Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 30 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 M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies:
Mrs J Carson
Mr F Molloy

In Attendance:
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Ms C Angelone (Clerical Officer)
Mr J Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Ms C Flynn (Clerical Supervisor)

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

1. Control of Waste Regulations

The Committee considered a response from the Department with regard to the proposed Control of Waste Regulations.

Agreed: The Committee to send Regulations to SOLACE for comment.

Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.31am
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.32am
Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 10.35am

2. Batteries & Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations

The Committee considered the draft response to the proposed Regulations

Agreed: The Committee's response to be issued.

Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.38am

3. Inquiry into EU Structural Funds

The Committee considered the draft letter of response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

Agreed: The Committee's response to be issued.

2. Replies Awaited

Member's attention was drawn to replies awaited.

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

3. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2002.

Ms Marie Finnegan, Dr Tracy Power, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Department Officials, joined the meeting at 10.40 a.m. Officials answered Members' questions on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

Key issues discussed included powers to make reductions in general grant, the status of 'directions' in relation to powers of District Councils to promote economic development, equality impact assessment, vesting powers and duplication concerns with Community Safety Partnerships.

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.20am
Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.22am
Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.30am
Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.36am

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.30am.

Agreed: The Committee to invite three District Councils to give oral evidence and answer Members' questions at next week's meeting. The Department will write to the Committee on a number of issues.

4. Planning (Amendment) Bill

Mr David Small and Mr Ian Maye, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.34am. Officials answered Members' questions on the proposed Bill.

Key issues discussed included the timescale for the introduction of the proposed Bill, the case for higher levels of fines and new offences in the proposed legislation and the need for a proper analysis of the consultation exercise on the proposed Bill.

Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 12.05pm

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.19pm.

Agreed: The Department to provide further information to the Committee, including a draft of the case for higher fines or new offences and an analysis of responses to the Department's consultation.

5. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill

Ms Judena Goldring and Mr Norman Simmons, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 12.20pm. They answered Members' questions on the Minister's recent letter on the proposed Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill.

Mr Doherty left the meeting at 12.35pm

Key issues discussed included the request for accelerated passage of the proposed Bill and the timescale to process the Bill through the Assembly.

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 1pm.

Agreed: The Committee to invite the Minister for the Environment to next week's meeting to discuss his request for accelerated passage of the Bill.

6. Statutory Rules

The Committee gave consideration to the following Rule and Explanatory Memorandum:

1. The Local Government (General Grant) Order (NI) 2002.

The following Motion was put and agreed:

'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Local Government (General Grant) Order (NI) 2002 and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's report'

2. AOB

The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including:

1. Final Version of the Service Delivery Agreement for the Department.
2. Consultation Document by DTLR on Driver Training and Testing.

Action: Committee to issue 'no comment' on Consultation Document.

3. Letter from the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. The Committee formally acknowledged and congratulated Dr Peter Doran, an Assembly Researcher, on his work for the United Nations and for the Committee.
4. Draft Radioactive Substances (Natural Gas) Exemption Order (NI) 2002.

Action: Committee to issue 'no comment' on Consultation Document at this stage.

5. Executive Programme Funds - Departmental Bids.
6. Mullaghboy - Update
7. Bradley & Veeder families' Anti-Drink Driving Campaign

Action: Committee to issue letter to a member of the Bradley family.

8. Video from the Ulster Angling Federation.

Action: Video to be sent to Department for comment.

9. Countryside Alliance in Northern Ireland/ BASC Northern Ireland: Memorandum of Understanding - Event in Parliament Buildings on 6 June 2002.
10. The Chair distributed a paper for Members' consideration.

Action: This item to be brought onto agenda at a future meeting.

The Committee moved into closed session at 1.06pm

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 6 June 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 1.07pm.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)