Present:
Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr M Coyle
Mr D Ford
Mrs M Nelis
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies:
Mr B Armstrong
Mrs J Carson
Mr D McClarty
Mr F Molloy

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

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 12 September 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Members' attention was drawn to replies awaited.

3. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill

Mr Norman Simmons, Ms Ethne Harkness and Mr David Bell, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.37am. The Officials clarified the position on Ministerial clearance on amendments to the Bill and stated that they had nothing further to add to the comments made at last week's meeting on two further amendments.

The Officials left the meeting at 10.44am.

Agreed: The Committee will undertake a Clause-by-Clause consideration of the Bill when details of all amendments have been approved by the Minister of the Environment.

Before the next item was discussed the Chair, Deputy Chair and Mr Coyle declared interests as local councillors.

4. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Mr John McConnell, Ms Marie Finnegan, Mr David Barr and Dr Tracy Power, Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 10.45am. The Committee undertook a formal Clause-by-Clause reading of the Bill. A Member suggested a further amendment to Clause 7 of the Bill. Members voted to approve only the Minister's proposed amendment to the wording of this Clause. Five Members voted for the motion and one Member abstained.

Agreed: The Committee will consider the draft Report on the Bill over the next two weeks.

5. Statutory Rules (SL1's)

The Committee gave consideration to the following SL1:

The Control of Noise (Codes of Practice for Construction and Open Sites) Order (NI) 2002.

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

6. AOB

The Chair commented on an interesting event in the Long Gallery on 18^th September 2002, when school pupils formed a 'Youth Parliament' for the day, discussing the issue of sustainable development.

A Member requested an update from the Minister of the Environment on a statement due to be made regarding the sewerage infrastructure problem which is causing delays with planning permissions in certain areas across Northern Ireland..

The Committee noted a number of papers and issues including:

1. Correspondence from Oliver Gibson, MLA regarding a proposed ASSI designation at Deerpark, Newtownstewart.

Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Department of the Environment for an update on the proposal and comment on the policy implications.

2. Information regarding a tax levy on plastic carrier bags; particularly the legality of the Assembly introducing such a level in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: To send a letter as soon as possible to the Minister of the Environment requesting clarification on the matter.

3. A letter from the Department of Personnel and Finance regarding a seminar on Public Finance Issues.

Agreed: To write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the short notice given for this seminar.

4. Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding licences to drive buses and minibuses for applicants under 21.
5. Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland
6. Details of environmental conferences: Environmental Protection 2002 & Local Air Quality Management Update 2002.
7. An invitation to a conference on Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency - 22-24 October 2002.
8. Correspondence from a member of the public regarding Red Hall - 109 Circular Road, Belfast.

Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Department for comment on the policy implications.

9. Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding 'The Coaches', Holywood.

Agreed: To await a copy of the response to this from the Department of Regional Development.

10. Correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development regarding the Department of Regional Development's statutory quinquennial review of the Northern Ireland Water Council.
11. A response from the Department of the Environment regarding Recovery and Recycling Targets in NI for Packaging Waste in 2002.
12. Correspondence from the Freight Transport Association regarding a request to give a presentation to the Committee

Agreed: To write to the Association regarding their request.

The Committee adjourned at 11.24pm

The Committee reconvened at 11.36am

7. Planning (Amendment) Bill

Mr Ian Maye, Mr David Small and Mr Jackie Lambe, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.36am. They continued with a structured Clause-by-Clause discussion on the Bill.

Key issues discussed included Listed Buildings, replacement of trees, demolition, dismissal of appeals in cases of undue delay, Planning Agreements, Building Preservation Notices and status of development plans.

The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.34pm.

Agreed: To invite Officials to return to the Committee to clarify outstanding issues plus concerns from today's discussion.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 26 September 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.36pm.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)