COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr John Dallat
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
The meeting began in public session at 10.10a.m.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies
2. Matters arising
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with letters from NILGOSC and the Department regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2) Regulations.
Agreed: That as the issue is still subject the subject of a live court case, further discussion on this item is deferred until the meeting on 10 March 2011.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a letter from the NI Biodiversity Group to the Minister regarding the 2011/2015 Budget.
Agreed: That the Committee is copied into the Departmental response to the NI Biodiversity Group.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.14a.m.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on ePIC.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a Departmental reply regarding the display of insurance certificates on car windscreens.
Agreed: That further discussion on this item is deferred until the meeting on 10 March 2011.
The Chairperson informedmembers they had been provided with a DARD reply regarding the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Action Plan.
Agreed: That the reply is noted but that the Committee expressed an interest in seeing tighter guidelines in due course.
3.Equality Commission briefing on equality measures in the Planning Bill
Officials from the Equality Commission briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on equality measures in the Planning Bill.
The main areas of discussion were Section 75 and 76 duties, EQIA standards, the local government reform consultation and fair employment legislation.
4. Departmental briefing on its response to the Committee’s climate change inquiry report
Mr Buchanan left the meeting at 11.00a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Department’s response to the Committee’s climate change inquiry report.
Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 11.08a.m.
The main areas of discussion were the work of the Cross Departmental Working Group, the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme, the Rethink Waste programme and European funding.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for further information on any European funding that has been drawn down to implement climate change mitigation measures and carbon reduction and to ask what percentage of the recommendations in the report were accepted and what percentage was now delivered.
Mr Buchanan rejoined the meeting at 11.25a.m.
6. Departmental briefing on Single Use Plastic Bags Bill
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Single Use Plastic Bags Bill.
The main areas of discussion were the environmental impact of the levy, the role of councils, the need for primary and subordinate legislation, the Department’s proposed amendments to the Bill, the level of the levy, the mechanisms for collecting the levy, the need for consultation, the definition of a bag, the impact of a levy in the Republic of Ireland and the need for accelerated passage.
The Chairperson asked members if they were content to support the motion for accelerated passage listed for debate on Monday 28 February 2011.
The Committee divided:
AYES
Mr Boylan
Mr Wilson
NOES
Mr McGlone
Mr Kinahan
Mr Dallat
Mr Weir, Mr Ross, Mr Clarke and Mr Buchanan abstained.
Agreed: That the Committee is not content to support accelerated passage for the Bill.
Agreed: That the Department forwards a report on the review of the plastic bag levy in the Republic of Ireland.
Agreed: That the Department forwards a copy of its proposed amendments to the Bill.
7. Departmental briefing on PPS16 Consultation
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the PPS16 Consultation.
The main areas of discussion were visitor attractions, the degree of change between the proposed policy and the current policy and input from DARD and DETI to the consultation process.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.51a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a copy of the responses to date to the consultation and to ask how the Department intends to open places to tourism.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 1.00p.m.
8. Bus Operator’s Licensing Consultation
The Committee received a briefing from a Committee Clerk on the Bus Operator’s Licensing Consultation.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that the Committee feels a second consultation is needed and to seek a commitment from the Department that the policy will not proceed until a second consultation exercise is completed.
9. Proposal for secondary legislation
SL1 – Planning Fees (Amendment) Regs (NI) 2011 and synopsis of responses to consultation
Agreed: That further discussion on this proposal is deferred until the meeting on 10 March 2011.
10. Statutory Rules
Public Bodies Bill – Legislative Consent Motion – Letter from Department and Committee for the Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Agreed: That the Committee is content with the Legislative Consent Motion.
11. Consultations
Implementation of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act (NI) 2010 – Consultation on Licensing of Operators and Enforcement
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Consultation on the draft Pollution Prevention and Control (District Councils) Charging Scheme (NI) 2011 – synopsis of responses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Consultation on the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products – synopsis of responses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Letter re consultation on the Local Government Staff Commission
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Consultation on a revision to the fees for domestic consent applications under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
12. Correspondence
E-mail re the possible future provision of organised ‘track days’ for young drivers.
Agreed: That a copy of the e-mail is sent to the Department for comments.
Departmental briefing and Draft Discussion Paper on European Engagement.
Agreed: That a response is drafted for consideration at the meeting on 10 March 2011.
Copy of RSPB’s response to the DOE draft budget.
Copy of SWaMP2008 response to the DOE draft budget.
Agreed: That a copy of the responses are forwarded to the Department for comments and that arc21 and NWRWMG are asked for copies of their responses to the DOE draft budget.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Letter from Fonacab/Value Cabs re the implementation of the Taxis Act.
11. Any Other Business
The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee’s amendment on the inclusion of single evergreen or semi evergreen trees into the High Hedges Bill was not moved at Consideration Stage due to an amendment to be brought forward by Chris Lyttle MLA.
Agreed: That Mr Lyttle is asked to forward a copy of his proposed amendment to the Committee.
Mr Kinahan informed members that he had recently met with NILGA officials who expressed concern at the potential cost to councils of implementing the Welfare of Animals Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to NILGA asking it to outline their concerns to the Committee.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10 March 2011 at 10.00a.m. in Derry.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30 p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
10 March 2011
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