Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 05 February 2009
COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2009,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Steven Mealy (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting began in public session at 11.08 a.m. with Mr Boylan in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 11.09a.m.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 11.10a.m.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 11.12a.m.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 29 January were agreed .
3. Matters Arising
Executive Response to the Barroso Taskforce Report:
The Chairperson informed members that that they had been invited by the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to consider the Executive’s response to the Barroso Taskforce Report.
February Monitoring Round Update:
Mr McGlone joined the meeting at 11.20a.m. and assumed the Chair.
The Chairperson informed members that the February Monitoring round is the final opportunity for DOE to notify DFP of any easements, bids, reclassifications and reallocations by budget category for this financial year.
Departmental officials then briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the February Monitoring Round.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.28a.m.
Agreed: That the DOE forward information in relation to the deferment of road safety officer salaries.
Agreed: That the DOE forward information in relation to the return of money under the Environmental Protection Schemes and how information on the scheme was originally disseminated.
Agreed: That the DOE forward information in relation to the current status of the ePic system.
Agreed: That the DOE forward information in relation to income and expenditure in DVA over the past 3 years.
Agreed: That the Committee forward a letter to the Minister expressing concern at proposed cutbacks on Road Safety and seeking more clarity on Road Safety and the potential impact of reduced funding.
4. Departmental briefing on potential and ongoing infraction cases
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on potential and ongoing infraction cases.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.25p.m.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.26p.m.
Agreed: That the DOE forward an updated table on infractions cases and information on where the DOE has lead responsibility.
5. Departmental briefing on the plans for UK consultation on Carbon Reduction Commitment
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on Carbon Reduction Commitment.
Agreed: That the Committee is content to approve the Minister’s approach on this issue.
6. Committee Climate Change Inquiry
The Chairperson informed members that Committee staff are still working with procurement division to prepare the terms of reference and selection criteria for selecting a specialist adviser to help the Committee with the Inquiry. Details should be available for members’ consideration at the meeting on 12 February.
Agreed: That the Committee accepts a late submission from QUB but that QUB are encouraged to make a submission as quickly as possible after the deadline.
Agreed: That further details of QUB’s proposed workshop on climate change are sought and provided for members at the meeting on 12 February.
7. Statutory Rules
SR 2009/8 - The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2009/8 - The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2009/14 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2009/14 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and has no objection to the rule.
8. Proposals for Secondary Legislation
SL1 – Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Landfill Allowances Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and had no objection to the proposal.
SL1 – Display of ADI Licences.
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Display of ADI Licences and had no objection to the proposal.
9. Departmental Consultation
Members considered the DOE consultation on The Planning (Management of waste from the extractive industry) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: That the DOE forward a synopsis of responses to the consultation.
10. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the revised Committee Forward Work Programme.
11. Correspondence
- Letter from Gordon Anderson, Strategic Planning, regarding the George Best Belfast City Airport’s proposed runway extension.
Agreed: That the Committee visits the Airport to speak to the Senior Management Team and further meets with those objecting to the extension at a separate meeting.
- Memo from Clerk, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) regarding the Executive’s response to the Committee for OFMDFM’s report on Child Poverty.
Agreed: That the memo is forwarded to the DOE for comment.
- Memo from Clerk, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding their Inquiry into the funding of the arts in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That the memo is forwarded to the DOE for comment.
- Departmental response to query from Gary Gray regarding principles raised by a planning application in the ‘Rathmore Region’ in Bangor.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr Gray.
- Letter of objection to the proposed Tyrone Armagh interconnector.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for information.
- Response from Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to OFMDFM Committee asking for more clarity on their policy obligations in this area.
- Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding Article 31 Planning Application E/2008/0200/F – Replacement Visitors’ Centre at the Giants Causeway.
- E-mail from Graham Thompson, regarding the notice to approve The National Trust’s Giants Causeway planning application .
Agreed: That a visit to the Giants Causeway is arranged for a future date.
- Members noted a Departmental update on the NI Direct website project.
- Response from Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding a UK Green Building Council Consultation – Code for Sustainable Building Task Group.
Agreed: That a copy of this response is forwarded to Eddie McGrady MP.
- Members noted a response from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the use of Private Finance Initiatives/Public Private Partnerships (PFI/PPPs) in Northern Ireland.
- Members noted a copy of the Shared Space Research Journal.
- Members noted a memo from the Clerk. Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the Big Lottery Fund Consultation .
- Invitation from Laurie Campbell, Chairperson Mid Ulster Photography Club to an illustrated talk about ‘Animals on the Edge’ at the Waterfront Hall on Monday 2 nd March 2009.
Agreed: That a response is sent to advise that the Chairperson will attend.
- Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
NIIRTA News - January/February 2009 – available to view in Room 247
Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland 2007 – 2008
“ Wilson approves Causeway Visitors’ Centre proposal”
“Environment Minister salutes community recycling project”
“Minister takes a gander at Brent geese”
12. Any other Business
The Chairperson informed members that the briefing on PPS4 at the meeting on 12 February will take place in closed session.
The Chairperson informed members that the Utility Regualtor will brief the Committee at the meeting on 19 March.
The Chairperson asked members to confirm their attendance at the Committee meeting on 19 February which will take place in Castlewellan Forest Park.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 February 2009 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.30 p.m.
