COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Shauna Mageean (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr John Dallat
The meeting began in public session at 10.04 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed members that a request had been received from Belfast City Airport Watch for a copy of the synopsis of responses to the Department’s consultation on the seats for sale issue.
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is sent to Belfast City Airport Watch.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 07 October 2010 were agreed subject to a minor amendment.
4. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Committee response to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration consultation and responses to the consultation from The Rainbow Project and Lasi.
Agreed: That an amendment is made to the Committee response before it is issued to OFMdFM.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the criteria for listing consultation.
Mr Kinahan declared an interest as former Chairman of a local branch of the Historic Houses Association.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating the Committee’s disappointment that the consultation was not sent to the Historic Houses Association and asking that the organisation is added to the Department’s list of stakeholders for future consultations on this issue.
Agreed: That the consultation is sent to the Historic Houses Association for information.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.10a.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the precautionary principle.
Agreed: That the Department is asked if Planning Service has had to consult or seek advice from the DHSSPSNI in relation to any planning applications involving overhead high voltage cables.
Agreed: That the Department is asked why Planning Service, in the development of area plans, does not consider the exclusion of development directly below high voltage cables.
Agreed: That DRD is asked what role strategic planning has in relation to the development of housing beneath high voltage cables.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply following NILGA’s meeting with Chairperson on local government reform.
Agreed: That the Department is asked the current position of the Judicial Review into PPS5.
Agreed: That the reply is forwarded to NILGA for information.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the redeployment of Planning Service Staff.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on Landfill Tax.
Agreed: That the Department is asked how Landfill Tax is redistributed and if the Department can provide an estimate of the amount of Landfill Tax generated in Northern Ireland.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on tyre disposal.
Agreed: That the Assembly Research paper is forwarded to the Department asking if they have any indication on how many waste tyres are used on farms in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the 26 Councils asking if they could indicate to the Committee the numbers of tyres being burnt during the Halloween period in their council area.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental letter on the review of DOE senior management.
Agreed: That the Department is asked for more details about the changes within the Senior Management Team and if the Department feels the changes will provide a structure that is fit for purpose, the amount of money being saved and if the Department believes the combination of policy and delivery is an effective structure.
Members noted an Infraction schedule update from the Department and a comparison table from the Secretariat showing changes from the last update from April 2010.
Mr McGlone left the meeting at 10.30a.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a draft Committee response to the Sustainable Development Action Plan consultation.
Agreed: That the Committee response is sent to OFMdFM.
5. NICVA briefing on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2011 – 2015
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 10.32a.m.
Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.35a.m.
Representatives from NICVA briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2011 – 2015.
The main areas of discussion were funding cuts, the need for increased efficiency and co-operation between NGOs, the impact on tourism that funding cuts will have and the possibility of EU infractions.
Agreed: That the Department is requested for a breakdown of the names of the core funded organisations, the amount of funding received and the amount of funding the organisations can draw down from other sources.
Agreed: That NICVA is asked for more specifics on what services would be jeopardised if funding is reduced.
6. Departmental briefing on the synopsis of responses to the Road Safety Strategy consultation
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on thesynopsis of responses to the Road Safety Strategy consultation .
The main areas of discussion were an outline of the pre-consultation and the formal consultation, training young drivers, funding for implementing the strategy, technologies that can be used to aid the Road Safety Strategy and the timeframe for delivery of the strategy.
Agreed: That a copy of comments from the Ulster Farmers’ Union on trailer training is forwarded to the Department for their views.
7. Departmental briefing on the implementation of the Taxis Act 2008
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the implementation of the Taxis Act 2008.
The main areas of discussion were the rollout of subordinate legislation, operator licensing and enforcement.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 12.10p.m.
Agreed: That the Department is asked for further information on enforcement activities along with monthly updates on the progress of implementation of the Taxis Act.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.31p.m.
8. Local Government Finance Bill – informal Clause by Clause consideration
Mr Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 12.35
Mr Wilson rejoined the meeting at 12.40p.m.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on clauses 1 – 10 of the Local Government Finance Bill.
Agreed: That Departmental officials would provide a worked example to the Committee in relation to Clause 7 of the Bill.
9. High Hedges Bill
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on a review of High Hedges legislation.
Agreed: That the Assembly Research paper is incorporated into the Committee’s final report on the Bill.
10. Consultations
Consultation on police access to drivers’ data.
Agreed: That the Department is requested for a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation.
PPS 15 – Planning and Flood Risk – RSPB response to review
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating the Committee’s disappointment that it was not made aware of a review into PPS 15.
Agreed: That the Department is requested for a briefing by officials on the synopsis of responses at a future meeting.
12. Correspondence
Email from Mr Paul Harty regarding responsibility for maintaining river banks.
Agreed: That a copy of the email is forwarded to the Department asking for clarification on where responsibility lies for river banks.
Letter informing the Committee of the removal of the service by SELB Transport Management from Clonalig Primary School and the resulting road safety issues.
Agreed: That the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Email and updated letter detailing corrections to Bryson Recycling letter.
Agreed: That the letter is included in the Committee’s report on the Bill and that the letter is forwarded to Mike McKimm, BBC.
Departmental response to a request from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure requesting to be kept informed regarding any sale agreement between the NIEA and Dr McCutcheon.
Mr Weir declared an interest having previously dealt with Mr McCutcheon on this issue.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the CAL Committee.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Copy of the Upper Neagh Bann Catchment Stakeholder Group autumn meeting.
Letter informing Committee of the publication of the Planning Service Development Management Statistics Report 2010/11 – first quarter.
Copy of 2009 Drinking Water Quality Report in Northern Ireland.
Email responding to the Committee’s letter of response regarding the Aarhus Convention.
Letter to advise the Committee of the Minister intention to approve planning application F/2009/0317/F Demesne Quarry, Glenarm, Larne.
Copy of Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2009-2010.
13. Any other business
Bus Operator Licensing
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if the Department of Education was included in this consultation.
Statutory Transition Committees Press Release
Mr Weir declared an interest as a former member of Policy Development Panel A.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council and a member of the Strategic Leadership Board.
Mr Buchannan declared an interest as a member of Omagh District Council
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification on how the funding will be suspended and retriggered.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 19 October 2010 at 12.45p.m in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.06p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
21 October 2010
07 October 10 / Menu
