Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 24 January 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present: -
Rev Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr D Watson

Apologies: -
Mrs J Carson
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots

In Attendance:
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Miss J Adair (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Ms C Angelone (Administrative Support)

The Chairman read out a letter from the Minister of Employment and Learning, Ms Carmel Hanna, thanking the Chairperson, Members and staff for their support during her time as Deputy Chairperson and commending the Committee for the manner in which it carries out its responsibilities.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 17 January 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

1. The Committee noted a response from the Department of the Environment

about concerns raised following last week's presentation by Departmental Officials on proposed fee increases by the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency. In light of the Committee's concerns particularly about the proposed increases in relation to TIR fees in comparison to corresponding fees in Great Britain, the Department has decided to maintain TIR fees at the current rate.

Agreed: That the Committee welcomed the

Department's decision not to increase TIR fees and had no further comment on the associated SL1.

3. Replies Outstanding

1. Proposed ferry - update awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council.
2. Ballyrickard Landfill Site - reply awaited from Larne Borough Council.
3. Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oils) Regulations - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
4. Hare Coursing - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
5. Mutual recognition of fixed penalty system in the Republic of Ireland - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
6. Road Safety Strategy 2001 - 2010 - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
7. Planning (Amendment) Bill - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment

4. Budgetary and Related Matters

Dr Wm. McCrea and Ms Lewsley declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next two items were discussed.

Mr David Thomson and Mr John Small, Officials from the Department of the Environment, joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m. They gave presentations and answered Members' questions on three budgetary issues relating to the Department of the Environment as follows:

• The Department's draft Service Delivery Agreement, which has been developed detailing exactly how the higher level Public Service Agreements will be achieved.

Agreed: To provide a response to the

Minister of the Environment based on Members' questions and comments

• The outcome of the Department's bids and surrenders in the December Monitoring Round. The Officials advised the Committee that the Department has submitted a successful bid in relation to the Belfast Metropolitan Action Plan but was unsuccessful in bidding for additional funding to take forward work on the Committee's Report on School Transport and the Historic Buildings Grant.

The Committee noted that the Department was examining options to allow work to begin on the Report on School Transport and was optimistic that the necessary resources would shortly be identified. Members also noted that the Officials agreed to keep the Committee informed in advance of bids made by the Department in future Monitoring Rounds.

• Options for a roll-over mechanism into the next financial year for unspent funding by District Councils from the Waste Management Grant Scheme 2001-02. The Officials advised the Committee that, in recent correspondence, the Department of Finance and Personnel stated that it could not approve any such roll-over of monies but indicated that it was likely that any extra funding for the development of Waste Management would be made available in the next financial year.

Mr Leslie joined the meeting at 10.53 a.m.

The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.31 a.m.

5. Local Government (Best Value) Bill

The Committee noted several letters from organisations consulted by the Committee during consideration of its Report on the Best Value Bill. These included a number of letters from District Councils, which fully supported the Committee's conclusions and recommendations.

Mrs Cynthia Smyth and Mr David Barr, Officials from the Department of the Environment, joined the meeting at 11.41 p.m. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the Minister of the Environment's proposals for a revised 7 Clause Bill.

The Officials advised the Committee that the revised Bill introduces a general duty of Best Value without the statutory provision for best value reviews, published performance improvement plans, audits or the power for the Department to disapply Councils, etc. The proposed revised Bill retains powers for the Department to specify matters, which cease to be 'non-commercial' and includes additional powers to amend or repeal existing legislation if that legislation obstructs compliance with Councils' Best Value duty.

The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.39 p.m.

Agreed: To write to the Department of the Environment seeking clarification on a number of outstanding issues and to District Councils seeking any concerns on the revised Bill.

To arrange additional meetings next week to give full consideration to the revised Bill.

6. Shared Horizons - Protected Landscapes in Northern Ireland

The Committee considered a Report issued by the Department of the Environment on issues surrounding the designation and management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and the possibility of future national parks. The Minister intends to make a statement and has asked the Committee to comment.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the Report at the meeting on Thursday 31 January 2002.

7. Any Other Business

1. The Committee noted a number of letters and papers including:

• A news article in the Irish News regarding the Committee's handling of the Local Government (Best Value) Bill;

• A letter from a member of the public requesting a meeting with the Committee to discuss the installation of a radio base station in Church Street, Downpatrick;

Agreed: To forward a copy of the letter to the Department for urgent comment

• A letter from Moyle District Council regarding proposed developments at the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre;

• A copy of the Committee's response to the Committee of the Centre's Inquiry into the effectiveness of Northern Ireland institutions in engaging with institutions of the European Union;

• A letter from the Department of the Environment advising the Committee of the establishment of a Concordat providing a framework for good working relationships between the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions;

• A letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding its concerns about proposed housing developments in the East Belfast area.

Agreed: To write to the Department of the Environment seeking their comments on the concerns raised by the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

• A letter and a 6-monthly progress report on New TSN from the Department of the Environment regarding the targets and objectives set out in the Department's revised Action Plan for the period April 2001 to March 2003; and

• A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding the outcome of a consultation exercise carried out in July 2001 on the Department's Equality Scheme.

8. Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 29 January 2002 at 11.30 a.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 1.02 p.m.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)