Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 22 May 2012

Present

Deputy J. Young, Chairman Connétable P. Rondel

Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman)

Apologies

Absent

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1. Record of meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd May 2012 were approved and signed.

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22.05.12 Item 3

514/19

2. Ash disposal

1. The Panel noted new submissions and information received since its last meeting on 3rd May 2012.
2. Members considered expressions of interest received in respect of the  rôle  of  expert  adviser  to the  review.  There  was  unanimous agreement on a preferred bidder and the Scrutiny Officer was asked to contact the company to arrange an initial visit. It was agreed that while this would not constitute an interview it should happen prior to formal appointment, to give the Panel an opportunity to meet with senior team members  before  contracts  were  finalised.  It  was  also  agreed  to investigate whether a meeting between the adviser and officers from the Transport and Technical Services Department and a tour of the La Collette site could be arranged during the same visit, as this would save time and expense.

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3.05.12 Item 8

514/2(22)

3. Radon

The Panel agreed various detail changes to scoping and approved draft terms of reference for the review. It was agreed that background work would  begin  towards  the  end  of  June,  which  ideally  would  include preliminary meetings with the Medical Officer of Health and Building Control prior to any public call for evidence. Having considered the necessity for an expert adviser it was agreed that the indicative budget for the review should be set at £15,000.

The Scrutiny Officer was asked to make the necessary changes and arrange for the scoping and terms of reference to be submitted to the Chairmen's Committee for approval.

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3.05.12 Item 3

514/14

4. Marine water quality

The  Panel  considered  information  recently  received  from  the department, including minutes of the joint aquaculture meeting attended on 2nd May 2012. It was agreed to revise a draft letter to the Minister for Planning and Environment to reflect the Panel's concerns about an apparent lack of urgency in addressing perceived problems. Members also considered whether it might be appropriate to seek further advice

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from  local  experts;  it  was  noted  that  at  present  the  Panel  was essentially following up the recommendations from a previous review, so any expenditure would require a budget to be approved by the Chairmen's Committee.

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5. Visit to Bellozanne sewage treatment works and outfalls

The Panel discussed possible dates for a tour of the treatment works. It was noted that amended timing for the visit on 5th July proposed by the TTS Department clashed with Parish commitments and the Scrutiny Officer was asked to investigate alternative dates.

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514/1(25)

6. Jersey Gas Land at Tunnell Street, St Helier

The Panel noted comments submitted on 18th May in response to the Environment Department's consultation on a development brief for the Jersey Gas site.

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7.  Quarterly  public  hearing  with  the  Minister  for  Planning  and Environment

Members discussed possible agenda items for the quarterly hearing to be held on 15th June 2012. It was agreed that the agenda should include housing issues in the Island Plan, planning for major States projects and water quality. It was agreed that members would meet to prepare detailed questions once the draft agenda had been circulated.

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8. Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

Members discussed the planned review of the MTFP by a Sub-Panel of Corporate Services. It was understood that preparatory work between individual Panels and their linked departments could now begin. The Scrutiny  Officer  was  asked  to  contact  departments  to  request background information and to arrange private briefings for the Panel with Chief Officers and Finance Officers.

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Forthcoming meetings

Next scheduled Panel meeting: 2.00pm on 19th June 2012, Blampied Room, States Building

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