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Environment Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 11th February 2014 Meeting No: 60
Present | Deputy J. Young, Chairman Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) Deputy J. Le Bailly 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. Record of meeting The Minutes of the meeting held on 28th January 2014 were approved and signed. | MO |
514/24 | 2. Waste Water Strategy Members considered a request for Scrutiny to review a new draft Waste Water Strategy which had been put to the Panel at a private briefing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services on 3rd February 2014. The department planned to lodge a proposition in March, for debate in the States by the end of April. Members discussed whether there would be a need to include consideration of related issues such as the extent of the mains drainage network and the question of sewerage charges. However, given the very tight timescale envisaged by TTS it was agreed that any review would have to be restricted to focus closely on what was included in the strategy, rather than broadening the terms of reference. Members were advised that to save the Panel time, TTS had offered to supply names of 3 UK consultants who would be capable of providing expert advice to the Panel for the review. Some concerns were expressed about restricting choice to consultants suggested by the department and it was agreed that while these names would be considered, if possible the Panel would aim to add others to the list before launching a tendering process. It was noted that TTS were awaiting written comments from the Minister for Planning and Environment which were expected to indicate some reservations about the strategy, including the type of technology proposed for the replacement Sewage Treatment Works. Members agreed that it would be essential for the Panel to have access to these comments before terms of reference for the review were finalised. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to draft a scoping document for circulation to the Panel. Members agreed to read the draft strategy in detail and revert with comments. | MO MO MO JY/SL/ JLB/ PR |
Item 4 28.01.14 514/1(25) | 3. Taxi regulation The Panel reaffirmed its previous decision to invite key stakeholders to public hearings to discuss their views on proposals for taxi regulation, once the departmental consultation was complete. It was suggested that 2 half days of hearings might be sufficient, depending on the level of submissions received by the department. These would need to take place sometime after the consultation closed on 28th February 2014, and members provisionally agreed to set aside the mornings of 21st and 24th March for this purpose. The Panel would aim to meet at 9.15am, with hearings to start at 10.00am. A public hearing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services would also be required, and it was suggested that if the other hearings went ahead as planned this could possibly be arranged for 11.00am on 25th March. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to adjust previous scoping documents in line with the latest proposals and prepare draft terms of reference. | MO MO |
Item 5 28.01.14 514/23 | 4. Heritage protection The Panel discussed possible amendments to the scope of the proposed review. Members agreed that as the listing process was still incomplete, the previous intention to review this would have to be modified to consider progress with the listing process, together with the criteria used for listing. There were still considered to be problems with the status of buildings reported as potentially' appropriate for listing, and the consistency of decision-making. Members agreed that in view of other priorities the review of Heritage would probably not begin until May or June 2014. | MO MO |
Item 7 26.04.13 514/1(31) | 5. Planning process The Panel briefly discussed the report on the latest review of the Planning department carried out by the Planning Officers' Society. It was noted that members had not yet had the time to read the report in detail. The Panel agreed that members would consider the report and prepare questions to be put to the Minister at the next quarterly public hearing on 14th March 2014. | JY/SL/ JLB/ PR |
514/1(18) | 6. Crematorium emissions Members discussed recent email correspondence between the Chairman and a member of the public concerning alleged emissions of mercury from the crematorium. The Panel agreed that a formal letter should be sent to the Minister for Health and Social Services requesting detailed clarification. | MO |
Item 6 28.01.14 514/20 | 7. Radon It was noted that hearings had been provisionally arranged with departments to take place on 7th March 2014. The Panel would meet with its adviser at 9.30am; a hearing with the Minister for Planning and Environment would follow at 11.30am, and a hearing with the Minister for Health and Social Services would start at 2.00pm. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to confirm the arrangements. | MO |
| 8. Forthcoming meetings
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