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

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

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

1. Minutes of previous meeting

Ms Nelis pointed out that she is no longer a Local Councillor as referred to in the previous minutes.

Agreed: To amend the minutes accordingly.

2. Matters Arising

Members' attention was drawn to three replies awaited.

3. Bradley and Veeder Campaign Against Drink Driving

Mrs Aileen Tester and her father, Mr Bobby Bradley, joined the meeting at 10.40am. They gave a short presentation on the Campaign Against Drink Driving and on the events they have been involved with, in this Road Safety Week.

Mrs Tester told Members about the aftermath of her brother's tragic death as a result of a drink drinking incident and the lack of support available to them, as well as the lack of education awareness in the area of drink driving.

Mr Poots joined the meeting at 11.12am

Members expressed their sympathy for the family and gave unanimous support for their campaign. Members noted the Committee's Press Release issued earlier in the day on Mrs Tester's and Mr Bradley's visit to the Committee.

Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Department of the Environment, The Committee for Education and The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety regarding the points raised by the family.

4. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill

Mr Norman Simmons, Ms Ethne Harkness and Mr David Bell, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.34am. The Committee undertook a formal Clause-by-Clause Reading of the above Bill. The Committee agreed to the Clauses in the Bill, subject to the amendments proposed by the Minister in his letter to the Committee dated 23 Spetember 2002.

Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.35am.

The Officials left the meeting at 11.45am.

Agreed: The Committee's draft final Report on the Bill will be updated to reflect today's meeting and will be considered at next week's meeting.

Before the next item was discussed the Chair and Mr Molloy declared interests as Local Councillors.

5. Modernising Planning Processes

Mr Ian Maye, Mr Fred Pyne and Harry Baird, Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 11.46am to discuss the above issue.

Mr Poots rejoined the meeting at 11.53am.

Whilst with the Committee, Mr Maye updated Members on the issue of a statement due to be made by the Minister regarding sewerage infrastructure problems which are causing delays with planning permissions in certain areas across Northern Ireland. Members voiced their concern over the Minister's delay in making a statement on how the matter will be resolved. Mr Maye agreed to take Members' concerns to the Minister.

Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12pm.

Officials then gave a presentation on the outcome of the consultation exercise on the 'Modernising Planning Processes' and answered Members' questions.

Key issues discussed included the improved management of the Planning Process, delaying factors, responses from Statutory Consultees, Article 31s, E-Planning and Third Party Appeals. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.53pm.

Agreed: The Committee to consider the issues within the Consultation Paper in more depth at a future meeting.

6. Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) Bill

Following the Second Stage Reading of the above Bill, it has now been referred to the Committee for formal scrutiny.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to next week's meeting to give a structured presentation on the concerns raised on the Bill to date.

7. Statutory Rules

The Committee gave consideration to the following Statutory Rules:

1. Change of District Name (Lisburn Borough) Order (NI) 2002

Mr Poots declared an interest.

2. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2002
3. The Controlled Waste Regulations (NI) 2002
4. Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No 2) Regulations (NI) 2002
5. The Controlled Waste (Duty of Care) Regulations (NI) 2002

Agreed: The Committee to issue 'no comment' to the Statutory Rules.

1. An invitation to the International Built Heritage Conference 1 - 3 October 2002.
2. Built Heritage Expo and Second Survey details of Listed Buildings.

Agreed: To send a letter to the Department requesting an update on the progress of the Survey

3. A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding a planning application on Belfast.
4. A briefing to Members of the European Parliament on 'Transboundary Movement of Genetically Modified Organisms'
5. A letter from the Construction Employers Federation regarding the 'Planning Moratorium' and the delay of a Ministerial decision in this issue.
6. A response from the Department regarding a Tree Preservation Order in Newtownabbey.

1. A letter from a member of the public regarding a Listed Building in Co. Antrim.
2. A letter from the Chairman of the Committee to the Minister of the Environment regarding a levy on plastic carrier bags.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 3 October 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.57pm.

19 September 2002 / Menu / 3 October 2002