Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr David Ford
Mrs Dolores Kelly (Chairperson)
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay 
Mr Peter Weir

In Attendance: 
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk) 
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Alastair Ross

The meeting began in closed session at 10.10a.m. for discussion on the draft Waste and Contaminated Land Bill

Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to a future Committee meeting to brief members on the Bill.

The meeting went into public session at 10.12a.m.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting on 4 March 2010 were agreed.

3. Chairperson’s business

The Chairperson informed members that papers had been released in relation to a recent FOI request.

The Chairperson informed members that the Bursary Student placed with the Committee would soon be issuing a questionnaire on how primary legislation is currently scrutinised by Committees.

Agreed: That a Committee lunch would be held after the meeting on 25 March to allow engagement with the Bursary Student on his questionnaire.

Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 10.13a.m.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of a draft public notice calling for submissions to Committee Stage of the Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill.

Agreed: That the public notice is issued in the three main newspapers.

Members noted a letter from the Minister stating his intention to make a statement on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation on 15 March 2010.

4. Matters Arising

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the OFMDFM Committee’s inquiry into child poverty.

Mr Weir declared an interest as a member of Policy Development Panel A.

Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council.

Mrs Kelly declared an interest as a member of Craigavon Borough Council.

Mr Kinahan declared an interest as a member of Ballymoney Borough Council.

Mr Dallt declared an interest as a member of Coleraine Borough Council.

Jonathan Bell declared an interest as a member of Ards Borough Council.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.16a.m.

Members noted a Departmental letter on slippage in their work programme.

The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a copy of a reply from OFMDFM to Committee queries on the Sustainable Development Duty. She also advised members that along with the Chairs of OFMdFM and ETI Committees, she had recently met sustainable development stakeholder who are dissatisfied with progress of the strategy and action plan. A note of the meeting will be provided next week.

Agreed: That the issue of sustainable development be revisited when more information is available.

Mr McKay joined the meeting at 10.20a.m.

Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.21a.m.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of a reply from Minister Goggins to Committee queries on the RPA timetable.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Secretary of State, copied to the Minister, expressing concern around the lack of progress on the timetable and asking for a schedule of dates and noting the Committee’s request for adequate time to scrutinise the legislation properly.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on sickness levels in the DOE and the private sector.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for a further breakdown of sickness absence levels within each agency/division of the Department and the actions that the Department is taking to rectify the situation.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on a plastic bag levy. Mr McKay provided members with an update on the progress of his proposals to introduce a Private Members Bill on this subject.

Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide information on previous studies into plastic and paper bag use and to access information provided by a television programme on plastic bags 4 years ago.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a reply from DCAL in relation to Committee queries on road safety initiatives by sporting organisations. Members welcomed the proposals and placed on record their appreciation of the work of sporting organisations, the emergency services and the Department on this important issue.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to Sports NI and DCAL to ask if there are plans to build in accreditation for road safety in their grant making process.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the PSNI noting the Committee’s appreciation of the fact that there were no recorded road fatalities in February and asking for an update on the work they are doing since they briefed the Committee on 14 January 2010.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on SAGE.

Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.47a.m.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Planning Service stating that the Committee would like them to adopt a more precautionary approach when it comes to applying the information to the zoning and development of new land.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on a landfill infraction case.

The following members declared an interest as local councillors:

Mrs Kelly
Mr Kinahan
Mr Ford
Mr Dallat
Mr McKay
Mr Bell
Mr Beggs

Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee, in closed session, at a future Committee meeting.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with replies from North West Region Waste Management Group and arc21 with their views on a Single Waste Disposal Authority.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for an update on the progress of a business case for a Single Waste Disposal Authority and a timeframe for completion of the business case.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an Assembly Research paper on products which prohibit mobile phone use while driving.

Agreed: That the paper is published on the Assembly website.

Agreed: That a copy of the paper is forwarded to the Minister for comment.

Agreed: That a copy of the paper is forwarded to the AA, RAC and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited to encourage the introduction and use of this technology, particularly in new cars.

Members noted the eleventh report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a joint paper from Armagh City Council and Dungannon and South Tyrone District Council on the proposed North/South Interconnector. The Councils also requested the opportunity to brief the Committee on this issue.

Agreed: That a copy of the paper is sent to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Agreed: That a copy of the paper is sent to the Planning Service for comment on the issues raised within the paper.

Agreed: That the Clerk seeks guidance on the protocol of receiving briefings relating to live planning applications.

5. Briefing by Premier Woodlands Trust on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

Mr Kinahan declared an interest as he knew the Premier Woodland Trust representative who had carried out work for him.

Premier Woodlands Trust briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.

The main areas of discussion were snares, the management of deer, deer farming exemptions and wildlife inspectors.

Agreed: That clarity is sought from DARD on the issue of deer farming exemptions.

6. Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with additional papers from the RSPB on hedge cutting and habitats and birds directives.

Agreed: That the papers are included in the final Committee report.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a copy of an e-mail from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation NI advising that they are unable to brief at the meeting on 11 March and requesting the opportunity to brief on an alternative date.

Agreed: That, due to time constraints, it is not possible to agree to the request to brief on an alternative date and that the submission from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation NI is included in the final Committee report.

Members noted a clarification e-mail from the Talnotry Avian Care Trust following their briefing session on 4 March 2010.

7. Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill – initial clause by clause consideration

Departmental officials explained the purpose of Clauses 1 – 20 and answered members’ queries on the clauses.

Agreed: That an additional meeting is arranged for the afternoon of Monday 15 March to continue clause by clause consideration.

Agreed: That a research paper is requested on the use of snares in other UK jurisdictions and the use of snares, and alternative forms of predator control, throughout Europe.

8. Knock Golf Club Planning Application

Mr Dallat proposed a motion to rescind the motions agreed at the Committee meeting on 25 February 2010.

The motion read ‘That during the Committee briefing from Departmental officials members of this Committee can refer to and ask questions relating to any actual planning examples to illustrate points of concern relating to planning policy and operational issues’.

The Committee divided:

The motion was therefore carried.

Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to a future meeting to brief on planning policy and operational issues.

Mr McKay left the meeting at 12.20p.m.

Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.20p.m.

Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.20p.m.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.20p.m.

9. Consultations

Consultation on amending the Packaging Waste Regulations

Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.

Synopsis of responses to the public consultation on the draft Pollution

Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.

Prevention and Control (District Councils) Charging Scheme ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.

Road Safety Strategy 2010 – draft Consultation

Agreed: That the Minister briefs the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 29 April 2010.

Local Government Finance Bill – synopsis of responses

Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.

Departmental reply to Committee queries on the draft Local Government (Contracts) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 Consultation

Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.

10. Correspondence

Letter from Culture, Arts and Leisure Chairperson regarding Council owned art.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Departmental letter regarding Community Transport Association.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Committee for Regional Development.

Memo & Letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the Promotion of townland names.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Memo & Letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding available land for bridal paths.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Memo from Employment and Learning Committee regarding their Inquiry into young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Memo from Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee regarding 10-Day Prompt Payments Targets.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

E-mail from Tom Ekin in relation to the future Clean Neighbourhoods Bill.

Agreed: That Mr Ekin is added to the Committee’s stakeholder list and that Mr Ekin is invited to a future Committee meeting once the Bill reaches Committee Stage.

Departmental response to Committee’s request for their views on the draft Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Memo from the Committee for Social Development regarding Town Centre Regeneration.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Departmental response on slurry spreading and compliance with the Nitrates Directive.

Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Memo from the Public Accounts Committee regarding A.Q.B Architectural Workshop Ltd’s response to the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the Performance of the Planning Service.

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the DOE for comment.

Members noted the following items of correspondence:

Letter of thanks for the Committees consideration of the ‘future of the Lough Neagh & Lower Bann Advisory Committees’

Copy of the ‘Historic Buildings Council’ 17 th Report

Letter to advise the Minister’s intention to approve two planning applications. J/2009/0388/O Strategic Business Park & J/2009/0389/F New junction Melmount Road, Strabane.

Departmental letter regarding Environment Committee Programme of Work

Letter of response to the 2010/11 Spending Plans for NI Departments

Chairpersons’ Liaison Group meeting held on Tuesday 16 February – Note of key issues discussed and decisions taken

Letter regarding The BBC production of a documentary-style series on the work of the Assembly

Departmental letter regarding Interim Committee response to the Consultation draft Addendum to PPS 7 ‘Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas

Copy of the first edition of ‘euroPA’ bulletin

Copies of general briefing papers on the Northern Ireland Marine Bill

Introduction to an official news channel ‘wiredgov’ the UK’s no.1 government and public sector news alerting service

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 March 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.33p.m.

Dolores Kelly
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
4 March 2010