PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 12 September 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present: Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mrs J Carson
Mr D Ford
Mr F Molloy
Mrs M Nelis
Mr E Poots

Apologies: Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr D McClarty
Mr D Watson

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

The meeting commenced at 10.01 a.m.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 5 September 2002 were agreed.

Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.06am

2. Planning (Amendment) Bill

The Minister of the Environment, together with Mr Ian Maye, Mr Jackie Lambe and Mrs Marlene Hempton: Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.02am. The Minister spoke to and discussed with Members two papers submitted to the Committee on major policy issues and then answered Members' questions.

Key issues discussed included Third Party Appeals, increasing the level of fines within the Bill and the introduction of a new offence to commence development without planning permission.
The Minister agreed that his Department would issue a full public consultation on the issue of the introduction of Third Party Appeals into the planning system in Northern Ireland and the consultation would commence before Christmas 2002.

The Chair thanked the Minister and Officials and the discussion ended at 10.25am.

3. 'Moratorium' on certain Planning Applications

The Minister of the Environment took the opportunity whilst with the Committee to give an update to Members on the issue of the uncertainty of planning permissions because of current deficiencies in the sewerage infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

4. Matters Arising

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

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department giving an update on Departmental Officials' discussions with the UFU on the above Regulations.
Agreed: To await a more comprehensive response from the Department on this issue.

5. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill

Mr Norman Simmons, Ms Ethne Harkness and Mr David Bell, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.33am. They gave a presentation on outstanding issues and concerns of Members from last week's Committee discussion on this Bill. These primarily addressed seven proposed amendments to the Bill.

Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.13am

Other key issues discussed included offences and penalties particularly the factors to be taken into account by the Courts when sentencing offenders. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.41am.

Agreed: To await a response from Department on the Committee's outstanding concerns including the wording of a further amendment.

6. AOB

(a) The Chair raised the issue of progress in implementing the Committee's recommendations within its 'School Transport Inquiry Report'

Agreed: To write to the Department and request a comprehensive update on the position with this Report.

(b) The Chair raised the issue of the progress of Waste Management Plans

Agreed: To write to the 3 Waste Management Groups and the Department inviting both parties to a future Committee meeting.

(c) A Member raised the issue of a lack of legislation and accountability in infrastructure neglect.

Agreed: To bring this item onto the agenda of a future Committee meeting.

The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including:

(d) A letter from the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding Executive Programme Funds.

(e) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 - Annual Review of progress for the NI Equality Commission.

(f) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding their New TSN Action Plan and associated papers.

(g) A copy of the electronic newsletter from BASC Northern Ireland.

(h) An invitation from the International Built Heritage to a conference to be held in the Waterfront Hall from 1-3rd October 2002.

(i) A copy of an e-mail from the Minister of the Environment to a member of the public regarding grass cutting in Dundonald.

(j) Correspondence from the Department regarding the Freedom of Information and the Departmental publication scheme.

(k) Correspondence from the Committee of the Centre regarding the remit of a Standing Committee on EU Affairs.

(l) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding the proposed disposal of the Ministry of Defence land at Divis Mountain, Belfast.

(m) Correspondence from a member of the public regarding objections to the location of a proposed development of housing in Portadown.

Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised.

(n) Correspondence from the Causeway Coast Communities Consortium (C.C.C.C) regarding concerns over the condition of a listed building in Portballintrae.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised by the Group.

(o) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding the proposed Value for Money Study: People Management in Local Government.

It was brought to Members' attention that all paper used by the Assembly's Secretariat was 100% recycled from post-consumer waste.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 19 September 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 11.51am.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)

5 September 2002 / Menu / 19 September 2002