Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 27 November 2008

Present

Deputy R.C. Duhamel (Chairman) (RD) Connétable A. S. Crowcroft (SC)

Deputy P. V. F. Le Claire (PLC) (for a time) Deputy C. J. Scott Warr en (CSW)

Apologies

Connétable K. A. Le Brun of St Mary (KB)

In attendance

Mrs. C. M. Le Quesne

Mr. M. Robbins, Scrutiny Officer (MR)

Ref Back

1. Minutes

The Panel received and approved its Minutes of the meetings of 16th October 2008, 13th, 14th, 21st and 25th November 2008.

RD, KLB, SC, PLC.

Item 5 13.11.08

2. Sustainable Procurement Conference

Connétable Crowcroft presented the Panel with his written report following  his  attendance  at  the  Sustainable  Procurement Conference in London.

The Panel noted that the Connétable considered attendance to be value for money.

He advised that most of the attending authorities appeared to place value on sustainable procurement and had allocated officers to ensure  best  value.  The   Connétable  suggested  that  the  matter should be considered by the relevant Department.

RD, KLB, SC, PLC.

SC

Item 3 12.10.08

3. 2nd Tidal Energy Summit

The Panel recalled that it had agreed to the Chairman and Deputy Le Claire attending the 2nd annual Tidal Energy Summit, London on the 11th and 12th November 2008

The Panel received an oral report from the attending members and noted the following key points -

RD/PLC

Env Officer

• Attendance at the conference had grown;

• A  tidal  energy  turbine  was  being  tested  in  Ireland  and producing 6 mega watts of power in 6 to 8 hours;

• It was suggested that should Jersey wish to participate in revenue from that industry  it would need to develop the necessary infrastructure very rapidly;

• The  relevant  companies  should  be  invited  to  Jersey  to present the technology that was now available;

• France  and  Guernsey  were  noted  to  be  progressing investigations  into  marine  current  turbines,  barrage  style energy production and wind turbines. Examination of the 3 technologies if indeed the island was supportive of a tidal fence for highest production of electricity was needed with immediate effect if Jersey was not to miss out; and,

• 320  systems  providing  tidal  and  wind  energy  were  now available.

The Panel was advised that all the reports from the conference on the internet. Officers were requested to ensure that the CD of the lectures was made available to future Panel members.

It was suggested that any States Members considering harbour and port provisions for the Island should be advised of opportunity and requirements to accommodate the industry. A copy of the reports from the Website and the CD should be sent to the Council of Ministers for information.

The potential scale of the industry could present an alternative to finance and lead to the repositioning of the island with an economic opportunity to achieve diversity.

The Chairman and Deputy Le Claire would make statements in the States on the subject.

Item 2 13.11.08

4. Abatement Orders

The  Panel  recalled  that  it  had  previously  considered  issues pertaining to noise pollution and requested information relating to the issue from H.M. Attorney General.

The  Panel  was  advised  that  it  did  not  currently  have  sufficient resources to pursue the subject as no review had been scoped or factored into the work programme. The Panel accepted that the matter should be dealt with by States members independently.

Item  1 21/11/08

1.  Urban Regeneration Review

The  Panel  recalled  that  it  was  offered  an  alternative  route  to securing the required drawings from an advertising and marketing company. The estimated cost for the provision of two artist quality water-coloured pen drawings would be £4,150, It decided not to proceed with that option.

The Chairman had attended a meeting with officers and had viewed a draft scamp provided by the company of the Royal Crescent concept for use in its Urban Regeneration Review.

The  Chairman  requested  that  Officers  obtain  a  quote  from  the agency in order that the drawing could be used in the report. The quote of £300 for the professional draft was circulated to members for consideration.

Members considered the cost was too high; the company would be advised of the Panel decision in due course.

The  Panel  discussed  the  report  in  detail  and  requested  some amendments. It confirmed that the Adviser's work would in the most part remain as a working document for the Panel and that only some aspects of the work would be included in the report. It agreed that  the  Officers  should  progress  the  report  at  the  earliest opportunity and that the Chairman should provide guidance.

The Chairman requested that his thanks be recorded to his Panel members and officers. The Panel members took the opportunity to express their thanks for the varied work and their time on the Panel.

RD, KLB, CSW, PLC.