Present:
Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr A Doherty
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots

Apologies:
Mrs J Carson
Mr D Ford
Mr D McClarty
Mr D Watson

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 13 June 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

(a) Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland)

The Committee considered the response from the Department regarding correspondence from the Ulster Farmers Union.

Agreed: The Committee to copy the Department's response to the UFU, asking them to keep the Committee informed of developments.

Replies Awaited

Members' attention was drawn to a number of replies awaited.

3. Local Air Quality Management Bill

Ms Helen Anderson and Ms Ann Hall, Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 10.40am. They gave a structured clause-by-clause presentation on the Bill and answered Members' questions.

Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.48am
Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.21am
Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.24am

Key issues discussed included Air Quality Strategy, District Council reviews, designation of Air Quality Management Areas and the Regulations which will flow from the Bill. The Chair thanked the Officials for a very helpful presentation and they left the meeting at 11.25am.

Agreed: The Committee to consider the Bill further at a future meeting.

4. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill

The Committee noted recent papers and Departmental responses on the Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request Departmental Officials to next week's meeting to give a structured clause-by-clause presentation on the Bill.

The Chair, Deputy Chair, Mr Poots, and Mr Murphy declared interests as District Councillors before the next item was discussed

5. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill

Ms Marie Finnegan and Dr Tracy Power, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.27am. They gave a presentation, which included the proposed revised terms of three amendments to the Bill and answered Members' questions.

Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.40am
Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.43am

Key issues discussed included the Assembly's role in relation to reducing the General Grant to District Councils, timings of reductions to the General Grant and compensation payments for landowners. The Committee requested a clear explanation from the Department on the need for the provision to 'impose' on District Councils other functions in relation to community safety. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.43am.

Agreed: The Committee to await further clarification on some points from the Department.

6. Statutory Rules

The Committee gave consideration to the following SL1 and made and laid order:

1. Planning (General Development) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2002 SR 195/2002

The following motion was put to the Committee and agreed:

'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Planning (General Development) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2002 and has no objection to the Rule, subject to the formal report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules'

Agreed: The Committee had no objection to the Rule, but a letter is sent to Minister on outstanding correspondence on PPS 10 Telecommunications Development.

2. Public Service Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2002 SL1 2/62/1

Agreed: The Committee to issue a 'no comment' on the SL1.

7. AOB

The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including:

Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.56am

1. The Chair drew Members' attention to correspondence from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) regarding planning permission for an out of town shopping development.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised.

2. The Chair also drew Members' attention to correspondence from Jane Morrice MLA, regarding concerns of the Holywood Conservation Group.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised.

3. The Environment Committee's current work programme.
4. Correspondence from the Department regarding Executive Programme Funds bids.

Agreed: The Committee to write to OFMDFM to support the bids.

5. Correspondence from the Committee of the Centre regarding recommendations arising from the Inquiry into the approach of the NI Assembly and the Devolved Government on European Issues.
6. An invitation to the 'Building Sustainable Communities Conference'.
7. Development Control Advice Note 8: Housing in Existing Urban Areas.
8. Letter from the Minister regarding the Petition on a telecommunications mast at Cavehill Road
9. Correspondence from the Department regarding the Control of Noise (Codes of Practice for Construction and Open Sites) Order (NI) 2002.

Agreed: The Committee to write to the Department indicating its agreement to the proposed course of action.

10. Correspondence from the Department regarding the proposed Value for Money Study: People Management in Local Government.

Agreed: The Committee to send a letter of acknowledgement to the Department, emphasising the need to consult the Committee on this.

11. Correspondence from the Department regarding Ballymoney Borough Council.
12. A Member raised the issue of Ministerial representation from Northern

    Ireland in Johannesburg at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

    Agreed: The Committee to seek an update from the Department on this.

13. Some earlier correspondence to the Committee from Professor Woolley on

    Sustainable Policies in Northern Ireland.

    Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised relevant to DoE.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 11.56 am.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)

13 June 2002 / Menu / 27 June 2002