COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 15 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 Adrian McQuillan
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)
Dr Kevin Pelan (Assembly Research)
Apologies:
The meeting began in public session at 10.02 a.m.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 8 October were agreed. The minutes of the meeting on 13 October were agreed subject to a minor amendment.
3. Chairperson’s business
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a note of a meeting she had held with Community Places.
The Chairperson further informed members that she had met with representatives of the Energy Savings Trust on Tuesday 13 October and members would be provided with a note of this meeting at the meeting on 22 October. The Chairperson informed members that energy saving week would begin week commencing 19 October.
Agreed: That the Chairperson publicises energy saving week on behalf of the Committee.
4. Matters arising
DOE reply regarding Efficiency Delivery Plan:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to the Committee’s request for a copy of the Department’s Efficiency Delivery Plan along with an indication on how it is progressing to date.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for information on how the Department will address the pressures on the plan since the outcome of the September Monitoring Round.
DOE reply regarding Procurement Methods used by local government divisions:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to the Committee’s query on procurement methods used by local government divisions to appoint consultants or agencies.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing Committee concerns around the difficulties of new smaller firms getting on to the select tender list.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Finance and Personnel Committee asking for more details on their inquiry into procurement.
Agreed: That the Chairperson raises the Committee’s concerns at the next Chairperson Liaison Group meeting.
Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.12a.m.
DOE reply to Committee query on Consultation on the definition of “Significant Personal Injury” under the 5 th Motor Insurance Directive (2005/14/EC):
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to the Committee’s request for a list of the targeted groups referred to in the consultation on the definition of “Significant Personal Injury” under the 5 th Motor Insurance Directive.
Ministerial reply regarding defective drafting of Statutory Rules:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Ministerial reply to the Committee’s concerns around the defective drafting of Statutory Rules.
PSNI response to Committee query on enforcement of the Taxis Act:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a reply from the PSNI to the Committee’s query on their role in enforcing the Taxis Act.
Carbon Reduction Commitment:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided , in confidence, with papers in relation to policy decisions relating to the Carbon Reduction Commitment.
Agreed: That Departmental officials brief the Committee on this issue at a future meeting.
5. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – consideration of draft Committee report
The following members declared an interest:
Dolores Kelly – Member of Craigavon Borough Council
Roy Beggs – Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
Danny Kinahan – Member of Antrim Borough Council, substitute of South Antrim council on Arc21
Peter Weir – Member of North Down Borough Council, Vice President NILGA, member of Policy Development Panel A
Ian McCrea – Member of Cookstown Borough Council
David Ford – Member of Antrim Borough Council
Mr Adrian McQuillan – Coleraine Borough Council
Mr John Dallat - Member of Coleraine Borough Council
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a copy of the draft Committee report for agreement.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Executive summary.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Recommendations.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Introduction.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Consideration of the Bill by the Committee.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Key issues
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Clause by clause consideration of the Bill.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with Appendix 1 - Minutes of Proceedings relating to the report.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with Appendix 2 - Minutes of Evidence relating to the report.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with Appendix 3 - Written Submissions?
Agreed: That the Committee is content with Appendix 4 - List of Witnesses?
Agreed: That the Committee is content with Appendix 5 - Other papers submitted to the Committee.
Agreed: That the report is printed.
Agreed: That the minutes, and minutes of evidence, from the meeting on 15 Ocotber are incorporated into the final report.
6. Departmental briefing on the Waste Bill – synopsis of responses
The following members declared an interest:
Dolores Kelly – Member of Craigavon Borough Council
Roy Beggs – Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council and small landowner
Danny Kinahan – Member of Antrim Borough Council, substitute of South Antrim council on Arc21
Peter Weir – Member of North Down Borough Council, Vice President NILGA, member of Policy Development Panel A
Ian McCrea – Member of Cookstown Borough Council
David Ford – Member of Antrim Borough Council
Mr Adrian McQuillan – Coleraine Borough Council
Mr John Dallat - Member of Coleraine Borough Council
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members on the synopsis of responses to the Waste Bill consultation.
The main areas of discussion were a single waste disposal authority, appeals, illegal dumping, the timetable for the Bill and waste contracts.
7. Briefing by Northern Ireland Environment Link on their report – The Way Ahead 2009
Representatives from Northern Ireland Environment Link briefed the Committee and answered members on their report – The Way Ahead 2009.
The main areas of discussion were the Sustainable Development Strategy, planning reform and third party right of appeal, climate change, PPS21 and sustainable transport.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 11.12a.m.
Agreed: That NIEL forwards copies of the reports mentioned during the discussion.
8. Statutory Rule
S.R. 2009/336 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered S.R. 2009/336 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and has no objection to the rule.
9. SL1 - Contracts regulations to be made under the local government (miscellaneous provisions) bill
Members considered the SL1 - Contracts regulations to be made under the local government (miscellaneous provisions) bill and had no objections to the proposal.
10. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the updated version of the Committee Forward Work Programme and were reminded that the meeting on 22 October would take place in Derrygonnelly Field Studies Centre, Fermanagh.
11. Consultations
Permitted Development Rights consultation paper and consultant report:
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses is requested from the Department and that a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee would like to see the introduction of permitted development rights for non domestic small scale renewable energy development and microgeneration prior to 2011.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 11.30a.m.
DETI consultation on a bioenergy action plan for Northern Ireland 2009 – 2014:
Agreed: That the Committee Clerk drafts a response to the consultation for consideration at the meeting on 22 October.
DOE letter re consultation document on proposals for a future Exemptions regime under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993:
Agreed: That the Committee awaits a copy of the synopsis of responses before further consideration of the issue.
12. Correspondence
1. Letter from Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment regarding the Independent Review of Economic Policy (DETI and Invest NI).
Agreed: That this issue is considered further at the meeting on 22 October.
2. Analysis of sickness absence in NI Departments – 2008/09 (Executive Summary).
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for more information on the measures it is taking to reduce absence levels.
3. Monitoring of Departmental Post Project Evaluations.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking about progress on the outstanding three post project evaluations.
4. Members noted information on the issues discussed at the meeting of the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group on 22 September 2009.
5. Members noted a riefing note from Environmental Protection UK October 2009.
6. Members noted a letter from the Utility Regulator regarding the draft determination summary document.
7. Members noted a letter from NILGOSC regarding the Local Government reform Joint Forum, Model Terms of Reference and Operating Arrangements for Local Consultation and Negotiation Forums at Transition Committee Level.
8. Members noted a letter from NI Audit Office regarding a report to the Assembly on the performance of the NI Planning System.
Members noted the following invitations:
Sustainable Development UK 2010 Conference - “Transition to a Low Carbon Economy”.
The National Trust, “A Giant Walk”.
Environmental protection UK, “Managing Closed Landfills: From Problem to Solution”
Environmental protection UK, “Nitrogen Dioxide: Time for Compliance”
Environmental protection UK, “UK Dispersion Model users Group Meeting 2009”
Members noted the following media items:
“Greens call for a halt to Lough Neagh incinerator”
“National parks must balance the needs of people and environment”
“Gearing up for expanding renewable energy market”
“Incinerator decision is likely soon – Poots”
Members noted the following DOE press releases:
Minister announces funding for Glenarm Regeneration Project
Farmer fined £3,500 for pollution offence
New rules announced on exchange of driving licences
13. Any other business
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 October 2009 in Derrygonnelly Field Studies Centre, Fermanagh, at 10.30a.m.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.40p.m. and informed members that the meeting would now move into closed session for further consideration of the Committee’s climate change inquiry report.
15. Consideration of draft climate change report
The following members were present for consideration of the draft climate change report:
Dolores Kelly, Cathal Boylan, John Dallat, Danny Kinahan, Ian McCrea, Adrian McQuillan, Peter Weir
The Committee was briefed by a member of Research on his paper ‘Climate Change Obligations’.
Members then deliberated on the conclusions and recommendations in the draft report.