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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Present were:- In attendance:- Apologies:- Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson) The meeting commenced at 10.16am. 1. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the meeting of 8 March 2001 were agreed. Mr D McClarty joined the meeting at 10.17am 2. Matters arising from previous meetings The Committee noted the following replies outstanding:- (i)Ferry proposal - a reply is awaited from Newry and Mourne Distrtict Council; (ii)Historic Building Grant - a reply is awaited from the Department. Mr D Watson joined the meeting at 10.18am 3. Presentation by The Woodland Trust Mr Patrick Cregg and Mr Geoff Nuttall, representatives from the Woodland Trust, joined the meeting at 10.18am. Mr M Murphy joined the meeting at 10.20am. Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 10.24am. Mr J Leslie joined the meeting at 10.31am. After giving a presentation, they answered questions from the Members. The Chairman thanked Mr Cregg and Mr Nuttall for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.04am. 3. Best Value The following Members declared an interest as Local councillors:- Rev Dr Wm McCrea, Mr A Doherty, Mr E Poots, Mr D Ford, Mrs J Carson, Mr M Murphy and Mr D McClarty. (a) Presentation by the Local Government Auditor. (LGA) Mr John Buchanon, the Chief Local Government Auditor, and Mr Brian Kernohan, Principal Auditor, joined the meeting at 11.06am. After giving a presentation on the LGA perspective on the Best Value proposals, the Officials answered questions from the Members. The Chairman thanked the Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.32am. (b) Presentation by the Minister, Mr Sam Foster, and Officials.The Minister for the Environment, Mr Sam Foster, and Senior Departmental Officials (Mr Stephen Quinn, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr) joined the meeting at 11.34am. After giving a presentation, the Minister and his Officials answered questions from the Members. Mr E Poots left the meeting at 11.53am. The Chairman thanked the Minister and his Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.25am. 4. The Way Forward The Committee discussed how to take the issue of Best Value forward. Agreed: (a) To invite the Association for Public Service Excellence to give a presentation at next week's meeting: and (b) To ask the Assembly Researchers to do a comparative analysis of the proposed NI legislation with the existing GB Bill. Mr M McLaughlin left the meeting at 12.27pm. 5. Consultation Document on the Carriage of Guide, Hearing and other Assistance Dogs in Taxis. The Committee discussed the Consultation Document from the Department. Agreed: (i) That the Committee had no comment to make at this time: and (ii) That the Committee wishes to be informed of the outcome of the Consultation process. Mr E Poots rejoined the meeting at 12.32pm. 6. AOB (a) Regional Development Strategy The revised draft document of "Shaping Our Future" was distributed to all Members along with supporting documents. Agreed: That the Committee would consider the Document at next week's meeting. (b) Inquiry into Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland The Report from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the above topic was discussed. Agreed: That the Committee will liaise with the Department on the recommendations relevant to it. (c) Draft Strategy 2010 Report The Committee discussed the relevant recommendations from the draft Report by the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee. Agreed: That the Committee had no comments to make on the draft recommendations. 7. Date of next Meeting The next meeting will be held at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings on Thursday 22 March 2001. The meeting ended at 12.40pm. |
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