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Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 8 March 2012

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Environment Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date: 8th March 2012 Meeting No: 4

 

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 7th February 2012 were approved and signed. Referring to item 6 (Communication), the Vice chairman commented  on  the  importance  of  separating  Scrutiny  and  Private Member work and making this obvious to third parties, to avoid any confusion. This was noted by the Panel.

MO

07.02.12 Item 3

514/19

2. Disposal of hazardous waste (ash and asbestos)

The Panel considered a draft scoping document and received an oral update from the Scrutiny Officer following discussion with the Chief Officer of Transport and Technical Services about possible approaches to a review of hazardous waste disposal. Members agreed that ash and asbestos disposal should be considered separately and the Scrutiny Officer was asked to amend the scoping document accordingly. Other minor amendments were noted and it was decided that subject to final confirmation with the Minister, ash disposal should be prioritized as the Panel's first review, with asbestos treatment to be looked at separately at a later date.

It was agreed that the ash review would take some account of the possible impact of importing waste from Guernsey, although this could be looked at more closely as a standalone topic. The implications of continued development on the Waterfront would also be considered, as this could require further excavation of historic ash deposits.

MO

MO

07.02.12 Item 3

514/1(18)

3. Taxi regulation

Members agreed that the draft scoping document should be revised to reflect a preference for reviewing this topic at a higher level, rather than looking in detail at licensing issues. The Panel also decided that a review should follow consultation by the department and agreed that confirmation that this was going ahead would be needed before taking matters further. Subject to the above it was noted that a review would be included in the Panel's work programme, with a start date to be confirmed  in  approximately  3  months'  time  once  the  status  of  the departmental consultation was known.

MO MO

07.02.12 Item 3

4. Heritage protection

 

514/1(18)

The Panel considered a draft scoping document for a possible review. It was  noted  that  the  law  had  changed  in  recent  years  and  legal consistency could be added to possible issues for consideration in the draft. There was some discussion as to whether home-owners were always advised of changes to listed status and how the ongoing survey might affect the situation. It was agreed that the review should remain in the Panel's work programme for later in the year.

MO

07.02.12 Item 3

514/1(18)

5. Renewable Energy Commission

The Panel considered a draft scoping document. It was noted that the department had included the Renewable Energy Commission in a list of working groups for  internal  review.  Members agreed  that questions could be put to the Minister and officers at the forthcoming quarterly briefing to obtain further information. It was noted that the Economic Development Department's Business Plan referred to working towards offshore energy supply, including consideration of wind farms. Members felt  that  little  had  been  revealed  publicly  about  the  work  of  the Renewable Energy Commission and agreed that a review to investigate progress made (and costs incurred) should be included in the Panel's work programme.

MO

MO

07.02.12 Item 3

514/1(18)

6. Bus contract

The Panel noted that there was willingness on the part of the Transport and  Technical  Services  Department  for  a  review  of  the  new  bus contract to take place. However, in view of the state of negotiations between the department and the preferred bidder members were not clear whether a review would be appropriate, and if so when it should take place. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to make arrangements for an early private briefing for the Panel to clarify these issues.

MO

514/1(18)

7. Consultation responses

The Panel considered current consultations from the Department of the Environment on supplementary planning guidance for:

  • Disposal of Foul Sewage
  • Protection of Employment Land
  • St. Martin 's Primary School and Nursery

It was agreed that the Panel should submit comments to each of the consultations based on their discussion, to be drafted by the Chairman and circulated for approval before sending.

MO

514/1(25)

8. Quarterly hearing with Minister for Planning and Environment

Members discussed a range of possible topics for the meeting to be held on 23rd March and agreed items to be included on the agenda. The  Scrutiny  Officer  was  asked  to  prepare  a  draft  for  circulation following the meeting.  

MO

 

9. Forthcoming meetings

It  was  decided  that  consideration  should  be  given  to  using  time allocated but not used for States Sittings for additional Panel meetings where required. With this in mind the Panel agreed to hold an extra meeting on 21st March at 2.00pm (States permitting) specifically to enable final preparation for the quarterly hearing on the 23rd March.

It was further agreed that in view of the proposed visit to the Houses of Parliament on 24th April, the Panel would hold additional meetings at 9.30am on 12th April and 2.00pm on 3rd May 2012 to replace the Panel

MO

 

meeting previously scheduled for the day of the visit.

Scrutiny training: Friday 16th March 2012 (all day), Blampied Room, States Building

Meeting  for  all  Scrutiny  members:  Wednesday  21st  March  2012, 1.00pm, Blampied Room, States Building

Additional Panel meeting: Wednesday 21st March 2012, 2.00pm, Le Capelain Room, States Building

Quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Planning and Environment: Friday 23rd March 2012, 10.00am, Blampied Room, States Building

Next  scheduled  Panel  meeting:  Thursday  12th  April  2012,  9.30am, Blampied Room, States Building