Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 26 March 2009
COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2009,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Mr Damien Martin (Clerk Assistant)
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Steven Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David McClarty
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
The meeting began in public session at 10.35a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 19 March were agreed subject to a minor amendment.
Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.36a.m.
3. Matters Arising
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of a letter from the Minister asking for the Committee’s views on potential options for the Good Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill. Members were also provided with copies of letters of concern about the delay in implementing the Bill.
The Clerk Assistant provided guidance on each of the options available.
Members deliberated on the options.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Minister seeking further detailed information on the concerns he has with the Bill and asking about the levels of consultation the Department intends to have on this issue.
Amended Draft Determination of Fees for Entertainments Licences:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of the amended draft determination of fees for entertainment licences for consideration. The Department has revised the position in relation to licence fees for outdoor music events organised by a voluntary organisation or charity.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing concern about increasing fees to businesses in the current economic climate and asking what measures the Department are taking to minimise cost increases.
Report on Northern Ireland Governance Conference:
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with feedback on the Northern Ireland Governance Conference which was attended by the Committee Clerk on 20 March 2009.
Planning Reform Update:
The Chairperson informed members that a copy of the Departmental response, dated 23 March 2009, to the Committee’s request for the Minister to attend a future meeting to provide an update on progress on planning reform had been included for information in the meeting papers. A consultation paper containing wide-ranging proposals for planning reform is due for issue during the week commencing 30 th March and a copy will be issued to the Committee in advance of the launch. The Minister has proposed to attend a Committee meeting in late April/early May by which time the reform proposals should be in the public domain.
Agreed: That the Minister is invited to brief the Committee on this issue at a future meeting in April/May.
RSPB Bird of Prey Pledge:
The Chairperson informed members that the RSPB can arrange for the ‘Bird of Prey Pledge’ to be available for signature on the steps of Stormont before the meeting on 2 April 2009.
Agreed: That members sign the pledge on the steps of Stormont at 10.15a.m. on Thursday 2 April.
4. Departmental Briefing on Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland 2007 Report
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.31a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland 2007 Report.
Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with details of the number of water treatment plants currently under enforcement orders.
5. Departmental Briefing on Waste Management
Mr McGlone declared an interest as a member of Cookstown District Council
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
Mr Ford declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council
Mr McCrea declared an interest as a member of Cookstown District Council
Mr Weir declared an interest as a member ofNorth Down Borough Council
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 11.42a.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on waste management and the waste management charging scheme.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing concern about increasing fees to businesses in the current economic climate and asking what measures the Department are taking to minimise cost increases.
6. Departmental Briefing on the Movement of Topsoil
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.28p.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the movement of topsoil.
Agreed: That the DOE keeps the Committee fully briefed as to progress on this issue.
Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting at 12.40p.m.
7. Committee Inquiry into Climate Change
The Chairperson informed members that the Committee Clerk met with Professor Sue Christie, the recently appointed Specialist Adviser, on Wednesday 25 March 2009 to discuss a programme of work on the Inquiry.
Mr Weir noted that there were discrepancies in the scoring matrixes provided to the Committee.
Agreed: That the scoring matrixes are corrected.
Agreed: That Assembly Research prepare a paper on the likely impacts of climate change over the next 10, 20, 50 years in Northern Ireland on key groups and sectors such as agriculture, business and the vulnerable. Impacts should include direct and indirect financial, social and environmental effects. The paper should also identify current policy frameworks being taken across all Departments in Northern Ireland to mitigate and adapt to climate change
Agreed: That no further submissions are accepted after Friday 3 April.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the DOE Permanent Secretary reminding him of the deadline for climate change inquiry submissions.
8.Departmental Consultations
Members considered the following Departmental consultations:
The consultation on the Draft Local Government (Contracts and Compulsory Purchase) Bill
Agreed: That a representative from each of the 3 waste groups is invited to brief the Committee at the meeting on 23 April.
Proposed Waste Bill – Policy Consultation Document
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the consultation paper to issue and that the Department provides the Committee with a synopsis of responses.
9. Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 - European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval – Individual Vehicle Approval Fees Legislation
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing concern about increasing fees to businesses in the current economic climate and asking what measures the Department are taking to minimise cost increases.
10. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the revised Committee Forward Work Programme.
11. Correspondence
- Memo from Clerk, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure requesting that the Committee brings the attached letter, regarding Townland names, to their attention and agree to forward it to the Minister.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Minister of the Environment.
- E-mail from Tom McClelland, Chair of the NI Cycling Forum requesting direction to the evidence which the Committee used in reaching its recommendation that wearing cycle helmets should be mandatory.
Agreed: That an update on the recommendation is sought from DOE and that a copy of the BMA report is forwarded to Mr McClelland.
- Letter from Maureen E Anderson to the Chairperson regarding the issue of the withdrawal of funding to the NI Road Safety Council.
Agreed: That a reply is sent advising that the Ballymoney Road Safety Council and Road Safety Council NI will brief the Committee at the meeting on 30 April.
- Members noted a memo from the Committee Office regarding the itinerary for the Regional Development Committee's visit to Dublin, from 24-26 March 2009 .
- Members noted a departmental response to the Committee’s request for further information of the recent Court case taken against DVA over a failed driving test.
- Members noted an e-mail from Permanent Secretary DOE thanking the Chairperson for the time and effort devoted to a series of DOE in-house training events on engagement with the Environment Committee.
- Memo from Clerk to the Regional Development Committee requesting written briefing from the Committee on the criteria for granting planning permission for private transport operations in rural areas.
Agreed: That a copy of the memo is forwarded to the Department for comment.
- Members noted an e-mail from Kate Cairns , Policy Officer Ulster Farmers Union, to the Clerk, regarding their response to draft Planning Policy Statement 21- Sustainable Development in the Countryside.
- Members noted an e-mail from Richard Goddard, Capita, inviting the Committee to their 6 th National conference “Third Sector Commissioning- Overcoming Barriers and Realising Potential” on Monday 22 nd June 2009 in Central London.
- Members noted an e-mail from Cathy Breslin, Child Poverty Alliance, inviting the Committee to a series of Child Poverty Alliance seminars. The first seminar in the series will be “The impact of the recession on children and families” on Tuesday 24 th March at 12.00pm – 2.00pm in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
- Members noted an e-mail from Cathy Gormley School of Policy Studies University of Ulster, inviting the Committee to a seminar regarding the developing debates in Scotland and Wales and the nature of devolved government there, the lack of debate at UK level, and the implications this has for the future of the UK as a whole.
- Members noted an e-mail from Devina Patel, Capita, inviting the Committee to their 6 th National conference on “Tackling Alcohol Related Anti-Social Behaviour Conference” on Thursday 23 rd April 2009 in Central London.
- Members noted an e-mail from Mike Agnew, PSCA International Ltd inviting the Committee to their Project Leadership Conference 2009 on “Building and improving teams.”
- Members noted an e-mail from Inside Government, inviting the Committee to a “Striking the Balance between Affordable and Sustainable Housing” event on Tuesday 28 th April 2009 in Central London.
- Members noted an e-mail from Alison Donnelly, Consumer Council inviting the Committee to the launch of their research report event on “The Cost of Insurance in Northern Ireland.”
- E-mail from Rhonda Allen, Consumer Council inviting the Committee to a Farewell Reception on Wednesday 8 th April 2009, 3.00 – 6.00pm at Elizabeth House, 116 Holywood Road, Belfast.
Agreed: That a letter of thanks and goodwill is sent to Eleanor Gill for the work she has done for the Consumer Council.
- Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
“Belfast Skip Company fined £20,000 for illegal waste disposal”
“Equality Focus Newsletter February/March 2009”
“Minister says hooray for Holywood design guide”
12. Any other business
Mr McCrea informed member that there may be an issue regarding insurance for those people taking part in the Disability Week work shadowing placements.
Agreed: That the Clerk would request further information on this matter and report back to members.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 2 April 2009 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
