COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Patsy McGlone
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:
The meeting began in public session at 10.01 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 02 September 2010 were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a note of a meeting he held with QPANI.
Mr McGlone joined the meeting at 10.10a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee strongly supports the mineral mapping project and that the Chair would like to know if the DETI Tellus project has the potential to provide some or all of the information that the minerals mapping project would provide. Also to ask if the information provided by QPANI in relation to fees across the UK and Republic of Ireland is correct and, if so, would like to know why there is such a big discrepancy when fees are meant to reflect costs.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if money raised in Northern Ireland via the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund is returned to Northern Ireland via the block grant and, if so, the proportion that is allocated to the Department and the distribution of the remaining amount. Also to ask why there was no consultation on the decision to recoup the additional fees introduced for mineral extraction planning applications following the identification of an incorrect application of the fee regulations.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with anote of a meeting with Disability Action, Disability Action briefing paper to Minister and Departmental reply to Committee queries on funding.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to Disability Action asking them to provide details on what work they do over and above the work that Building Control carry out.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how, and by whom, the accessibility services offered by Disability Action will now be carried out following the reduction of their funding.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a note of a meeting with Kennel Club, briefing paper on NI Welfare of Animals Bill, NI Dogs (Amendment) Bill and Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.
Agreed: That the briefing papers are sent to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
4. Matters Arising
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Department’s response to the Committee’s climate change inquiry and agreed to discuss it further at the meeting on 21 October when they would receive a Departmental briefing on this issue.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the role of Statutory Transition Committees.
Mr McCrea declared an interest as a member of the Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon Transition Committee.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking what measures the Department is putting in place to ensure maximum collaborative and co-operative working between councils in the absence of Statutory Transition Committees.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a letter from Lough Neagh Partnership regarding the concept of a ‘champion’ for Lough Neagh and a letter from Brian Cassells, Lough Neagh Advisory Committee.
Agreed: That a meeting between the Lough Neagh Patnership, Lough Neagh Advisory Committee and several Committee members is arranged to discuss this issue.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a letter from Community Places in relation to funding cuts.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how the gap in services that this funding cut will leave is going to be met and stating that members expressed a need for Planning Service officials to engage more with the general public and how the Planning Service will achieve this.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on landfill infractions.
Mr Bell joined the meeting at 10.24a.m.
Agreed: That a meeting is arranged between NIEA and some members of the Committee to discuss this issue.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Transport Bill and the relevant extracts from the Taxis Act 2008 which the Bill will amend.
Agreed: That a memo is sent to the Committee for Regional Development indicating that the committee is happy with this aspect of the response but that the committee has concerns with the Transport Bill in relation to its effect on rural transport.
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 10.33a.m.
Mr Weir briefed the Committee on amendments to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.39a.m.
5. Departmental briefing on September Monitoring Round
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the September Monitoring Round.
The main areas of discussion were the ePIC project, the Roe Valley Hydro Electric Scheme, Planning Service redeployment, emergency planning and sickness absence rates in the Department and areas in which savings have and can be made.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department outlining Committee support for the Department’s bids in the September Monitoring Round.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that members support the Roe Valley Hydro Electric Scheme and would like more details on its potential benefits and would like to know whether the Department has considered a link up with the private sector to complete this project as there was a feeling that the public sector did not need to take the lead on this project.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for absenteeism figures in the Planning Service in terms of numbers of days lost to absenteeism and numbers of people involved.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for details of emergency planning, what work is carried out in this area and what impact a cut in funding will have on emergency planning.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a breakdown of staff numbers within the core of the Department and its agencies.
6. Departmental briefing on Belfast City Airport
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on Belfast City Airport.
The main areas of discussion were flights in exceptional circumstances, enforcement of the planning agreement and the cap on seats for sale.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 11.52a.m.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.17p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to Belfast City Airport asking them to indicate how they interpret exceptional circumstances and to give the reasons for flights in exceptional circumstances from January – March 2010.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking it to confirm that it has access to the full details of flights in exceptional circumstances and that this can be retrieved quickly if necessary.
Mr Ross rejoined the meeting at 12.15p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a synopsis of responses to the consultation on seats for sale.
Mr Wilson Left the meeting at 12.25p.m.
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 12.26p.m.
7. Departmental briefing on amendments to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on amendments to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Agreed: That a copy of the amendments is sent to the key stakeholders to ask for their views.
8. Waste and Contaminated Land Bill
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that NIEA will brief the Committee on the Waste and Contaminated Land Bill at the meeting on 16 September.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on illegal dumping.
The Chairperson informed members that both replies will be added to the Waste Bill master file.
Members noted an Assembly Research paper identifying possible locations for a Committee visit in respect of the Waste Bill.
9. High Hedges Bill
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on the High Hedges Bill.
Agreed: That a copy of the paper is published on the Assembly website.
Members noted submissions on the Bill from Ballymena and Omagh councils.
The Chairperson informed members that oral evidence sessions are being arranged with Banbridge District Council, NILGA, CNCC, Mediation NI and Carrickfergus Borough Council and that the Valuation Tribunal declined an invitation to give oral evidence.
10. Local Government Finance Bill
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Local Government Finance Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that oral evidence sessions are being arranged with the Association of Local Government Finance Officers along with NILGA, Ards Borough Council, Derry City Council / Strabane Transition Committee and Lisburn City council.
The Chairperson informed members they had also been provided with a copy of comments from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) on the Bill.
Agreed: That CIPFA is invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting.
11. Department/Committee forward work programme
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental programme of work – September - December 2010 and an analysis of the Department’s programme of work, April – July 2010.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for quarterly progress reports on the progress of the work programme.
Members noted the Committee forward work programme.
12. Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 - Provision of vehicle test appointment notifications by electronic means
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
SL1 - The Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
13. Consultations
Consultation on proposed amendments to Construction & Use and PSV Regulations
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Public consultation on the Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, as amended)
Agreed: That members make individual responses to the consultation.
Consultation on the Future of Bus Operator Licensing in NI – Extension to closing date
Agreed: That the Committee considers a submission to the consultation on receipt of the Hansard transcript of Community Transport Association’s briefing to the Committee for Regional Development.
Consultation on Stage Two of the Transposition of the Revised Waste Framework Directive
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested
Mr Wilson rejoined the meeting at 12.49p.m.
14. Correspondence
Memo seeking Committee approval to forward attached letter regarding the Strategic Investment Board Delivery Tracking System to the Minister for comment.
Agreed: That the memo is forwarded to the OFMdFM Committee.
Members noted a copy of the Scottish Road Safety Framework.
Memo regarding the PAC’s recent inquiry into Combating Organised Crime & environmental issues, namely illegal dumping.
Request to forward the attached enclosures detailing NIGLA’s evidence to the Committee Stage of the Caravans Bill to the Department for comment (.
Agreed: That the information is forwarded to the Committee for Social Development.
Letter & attachment re Driver & Vehicle Agency – Pass/Fail rates for vehicle tests.
Agreed: That the Department is informed that the Committee wish to continute to receive 6 monthly updates.
Departmental response to Committee recommendations arising from June stakeholder event & IWEA/Renewable UK Committee.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to IWEA.
Departmental response to comments on recommendations from Right to Ride about cycling and cycle training.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to Right to Ride.
Departmental response to NIIRTA’s recommendations that the Department immediately publishes draft PPS 5.
Agreed: That the response is sent to the Justice Minister stressing there should be no undue delay in the judicial review.
Departmental response to issues raised in a letter from Recycle Down Ltd.
Agreed: That this correspondence is reconsidered at the meeting on 9 September.
Departmental response to Committee request for further information in relation to the DOE/Planning Service finding a more strategic approach to approving waste disposal facilities.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the Belfast Hills Partnership.
Departmental response to Committee request for further information regarding a letter sent to the Regional Development Committee by the Community Transport Association re Future of Bus Operator Licensing NI.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the Committee for Regional Development.
Departmental response to memo from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure re public access to artworks owned by district councils.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Memo seeking permission to contact the Department directly requesting oral evidence in relation to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment inquiry into Renewable Energy production.
Agreed: .That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment is informed that it can seek oral evidence from the Department directly.
Departmental & Ministerial response to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety - Safeguarding Board Bill.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Copy of research re The Road Safety Authority in the Republic of Ireland.
Agreed: That the research paper is added to the master file on road safety.
Letter requesting the opportunity to make a presentation to the Committee on the Government’s current round of Comprehensive Spending Review 2011 – 2015.
Agreed: That NICVA are invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting.
Copy of the Pain’s Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme Review Report.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to QPANI saying that the Committee is in support of an extension to the scheme.
Agreed: That a copy of the report is sent to the Department indicating the Committee’s support for the scheme.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Response from the Association of British Insurers regarding Committee queries In relation to incentives for the completion of the advanced driver test.
Copy of research paper on Vision Zero: The Swedish Road Safety Strategy.
Departmental response to Committee request for information regarding the process involved in becoming a driving instructor.
Copy of the Planning Service Business Plan 2010-2011.
Copy of Equality Commission Annual Report 2009-10.
Departmental update on the Road Safety Strategy 2010.
Copy of BASC Magazine – September/ October 2010.
Copy of Ripple News – edition 5, summer 2010.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with an invitation from NILGA to attend the launch of the Local Government Waste Storage Guide on 15 September 2010.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 16 September 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.57p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
23 September 2010
2 September 10 / Menu
