Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 19 January 2012
Venue: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
The meeting began in closed session at 10.07a.m to discuss briefings on the waste management procurement process.
The meeting resumed in public session at 10.40a.m
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Briefing by arc21 on the waste management procurement process
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Molloy as a past Chairman of SWaMP
Mr Clarke as a past member of arc21 and a member of Down District Council
Mr Dallat as a past member of the North West Region Waste Management Group
Representatives from arc21 briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the waste management procurement process.
The main areas of discussion were waste management plans, procurement process, the length of service contracts and the risks involved.
3. Briefing by SWaMP2008 on the waste management procurement process
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Molloy as past chairman of SWaMP
Mr Clarke as a past member of arc21
Mr Dallat as a past member of the North West Region Waste Management Group
Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 12.20p.m.
Representatives from SWaMP2008 briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the waste management procurement process.
The main areas of discussion were waste management plans, procurement process and the length of service contracts.
4. Briefing by the North West Region Waste Management Group on the waste management procurement process.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Molloy as past chairman of SWaMP
Mr Clarke as a past member of arc21
Mr Dallat as a past member of the North West Region Waste Management Group
Ms Bradley left the meeting at 1.14p.m.
Representatives from North West Region Waste Management Group briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the waste management procurement process.
The main areas of discussion were the procurement process and waste technologies.
5. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 12 January 2012 were agreed.
Mr Molloy left the meeting at 1.19p.m.
Mr Hamilton left the meeting at 1.22p.m.
6. Chairperson’s business
Members noted a note of a meeting with the NILGA Chief Executive.
7. Matters Arising
Members noted an Assembly Research paper on incineration impacts on phosphate levels within chicken litter.
Members noted a draft Committee Forward Work Programme.
Ms Bradley rejoined the meeting at 1.22p.m.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on wind turbine planning applications.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an agenda for the meeting on 26 January with the Oireachtas Committee for Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Agreed: That a Climate Change Bill is added to the agenda for this meeting.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a paper on the cost of car insurance from the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That the Law Society is asked to brief the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 26 January.
Members noted a DRD reply to Committee queries on septic tanks.
9. Consultations
Mr Molloy rejoined the meeting at 1.25p.m.
Synopsis of responses to public consultation on EC Roadworthiness Directive – proposed changes to the MOT test.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Consultation on Strategic Planning Guidance to provide clarification of Policy PED 8 of the Revised Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) ‘Planning and Economic Development’.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking why the consultation period was shorter than usual and for more information on why they are carrying out this consultation and what impact they anticipate it having.
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses is requested.
Synopsis of responses to the Taxi Licence and Powers of Seizure.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
Synopsis of responses to the Wedding and Courtesy Transport consultations.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
10. Proposals for Secondary Legislation
SL1 – The Street Litter Control Notices (Amendment) Order NI 2012
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
SL1 – The Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations NI 2012.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
SL1 – The Statutory Nuisances (Insects) Regulations (NI) 2012.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
SL1 – The Statutory Nuisances (Artificial Light) (Designation of Relevant Sports) Order NI 2012.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
SL1 – The Statutory Nuisances (Appeals) Regulations NI 2012.
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with this policy.
Members noted a Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act Commencement Order.
11. Departmental updates
Members noted a Departmental update of Article 31 planning applications and a Secretariat comparison of the latest document with that considered by the Committee in October 2011.
12. Inquiry into used tyre disposal
Members noted a reply from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the used tyre inquiry and agreed its inclusion in the Inquiry report.
13. Correspondence
Departmental response to the Committee’s request for further information on the recruitment of staff to the Environmental Crime Unit.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the Northern Ireland Audit office.
Email from the WWF NI regarding the planned termination of the funding for the Carbon Trust office in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Carbon Trust asking for more information in relation to this issue.
Member’s noted the following correspondence
Response from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Committee’s request for information about what OFMDFM is currently doing to reduce energy use.
Copy of Royal Society of Ulster Architects Yearbook and Directory 2011.
Copy of the Fees and Charges to Recover the Cost of Processing Discharge Consent Applications and the Regulation of Discharges under the Water (NI) Order 1999.
Email from the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs in relation to occupier’s liability and long distance walks.
Note of Business Council for Sustainable Development Pathways Workshop.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 26 January 2012 at 10.00a.m in room 21.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30p.m.
