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Environment Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 15th October 2013 Meeting No: 53
Present | Deputy J. Young, Chairman Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) Connétable P. Rondel |
Apologies |
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Absent |
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In attendance | Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005 The Panel noted draft proposals for an amendment to the Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005 received from the Minister for Transport and Technical Services. It was agreed that members would study the draft individually and submit questions for inclusion in a response to be sent to the Minister before 8th November 2013. | JY/SL/ PR MO |
Item 2 2.09.13 514/1(25) | 2. Taxi regulation The Panel noted a potential delay to the expected White Paper advised by department officers following contact from the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities (CICRA). CICRA was again advocating deregulation, contrary to the department's aim to produce a more transparent and unified system through changes to regulatory arrangements. Members considered that further delay was inadvisable, and it was decided that a letter should be sent to the Minister for Transport and Technical Services indicating support for his department's proposals. Members agreed to contribute suggested comments by email. The matter would also be raised at the forthcoming Quarterly Public Hearing with the Minister to be held on 11th November 2013. | JY/SL/ PR MO |
| 3. Cycle helmets Members considered a request from the Chair of the Jersey Climate Action Network (JCAN) for the Panel to review key research into the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets, prior to any States debate on this issue. It was noted that a further request on the same topic from a member of the public forwarded by the Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel had now been withdrawn. The Panel agreed that although evidence was available from more than one jurisdiction on this issue, it was not clear whether a proposition on this subject would be forthcoming in the near future. Members therefore decided not to carry out a review at this time. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to inform the Chair of JCAN of the Panel's decision. | MO |
| 4. Draft Aquatic Resources (Jersey) Law 201- The Panel discussed comments received from a member of the public concerning the Draft Aquatic Resources (Jersey) Law 201- (P.114/2013) lodged by the Minister for Economic Development. It was noted that while technically this fell outside the remit of the Panel, proposals within the draft law for licensing the harvesting of seaweed for commercial purposes could have an environmental impact. The vice chairman agreed that as Chairman of the Economic Affairs Panel he would request a joint briefing on this matter for both Panels from the Economic Development Department (with assistance from the Department of the Environment as required), to take place prior to the debate. The Scrutiny Officer was requested to ask the officer for the Economic Affairs Panel to arrange the briefing. | SL MO |
Item 1 27.09.13 514/22 | 5. Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey The Panel noted the latest draft of the Panel's report. Minor amendments were agreed and the Scrutiny Officer was asked to circulate the amended version as a stakeholder draft to the Department of the Environment, together with a copy of the adviser's report. Extracts of relevant sections of the report would be prepared and sent to other stakeholders as required. | MO MO |
Item 2 27.09.13 514/20 | 6. Radon The Panel noted that a signed contract from the adviser was awaited shortly. Members agreed a list of key questions to be sent to the adviser once the contract was finalised. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to contact individuals who had previously corresponded with the Panel on the subject of radon to inform them of the review and ask if they wished to submit any written evidence. . | MO |
| 7. Minister for Transport and Technical Services: vote of censure The Panel discussed the vote of censure (P.129/2013) lodged by Deputy G. Baudains. It was agreed that this was not supported by the Panel's experience of working with the Minister and his department to date, and many of the points raised in the proposition seemed to be based on opinion rather than objective evidence. It was decided that rather than lodging Panel comments members could choose whether to speak individually in support of the Minister during the debate. | JY/SL/ PR |