The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
Environment Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 26th April 2013 Meeting No: 37
Present | Deputy J. Young, Chairman Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) Connétable P. Rondel |
Apologies |
|
Absent |
|
In attendance | Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of meetings The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2013 were approved and signed. | MO |
514/1(25) | 2. Private briefing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services The Panel considered topics to be discussed at a private meeting on 29th April 2013 and agreed how they would be addressed. Topics on the agenda included: Taxi regulation Motor Traffic Law Liquid Waste Strategy Asbestos | JY/SL/ PR |
Item 1 21.02.13 514/21 | 3. Green Street Police HQ: Traffic and Parking Members considered ministerial responses to the Panel's report presented to the States on 12th March 2013 by the Minister for Planning and Environment and on 15th March 2013 by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services (with agreement from the Minister for Home Affairs and the Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources). It was noted that the Minister for Planning and Environment had been supportive of some of the Panel's recommendations, although the fact that the planning application remained to be determined had limited his ability to respond to some matters raised. The response of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services indicated that the other Ministers involved had not changed their views as a result of the Panel's work, despite members' belief that the report had been factually accurate. The Assistant Minister for Treasury and Resources had made a commitment to spend a significant sum on increasing the capacity of the Green Street car park during the debate on P.92/2012, although members still felt that there might be better ways of arranging any alterations to ensure that the structure of the whole car park was strengthened at the same time to extend its life. It was understood that local residents were still unhappy about the proposals. The Panel noted that the Minister for Planning and Environment had deferred his decision on the |
|
| application at a planning hearing held on 19th April 2013. |
|
Item 9 26.03.13 514/22 | 4. Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey The Panel noted recent email correspondence with the adviser which confirmed that he had now received and signed the contract. Members considered dates proposed for public hearings and preferred arrangements were agreed; the Scrutiny Officer was asked to confirm details with the adviser as soon as possible. It was agreed that one hearing should include as witnesses the Connétable of Grouville and Sir Nigel Broomfield, representing the Renewable Energy Commission. | MO |
Item 4 26.03.13 514/23 | 5. Historic buildings The Panel noted amended draft terms of reference for the review, and received an oral update on a preliminary search for advisers. After some discussion the Panel agreed that as the amended terms of reference focused more on practical aspects of the department's policy rather than a wider remit, it could commence the review without a dedicated adviser. It was felt that advice on technical questions could if necessary be sought from bodies such as the local branch of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). A provisional budget figure for the review of £25,000 was agreed. It was suggested that it would be appropriate to invite representatives of Jersey Heritage to meet the Panel prior to launching the review. | MO MO |
Item 3 6.02.13 514/20 | 6. Radon The Panel received an oral update following the latest contact between the Scrutiny Office and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), potential advisers to the review. HPA were happy to assist the Panel, but owing to a shift to a new structure under the title of Public Health England (PHE), they would not be in a position to offer any staff commitment until September 2013. The Panel agreed that as HPA were the acknowledged experts in radon matters in the UK it made sense to delay starting the review until September. | MO |
Item 8 26.03.13 514/1(36) | 7. Planning process The Panel received an enquiry from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce asking if there had been any progress towards a review of planning process. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to reply outlining the Panel's recent contact with the Chief Minister's office and explaining that it had decided not to pursue a major review, leaving that matter in the hands of the Chief Minister. The Panel intended instead to prioritise the following three aspects of the planning process for review using its own resources: Pre-application advice service Fees and charges Decision-making, to include the interaction between officer advice, the Planning Applications Panel and the Minister's responsibilities The Panel had not given detailed consideration to the possible scope or terms of reference for these topics, but would welcome comments from the Chamber on these or other aspects of planning process that might be considered for review. | MO |
| 8. Forthcoming meetings Private briefing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services: 2.30pm on 29th April 2013, Transport and Technical Services Committee Room, South Hill Quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services: 2.30pm on Monday 20th May 2013, Blampied Room, States Building Next scheduled Panel meeting: 2.00pm on 21st May 2013, Blampied Room, States Building | MO |