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Environment Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 21st August 2012 Meeting No: 10
Present | Deputy J. Young, Chairman Connétable P. Rondel Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) |
Apologies |
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Absent |
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In attendance | Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Record of meeting The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd July 2012 were approved and signed. | MO |
3.07.12 Item 2 514/19 | 2. Ash Disposal The Panel received an oral update on progress since the adviser's visit on 26th July. The adviser had carried out two site visits in the UK to assess potential ash treatment processes, accompanied by the Chief Officer of Transport and Technical Services as the department had shown an interest in the technology involved; the outcome was not yet known. The first invoice from the consultants had been received and approved for payment. Review hearings had been confirmed with departments, to take place on Friday 21st September at 10.00am (Minister for Planning and Environment) and 1.30pm (Minister for Transport and Technical Services). | MO MO |
3.07.12 Item 3 514/20 | 3. Radon The Scrutiny Officer was asked to contact the Health and Social Services Department to arrange a meeting to discuss the review with the Minister. | MO |
19.06.12 Item 6 513/35 | 4. Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) The Panel discussed recent claims reported in the media that the predictions for growth on which the MTFP was based were too optimistic. There was concern that this could potentially undermine the MTFP process and efforts to scrutinise it. There were also doubts about the timing of the process, in particular whether the need for any amendments could be properly assessed and agreed in time for the debate. It was agreed that the Chairman would prepare a draft written report based on Ministers' responses at recent public hearings and circulate to members for agreement prior to submission to the Corporate Services (MTFP) Sub-Panel. | JY/MO |
| 5. Asbestos The Panel considered recent media coverage and concerns from members of the public and Save Our Shoreline concerning asbestos storage at La Collette. The Chairman had received emailed |
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| messages of support over comments made to the media; there was clearly a high level of public interest in this matter. Possible approaches were discussed, one option being to embark on a targeted review in a short timeframe. It was noted that problems with asbestos were not limited to La Collette, as in times past quantities had been disposed of at various sites around the Island, including quarries in St John. It was understood that the Department of the Environment kept a register of contaminated land which contained information on such sites. Members agreed that informal meetings to discuss asbestos should be requested with the Chief Officers of Transport and Technical Services and the Department of the Environment in the first instance, with a view to following up subsequently with Ministers. | MO |
| 6. Long term plans for La Collette It was agreed that no Panel position would be taken in respect of the proposition: Incorporation of Ports of Jersey (P.70/2012). Members would take an individual approach. | JY/SL/ PR |
| 7. Quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Planning and Environment The Panel agreed a range of topics for discussion in its forthcoming hearing on 4th September. The Chairman would circulate a draft list of questions to members prior to the meeting. | JY/MO |
| 8. Damage to coastal headlands The Panel noted correspondence received from a member of the public in respect of erosion allegedly being caused on various headlands by motorcycle and mountain bike riding. It was agreed that this matter would be raised with the Minister at the quarterly public hearing on 4th September. The Scrutiny Officer would inform the individual who raised the matter of the Panel's decision. | MO |
| 9. Forthcoming meetings Quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Planning and Environment: 2.00pm on 4th September 2012, Blampied Room, States Building Next scheduled Panel meeting: 2.00pm on 18th September 2012, Blampied Room, States Building Ash Disposal review public hearings:
| MO |