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Environment, Housing and Technical Services - Approved Panel Minutes - 12 November 2015

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Environment, Housing and Technical Services Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date:  12th November 2015

 

Present

Deputy D. Johnson , Vice-Chairman Deputy J. Martin

Deputy M. Tadier

Apologies

Connétable A.S. Crowcroft , Chairman

Absent

 

In attendance

Miss S. Mckee, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of Meetings

The Panel approved the records of its meetings held on 15th October and  23rd  October  2015  (public  and  private)  and  they  were  signed accordingly.

 

23/11/15 Item 1

514/1/1(1)

2. Taxi Regulations

The Panel received an update from the Officer on this matter. It was recalled that the Officer had been requested to arrange a Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services (TTS) in order to allow the Panel to raise questions concerning the proposed taxi regulations  in  the  public  domain.  It  was  noted  that  the  Panel  had previously agreed to question the Minister solely on the taxi regulations but it would be discussed further at its next Panel meeting on 26th November.  It  was  also  agreed  that  the  question  plan  would  be considered at the next Panel meeting.

The Panel confirmed its availability to hold the Quarterly Hearing on the 7th December at 3:30pm. The Scrutiny Officer was requested to confirm arrangements with the Department.

SM

514/1/1(1)

3. Work Programme

The Panel considered its Work Programme for the remainder of 2015. It was noted that the Chairman had requested that the topic of parking in Jersey and the operation of carparks be considered by the Panel at its meeting. The Panel considered this subject as a matter to review but agreed that in the absence of a Ministerial paper/proposition it would not be appropriate.

The Panel was advised that information regarding user pays initiatives in respect of liquid and solid waste had been requested on a number of occasions  from  the  TTS  Department  but  the  Officer  had  not  yet received a response. It was recalled that the Department was due to publish proposals in January 2016 and that the Panel had previously asked to be provided with a draft copy of the proposals before such time. It was agreed that the Vice-Chairman would email the Minister and Chief Officer of TTS to advise further of the Panels request.

DJ

 

514/1/1(5)

4. Topic Proposals

The Panel noted receipt of a topic proposal from a member of the public in respect of the adaption of buildings for disabled people. The Panel agreed  that  it  was  an  important  matter  to  consider  and  agreed  to question the Minister for Planning and Environment on this subject at its next Quarterly Hearing on 10th December 2015. It was further agreed that, depending on the response from the Minister, the Panel would then consider whether it wished to undertake a formal review. The Scrutiny  Officer  was  requested  to  inform  the  correspondent  of  the Panel's decision and thank them for their proposal.

The Panel also noted receipt of a topic proposal in respect of bass- fishing and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Panel recalled that it had previously received the same proposal earlier on in the year and had agreed not to undertake a review on the matter. The Panel was advised that, in regards to the former, the Environment Department was currently awaiting draft legislation from the Law Draftsman which would give effect to some practical changes designed to improve stocks. It was also advised that the Department had offered to brief the Panel on the proposed changes. The Panel agreed to receive a briefing on the legislative changes and requested that the Department also advise of any  work  that  was  being  undertaken  in  respect  of  MPAs  and  the protection of the marine environment. The Scrutiny Officer was asked to advise the correspondent accordingly and thank them for their proposal.

SM

SM

01/10/15 Item 5

514/27

5. Supply of Housing

The Panel noted receipt of the Ministerial Response for the Panel's review of Supply of Housing. The Panel considered whether to arrange a follow-up hearing with the Minister for Housing/Minister for Planning and Environment in respect of the Panel's recommendations. The Panel noted that the majority of accepted recommendations were due to be completed at the end of 2015. The Panel therefore agreed to arrange a public hearing for mid-January 2015 to determine how successful the Department had been with implementing the changes.

The Panel noted that the Draft Housing Strategy was currently out for public consultation. The Scrutiny Officer was requested to ascertain when the Department was due to publish the results of the consultation or final draft Strategy.

SM SM

 

6. Future Meetings

The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 26th November 2015 in Blampied Room, States Building.