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Environment Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 8th January 2014 Meeting No: 58
Present | Deputy J. Young, Chairman Deputy S. Luce (Vice chairman) 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 21st November 2013 were approved and signed. | MO |
Item 4 21.11.13 514/1(25) | 2. Taxi regulation The Panel discussed possibilities for a review of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services' recently lodged White Paper on taxi regulation. The consultation period for the White Paper was due to end on 28th February 2014. It was noted that any Scrutiny review should avoid duplicating work already carried out by the department. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to meet department officers to discuss the process being undertaken for the White Paper and report back to the Panel. | MO |
Item 3 11.11.13 514/20 | 3. Heritage protection Members agreed that in light of uncertainty over the position of the Minister for Planning and Environment pending the outcome of the proposition calling for his dismissal (P.2/2014) lodged by the Chief Minister, plans for a Panel review of heritage protection should be put on hold until that matter was resolved. | MO |
Item 5 21.11.13 514/1(25) | 4. Traffic and transport The Panel discussed the possible review of traffic congestion raised at its meeting on 21st November 2013. It was understood that since starting their service Liberty Bus had made some suggestions for improving bus movements through changes to traffic management, but these had apparently not been supported by Transport and Technical Services (TTS). Members considered whether a review might benefit from a fresh perspective from a transport consultant unfamiliar with the Island; it was thought that this could be useful, although it would be expected to take longer and be more costly compared with using an adviser with prior knowledge of local traffic problems. Recent comments from the Minister for TTS and his officers at a quarterly public hearing had implied that some targets of the Sustainable Transport Policy (STP) approved by the States for the end of 2015 were likely to be missed by a considerable margin, most |
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| notably its main objective of reducing car usage during peak hours by 15%. It was suggested that as well as addressing traffic congestion, a mid-term' review of progress with the Sustainable Transport Policy could help to identify any concerns about other policy issues. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to discuss this with department officers and report back to the Panel, with a view to setting a date for a follow-up meeting for the Panel to discuss the topic in more detail with the Minister and possibly representatives of Liberty Bus. | MO |
| 5. Panel membership It was noted that interest had been expressed by the Deputy of St. Mary in becoming a full member of the Panel. Members agreed that this would be a welcome development. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to notify the States Greffe so that an election could take place at the next States Sitting on 21st January 2013. | MO |
| 6. Quarterly public hearings In view of uncertainties concerning the position of the Minister for Planning and Environment (see item 3 above) it was agreed not to pursue a replacement date for the quarterly public hearing with the Minister postponed from December 2013; dates for future hearings would be reviewed once matters were resolved. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to investigate possible dates for quarterly hearings with the Minister for TTS in 2014. | MO |
Item 5 29.10.13 514/1(25) | 7. Draft Aquatic Resources (Jersey) Law 201- The Panel discussed the latest developments in respect of the draft law following recent briefings from departments. The Vice chairman informed members that a meeting had been arranged by the Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel with law draftsmen to which Environment Panel members would also be invited. | SL |
Item 2 11.11.13 514/22 | 8. Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey The Panel noted the Minister for Planning and Environment's formal response to its report on the draft Energy Policy (S.R.12/2013). The response was very supportive of the Panel's report and the Minister had accepted most of its recommendations, albeit with reservations in one or two cases. Members expressed some concern that the Minister seemed intent on holding an in-committee debate on his draft policy, rather than pursuing its approval directly through a simple proposition and debate in the States. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to raise this matter with senior officers of the department. | MO |
Item 3 21.11.13 514/20 | 9. Radon The Panel received an oral update on the adviser's progress with evidence to the review provided by departments. There had been some requests for further clarification but it was noted that these were generally of minor significance and work was continuing on a first draft report. The adviser would be away from the last week of January until 3rd February 2014, and was hoping to make the draft available before this if possible, or soon afterwards. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to investigate possible dates for public hearings with the Minister for Health and Social Services in mid-February; members agreed it was not practical to pursue hearing dates with the Minister for Planning and Environment at the time and that |
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| depending on the outcome of the vote for dismissal on 22nd January this might need further consideration. |
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| 10. Forthcoming meetings The Panel agreed to cancel the meeting scheduled for 14th January 2014. Next scheduled Panel meeting: 2.00pm on 11th February 2014, Blampied Room, States Building | MO |