Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2011/2012

Date: 16 February 2012

Venue: Malone Suite, Greenmount Campus

The meeting began in public session at 12:40pm.

1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 9 February 2011 were agreed.

Ms Bradley joined the meeting at 12:47pm

Mr Hamilton joined the meeting at 12:49pm

3. Chairpersons Business
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a note of a meeting held with the Oil Firing Technical Association.
Agreed: That the note is forwarded to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment as this will be relevant to their Department.

Agreed: That the note is forwarded to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development as this will be of interest to their Department.

Agreed: That the note is forwarded to the Committee for Social Development as this will be relevant to their Department in reference to the Green New Deal.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a memo from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to 'Greening the Cap' presentation by Michael Hammell, and a draft list of stakeholders to invite to the presentation.

Agreed: That the Secretariat issue invitations to those on the stakeholder list.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an RSPB paper on CAP Reform proposals.

4. Matters Arising
A Member raised the issue of alcohol being consumed on private hire buses.

Agreed: That the Committee seeks clarification from the Department for Justice on any legislation that might relate to this and on which organisations have responsibility for enforcing it.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking what impact this has on the bus operator license.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety informing them the Committee are looking into this issue and are seeking further information from both the Department of the Environment and the Department of Justice.

Mr McGlone left the meeting at 12:51pm.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Department for Transport reply to Committee queries on car tax renewal and a Departmental reply to Committee queries on DVA services in Coleraine.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department welcoming both the Minister's stance on jobs in Coleraine and any moves to enhance Post Office services.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries following the recent meeting with the Oireachtas Committee.

Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on continuous insurance enforcement.

Mr Dallat left the meeting at 12:57pm.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on funding under Life and Life plus.

Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to the Labour Party, who originally raised queries on this issue.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Genmar Companion.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on savings delivery plans.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on post project evaluations.

Members welcomed a Departmental reply to queries on the planning application process and staffing issues.

Agreed: That a press release is issued stating that the Committee welcomes the improvements to the protocol and urging their implementation in practice.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the CJI follow-up review of inspection recommendations into enforcement within the Department.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department seeking further clarification on this matter.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Compulsory Basic Training for motorcyclists.

Agreed: That a copy of the reply is forwarded to Mr Burns, who originally raised queries on this issue.

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

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if councils can apply directly to the Intermediary Funding Body for road safety funding.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on NIEA's progress in introducing risk based charging.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking that the Committee is kept informed of progress on this issue.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Rose Energy planning application.

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

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Department letter regarding research on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting a copy of the report as soon as possible.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee questions on the waste management procurement process.

Agreed: That the Committee considers its response on this issue when all of its questions have been answered.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on a proposed byelaw for Strangford Lough.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking what has been done to improve integration of the management of the Lough.

The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a briefing note for the Committee's participation in NILGA's conference on local government on 23 February.

Agreed: That a member from each party on the Committee is nominated to form a 5-person panel for the NILGA debate.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a draft code of practice on litter and draft guidance on fixed penalty notices.

Agreed: That this paper is re-tabled at the meeting on 23 February.

The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a request from the Committee for Culture Arts and Leisure to participate and ask the Department to participate in a stakeholder event looking at the treatment of artefacts.

Agreed: That the event goes ahead as planned and that the Historic Houses Association and the Built Heritage Trust are invited to participate.

5. Consultations
Synopsis of responses to the consultation on draft Local Government Best Value (Exclusion of Non-Commercial Considerations) Order (Northern Ireland) and Associated Guidance.