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Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 22 January 2013

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Environment Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date: 22nd January 2013 Meeting No: 20

 

Present

Deputy J. Young, Chairman

Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman)

Connétable P. Rondel

Deputy J. Maçon (co-opted member: item 4 only)

Apologies

 

Absent

 

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of meetings

The Minutes of the meetings held on 8th and 10th January 2013 were approved and signed.

MO

Item 1 10.1.13

2. Le Masurier Ltd. Parkside Village Scheme

The Chairman explained the circumstances of a meeting with the Chief Minister and Chief Executive Officer which he attended (with the Scrutiny Officer) on 17th January 2013. It was noted that the Chief Executive Officer for the Department of the Environment had previously indicated that a review into this matter and possible terms of reference had been discussed with the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Minister had suggested that the Environment Scrutiny Panel  Chairman  should  not  lead  a  review  owing  to  his  past employment with Planning and Environment.

The Chairman had highlighted a number of areas that he felt needed inclusion in the terms of reference for any review, including:

  • Historic buildings policy
  • The Island Plan
  • The Planning Applications Panel and inconsistencies in decision-making between the Panel and the Minister
  • Departmental organisation and communication between the Minister and his officers

It had been agreed that the Panel would not undertake the review itself,  but  would  have  input  into  the  terms  of  reference.  The Chairman had been approached by other States Members, including some members of the Planning Applications Panel, to take some action.  It  was  felt  that  affordable  housing  policy  should  be  the department's top priority, but this appeared not to be going forward. The Chairmen's Committee had agreed that a review was needed, but it was essential that this was done properly; it was suggested that an independent body should be considered to carry out the work, such as the Planning Officers' Society or the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), who produced an independent report on the planning system in the Isle of Man in 2010.

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It was noted that any review would need to consult widely with the construction industry and local architects. The evidence presented by Le Masurier Ltd. was confidential and therefore could not be included without their consent.

It was agreed that a private meeting about the Parkside Village application  would  take  place  with  the  Minister  for  Planning  and Environment prior to the public hearing for the Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking review on 24th January 2013.

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3. Planning process

The Panel agreed to defer discussion of email correspondence on this subject received from Deputy G. Baudains until its next meeting.

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Item 1 14.1.13

4. Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking

The Panel welcomed Deputy J. Maçon to the meeting as a co-opted member  for  this  review.  Members  discussed  plans  for  public hearings to be held on 23rd and 24th January 2013 and noted key points for the discussions. It was agreed that individual members would prepare their own questions and the Panel would meet as early as possible before the first hearing scheduled with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services at 3.00pm on 23rd January to share these.

It was agreed that the Panel would meet again at 2.00pm on 28th January and (States permitting) at the same time on 30th January 2013 to discuss the outcome of the public hearings and further plans for the review.

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5. Forthcoming meetings

  • Public  hearing  with  Minister  for  Transport  and  Technical Services  (Green  Street  Police  HQ:  Traffic  and  Parking): 3.00pm  on  23rd  January  2013,  Blampied  Room,  States Building
  • Private meeting with Minister for Planning and Environment (Parkside Village scheme): 12.30pm on 24th January 2013, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Public hearing with Minister for Planning and Environment (Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking): 2.00pm on 24th January 2013, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Public  hearing  with  St.  Helier  Parish  Roads  Committee (Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking): 3.15pm on 24th January 2013, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Public hearing with Minister for Home Affairs (Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking): 4.15pm on 24th January 2013, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking review: 2.00pm on 28th January 2013, Blampied Room, States Building
  • Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking review: 2.00pm on 30th January 2013 (States permitting), Blampied Room,

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States Building

  • Private  meeting  with  Minister for Transport  and  Technical Services  (Village  Improvement  Schemes):  2.00pm  on  5th February 2013, TTS Committee Room, South Hill
  • Next scheduled Panel  meeting: 2.00pm on 26th February 2013, Blampied Room, States Building