Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 29 October 2013

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

Item 1 21.10.13

514/22

1. Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey

The Panel approved a final version of its report. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to make arrangements for this to be presented to the States on 8th November 2013.

MO

Item 2 27.09.13

514/20

2. Radon

The Panel noted that a contract had now been exchanged with the advisers, who were expecting to provide a first draft report before Christmas (2013). Members queried if this could be brought forward to 13th December, with a view to arranging review hearings with Ministers  early  in  the  New  Year,  preferably  with  an  adviser  in attendance. The Panel would then aim to complete its report by the end  of  January.  The  Scrutiny  Officer  was  asked  to  contact  the adviser to discuss these points and consider provisional dates for hearings.

MO

Item 2 15.10.13

514/1(25)

3. Taxi regulation

It was noted that no comments had been received from members on this matter following the Panel meeting held on 21st October 2013. The Chairman proposed to contact the Minister by email to ask when the White Paper would be lodged.

JY

Item 1 15.10.13

514/1(25)

4. Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005

Members  were  reminded  of  the  closing  date  for  comments  on proposed amendments to the Drainage Law (8th November 2013). Any suggested comments would need to be agreed by email before this date.

JY/SL/ PR

Item 4 15.10.13

514/1(25)

5. Draft Aquatic Resources (Jersey) Law 201-

The  Panel  discussed  the  outcomes  of  a  joint  briefing  on  the proposed law arranged by the Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel on 24th October 2013. Members considered that the meeting had been successful and the Panel's views on the importance of maintaining the rights of farmers to collect seaweed, other historic rights, and ensuring proper consideration of the potential environmental impact of any new legislation had been clearly communicated.

Item 2 16.09.13

514/23

6. Historic buildings

Members  noted  that  despite  a  statement  from  the  Minister  for Planning and Environment at a previous meeting that the listing of historic sites would be discontinued pending the department's appeal against a recent landmark judgement of the Royal Court, there was evidence  from  some  parishes  that  new  listings  were  still  being proposed. The Panel maintained its earlier decision not to proceed with a review of historic buildings policy until the appeal process was completed, but agreed to ask the Minister at the next quarterly public hearing why listing appeared to be continuing. It was agreed that the Panel  would  also  question  the  lack  of  political  representation  at recent planning review board meetings.

MO

Item 7 16.10.12

514/1(31)

7. Panel work programme

Members discussed items of potential interest for review in 2014. Topics  considered  included  the  Waterfront  Masterplan,  traffic congestion  and  road  maintenance,  and  Driver  and  Vehicle Standards.

Item 3 14.12.11

514/1(34)

8. Conflict of interest

The Chairman declared a potential conflict of interest arising from work in his private capacity as a States Member in respect of any contact  with  the  Transport  and  Technical  Services  Department concerning the Bellozanne scrap yard. The Panel noted that the Vice chairman  would  preside  over  any  communication  on  this  matter during future meetings and the Chairman would withdraw.

SL

9. Forthcoming meetings

Quarterly public hearing with the Minister for Transport and

Technical  Services:  2.30pm  on  11th  November  2013, Blampied Room, States Building

Next scheduled Panel meeting: 2.00pm on 12th November

2013, Blampied Room, States Building

MO