COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 2011,
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
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 Thomas Buchanan
Mr John Dallat
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting began in public session at 10.18 a.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a tabled press release in relation to the Committee’s amendment to the Local Government (Finance) Bill.
Agreed: That the press release is issued.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
The Chairperson informed members that at the meeting on 13 January 2011 the Committee divided on Clause 16 of the Bill - Litter offence: fixed penalty notice. In the minutes of the meeting the decision was recorded as the Committee being content with the clause as drafted. This was incorrect as the vote was tied thus meaning that the Committee did not agree the clause as drafted. The Committee now needed to reconsider the clause.
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Clause subject to a Committee amendment to address its concerns about issuing fixed penalty notices to minors.
3 Planning Bill submissions
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with further submissions on the Planning Bill.
Agreed: That the submissions are incorporated into the final Committee report and published on the Assembly website.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a letter from Jean Forbes in relation to the Planning Bill Stakeholder Event.
Agreed: That a letter is issued to Ms Forbes to explain that, due to the timeframe of the Bill, it was impossible to invite everyone that responded to the Committee’s call for evidence to present oral evidence to members and that the Stakeholder Event was an opportunity for individuals to present their views.
4. Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – NILGA
NILGA officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
Mr Ross joined the meeting at 11.00a.m.
Mr Savage declared an interest as a member of NILGA and Craigavon Borough Council.
Mr Willie Clarke declared an interest as a member of Down District Council
The main areas of discussion were training, resources, capacity building, communication with the Department, governance arrangements, pilot projects, the hierarchy of planning, enforcement, costs, liability, funding, third party right of appeal and community planning.
5.Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – NI Housing Executive
Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 11.35a.m.
NI Housing Executive officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
Mr Wilson left the meeting at 11.45a.m.
The main areas of discussion were the Regional Development Strategy, third party right of appeal, developer contributions, joint council working, the duration of planning permission, pre application discussions, performance agreements and zoning of land for social housing.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.04p.m.
Agreed: That an Assembly Research paper is requested on the zoning of social housing in other jurisdictions.
6.Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – Planning Appeals Commission
Planning Appeals Commission officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
The main areas of discussion were independent examination, the Department’s call in power, submission notices, planning agreements and award of costs.
Mr Savage left the meeting at 12.20p.m.>
7.Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – QPANI
QPANI officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
The main areas of discussion were sustainable development, mineral planning, definition of community, nature conservation, multiple fees, consultation period and aftercare of sites.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting for lunch at 1.00p.m.
The meeting re-started at 1.45p.m. with the following members present:
Mr Boylan, Mr Trevor Clarke, Mr Willie Clarke, Mr Wilson, Mr Kinahan
8.Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – Royal Town Planning Institute
Royal Town Planning Institute officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
The main areas of discussion were the timescale for the Bill, resources, training, plan led systems, definition of community, the Regional Development Strategy, the Department’s role in the Bill, independent examination, pilot schemes, development management and area plans.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 2.00p.m.
Agreed: That RTPI provides the Committee with a copy of the Planning Advisory Service report on fees.
9. SR 2010/410 - Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Mr Kinahan rejoined the meeting at 2.15p.m.
The Chairperson informed members that they needed to come to a decision on SR 2010/410 - Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. Members had been provided with a copy of a letter from NILGOSC on this issue and a Departmental briefing paper.
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2010/410 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to this rule.
Agreed: That the Committee reconsiders correspondence in relation to this Rule at its meeting on 3 February 2011.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 2.23p.m.
10. Planning Bill Oral Evidence Session – Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their submission to the Committee’s call for evidence on the Planning Bill.
The main areas of discussion were training, resources, planning hierarchy, the Department’s role, community plans, capacity building, resources and appeals.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 27 January 2011 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.10 p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
27 January 2011
20 January 11 / Menu
