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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 27 June 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m. 1. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the meeting of 20 June 2002 were agreed. 2. Matters Arising (a) PPS 10 - Telecommunications The Committee considered a letter from the Minister of the Environment regarding the Committee's proposed amendments to the PPS 10. Agreed: The Committee to obtain further research and legal advice on this matter to prepare its response to the Minister. Mr Poots and Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 10.33am Replies Awaited Members' attention was drawn to a number of replies awaited. Mr Murphy joined the meeting at 10.39am The Chair, Deputy Chair, Mr Poots, Mr McClarty, Mr Molloy and Mr Murphy declared interests as District Councillors before the next three items. 3. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill Mr Norman Simmons, Ms Janis Purdy, Ms Ethne Harkness and Mr Damian Campbell, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.39am. They gave a structured clause-by-clause presentation on the Bill and answered Members' questions. Mr Poots left the meeting at 10.44am and rejoined the meeting at 10.47am Mr Poots and Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 10.58am Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 11.06am Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.17am Key issues discussed included the purpose for which the powers in the Bill can be used, new transitional provisions for Disposal Licences to be treated as Site Licences, Disposal Licences which expire before commencement of Waste Management Licensing and Regulation of polluting activities. Concerns were raised on aspects of the wording of a number of clauses. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.41am. Agreed: The Committee to await draft Regulations from the Department and responses to a number of issues raised. 4. Planning (Amendment) Bill Mr David Small and Mr Hugh McKay, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.42am. They gave a presentation and answered Members' questions on the three policy papers prepared by the Department in light of recent research commissioned from Queens University Belfast. Mr Watson left the meeting at 11.54am Key issues discussed included Third Party Appeals, Unauthorised Development and Levels of Fines. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.31pm. Agreed: The Committee to await the draft cases being prepared by the Department for the creation of a new offence re unauthorised development and for a further increase the level of fines. 5. Local Government (Misc Provisions) Bill Ms Marie Finnegan, Mr John McConnell and Mr David Barr, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 12.33pm. They gave a short presentation, which included the proposed terms of a further amendment to the Bill and answered Members' questions. Key issues discussed included aspects of the wording of Clause 4 & 6 and powers of District Councils in relation to community safety. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.46pm. Agreed: The Committee to await the outcome of a discussion on one particular wording issue between Assembly and Departmental legal advisors and a letter from the Minister confirming his agreement to all the amendments discussed to date. Mr Mark McGuckin and Ms Heather Cousins, NIO Officials, joined the meeting at 12.46pm and gave a short presentation and answered Members' questions on Community Safety Partnerships. Key issues discussed included membership, functions and financial aspects of the Community Safety Partnerships. Agreed: The Committee to give further consideration to the issues, which will be raised at a future meeting. 6. Executive Position Report - Budget 2002 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel and OFM/DFM regarding the Committee's response to the Executive Position Report. Members also considered a draft response on this matter. Agreed: The Committee to issue their response to the Report. 7. Recovery and Recycling Targets for Packaging Waste Agreed: The Committee agreed to bring forward this item onto next week's agenda. 8. Statutory Rules The Committee gave consideration to the following SL1s and made and laid Order: (a) Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2002 SR 197/2002 The following motion was put and agreed: 'That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection to the Rule' (b) Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) 2002 SL1 2/63/1 (c) Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 SL1 2/64/1 (d) Motor Vehicles (Exchangeable Licences) (Amendment) Order (NI) SL1 2/65/1 Agreed: The Committee agreed to bring forward these SL1s onto next week's agenda. 9. AOB The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including: (a) A copy of the Department of the Environment's input into the Programme for Government Annual Report. (b) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding bids for the June Monitoring Round. (c) A response from the Minister of the Environment regarding the Groomsport Action Group. (d) Correspondence from the Department of Regional Development on the Ballynahinch by-pass. Agreed: To forward the Department's response to the Ballynahinch Regeneration By-Pass Committee. (e) Correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding its Report into Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland. Agreed: To forward this correspondence for comment to the Department for the Environment. (f) A response to the Department of the Environment from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the EC Water Framework consultation document. (g) A copy of an independent Report on the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (NI) 2002. (h) An invitation to the launch of the draft management plan for the Causeway Coast AONB on 3 July 2002 in the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush. Agreed: Members to receive a copy of the draft management plan. (i) A copy of a brochure on the MOSS Scheme (Management of Sensitive Sites). (j) A copy of the finalised DECAN 8: Housing in Existing Urban Areas. (k) A consultation document on proposed amendments to the Highway Code for NI. Agreed: To wait the outcome of the consultation document. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 4 July 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting adjourned at 1.34pm. Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson) |
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