COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2010,
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr George Savage
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
The meeting began in public session at 10.09a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 11 November 2010 were agreed.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.11a.m.
3. Departmental briefing on e-PIC
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered member’s questions on e-PIC.
Mr Buchanan joined the meeting at 10.16a.m.
The main areas of discussion were the costs of e-PIC, defects in the system, the rollout of the system across councils and the flexibility and adaptability of the system.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a breakdown of total capital and resource costs from the commencement of the project.
Mr Savage joined the meeting at 10.30a.m.
4. Ministerial Briefing
Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.35a.m.
The Minister of the Environment and Departmental Officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on:
- Planning;
- The implementation of Primary and Secondary Legislation;
- The Budget;
- Post Project Evaluations;
- PSA targets;
- Disposal of tyres and farm tyres;
- The Committee’s response to the Marine Policy Proposals consultation
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for synopsis of responses of the planning fees consultation.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting timetables for the implementation of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act, the High hedges Bill, Local Government (Finance) Bill and Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting that the revised implementation timetable for the Taxis Act is forwarded to the Committee as soon as possible.
5. High Hedges Bill – informal clause by clause consideration
The Committee conducted informal clause by clause consideration of the High Hedges Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Department reconsiders the inclusion of single evergreen/semi-evergreen trees in the Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Department explores the potential for an amendment to refund fees for upheld complaints.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 12.44p.m.
6. Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Members deferred discussion of this item until its meeting on 25 November 2010.
7. Statutory Rules
SR 2010/369 – The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/369 – The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
Mr Wilson rejoined the meeting at 12.51p.m.
SR 2010/371 – The Road Traffic Fixed Penalty (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/371 – The Road Traffic Fixed Penalty (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules
SR 2010/372 – The Road Traffic Fixed Penalty (Procedure) (Vehicle Examiners) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/372 – The Road Traffic Fixed Penalty (Procedure) (Vehicle Examiners) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
8. Chairperson’s business
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a note of meeting that Mr McGlone and Mr Dallat had held with Tobermore Concrete Products in relation to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems on behalf of the Committee. (SuDS).
Agreed: That a copy of the note is forwarded to the Department to comment on how it will progress this issue to the next stage and to ask that the Department proceeds with haste.
9. Matters Arising
Members noted information from the PSNI in relation to Committee queries on speed awareness courses and the young driver scheme.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on NO 2 levels in the Short Strand area of Belfast. This paper was requested following the briefing on the Belfast City Airport seats for sale issue.
Agreed: That a copy of the research paper is forwarded to the Planning Service, George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast City Airport Watch for comment.
Members noted a Departmental letter on the DVA’s launch of a theory test contact centre pilot.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental letter advising of a Review of Planning Policy Statement 11 – Planning and Waste Management
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if this review will have any impact on the Department’s obligations on waste under PSA target 22 Objective 5.
Members noted a reply from the Ombudsman in relation to the Dundonald Green Belt Association’s complaint on the Knock Golf Club planning application.
10. Correspondence
Letter of introduction and request to meet the Committee from the newly appointed Marine Campaign Co-ordinator for the NI Marine Task Force.
Agreed: That the Committee meets with the Marine Campaign Co-ordinator informally.
Members noted the following correspondence:
E-mail update on Climate Week.
Copy of the House of Lords Committee’s newsletter – November issue – The House of Lords European Activities.
11. Any Other Business
A member raised the issue of the disposal of sewage sludge.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for details of the current procedures on this issue and if there is guidance available for the disposal of sewage sludge on land.
The Chairperson informed members that there was an electronic Christmas card available for distribution rather than the conventional card.
Agree: That the electronic Christmas card is used.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 25 November 2010 at 9.30a.m in the Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.04p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
25 November 2010
11 November 10 / Menu
