COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Danny Kinahan
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:
Mr John Dallat
The meeting began in public session at 10.03 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 09 September 2010 were agreed subject to a minor amendment.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson welcomed the 3 new members to the Committee -Mr Thomas Buchanan, Mr Trevor Clarke and Mr Willie Clarke
Agreed: That a letter of thanks is sent to Mr McKay, Mr Bell and Mr McCrea for their work on the Committee.
4. Matters Arising
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.07a.m.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on funding cuts to NGOs.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for information on the levels of efficiency savings to all funded groups, the level of engagement with the groups involved, the criteria used to decide the efficiencies and how the Department intends to provide the services that have been affected by efficiency savings.
Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 10.08a.m.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental update on PSA targets and a Committee secretariat comparison with the previous update.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for the reasons why there has been no progress made in reaching PSA targets in the last months and if targets have not been met has this resulted in money being returned to DFP and, if so, the amount.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries following RHA and FTA briefings on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the RHA and FTA and that Assembly Research asked to provide information on compliance figures and a comparison of the numbers of people stopped from Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the action plan of the ‘Road Safety’ sub-group of the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People.
Departmental update on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
Agree: That a letter is sent to the Department welcoming the enormous response to the consultation and stating that the Committee looks forward to receiving the synopsis of responses to the consultation.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Inter Departmental Marine Co-ordination Group.
Agreed: That a copy of the Marine Management Organisation Report by Tony McCusker is sent to the OFMdFM Committee to forward to OFMdFM.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on draft regulations on the fitting and use of new illuminated signs and warning lights on school buses.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that a member of the Committee noted that, in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area, there is an increased use of private operators in less than a 2 mile radius.
Members noted Members’ attendance at Committee meetings and were content for the information to be published.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a reply from UnLtd to Committee queries on road safety funding.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as Treasurer of Carrickfergus Road Safety Group
Agreed: That the response is further discussed at the meeting on 23 September along with the Department’s response on this issue.
5. ALGFO/NILGA briefing on Local Government Finance Bill
Representatives from ALGFO and NILGA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Local Government (Finance) Bill.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.29a.m.
The main areas of discussion were the separation of roles between the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer, the possibility of ring fencing the rate support grant, controlled reserves and the possibility of introducing social clauses to the Bill.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide information in relation to the arrangements that are currently in place in each local authority regarding the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Agreed: That ALGFO provides the Committee with any further information it wishes to add in relation to the Bill.
6. Departmental briefing on Waste Recyclates
Mr Beggs declared an interest as his father owns land on which waste practices are carried out.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on Waste Recyclates.
The main areas of discussion were waste segregation, the quality of waste recyclates, co-mingling, recycling rates, legislation and EU waste targets.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for figures in relation to the average rejection rates of recyclates and proposals from councils for the Rethink Waste initiative, the cost of recycling in each council area and figures on glass recycling.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department, along with a copy of a paper from Bryson Recycling, asking for the Department’s response to issues highlighted in the papers, particularly the information from Huhtamaki who state they have seen a dramatic deterioration in the quality of the co-mingled waste paper sourced in the North West Group.
Agreed: That the Committee explores the possibility of introducing an enabling power on waste recyclates to the Bill.
7. NIEA briefing on Waste and Contaminated Land Bill
Mr Beggs declared an interest as his father owns land on which waste practices are carried out and as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
Mr Trevor Clarke declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council.
Mr Wilson declared an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council.
Mr Weir declared an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council.
Mr Willie Clarke declared an interest as a member of Down District Council.
Representatives from NIEA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Waste and Contaminated Land Bill.
The main areas of discussion were illegal waste and fly tipping, the development of a fly tipping protocol, the relationship between NIEA and local councils, enforcement and tyre disposal.
8. Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Members noted copies of the submissions received on the Bill.
The Chairperson informed members that the following organisations/individuals have been invited to provide oral evidence:
Agreed: That the following organisations are invited to give oral evidence to the Committee on the bill:
- Tom Ekin
- Children in NI/Include Youth/Children’s Law Centre/Playboard – joint delegation
- NILGA
- Countryside Alliance/Kennel Club – joint delegation
- Tidy NI
- Pubs of Ulster
9. Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 - Compulsory Basic Training
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
10. Statutory Rule
SR 2010/294 – The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That a decision on the Rule is deferred until the Department provides further information on the fees.
11. Consultations
Meeting EU Landfill Diversion Targets
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Marine Licensing: Proposals for legislation introducing a new marine licensing system for NI
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Management of construction waste: Site Waste Management Plans Regulations in NI
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration consultation
Agreed: That the Committee makes a decision on a response based on further information to be provided at the Committee meeting on 23 September.
Everyone’s Involved – Sustainable Development Strategy
Agreed: That the Committee makes a decision on a response based on further information to be provided at the Committee meeting on 23 September.
Local Government Pension Scheme – valuation etc. amendments – synopsis of responses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy
12.Correspondence
Departmental response to issues raised in a letter from Recycle Down Ltd.
Agreed: That a delegation of Committee members meets with Recycle Down.
Assembly Research paper on Upcoming EU Legislation.
Agreed: That the paper is forwarded to the Department asking what arrangements the Department is making for the implementation of this legislation.
Copy of research briefing notes re ‘Estimated Number of 17-24 Year Olds Who Participate in Sports in NI.
Agreed: That the paper is forwarded to the Department to highlight the numbers involved in sport that the Department could engage with in road safety initiatives.
Letter regarding cycle training in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That a letter of Committee support is sent to Sustrans and the Department.
Departmental response to Committee request for further information re DOE Hospitality Spend 2009/10.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for an explanation as to the discrepancy between DOE’s hospitality spend and that of other departments.
Letter requesting the support of the Committee for Climate Week.
Agreed: That a letter is sent asking for more information in relation to Climate Week.
Two internet links to two forthcoming issues coming through the EU Parliament.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide further information in relation to these issues.
Response to the Committees request for legal advice regarding a query received from Europarc in relation to member’s compliance with the Aarhus Convention.
Agreed: |That Assembly Legal Services are asked for clarity on the role of the Executive on this issue and that a draft response is prepared for consideration by the Committee.
Letter re the intention of the NIEA to publish on its website the 2009 compliance data for water utility discharges from Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIW), and those private companies that operate water and wastewater treatment works under Public Private Partnership contracts.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking why the percentage of NIW charges complying with descriptive standards is consistently poor and what enforcement measures it is taking to bring about improvement.
Letter requesting the Committee support re the first Masters in Environmental Law & Sustainable Development on the island of Ireland.
Agreed: That further information is sought on the outworkings of this proposal.
Letter requesting to brief/update the Committee on their objection campaign to the proposed Rose Energy incinerator in Glenavy.
Agreed: That a reply is sent to stating that the Committee has deferred a decision on the request to brief as a judicial review is pending.
Letter of response to Committee queries regarding correspondence from Mr Mark Wexler on a proposed wind farm at Kintyre.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr Wexler.
Request to brief the Committee re seats for sale restriction & failure of Planning Service to enforce Planning Agreement conditions at George Best City Airport.
Agreed: That a reply is sent to Belfast City Airport Watch stating that the Committee is awaiting a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation on this issue and, once received, members will make a decision on whether to invite Belfast City Airport and Belfast City Airport Watch to brief.
Email from Mr David Gibson requesting that the Committee recommends his case to the PSNI to investigate allegations of fraud.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the PSNI asking what advice they gave Mr Gibson in relation to this issue.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Copy of research briefing notes re ‘Potential impacts of the drop-off/pick-up zone at Belfast International Airport.
Copy of NIIRTA News – summer 2010 edition.
Letter re the publication of NIEA Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland’s Landscapes: Supplementary Planning Guidance to accompany PPS 18 ‘Renewable Energy’.
Letter bringing to the attention of the Committee the DARD announcement that it will no longer be able to provide funding for the two DARD/RSPB Agri-environment Officer posts in the future.
Memo and attachments detailing NILGA’s Planning Workgroup issues regarding how planning issues are acting as a barrier to economic development in Northern Ireland.
Memo re the Regional Development Committee comments on the DOE response to the Committee’s Climate Change Inquiry Report.
Letter of response to Committee queries in relation to the estimated cost of a speed limits database.
Letter of response to the Committee’s request for clarification on the position of Roads Service as the sole roads authority in NI, and to what extent Planning Service can overrule Road Service decisions with regard to speed limits.
Letter of response to Committee queries regarding small business rate relief and help for declining town centres.
Letter of response to Committee queries regarding the prompt payment of invoices.
Letter re Action for Children’s input to the Comprehensive Spending Review process in NI.
13. Any other business
The Chairperson informed members that he is meeting a delegation from the Ulster Farmers’ Union on Wednesday, 22 September, Room 135 at 1p.m. Members were invited to join the meeting.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 23 September 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.08p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
23 September 2010
9 September 10 / Menu
