COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 03 JUNE 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Patsy McGlone
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 27 May 2010 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental quarterly infractions update along with a Secretariat comparison paper with the position at February 2010.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting further information as to how and when infractions are triggered and what level of fines Northern Ireland would be likely to face. The letter is also to request more specific information on several of the cases listed.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a reply from the Committee for Justice to the Committee’s comments on the Courts Service recording of fines.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department inquiring how the level of offences and fines are determined.
Members noted a summary of the Stakeholder engagement event in February 2010.
Members noted an executive summary of a Consumer Council report on the cost of insurance in Northern Ireland.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries draft Banbridge / Newry & Mourne Area Plan 2015.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Ministerial letter regarding the launch of the Rethink Waste Fund.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the minister welcoming the fund and asking if this fund will target the quality of recycled waste as well as quality.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a response from the Regional Development Committee on an aviation strategy.
Agreed: That the secretariat drafts a response to DRD in relation to the aviation strategy.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a reply from DRD on road safety in rural areas.
Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to Ulster Farmers’ Union.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Lough Neagh/Lower Bann Advisory Committees.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department to register members’ concerns that the future of these 2 organisations is hanging on the decision of 2 councils and stating that members are now considering options to address the issue.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to Lough Neagh Partnership asking if they feel they would be the appropriate body to take over the role of the Advisory Committees and asking what cost implications this would have and if they could also cover the Lower Bann region.
Members noted a reply from the Department of Education to Committee queries on the Local Government Pension Scheme – Classroom Assistants.
4. Briefing by NIFDA on EU Drivers’ Hours legislation
Representatives from NIFDA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on EU Drivers’ Hours legislation.
The main areas of discussion were the costs to the industry, cuts in earnings for employees, a moratorium on the implementation of the legislation, the need for derogation, and the unions’ position on this issue.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee was supportive of NIFDA’s approach for a moratorium and members would like to know how such a moratorium would be implemented in Northern Ireland and what, if any, risk of infraction might be incurred during this period as a result.
5. Briefing by Community Places on funding cuts
Representatives from Community Places briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on funding cuts.
The main areas of discussion were the evaluation of the work of the organisation, the possibility of operating on reduced budgets and the outcome of a recent meeting with the Minister.
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 11.12a.m
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 11.18a.m
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee is supportive of the work the organisation carries out on behalf of disadvantaged people and that members would like an update on the meeting the Minister held with them on 17 May 2010 when he indicated he would review the decision on continuation of their funding.
Agreed: That a copy of the evaluation report that was produced recently on the work of Community Places is requested and that information is sought on plans to replace the service the organisation provides if funding is withdrawn, if the work can be done in-house by Planning Service and at what cost.
6. Briefing by QPANI on cuts to aggregates mapping funding
Representatives from QPANI briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on cuts to aggregates mapping funding.
The main areas of discussion were the added benefits from aggregates mapping, the possibility of using different funding models for the project and the possibility of private sector involvement.
Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 11.30a.m
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.39a.m
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee believes that the provision of funding to allow aggregates to be mapped will lead to other benefits such as the provision of baseline information in designating ASSIs. The Committee would like to know if the Department has looked at other funding models or opportunities.
7. Briefing by NICCY on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation
Representatives from NICCY briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
The main areas of discussion were, traffic calming measures, road safety education and the curriculum, a graduated driving licence scheme, the provision of safe play areas in housing developments, rural roads.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.09p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to NICCY asking them to provide the Committee with information on the links between young peoples’ activity and road safety at night.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked for a paper on the provision of safe play areas in developments and if there is any indication that sequential development has led to the reduction of safe play areas.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with the key issues that had been identified by the Committee during its evidence gathering over the last few weeks.
Agreed: That the key issues form the basis of the Committee’s response to the Department.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.16p.m.
The meeting restarted at 12.21p.m.
8. Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill – Formal Clause by Clause Consideration
Mr Kinahan rejoined the meeting at 12.21p.m.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Beggs – Carrickfergus Borough Council
Mr McCrea – Cookstown District Council
Mr Weir – North Down Borough Council
Mr Wilson - North Down Borough Council
Agreed: That the Committee defers formal clause by clause consideration of the Bill until the meeting on 10 June when a draft Committee amendment to address concerns about the timing of the disqualification process will be considered.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.34p.m
9. Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
The Chairperson informed members they needed to discuss Committee decisions on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill in light of a Departmental amendment.
The meeting went into closed session at12.35p.m.
Mr McKay rejoined the meeting at 12.44p.m
Agreed: That the Committee is content to note the Department’s decision to withdraw its amendment to Clause 1.
The meeting went into public session at 12.45p.m.
10. Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill
The Chairperson informed members that 7 submissions had now been received to the consultation on the Waste and Contaminated Land Bill.
Agreed: That all those that submitted evidence are invited to give oral evidence with similar submissions presenting on a joint basis.
11. Statutory Rules
SR 2010/181 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2010
Question put and agreed:
‘The Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/181 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report?’
12. Consultations
Synopsis of responses to the public consultation on the draft Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Policy Guidance
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
14. Correspondence
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.52p.m
Letter of response to the Committee request for information regarding Strategic Planning Applications from Damien J. McMahon (City Secretary and Solicitor, Derry City Council).
Agreed: That a letter of reply is sent indicating that the Committee has been made aware that all strategic planning applications are dealt with centrally.
Memo inviting written evidence from all statutory committees regarding the Commissioner for Older People Bill from Cathie White (Clerk to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister).
Children’s Law Centre response to the Draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill from Paddy Kelly (Director, Children’s Law Centre).
Agreed: That the Committee return to this correspondence when the Clean Neighbourhoods Bill is in Committee Stage and that CLC is added to Stakeholder list.
Letter seeking the Committees support in making local councils display their art to the public from Mr Barry McElduff (Chairperson for the Committee for Culture, Arts & Leisure).
Agreed: That a letter is sent to CAL indicating that the committee was generally supportive of what CAL is trying to do but note the insurance implications that might be involved.
Briefing paper in respect of the proposed funding cuts by the Planning Service from Kevin Doherty (Disability Action).
Agreed: That a letter is sent inviting Mr Doherty to a stakeholder event.
Letter inviting written evidence from all statutory committees re ‘Sunbeds Bill’. Also a request to forward attached letter to the Minister of the Environment from Stella McArdle (Clerk to the Committee for Health Social Services and Public Safety).
Agreed: That the correspondence is forwarded to the minister for comment.
Letter of concern regarding the Council’s concern at the continued delay to a key project within the town of Downpatrick from John Dumigan (Clerk & Chief Executive, Down District Council).
Agreed: That the correspondence is forwarded to the Department for comment.
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
NILGA weekly update – issue 4
Email re the Consumer Council Corporate Plan 2011/2014 – survey.
Overview Paper of the University of Ulster & Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland – Sustainable Refurbishment of Housing Conference.
15. Any other business
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10 June 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.55 p.m.