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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 14 March 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. Present: - Apologies: - In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m.
The minutes of the meeting of 7 March 2002 were agreed.
Members also considered additional information provided by a member of the public on concerns about a planning application for a radio base station at Church Street, Downpatrick. Agreed: To write to the Department of the Environment highlighting the Committee's concerns at the delay in introducing secondary legislation and urging the Department to reconsider its decision not to impose a moratorium. To forward the additional information provided by the member of the public to the Department and to write to the member of the public and Down District Council outlining the Committee's representations to the Department and copying the Department's responses. Agreed: To write to Seaports confirming the Committee's decision to decline a presentation
The Committee considered a joint consultation paper issued by the Department of the Environment's Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and the Driving Standards Agency in GB on proposals to introduce a Hazard Perception Testing element to the driving theory test by October 2002. Agreed: To invite Officials from Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency to give a presentation on this consultation paper at the Committee meeting on 18 April 2002. The Committee considered the following Rules that has been laid before the Assembly:
The Committee noted the Eight Report dated 8 March 2002 to the Assembly of the Examiner of Statutory Rules. The Examiner reported that there was nothing on the Statutory Rules that required to be brought to the attention of the Assembly and the Committee for the Environment. The following Motions was put and agreed: - 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Motor Vehicle Testing (Amendment) (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.' 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.' 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Public Service Vehicles (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.' 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.' 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (Test Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.'
Dr Wm. McCrea, Ms P Lewsley, Mr F Molloy, Mr M Murphy and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before this item was discussed. Mr David Thomson, Mr Peter Aiken and Mr Billy Hamilton, Officials from the Department of the Environment, joined the meeting at 10.49 a.m. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the Budget 2002. Key issues discussed included an overview of the Budget 2002 timetable and process, the introduction of 'Indicative Minima' and the Department's budget pressures. Officials also spoke on the February 2002 Monitoring Round, options for bids for waste management under the Executive Programme Funds and the use of £1m additional receipts by the Planning Service. Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.18 a.m. and rejoined at 11.21 a.m. The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.25 a.m. Agreed: To consider the Department's work-in-progress draft Position Report at next week's Committee meeting and a new complete draft at 11 April Committee meeting. The Committee considered a letter from the Committee for Regional Development and a research paper on the proposed Regional Transportation Strategy. Agreed: That the Secretariat would provide a draft response for consideration at next week's Committee meeting. Dr Wm. McCrea, Ms P Lewsley, Mr F Molloy, Mr M Murphy and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next two items were discussed. The Committee considered a letter and supporting information from the Minister of the Environment on proposals to include an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill (under the Sewel Convention) to provide Northern Ireland Councils with statutory powers to engage in community safety function. Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment advising that the Committee was content with the proposals as outlined. Mr Gordon Best, Mr Connor Jordan and Mr Pat Lyons, representatives of the Quarry Products Association, joined the meeting at 11.38 a.m. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on their concerns about the impact of the proposed Aggregates Tax on the industry's work in relation to the environment and sustainable development. Key issues included proposals to develop an Environmental Best Practice Strategy to replace the Aggregates Tax; the need for changes to public sector procurement and planning procedures; and the need for specific research on the impact of the legislation about to be introduced from 1 April in Northern Ireland. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left the meeting at 12.17 p.m. Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment, with a copy to the Minister for Finance and Personnel, expressing the Committee's concern on the proposed aggregates Tax in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department of the Environment expressing the Committee's concern and seeking comment. - A Press Release issued by the Department of the Environment regarding the Minister's speech at a conference on Sustainable Development in the City Hall, Belfast on Tuesday 12 March 2002. - A response from the Department of the Environment regarding correspondence received by the Committee about concerns regarding the interference between radio transmitters and Cochlear Implants Agreed: To refer the correspondence to the Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety for comment through the Committee for Health, Social Service and Public Safety - A letter from Down District Council and a response from the Department of the Environment about concerns in relation to the lack of legislation and action being taken to minimise the amount of waste produced by manufacturing companies. - A letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel research paper, etc. on proposals for an Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives. Agreed: That the Secretariat would commission research from the Assembly Research and Library Services and await the Department's response to the Inquiry.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 21 March 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting adjourned at 12.20 pm. Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson) |
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