COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 2011,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
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 Trevor Clarke
Mr John Dallat
Mr George Savage
The meeting began in public session at 10.05 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above
The Chairperson informed members that Mr Dallat’s brother had recently passed away.
Agreed: That a letter of condolence is issued to Mr Dallat.
2. Chairperson’s business
The Chairperson informed members that, at the meeting on 13 January 2011, the Committee divided 4:4 on the question of Committee agreement on Clause 16, as drafted, of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.
The Chairperson advised members that the Committee would have to reconsider this Clause as, in the absence of a majority this meant the Committee was not content with the clause as drafted which is not how the decision was recorded in the minutes.
Agreed: That further discussion on Clause 16 takes place at the meeting on Wednesday 26 January 2011.
3.Departmental briefing on SR 2010/410 - Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 10.22a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on SR 2010/410 - Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
The Committee indicated that it would be willing to consider the idea of revoking Part 4 of the Rule with a shortened consultation period on this.
Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with a written briefing note on the background and purpose of the Rule.
Agreed: That the Committee defers a decision on the Rule to its meeting on Wednesday 26 January 2011.
4. Assembly Research briefing on Planning Bill – Assessment of Councils’ Performance and all remaining provisions
Assembly Research officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Planning Bill - Assessment of Councils’ Performance and all remaining provisions.
The main areas of discussions were the need for leadership, roles and responsibilities, potential barriers to effective delivery, capacity building, guidance, experiences in other jurisdictions, training and resources.
Agreed: That Assembly Research provides the Committee with further information on the power of wellbeing and strategic partnership and examples of how transparency and collaborative working between councils have worked in other jurisdictions.
Agreed: That the research paper is placed on the Assembly website.
5.Departmental briefing on Planning Bill – Assessment of Councils’ Performance and all remaining provisions
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Planning Bill – community involvement.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 11.50a.m and Mr McGlone assumed the Chair
The main areas of discussions were resources, the quality of the built environment, sustainable development, the timeframe for detailed guidance, the Department’s oversight role, compensation, pilot schemes and best practice from other jurisdictions.
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 12.20p.m. and resumed the Chair.
Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with a briefing paper on sustainable development within the Planning Bill.
The Committee adjourned for a 10 minute break
The meeting resumed in public session at 12.30p.m. with the following members present:
Mr Boylan
Mr Buchanan
Mr W Clarke
Mr Ross
Mr Weir
6. Minutes
The minutes of the meetings on 13 January and 18 January 2011 were agreed.
7.Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a response from the External Liaison Unit on the availability of funding for Environmental Law Students.
Agreed: That a written response is sent to Professor Turner, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast, advising her of the negative response to the availability of funding, and suggesting that she writes to the new Committee on the other aspects of her request when it is in place in May 2011.
Members noted a Departmental reply to the Committee’s queries on PPS21.
Members noted a Departmental reply to the Committee’s queries on warning lights on school buses.
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 12.34p.m.
Members noted the response from the Freight Transport Association in relation to MOT pass/failure rates for HGVs, and a Departmental reply regarding data capture on failure rates.
8. Briefing by Permanent Secretary on planning and the impact on the
economy
The Permanent Secretary and Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questionson planning and the impact on the economy.
Mr Kinahan rejoined the meeting at 12.38p.m.
Mr Wilson re joined the meeting at 12.46p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting a written briefing on planning and the impact on the economy, and in particular, what the Department is doing to ensure a consistent approach so that local economies are not disadvantaged.
Mr Willie Clarke left the meeting at 12.54p.m.
The Chairperson raised the issue of the miscalculation of mineral planning application fees and there followed a detailed discussion on the issue.
Agreed: That a note of the Chair’s meeting with QPANI is forwarded to the Department for comment and that a letter is sent to the Minister highlighting the Committee’s concerns about how the Department has managed this issue including how the Minister’s decision was conveyed to the Committee.
9. Matters Arising cont’d
The Committee agreed to note the following:
Departmental reply on PPS21.
Departmental reply on Taxi Plates and associated communication from taxi companies and an individual.
Departmental reply on lights on school buses.
Reply from the Freight Transport Association in relation to MOT pass/failure rates for HGVs and Departmental reply regarding data capture on failure rates Article from the Institute of Civil Engineers on recycling.
Letter from DFP Minister regarding withdrawn request for an amendment.
Assembly Research Paper and Departmental paper on Budget.
Letter regarding withdrawal of Knock Golf Club planning application.
Departmental reply re SuDS
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting further clarification on the PPS 7 Addendum relating to ‘operational difficulties’ referred to in the Department’s reply.
Departmental reply re Local Government Reform Consultation
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting further clarification on the term ‘minorities’ and the rationale behind it relating only to that section of the community within the council’s district which is not regarded as the ‘politically dominant’ group.
NI Marine Task Force correspondence
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department for a response highlighting the potential savings identified in the Marine Management Organisation report.
10. Proposal for secondary legislation
SL1 – Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
11. Consultations
Local Government Auditor’s Draft Code of Audit Practice
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses is requested.
Consultation on the granting of an exception from the EU Driver’s Hours rules for reservists
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses is requested.
Draft Regulations for Signs and Warning Lights on School Buses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
12. Correspondence
Departmental response to Committee queries forwarded on behalf of the Committee for Culture, Arts & Leisure re zebra mussels.
Departmental response to Committee queries forwarded on behalf of the Committee for Health Social Services & Public Safety re the Autism Bill.
Members noted the action to be taken by the Clerk Assistant’s office regarding Democracy Live coverage of Environment Committee meetings.
Letter of thanks to the Committee and Department for its contribution to the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill.
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
Copy of ‘Keeping up the good work’ – Energy Saving Trust Northern Ireland 2009-10.
Copy of Limavady Country Times news article re Limavady young driver’s road safety event.
Introduction to Climate Week’s first 2011 newsletter.
Departmental response to ETI Committee questions following DOE officials evidence session on 11 November 2010 into barriers to the development of renewable energy production.
Copy of NIIRTA’s response to Department’s consultation on Local Government Reform – Policy Proposals.
Copy of email from Bell Architects to Maggie Smith regarding: Absorption of Code for Sustainable Homes within current Planning Policies.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 January 2011 at 10.00a.m in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.19p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
27 January 2011
18 January 11 / Menu
