Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 7 March 2006

Item

(Ref Back)

Agenda matter

Action

1

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th February 2006, having been  circulated  previously,  were  taken  as  read  and  were confirmed.

None

2

(16.02.06 item 9)

(16.02.06 item 10)

Matters arising

It was confirmed that a letter to Mr Le Corre, the Secretary for the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association had been drafted and signed by the Chairman. The letter to Senator Legrand, Monsieur le Président  du  Conseil  Général  de  la  Manche  in  relation  to information relating to deep ground water had been drafted and was in the process of being translated.

MR

3

Public Meeting

The Panel reviewed feedback received in relation to the Public

meeting held at St John's Parish Hall on Thursday 2nd March 2006. It was noted that there were both positive and negative

comments,  the  most  notable  objection  being  that  the advertisement for the event should have been in the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post.

4

(16.02.06 Item 7)

Work programme – Design of New Homes (Room Sizes and Parking)

On  the  matter  of  progressing  the  review,   Deputy  S.  Power requested the Panel allow him to:-

a. Advise the public of the review by engaging the media as he felt appropriate.

b) Arrange the scope, size and timescale of the review to be completed at the end of May or beginning of June.

c).Have meetings with:

• Senator F.E. Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment.

• Mr. P. Thorne , Director of Planning.
• Planning Applications Panel.

The Panel considered the media matter and concluded that the

lead member should draft a press release and have it signed off by the rest of the Panel. The Panel decided to hold a press

conference  at  4.00  pm  on  Thursday  9th  March  2006  in  Le Capelain Room, States Building, at which the lead members

would explain their reviews. The Panel also agreed that Deputy

S. Power should arrange to meet with the Minister for Planning and  Environment,  the  Planning  Applications  Panel  and  the Director of Planning in early course.

The Panel discussed obtaining statistics related to the amount of buildings  constructed  over  the  last  three  years  at  or  near minimum  standards  of  room  size.  It  directed  its  officers  to contact the Statistics Unit and establish whether the Unit held any relevant data.

MR/IC MR/IC

MR/IC

5

(16.02.06 Item 6)

Work Programme – Planning Process

The Panel considered a draft advertisement for placement in the Jersey Evening Post calling for written submissions concerning the Planning Process Review. It considered that the cost of the advert,  at  an  estimated £706  for  3  nights,  was  excessive. Moreover, it concluded that the proposed content was less than concise and lacking in impact. The Panel delegated authority to Deputy  G.C.L.  Baudains  to  liaise  with  officers  and  secure placement  of  a  revised  advertisement  incorporating  the recommendations made by Panel members.

On a related matter, Deputy R.C. Duhamel advised the Panel that he would be making an approach to the Editor of the Jersey Evening  Post  newspaper  in  order  to  discuss  options for improving  the  cost  effectiveness  and  coordination  of  advert placement  across  the  Panels.  Outcomes  from  the  proposed meeting would be reported to the Chairmen's Committee in due course.

The Panel was informed that the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 – Appointed Day Act was due to be lodged au Greffe' in the second quarter of 2006. The Panel concluded that the terms  of  reference  for  the  planning  process  review  should remain unaffected by this development.

6

(16.02.06 item 5)

Work programme – Waste

The Panel agreed the Terms of Reference for the review as follows:

1. To  quantify  the  composition  of  waste  within  the residential and commercial collections.

2. To investigate the practicality and cost implications of re-using or recycling in excess of 32% from the waste stream.

3. To investigate European and International markets for recycled goods and recyclable materials.
4. To examine existing technology for the treatment of food  waste  with  the  green  waste  in  a  composting facility.

5. To examine systems/policies to encourage the public to play a more active role in recycling.