Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2007,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea 
Mr Peter Weir

In Attendance: 
Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk) 
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Pauline Devlin (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: 
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Daithí McKay

The meeting opened at 10.39 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes

Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

Members were reminded that the Working Lunch has been arranged for 29 th November to discuss the Forward Work Programme.

The Committee agreed to go into closed session to discuss access to papers relating to Giants Causeway Visitors Centre planning application.

The meeting went into closed session at 9.44a.m.

Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 9.58 a.m.

Agreed: The Committee to write to the Minister of the Environment, seeking clarification on the documents she is withholding, and advising her of the powers of the Committee under Section 44 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The meeting resumed in public session at 10.04a.m.

4. Taxis Bill

Members were advised that they should consider the draft Taxis Bill Report that was provided for them.

Agreed: That members take a week to scrutinize the draft Taxis Bill report.

5. Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2008 – 2018

Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.10 a.m.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.42a.m.

Members were given a briefing by Departmental officials on the Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland

6. Draft Programme for Government 2008 – 2011

Members were given a briefing by Departmental officials on the Draft programme for Government.

7. Draft Budget 2008 – 2011

Mr McGlone left the meeting at 12.01p.m and Mr Boylan assumed the Chair. 
Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 12.06p.m. and re-assumed the Chair. 
Members were given a briefing by Departmental officials on the Draft Budget.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.10p.m.

Agree: That the Chair and Deputy Chair meet on Monday 19 November to formulate the Committee’s response to the Draft Budget.

8. Proposal for Secondary Legislation – Statutory Rules

S.R. 2007/455 – The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007

Question put and agreed: 
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the S.R. 2007/455 - The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance)Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule, subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

S.R. 2007/461 – The Road Transport Licensing (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007

Question put and agreed: 
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the S.R. 2007/461 - The road Transport Licensing (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 rule and has no objection to the rule.

9. Correspondence

   1. Members noted information on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (S.I. 3289) Amendments.
   2. Email from Paul Haslam re: approval of planning application involving access through Prehen Wood and the need for an EPA. 
      Agreed: That further information is sought from the Department on this issue.
   3. Members noted a copy of the response from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to the proposed development at Greenore Port.
   4. Letter from Primrose Wilson, Association of Preservation Trusts, requesting the opportunity to discuss the proposal to provide voluntary organisations with funding to enable them to assist EHS in the preservation of historic buildings.
      Agreed: That clarification is sought from the Department on the issues raised in this letter.
   5. Letter on behalf of the Minister, seeking the Committee’s opinions on the Mourne National Park Working Party report.
      Agreed: That members receive briefings from the Mourne Heritage Trust, and the Mourne and Slieve Croob Residents Action Group before compiling a response.
   6. Letter from Dr Raymond Seymour in response to his declined invitation to the Committee to visit Larne Promenade.
      Agreed: That this request be considered further at the Working Lunch on 29 th November.
   7. Members noted an e mail from the DETI Committee Clerk informing the Committee of the DETI Minister’s intention to consult with the Environment Committee on the UK Energy Bill.
   8. Members noted correspondence from the Department acknowledging that the Committee has given its consent for this consultation paper to be issued, as decided on the 23rd October, and inviting the Committees comments as part of the consultation stage.
   9. Members noted a copy of the Public Accounts Committee’s report and press release regarding Northern Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy. The full report can be viewed in Room 247.
   10. Members noted the November newsletter from Environmental Protection UK.
   11. Members noted the following DOE news releases:
       ‘Allegations Against Planning Service are Rubbish’
       ‘Foster Welcomes Verdict in Assets Recovery Case’
       ‘Arlene Foster Visits Poundbury’
       ‘Minister Visits Dorset World Heritage Site’
       ‘Foster Digs Deep for Tree Week’

    

10. Any Other Business

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 22 November 2007 at 10.30am in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.21 p.m.

Patsy McGlone
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment.
15 November 2007