Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began in public session at 12:45pm

1.       Apologies

   Apologies are listed above.

2.       Minutes

The minutes of the meeting on 29 March 2012 were agreed.

3.       Chairperson’s Business

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a note of a meeting with NI Badger Group.

Agreed: That a copy of the note of the meeting is forwarded to the Department for comment.

Agreed: That a copy of the note of the meeting is forwarded to local councils for information.

4.      Matters Arising

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the MOT emissions test and potential changes to the EU Roadworthiness Directive and how this will impact on the MOT.

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

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the Ulster Farmers Union and representative groups for caravanning and equestrian interests.

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on regulation of scrapyards.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the scrapyard representative body to ask for written briefing on this issue.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Good Beach Summit.

Members noted a reply from the Minister for Health to Committee queries on the Road Safety Strategy.

Mr Molloy joined the meeting at 12:49pm. 

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries following the Chairperson’s meeting with the Council for Nature Conservation and Countryside (CNCC).

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the Council for Nature Conservation and Countryside (CNCC).

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on PPS 16. 

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply queries on the CJI’s report recommendations.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if the actions due on or before 1 April 2012 have now been achieved. 

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the fees for Taxi Operator Licensing.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking what impact the reduced fees will have on enforcement.  Also ask if the Department intends to advertise the period of reduced fees outside the taxi industry.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on PPS 21.

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Stakeholder list for the Balmoral Show event on National Parks.

Agreed: That the stakeholders on this list are invited to the Committee’s event on National Parks. 

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on LIFE+ funding.

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to Mr Noel Adams, NI Labour Party.

Agreed: That Mr Noel Adams is added to the Committee’s stakeholder list and invited to the next stakeholder engagement event. 

Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 12:59pm.

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

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the NI Association of Independent Recyclers.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to the North West Regional Waste Management Group asking for an update on their tender process.

Agreed: That B9 Energy is invited to give a future briefing on the biodigestion process.

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Draft Committee motion on the Single Use Carrier Bag Levy.

Agreed: That a draft blog asking the public for feedback on proposals for the levy is prepared for consideration at the Committee meeting on 3 May 2012. 

Agreed: That the Committee motion is laid with the Business Office after feedback has been sought from the public.

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on out of town retail outlets.

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, including a cover letter to highlight the Committee’s concern at the lack of consultation between the two departments on this issue.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the infraction schedule.

Members noted a Ministerial reply to Committee queries on Local Government Reform.

The Deputy Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Ministerial reply to Committee queries on exemptions to the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act.

Agreed: That the Committee will reconsider the proposal for secondary legislation once it receives responses from stakeholders.

Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the recruitment of taxi enforcement officers.

5.      Consultations

Members noted a consultation on simplified CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Consultation on Proposed modification of the Planning Agreement between DOE and George Best Belfast City Airport.

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

6.       Statutory Rules

SR 2012/146 – The Road Traffic (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2012/146 – The Road Traffic (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.

SR 2012/148 – The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2012/148 – The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.

SR 2012/149 – The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2012/149 – The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.

SR 2012/150 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed: That the Committee for the Environment has considered SR 2012/150 – The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.

 7.     Correspondence

Email from the National Association of Councillors regarding severance payments for councillors.

Lord Morrow declared an interest as a member of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.

Mr Weir declared an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council.

Agreed: That a copy of the email is forwarded to the Department asking whether it intends to introduce severance payments for Councillors and if so, when.

Correspondence from Ms. Jennifer Patterson regarding the pending EU legislation on invasive alien species.

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

Email from Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee regarding the future Local Government Reform Bill.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to Belfast City Council in advance of the Departments briefing on Local Government Reform inviting a written submission on its issues of concern.

Invitation from Green Future NI Ltd to visit Northern Ireland’s first Zero Carbon House.

Agreed: That the invitation to visit Northern Ireland’s first Zero Carbon House is accepted.

Letter from Newry and Mourne District Council requesting to brief the Committee on the review of NI Local Government boundaries and the case for an additional ward in Warrenpoint.

Agreed: That a letter is sent to Newry and Mourne District Council to indicate that Members considered this correspondence and that the Committee will be clarifying its position on boundary changes in the near future. 

Memo and letter from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to review of Bovine Tuberculosis.  

Agreed: That a copy of the letter is sent to the Department for comment.

Departmental response regarding DVA spot checks on school buses and coaches.

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the Committee for Education.

Departmental response regarding the Community Safety Strategy

Agreed: That a copy of the Departmental reply is forwarded to the Committee for Justice.

Members noted the following correspondence:

Copy of six NIEA Regulatory Fees and Charges 2012.

Departmental response to Committee queries regarding the Marine Licensing Scheme.

Copy of Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations (NI) 2012.

Copy of Sustainable NI publication – Achieving Sustainable Communities.

Invitation to attend 2^nd Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Live Event.

 8.      Any other business

 9.     Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 19 April 2012 at 10.00am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1:14pm

Anna Lo, MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
03 May 2012