Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 11 October 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present: -
Rev Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies: -
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)

In Attendance:
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Miss J Adair (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)

Mr M McCourt (Administrative Support)

The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 10.31 a.m.

The minutes of the meeting of 4 October 2001 were agreed.

2. Matter Arising

1. Members discussed a letter from the Department regarding the Committee's concerns about a recent survey of the hare population and the Department's plans for a future survey.

Agreed: To write to the Department highlighting the Committee's dissatisfaction at the Department's decision to continue to issue permits to capture hares for coursing.

3. Replies Outstanding

1. Ballyrickard Landfill Site - awaiting reply from Department.
2. Proposed Ferry - update awaited from Newry and Mourne District
Council.

4. Game Preservation (Amendment) Bill

Ms Felicity Boyd and Dr Howard Platt, Officials from the Department of the
Environment joined the meeting at 10.34 a.m. They gave a brief presentation
explaining the inclusion of an additional phrase to the Department's proposed
amendment to clause 2.

Mr D McClarty joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m.
Mr J Leslie joined the meeting at 10.40 a.m.

The Committee then gave formal Clause by Clause consideration of the Bill.

The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 10. 45 a.m.

Agreed: That the Secretariat would provide a draft Committee Report for consideration at next week's meeting.

5. Local Government (Best Value) Bill

Dr Wm. McCrea, Mr D McClarty, Mr M Murphy, and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next item was discussed.

Mr David Barr and Mr Donald Starritt, Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 10.46 a.m. They gave presentations on the legislative and policy issues raised by the Committee relating to the Bill and answered Members' questions.

Mr D McClarty left the meeting at 11.21 a.m. and rejoined at 11.40 a.m.

The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.50 a.m.

Agreed: To write to the Minister highlighting the Committee's strong concerns about this Bill.

To put down an Extension Motion for the Agreement of the Assembly.

To invite representatives from
SOLACE, NILGA and APSI to attend next week's meeting to present their views and any concerns about this Bill.

6. Executive Programme Funds

The Committee considered details of the Department's bids under the current round of Executive Fund allocations.

Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.56 a.m. and rejoined at 12.00 noon.

Agreed: To write to the Department as agreed.

7. DCAN 8: Small Housing Developments

The Committee considered the way forward on the above consultation document.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to gave a presentation on the document proposals issue at next week's meeting.

8. Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

The Committee considered the way forward on the above consultation document.

Agreed: To arrange for Departmental Officials to attend a future meeting to gave a presentation on the document proposals.

9. Any Other Business

The Committee considered a folder of information provided by the Secretariat on the recent decision to grant permission to open a nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield in Cumbria.

Agreed: That the Secretariat will provide a draft letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consideration at next week's meeting.

10. Next Meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 18 October at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.07 p.m.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA