COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Patsy McGlone
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 Willie Clarke
Mr Alastair Ross
The meeting began in public session at 10.06 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meetings on 23 September 2010 and 28 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 the Ulster Farmers Union.
Agreed: That a copy of the note is sent to DOE, NIEA, DVA and AFBI asking for their comments on the issues raised in the meeting.
4. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on Disability Action funding.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Committee is kept informed of any developments regarding the funding to Disability Action.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to Disability Action and the Department for Finance and Personnel (DFP) stating that the Committee was keen that DFP was aware of this decision.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the redrafting of the Solvent Emissions (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2010.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on collaborative working between councils.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee was encouraged by the response and asking that the Committee is kept fully informed of any further meetings on this issue and details of genuine economies being achieved.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on absenteeism in the Planning Service and staff numbers in the Department.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that members welcomed the decreasing levels of absenteeism and requested a year on year breakdown of absenteeism levels for the past 3 years.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for an explanation on the use of the term ‘whole time equivalents’ as opposed to ‘full time equivalents’.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on funding to Community Places and Planning Service’s communication with the public.
Mr McGlone joined the meeting at 10.16a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Committee is kept informed of any developments regarding the funding to Community Places.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to Community Places for information.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries onthe Roe Valley Hydro Electric Scheme.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating the Committee’s support for this project and that members believe it is essential it goes ahead.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if the Department intends to bid for funding again in the December monitoring round and, if public funding isn’t available, will the Department pursue the option of private funding.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on flights in exceptional circumstances at Belfast City Airport and a reply from Belfast City Airport on the same issue.
Agreed: That the reply is noted until the synopsis of responses to the consultation on seats for sale is received.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with an interim Committee response to the Bus Operator Licensing consultation.
Agreed: That the response is sent to the Department with the suggested changes made.
Agreed: That a press statement outlining the Committee’s position is issued.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on emergency planning.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.31a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that members felt that the general public was not as involved in emergency planning as it should be and asking for more information on the monitoring carried out by theLocal Government Emergency Management Group (LGEMG) on councils’ preparedness for an emergency incident and asking what the group’s reviews have determined.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on NGO funding.
The Committee noted its disappointment that a reply to the queries raised on the ePIC project at the meeting on 9 September has not yet been forwarded to members.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that a reply is sent as a matter of urgency.
5. Banbridge District Council briefing on High Hedges Bill
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Representatives from Banbridge District Council briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the High Hedges Bill.
Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 10.54a.m.
The main areas of discussion were complaints made to the councils, fees, fixed penalty notices and single trees being included in the Bill.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to check if the review of the English High Hedges scheme has taken place yet and what lessons have been learnt from it.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a response from the Examiner of Statutory Rules on the delegated powers of the High Hedges Bill.
Agreed: That the Committee is content to accept the Examiner’s report.
Mr McGlone left the meeting at 11.15a.m.
Mr Buchannan left the meeting at 11.16a.m.
6. NILGA briefing on High Hedges Bill
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Weir –Member of NILGA Executive.
Mr Clarke –Member of Antrim Borough Council.
Mr Beggs –Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Mr Wilson – Member of North Down Borough Council
Representatives from NILGA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the High Hedges Bill.
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 11.32a.m.
The main areas of discussion were fees and charging, cost recovery and single trees being included in the Bill.
Mr Dallat left the meeting at 11.34a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification as to the types of trees that are included in the Bill.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to establish how many complaints have been made to local councils about high hedges and how many complaints have been made about single trees.
Agreed: That NILGA provides information on mechanisms for recouping costs.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 11.53a.m.
Mr Dallat rejoined the meeting at 11.54a.m.
Mr Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 11.54a.m.
7. Assembly Research briefing on Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Mr McGlone left the meeting at 12.01p.m.
An Assembly Researcher briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on theClean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.
Mr Wilson rejoined the meeting at 12.15p.m.
Agreed: That the Research paper is published on the Assembly website.
8. Departmental briefing on Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 12.21p.m.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Beggs –Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Mr Wilson –Member of North Down Borough Council.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.
Mr Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 12.40p.m.
The main areas of discussion were the purpose of each clause of the Bill and its implications.
Mr Dallat left the meeting at 12.42p.m.
Agreed: That Departmental officials provide a written response to a question on whether the Bill provides the power for an innocent party to recoup costs from the beneficiaries of an advertisement for removal of posters that have been flyposted.
11. Consultations
Consultation on the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations (NI) 2010 – Synopsis of Responses.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
12. Correspondence
Email regarding single tier taxi licensing.
Agreed: That Mr Bell, a public hire taxi driver, is informed of a forthcoming Departmental briefing in relation to the implementation of the Taxis Act at the Committee meeting on 14 October 2010.
Copy of Draft Committee response to Europarc on the Aarhus question.
Agreed: That the response is sent to Europarc.
Memo requesting Committee permission to forward a letter to the Minister in relation to correspondence from the Irish Trout Fishing Association regarding the water quality of Lough Erne.
Agreed: That the memo is sent to the Department for comment.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Copy of Local Government Waste Storage Guide for Northern Ireland.
Copy of “Hunting for Morality” – an article from Mr James Barrington, Animal Welfare Consultant.
Copy of a personal response from Robert Tucker to the threat by the Green Party to ban hunting with dogs in NI.
Copy of the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee Annual Report 2009/2010.
Letter to advise the Committee of the Minister intention to approve planning application J/2006/0616/0 – Strategic mixed use development – Strabane.
Copy of WWF NI report on energy round table.
Letter requesting the Committee to forward a letter to the Department on behalf of the ETI Committee.
Note of key issues discussed & decisions taken at the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group meeting, held on Tuesday 21 September.
13. Any other business
The Chairperson informed members that a meeting will take place in relation to the idea of a ‘champion’ for Lough Neagh on Wednesday 6 October at 2p.m..
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 07 October 2010 at 10.00a.m in Carrickfergus Castle.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.56p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
07 October 2010
28 September 10 / Menu
