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Environment, Housing and Technical Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 10 December 2015

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Environment, Housing and Technical Services Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date:  10th December 2015

 

Present

Connétable A.S. Crowcroft , Chairman Deputy D. Johnson , Vice-Chairman Deputy M. Tadier

Apologies

Deputy J. Martin

Absent

 

In attendance

Deputy S. Luce , Minister for Planning and Environment

Mr. W. Peggie, Director for Environment

Ms. K. Whitehead, Senior Planner for the Environment Department Mr. Y. Filleul, Business Manager

Miss S. Mckee, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of Meetings

The Panel approved the record of its meeting held on 12th November and it was signed accordingly.

 

12/11/15 Item 5

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2. Supply of Housing

The Panel noted that it was due to receive the Minister for Housing on Thursday 28th January at 10:30am for a Quarterly Public Hearing. It was  recalled  that  the  Panel  had  agreed  to  follow-up  on  the recommendations it had made in its review of Supply of Housing during the Hearing.

The  Panel  was  advised  that  the  Housing  Strategy  was  due  to  be presented to the States in mid-January as a Report.

It was further advised that the Draft Social Housing Law was currently being formulated and that the Strategic Housing Unit had offered to provide the Panel with a copy of the draft Law and a presentation before it was lodged in the States Assembly in the first quarter of next year. The Panel accepted the Department's invitation and the Scrutiny Officer was requested to enact the necessary arrangements.

SM

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3. Waste Management

The Panel recalled that it had enquired about Waste Management and potential initiatives during its Quarterly Hearing with the Transport and Technical Services Minister on 7th December. It was noted that the Minister had advised that the Strategic Outline Business Case had not yet been signed off by the Minister but was due to be in the upcoming weeks. The Officer advised the Panel that she was due to meet with the Chief Officer informally to discuss the Department's work prorgamme and would revert back to the Panel with any information received about work timetables.

SM

 

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4. Taxi Regulations

The Panel noted that a number of issues had been discussed with the Transport  and  Technical  Services  Minister  on  proposed  Taxi Regulations at its Quarterly Hearing on the 7th December. The Panel agreed to write to the two taxi associations to inform them that, in the absence of concrete proposals, it would not be undertaking a review on the Regulations at this time. The Panel did however agree to keep an eye  on  this  work  and  question  the  Minister  on  this  topic  at  future Quarterly Hearings.

SM

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5. Marine Resources

The Panel recalled that it had received a very useful and interesting briefing from Officers at the Environment Department on sea bass and on proposed changes to current legislation, intended to help improve stocks. It was noted, however, that the Panel had not had chance to discuss Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at that time but had been offered a second briefing to cover this matter early in 2016. The Officer was requested to make the necessary arrangements.

The Panel agreed to ask questions about the proposals at its Quarterly Hearing with the Planning and Environment Minister that morning.

The Panel considered whether it wished to undertake any work on bass stock and MPAs following its briefing. The Panel agreed that it would make a decision at its subsequent meeting in January.

SM

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6. Energy Policy

The Panel noted receipt of the 1st year update from the Environment Department in respect of the Pathway 2050 Energy Plan for Jersey. The Panel agreed to question the Minister on the Plan at its next Quarterly Public Hearing.

 

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7. Meeting and Quarterly Hearing Schedules

The Panel noted its scheduled meetings dates for 2016. It was further noted that the Panel's first meeting in January was scheduled for 14th January but due to the Chairman being unable to attend this meeting the Panel agreed to hold its first meeting on Thursday 21st January 2016. It was advised that a new meeting request would be sent out to this effect. The Panel approved the meeting schedule based on this amendment.

The Panel noted and approved the scheduled Quarterly Hearing dates for 2016. The Officer was requested to confirm dates with the relevant Departments.

SM

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8. Panel Membership

The Chairman of the Panel advised that Deputy T. Vallois had accepted his invitation to join the Panel on a permanent basis. It was noted that the Deputy would be nominated at the next States Sitting on 14th December.

 

12/11/15 Item 3

9. Work Programme

The Panel agreed to consider its work programme for next year and

 

 

514/1/1(1)

decide on its next review topic at its first meeting in January. The Officer was requested to circulate a list of potential topic areas to the Panel for its  consideration  at  that  meeting.  It  was  agreed  that the  list  would include the following topics:

- Water Strategy

- Waste Management

- Marine Resources

- Social Housing Law

- Sustainable Transport Policy

SM

 

10. Chairmen's Committee

The Chairman requested whether, going forward, the Vice-Chairman would attend the Chairmen's Committee meetings on his behalf. The Vice-Chairman agreed to this request.

 

03/09/15 Item 6

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11.  Quarterly  Hearing  with  the  Minister  for  Planning  and Environment

The Panel received the Minister for Planning and Environment and his officers for a Quarterly Public Hearing at 10:30am. The Hearing was recorded in order that a transcript could be made of the proceedings.

 

 

12. Future Meetings

The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 21st January 2016 in Blampied Room, States Building.