – Member of Carrickfergus 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 copy of the key issues emerging from the evidence sessions on the Bill for consideration.
Agreed: That members were content with the key issues paper subject to confirmation of the three voting mechanisms referred to.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with correspondence from the DOE and NILGA in relation to the RPA Communications Action Plan.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the DOE asking that the Committee are copied into any further communication on this issue.
The Chairperson informed members that they now needed to formally consider the clauses of the Bill which could not be agreed at the meeting on 1 October.
Clause 2 - Certified contracts to be intra vires
The Committee agreed the clause as drafted subject to the amendments proposed by the Department.
The Department noted that the additional waste vires powers would be included through an amendment but not in this clause.
Clause 9 – Introductory
The Committee agreed the clause subject to a Committee recommendation that the clause is amended to reflect the concerns of members.
Clause 10 - Control of disposals and contracts of existing councils
The Committee agreed the clause subject to a Committee recommendation that the clause is amended to reflect the concerns of members.
Clause 13 - Contravention of direction
The Committee agreed the clause subject to a Committee recommendation that the clause is amended to reflect the concerns of members.
Clause 14 - Statutory transition committees: constitution
The Committee decided to refer the clause for further consideration.
Clause 15 - Statutory transition committees: functions
Mr Ross left the meeting at 10.45a.m.
The Committee decided to refer the clause for further consideration.
Clause 16 - Power to modify existing legislation
The Committee agreed the clause as drafted.
Clause 17 - Severance payments to councillors
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 10.49a.m.
Mr Ross rejoined the meeting at 10.50a.m.
The Committee agreed the clause as drafted.
Clause 1(3)
The Committee agreed the clause subject to the amendment proposed by the Department.
Agreed: That a meeting is held on Tuesday 13 October at 12.45p.m. to discuss the remaining clauses and to formulate Committee recommendations for amendments.
6. Departmental briefing on Planning Reform consultation
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members on the emerging views from the Planning Reform consultation.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.05a.m.
The main areas of discussions were the timescale for Planning Reform, development management, enforcement, fees, funding of Planning Reform and a brief outline of the consultation period and feedback on responses.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 11.19a.m.
Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 11.30a.m.
Mr Ross rejoined the meeting at 11.35a.m.
Mr Dallat joined the meeting at 11.39a.m.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 11.45a.m.
7. Departmental briefing on marine issues
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members on the need for Northern Ireland marine legislation.
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 12.00p.m.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.15p.m.
The main areas of discussion were marine policy statements, timescales for marine legislation in Northern Ireland and UK, pilot projects, marine spatial planning and a marine management organisation.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting a flow chart for the introduction of legislation across all 4 UK jurisdictions and details of any policy discussions held at British/Irish Council level and with Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting a definitive list of the departments and agencies that an applicant has to go through to receive planning permission for a marine related activity.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.32p.m.
8. Briefing by Northern Ireland Marine Task Force on marine issues
Representatives from the NorthernIreland Marine Task Forcebriefed the Committee and answered members’ on the need for Northern Ireland marine legislation.
The mains areas of discussion were marine policy statements, timescales for marine legislation in Northern Ireland and UK, pilot projects, marine spatial planning and a marine management organisation.
Agreed: That the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force provides the Committee with a copy of their report into marine issues in Northern Ireland, copies of reports on the Scottish pilot projects in Clyde, indicative costs of pilot projects in Northern Ireland and information on successful marine projects globally.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Minister reflecting Committee concerns on the timescales for Northern Ireland marine legislation.
9. SL1 - The Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
Members considered the SL1 - The Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objections to the proposal.
10. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the updated version of the Committee Forward Work Programme.
11. Consultations
Draft Sustainable Development Strategy:
Agreed: That a copy of the consultation document is sent to Northern Ireland Environment Link for comment.
Stage One consultation on the transposition of the revised Waste Framework Directive:
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses is requested.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive:
The Committee noted the documents.
12. Inquiry into Climate Change update – closed session
Agreed: That the session on Climate Change update would be deferred due to time constraints.
13. Correspondence
1. Departmental response to the Culture Arts and Leisure Committee request for further information regarding Departmental revenue from proceeds of crime.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.
2. Members noted Prof Barnett's report, Independent Review of Economic Development Policy in NI.
Members noted the following invitations:
Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group, 10th Birthday Drinks Reception
Public Service Events, Project and Programme Management 2009 – Delivering Best Practice
The Chairperson informed members she would be speaking on behalf of the Committee at the Developing Northern Ireland’s Waste Infrastructure Conference at the Stormont Hotel on Tuesday 20 October.
Members noted the following media items:
“DARD Chair meets Minister on Planning Policy”
“Met Office warns of catastrophic global warming in our lifetimes”
“Stormont to appoint sustainability tsar”
14. Any other business
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13 October 2009 at 12.45p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday 15 October 2009 at 10.00a.m.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.11p.m.