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Environment - Approved Panel Minutes - 28 January 2014

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Environment Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date: 28th January 2014 Meeting No: 59

 

Present

Deputy J. Young, Chairman Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) Deputy J. Le Bailly

Connétable P. Rondel

Apologies

 

Absent

 

In attendance

Mr. M. Orbell, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Record of meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2014 were approved and signed.

MO

Item 4 21.11.13 514/1(1)

2. Panel membership

Existing  members  welcomed  the   Deputy  of  St.  Mary  as  a  new member of the Panel following his election on 21st January 2014.

MO

514/1(25)

3. Briefing with Minister for Transport and Technical Services

Members discussed a range of possible topics to be raised at a private  briefing  with  the  Minister  on  3rd  February  2014.  These included traffic congestion, the Sustainable Transport Policy, waste charges, the Energy from Waste plant, and drainage issues.

MO

Item 2 8.01.14

514/1(25)

4. Taxi regulation

The Panel agreed that it should not wait for a proposition to the States  in  respect  of  the  Minister  for  Transport  and  Technical Services'  White  Paper  on  taxi  regulation  before  commencing  a review  of  the  proposals.  There  would  not  be  a  public  call  for evidence,  as  this  would  duplicate  work  already  done  by  the department; the Panel would send letters inviting key stakeholders to attend public hearings to discuss their views once the departmental consultation  was  complete.  The  Scrutiny  Officer  was  asked  to contact the department to obtain details of their consultee list and copies of submissions prior to the Panel commencing work.

MO

Item 3 8.01.14

514/23

5. Heritage protection

The  Panel  discussed  practical  issues  arising  from  current departmental  policies  regarding  the  listing  and  protection  of properties  of  historic  interest,  such  as  the  1937  Airport  building. Members considered the option of finding local experts to assist with a review, and various names were suggested. It was agreed that the Chairman  would  revisit  previous  draft  terms  of  reference  and circulate ideas prior to discussion at a subsequent Panel meeting. It was noted that recent publicity in the UK suggested that the Prime Minister was advocating simplification of bye laws and extending rights of permitted development; the Scrutiny Officer was asked to

MO

 

look into this to see if there was any reference to historic buildings that could be relevant.

The Panel noted that recent incidents had resulted in significant damage to internal furniture and fittings in properties where uPVC windows had ignited during fires; this might raise questions about the appropriateness of uPVC material for replacement windows.

Members  also  noted  that  following  recent  increases  to  planning charges, while there was now an overall cap in place some charges were  apparently  making  a  profit  for  the  department.  This  was considered questionable, and members agreed to raise the matter with the Minister at a forthcoming public hearing.

MO

Item 9 8.01.14

514/20

6. Radon

The Panel noted a number of possible dates for public hearings with the  Ministers  for  Health  and  Social  Services  and  Environment. Following discussion the Scrutiny Officer was asked to follow up specific dates with departments.

MO

 

7. Forthcoming meetings

Next scheduled Panel  meeting: 2.00pm on 11th February

2014, Blampied Room, States Building