COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr John Dallat
Mr Daithi McKay
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Brian Wilson
The meeting began in public session at 10.08a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 15 April 2010 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Taxis Act.
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 10.11a.m.
Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the Accessible Taxis Association.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a DRD reply to Committee queries on road safety in rural areas.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide a paper clarifying liability in relation to boulders on rural verges and the health and safety implications of high kerbs and boulders.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a comprehensive reply from Dundonald Green Belt Association following the Departmental briefing on the Knock Golf Club planning application at the meeting on 23 March 2010.
Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the Department for comment.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with correspondence from Community Places in relation to proposed DOE funding cuts and a tabled paper from the Quarry Products Association NI in relation to the removal of DOE funding for aggregate mapping.
Agreed: That Community Places and QPANI are invited to a future meeting to discuss this issue.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided with an Assembly Research paper on incentives offered by insurance companies to drivers who have passed the advanced driving test.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for information on incentives to be published on government websites.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Association of British Insurers asking them to formulate a more simplistic policy in relation to incentives and to proactively promote incentives.
Agreed: That a copy of the Research paper is forwarded to the Finance and Personnel Committee and that the Finance and Personnel Committee is asked to forward any information it has on insurance costs in Northern Ireland.
Members noted a tabled letter from the Department of Finance and Personnel to the Clerk of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding its 2010-11 In-year Monitoring Guidelines.
4. Briefing by the Driving Instructors Association NI on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation – Powerpoint Presentation
A representative from the Driving Instructors Association NI briefed the Committee on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
The main areas of discussion were graduated driver licensing, the costs of lessons, regular re-testing, driving instructor training and vetting procedures.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how people taking lessons can ascertain if a driving instructor is fully qualified or a trainee.
5. ROSPA briefing on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation
Representatives from ROSPA briefed the Committee on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
The main areas of discussion were the advanced driving test, incentives from insurance companies, speed limits on rural roads, drink driving and random breath testing, black box technology, drug driving research, intelligent speed limiters and a database of speed limits.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if there is a database of speed limits in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That further information is sought on the use of black box technology.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to DRD asking about the compatibility of road signs with speed limits.
6. Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill
Members noted a response from NILGA indicating that the organisation did not feel it could contribute further to the debate n this Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided with a response from Strabane District Council on the Bill.
Agreed: That the response is incorporated into the final Committee report on the Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided at with an e-mail of support for the Bill from Ards Borough Council.
Agreed: That the response is incorporated into the final Committee report on the Bill.
Members noted a copy of a clause by clause analysis table.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided with a tabled response from the Women’s Resource and Development Agency on the Bill.
Agreed: That the Women’s Resource and Development Agency is invited to a future meeting to brief on the Bill.
7. Waste and Contaminated Land Bill
Members noted receipt of a copy of the Bill and a copy of the delegated powers of the Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided at with a copy of the draft Bill timeline and with a draft motion to extend Committee stage to 5 November 2010.
Agreed: That the motion to extend is lodged with the Business Office.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided at with a draft public notice calling for submissions to the Bill with a deadline that gives 5 weeks for responses.
Agreed: That the public notice is issued in the 3 main newspapers and the Assembly website.
The Chairperson informed members that they have been provided at with a draft stakeholder list.
Agreed: That letters are sent to all organisations on the list asking for written submissions on the Bill.
8. Departmental update on Strategic Planning Applications
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental update on the status of strategic planning applications.
Agreed: That clarification is sought from the Department on the terminology used in the update.
The Chairperson informed members that they have also been provided with a Secretariat comparison paper on the current position and the position as at 21 January 2010 and a draft letter to councils.
Agreed: That the letter to councils is issued.
9. Proposals for secondary legislation
The Solvent Emissions (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
10. Statutory Rule
SR 2010/151 – The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/151 – The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.’
SR 2010/157 – The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/157 – The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.’
11. Consultations
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – Valuation Amendments
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Criteria for listing – Consultation on proposed revisions to Annex C of Planning Policy Statement 6
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
EC infraction proceedings concerning construction and use regulation on width of trailers
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking when the proposed regulations will actually come into force.
Marine policy proposals consultation
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Local Government Pension Scheme – Departmental response to comments received during consultation on 85 year rule – Tab 10UV
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Synopsis of responses to the public consultation on the draft Air Quality Standards Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 – Tab 10W
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
13. Committee Forward Work Programme
Members noted a copy of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That Committee staff issue an e mail checking on members’ availability for the Balmoral Show on 12 May and the visit to the waste recycling plants on 13 May.
The Chairperson informed members that the proposed visit to DVA Headquarters Coleraine on 3 June had been postponed and was being rescheduled.
14. Correspondence
Letter from Newry and Mourne Council Chief Executive to Minister Poots regarding current delays to the reorganisation of Local Government.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Committee is copied into any response.
Letter of response from DRD to a Committee request for additional information regarding boulders along sight lines and the identification of land owners/occupiers.
Letter from Finance and Personnel Committee Clerk regarding DOE’s use of the services provided by the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU).
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Memo from the OFMDFM Committee Clerk regarding ‘European Issues’.
Agreed: That the Committee’s Bursary student seeks information from Library Services on the most appropriate policy areas the Committee should focus on.
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
Letter to Minister Poots copied to the Chair of the Committee regarding the Lough Neagh Partnership.
Letter from Dr Adam Smith regarding the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Letter of response from the Department of Education regarding the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Email objecting to amendments to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Copy of the final report on the consultation conducted on the Executive’s Sustainable Development Strategy.
Copy of the final report on the consultation conducted on the Executive’s Sustainable Development Strategy.
15. Any other business
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 29 April 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at12.32 p.m.