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Environment Scrutiny Panel
PUBLIC MEETING Record of Meeting
Date: 1st November 2007. Meeting Number: 62
Present Deputy R.C. Duhamel (Chairman) (RD)
Connétable K.A. Le Brun of St. Mary (KB) Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire (PLC)
Apologies Connétable A.S. Crowcroft of St. Helier (SC)
Deputy C. Scott Warr en (CSW)
Absent
In attendance Mrs. C. Le Quesne, Scrutiny Officer
Mr. M. Robbins, Scrutiny Officer
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
1 | Minutes The Panel received and approved the Minutes of the meeting of 18th October 2007. RD. KLB.. PLC. |
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2 (Item 7 - 18/10/07) | Matters arising (action updates) from the Panel minutes of the 18th October 2007 - Quarterly Newsletter proposition The Panel recalled that it had discussed a newsletter proposal at its 18th October 2007 meeting. Deputy Le Claire advised the Panel that as requested he had undertaken further research relating to probable costs associated with providing a smaller newsletter than originally proposed. He also reminded the Panel of the costs relating to the purchase of the software and licences required for the development of the newsletter/paper proposal. Having outlined the figures, the concept of a Panel newsletter, alternative advertising through existing medium and related costs was discussed. It was agreed that the Panel would not pursue the production of a newsletter at this time. The Panel agreed that it may be appropriate to revisit the issue of costs relating to advertising in the JEP and the Chairman was requested to raise the issue with the Chairmen's Committee. It was recalled that the current | CLQ |
arrangements and costs for advertising formed part of a States contract and details of renegotiation dates were requested.
CLQ In the interim the Panel decided that it would write to all Ministers asking for information on the number of colour information newsletter type publications it produced annually and the related costs to get an overall understanding of the way in which the States in general approach media and the dissemination of information.
The Panel agreed that the types of publications that it
was interested in included Changing States and the Airport and Harbour newsletters.
The Panel discussed the possibility of undertaking a limited environmental audit with Departments; it recalled that it was something that had been discussed on a number of occasions.
The Panel requested that the draft newsletter sample (Item 3 – provided by Deputy Le Claire be registered with the 18/10/07) Department for future reference.
Malmo Reports
The Panel noted that Mr. D. Mason had now provided it with a report on his visit to Malmo with the Panel. The Chairman was in the process of finalising his report and adding information to that provided by Mr. Mason. Deputy Le Claire provided the Panel with a DVD of slides from Malmo to music which would be completed to include text for the meeting.
The Panel agreed that it would provide all of its picture dependant reports to the Eco Active Website for CLQ uploading. It was noted that the Scrutiny Website remained unable to accommodate large documents. It
was agreed that an electronic back-up copy of any documents forwarded to the Eco Active website should
be retained for archive purposes.
Malmo findings – Raising the profile of visits and reviews
On a related matter the Panel requested that information be sought on software programmes used by the Education Department on its media studies courses for the production of online newspapers and film projects.
The Panel agreed that in order to engage with young CLQ people it should approach schools to seek expressions of interest in connection with media study students undertaking a partnership film or newspaper project. It
was agreed that a letter should be sent to the schools to ascertain what appropriate timescales might be and whether or not there would be any interest.
Quick Screens – As requested at a previous meeting the officers had obtained details relating to the cost of quick screen banner stands to be used for public events and exhibitions.
MR The Panel recalled that these had been effectively used
at the conference in Malmo. The Panel noted that the
cost of 3 to 4 screens would be approximately £1,000; it
agreed that this option should be pursued and that it (Item 14 – wished to commit to a purchase. The Panel decided that MR 18/10/07) it would consider what should be printed onto the screens
and seek advice from appropriate graphic designers.
Lifestyle Exhibition
The Panel gave further consideration to participating in the 2008 Lifestyle Exhibition and decided that it would wish to take part. The officers were directed to make the necessary bookings and payments (£1,200) as previously discussed. The Panel agreed that the Quick Screens would prove very useful at the event. In addition it agreed that it should have DVDs such as that currently being produced by Deputy Le Claire playing at the event.
RD. KLB. PLC.
3 Matters for noting
The Panel noted the following –
(item 9 – a) Meeting with Minister for Planning and CLQ 18/10/07) Environment The first meeting with the Minister for
Planning and Environment would take place on Wednesday 21st November 2007 during the States lunchtime recess (lunch to be provided);
- One World Centre
Mr. Daniel Wimberley, Chairman, Jersey One World MR Centre conservation group would attend the next Panel meeting on the 15th November 2007 to make a presentation on recycling plastic bags, an initiative which involves 6th form students;
- Water Quality in St. Aubin's Bay
that a working meeting with Ministers and officers would MR/CLQ take place on 2nd November 2007 to discuss issues
relating to the sea lettuce on St. Aubin's Bay and the
efficiency of the sewerage treatment plant and the quality
of the outfall water into that bay;
- Puffins – new study on danger to the Atlantic Puffin CLQ
| Information would be sought from BDK architects, Dr. Glyn Young and other interested parties by the officers at the request of Deputy Le Claire. The Panel endorsed the requests for information; and, e) Consultation Paper on Branchage from the Comité des Connétable s The consultation document would be considered and responded to by the Panel at its next meeting. RD. KLB. PLC. |
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4 | Conferences SDUK 08 QEII Conference Centre, Westminster The Panel noted that the 2008 SDUK conference would take place at the QEII Centre in London 6th March. The conference was a one-day event and it was agreed that 3 members and an officer should attend the event. The officer was directed to book the necessary places at the conference and to agenda the item for the next meeting to confirm who would attend; and, Chamber of Commerce lunch time event The Panel had agreed by e-mail, communication for some of its members to attend a Sustainability Seminar being held by the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday 5th December 2007 between 12.30 and 14.00hrs. Attendees would be confirmed to the officer who would make the necessary arrangements. The cost per person was noted as £18. RD. KLB. PLC. | MR/CLQ MR |
5 | Air Quality The Panel noted the witness timetable for the forthcoming Air Quality Review Hearings to be held in November, it noted that its dates had included 22nd November 2007, although it was now expected that the States would still be in session. On that basis the officer was directed to rearrange the witnesses' dates. The Panel delegated meetings with customers of X-Mile to the Chairman. The officer was requested to make the necessary arrangements. The Panel noted that draft questions for the hearings would be circulated on 9th November 2007. Following discussion and finalisation, the questions would be forwarded to the witnesses at least 5 working days prior to the hearings. The Panel agreed that lunches should be arranged for 22nd, 23rd, 26th and 27th November 2007 for 8 people. | CLQ CLQ MR/CLQ |
The Panel was advised that travel and hotel arrangements had been made for its advisor, a meeting had been arranged for him on 22nd November 2007 with the Head of Health Protection at 09.30am, and a pre- hearing meeting with the Panel would take place during the States lunch recess. During the afternoon of 22nd November 2007 the advisor would work with the officer on a framework for the report.
The Panel discussed the review and the quote that had been received from Channel 103 in respect of seeking RD more submissions. It agreed that it would wish to advertise on the radio and delegated arrangements and
the script content responsibility to the Chairman.
The officer agreed to arrange a meeting with a representative from Channel 103 at an appropriate time on 5th November 2007. It was noted that the advert would cost approximately £1,000.
RD. KLB. PLC.
6 Waste Plant Review and the Buncefield Reports
The Panel noted receipt of the Buncefield Reports entitled Safety Aspects of Waste'.
The Panel gave detailed consideration to the content and purpose of the reports and decided that the issue of hazard was an intrinsic part of its current review relating to Waste Plants.
Hazard reports
The Panel decided that it was essential that it received
any additional updated information or reports relating to MR hazards and requested the officer to take the necessary action. Furthermore it considered that issues such as location and transport routes, adjoining or adjacent commercial enterprises and general infrastructure requirements such as the location of the fuel farm were
key to the planning of any waste facility and that it was essential that all the environmental implications were scrutinised.
Planning decisions
On a related matter the Panel agreed that with regard to the recent Planning consent in principle, it must ensure that all the facts and figures upon which the Minister's decision was taken must be considered in detail.
It was noted that Condition 8 of the planning application related to fire and had been held over. The Chairman agreed to make all the relevant documentation that he
had available to the officers for document audit purposes. MR The Panel requested that all of the background documentation relating to Condition 8 should be requested from the Minister for Planning and Environment.
The Panel noted that the Ministerial decision appeared to have only focussed on Policy G2 of the Island Plan and had not considered G1 which related to sustainable development. MR
The Panel requested that details and a copy of the JEP notice re-advertising the application for the development on the basis that the Hopkins drawings were re submitted, due to changes in building heights. The officer was instructed to obtain the documents from the Planning and Environment Department.
The Panel noted the various forms of appeal process available to concerned parties. It had some concerns over the legal standing of the condition attached to the application and requested that the view of H.M. Attorney MR General and the Minister be sought in this regard. In addition the Panel requested that any information on financial penalties due to delays should be made MR available to it.
The officer was requested to advise the Transport and Technical Services and Planning and Environment Department officers of the Panel's concerns; the Chairman would discuss the matter with both Ministers. The officer was requested to ascertain time scales from H.M. Attorney General with regard to a response to its questions.
Waste Plant Review
The terms of reference for the review would be received by the Chairmen's Committee on 2nd November 2007.
The Panel was provided with all registered background information held by the Scrutiny Office relating to the review. Its programme of meetings for the management of the review was agreed as every alternate Tuesday to its normal Thursday Panel meeting, commencing 6th MR November 2007 (lunch would not be provided at these meetings).
The press release for the recent Panel visit to the Connétable of Grouville recycling initiative was approved.
The Panel would consider radio advertising for the review at a later date.
Recycling companies
The Chairman advised the Panel that Reclamait now had baling equipment that members may be interested to see. The Panel discussed ways in which it could engage the interest of residents in the review and agreed that it was essential that information relating to what was available was taken out to the public. The Panel agreed that it MR would be beneficial to have a public meeting at which professional recycling companies could be invited to
advise on what could be achieved; representative Chairman companies could be invited from the U.K., France or
both. It was agreed that the issue should be included on
one of the Panels forthcoming review working meetings.
The Panel noted that the Chairman had information relating to exportation costs of recyclable materials and that he would forward those to the officer. It was noted that the documents would remain confidential due to commercial sensitivity.
Cardiff
The Panel was advised that contact had been made with MR the recycling plant visited in Cardiff and whilst requested figures had not been released and invitation had been extended to members to attend a repeat visit.
Forensic accountant
The Panel was advised that enquiries had been made to ascertain the type of accounting services that it would require for the purposes of the review. It was noted that a specialist was called for in this case and a company had been identified that may be appropriate. The Panel agreed to meet with the company at the earliest possible MR opportunity. The officer was requested to make the necessary arrangements and to obtain the accounts required by the Panel from the Transport and Technical Services Department.
Waste Advisor
The Panel was further advised that some research had been undertaken with regard to the possible appointment of a waste advisor. The officer was directed to contact the proposed companies to ascertain what capacity they might have, the likely costs and what if any work they had undertaken with Guernsey. The Chairman agreed to contact a political counterpart to discuss the companies used and any information that might be made available to the Panel. The Panel agreed that technical documents should be sought from Guernsey if possible.
RD. KLB. PLC.
7 Hospital Environmental Audit
The Panel considered the possibility of an environmental audit relating to the disposal of food and clinical waste by the health department.
Some concern had been expressed in connection with the charges levied for the disposal of clinical waste and its ultimate disposal.
The Panel requested that the Minister be requested to provide it with information relating to the quantities, cost CLQ and method used by the department in the disposal of
food and clinical waste. Statistics on the disposal and quantities of the waste streams would assist the Panel in ascertaining whether the trend for waste generation in health was going up or down.
It was requested that the Chairman of the Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel be advised of the Panel's request.
RD. KLB. PLC. 8 Next Meeting
The Panel noted that the date for its next full meeting would be Thursday 15th November 2007 at 09.30 hrs in the Le Capelain Room.
Signed Date: ..
Chairman Environment Panel