PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 9 May 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present: Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr D McClarty
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies: Mrs J Carson
Mr M Murphy

In Attendance: Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Miss J Adair (Assistant Clerk))
Ms C Angelone (Clerical Officer)
Mr J Nulty (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 2 May 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

(i) The Committee considered the way forward regarding its concerns about
the incompleteness and ambiguity of specific sections of the Planning
Policy Statement 10 on Telecommunication Development.

Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment asking that PPS10 be amended or extended to reflect the need for 'exclusion zones' around schools etc and that 'perceived public fears/concerns' should be a material consideration in determining applications for development approval.

3. Any Other Business

The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including

Mrs Lewsley joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m.

(i) A letter from the Department of the Environment agreeing to defer any
decision on the reduction of the period for the first MOT test from 4-years to 3 years in Northern Ireland until the outcome of the Review of MOT Testing in GB is known.

Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.36 a.m.

(ii) A cover letter from the Department of the Environment and a copy of the
Progress Report on the Department's New TSN Action Plan objectives at the end of March 2002.

(iii) Information provided by the Department of the Environment regarding the
appointment of new members for the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee with effect from 16 April 2002.

(iv) A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns
raised by a member of the public about the erection of a mobile phone mast at Church Street, Downpatrick.

Agreed: To forward a copy of the Department's
response to the member of the public.

(v) A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding its
Department's revised Service Delivery Agreement.

Agreed: To write to the Department of the
Environment seeking information on targets contained in the original Service Delivery Agreement, which have been omitted or amended from the revised version.

(vi) Information on the Implementation of the Regional Development Strategy
and Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements.

(vii) A letter from the General Consumer Council regarding the Council's wish to provide oral and written evidence on consumer issues to Assembly Committees.

(viii) A copy of an invitation from the Minister of the Environment to the launch
of the Strangford Lough Spring-Clean Campaign on Wednesday 8 May 2002.

Dr Wm. McCrea. Ms Lewsley, Mr McClarty & Mr Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next item was discussed.

4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002.

Mr J McConnell, Mrs Marie Finnegan, Ms Tracy Power and Mr David Barr, Department Officials, joined the meeting at 10.37 a.m. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the Department's proposals within the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to introduce a new methodology for distribution of the Resource Element of the General Exchequer Grant payable to Local Councils. Additional Clauses provide powers for Local Councils to engage in community safety activities and extend existing powers to promote the economic development of their area.

Key issues discussed included the principle Clauses within the Bill; the decision to include community safety and economic development powers within this Bill, the Committee's concern regarding aspects of the outcome of the Bill's Equality Impact Assessment, and the Committee's concerns about some specific terms of the Clause giving the Department power to reduce the General Grant.

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.37 a.m.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking clarification on a number of issues arising from the presentation and Members' questions.

To invite Officials from the Northern Ireland Office to attend next week's meeting to discuss the 'Community Safety' Clause of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

5. Areas of Special Scientific Interest Bill 2002

Mr Brian Murphy, Mr Graham Seymour and Mr Dermot Leonard, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.30 a.m.

Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.31 a.m.

Officials gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the Department's proposals for legislation to introduce new measures for the protection and management of Areas of Special Scientific Interest.

Proposals contained with the Explanatory & Financial Memorandum include the Department's responsibility to publicise ASSI declarations under the new legislation, proposals to address concerns on damaging operations, neglect or mismanagement of sites and damaging activities by third parties and the introduction of positive management of sites through incentive schemes.

Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 11.35 a.m.
Mr Poots joined the meeting at 11.37 a.m.

Key issues discussed included; the resource and cost implications of the proposed legislation particularly with regard to the compensation levels and positive management payment schemes; the Department's powers to enter land and the definition and operation of notifiable operations.

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.58 a.m.

Agreed: To write to the Ulster Farmers' Union seeking their views on the Department's letter to the Committee of 19 March 2002 on the proposed Bill.

12. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 16 May 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.00 noon

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)

2 May 2002 / Menu / 16 May 2002