COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2011,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr John Dallat
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Patsy McGlone
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
The meeting began in public session at 1.40p.m.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 10 March 2011 were agreed.
2. Matters arising
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with NILGOSC and Departmental letters regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2010.
Agreed: That in the absence of a ruling by the Judicial Review, this issue is deferred for the attention of an incoming Committee.
Members noted a Departmental reply to letters from the NI Biodiversity Group, SWaMP 2008 and RSPB on the draft Budget.
Mr Dallat joined the meeting at 2.42p.m.
Members considered a Departmental update on post project evaluations and suggested that more detail should be provided on what it meant by ‘being progressed’.
Agreed: That the Legacy Report informs an incoming Environment Committee that this Committee felt more detail should be provided on how Post Project Evaluations were being progressed.
Mr Willie Clarke joined the meeting at 2.44p.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply on track days.
Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the original correspondent and that a letter is sent to the PSNI asking if it organises track days.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with extensive correspondence from Waringstown objectors regarding the development of the orchard garden part of the listed Grange building.
Mr McGlone left the meeting at 1.51p.m.
Mr Savage declared an interest as he had been involved with this issue.
Agreed: That the Departmental response is forwarded to Mr Jones and that a letter is sent to the Department asking for the replacement of the 2 commemoration stones that had been removed.
Agreed: That this issue is included in the Committee’s Legacy Report.
Members noted an Assembly research briefing note on an Rural Community Network event on local government reform policy proposals.
Members noted an Assembly Research paper – Opportunities and Barriers for Local Councils in Implementing Carbon Management Reduction Plans.
Agreed: That this issue is included in the Committee’s Legacy Report.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a final draft of the Committee’s Legacy Report which now included updates on Taxi Operator Licensing, the Wild Birds Directive and land spreading of sewage sludge. Members were also been provided with a draft press release on the end of the mandate.
Agreed: That the report is agreed and published on the website.
Agreed: That the press release is issued.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 1.56p.m.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a reply from CNCC on the Department’s proposed approach on the Wild Birds Directive.
Agreed: That this issue is included in the Committee’s Legacy Report.
Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to CNCC.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a letter from the Dundonald Green Belt Association calling for an amendment to the Planning Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for reassurance that the issues raised in the letter will be dealt with in the Review of the Planning Bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to OFMDFM stating that the Committee is concerned about the lack of powers of the Ombudsman in relation to planning and asking that this is taken into account during the review of the Ombudsman.
Members noted a Departmental letter on the application of PPS21 across divisional planning offices.
3.Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill – draft Committee report
Members noted an e mail from Pat Ramsey MLA’s advisor stating that the sponsor of the Bill did consult on the Bill with the Foyle branch of Sustrans.
Agreed: That a copy of the e mail is included in the Committee report.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a draft Committee report on the Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill.
Agreed: That the report is ordered to be printed.
4. Taxi Operator licensing
The Chairperson informed members the Minister had now written to the Committee to state that as he wishes to give further consideration to some of the issues raised he will not be bringing the regulations forward. Officials have been asked to engage further with the industry with a view to bringing the legislation to the Assembly in May 2011.
Agreed: That this issue is included in the Committee’s Legacy Report.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with further correspondence from the NI Wedding Cars Association, a letter from East/South Belfast taxi operators and Departmental replies to stakeholders.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter from the Minister is forwarded to the stakeholders.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a draft press release on taxi operator licensing.
Agreed: That the press release is issued.
5. Statutory Rules
SR 2011/49 - The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2011/49 - The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
SR 2011/94 - The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2011/94 - The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
SR 2011/75 – The Planning (General Development) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2011/94 - The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
SR 2011/99 – The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2011/99 – The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
SR 2011/101 – The Landfill (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2011/101 – The Landfill (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to this rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
6. Consultations
Synopsis of responses to the consultation on Councillors’ pensions
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
The Chairperson informed members that the Department had laid a Statutory Rule on Councillors’ Pensions but that it had arrived too late for inclusion in members’ meeting papers.
Agreed: That the Statutory Rule is deferred for consideration by the incoming Committee.
Draft Minimum Revenue Provision Guidance and Commencement of the Local Government Finance Bill
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Synopsis of Responses to Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (Classification of Vehicles) Consultation – Formerly called Exemptions and Scope
Agreed: That this issue is deferred for consideration by an incoming Committee.
Chief Local Government Auditor’s Code of Audit Practice – synopsis of
responses
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Synopsis of responses to the consultation on the draft Regulations and Guidance to be made under the Local Government Finance Bill
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 2.25p.m.
7. Correspondence
Request from the ARD Committee to forward a letter from Mr Ian Paisley MP regarding slurry spreading and hedge trimming to the DOE for comment.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Request from Regional Development Committee to forward the attached letter to the DOE regarding the enforcement of legislation on public hire taxi ranks and illegal parking.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a tabled letter in relation to car breaking yards.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Copy of The Consumer Council’s Election Manifesto 2011.
Letter to inform the Committee of the publication on its website of the Planning Service’s Development Management Statistics, 2010/11 – 3 rd Quarter.
Response from the Department of Finance and Personnel regarding the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan.
Response from the Department of Education regarding the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan.
Response from the Department Culture, Arts & Leisure regarding the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan.
Response from the Department for Regional Development regarding the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan.
Letter to advise the approval of planning application W/2008/0456/F – The Royal Hotel/Windsor Bar, Quay Street, Bangor.
8. Any other business
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a copy of the minutes from today’s meeting.
Agreed: That the minutes are agreed.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.32p.m.
Cathal Boylan
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
23 March 2011
10 March 11 / Menu
