Air Quality Scrutiny Review: Ministerial Response

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A decision made (22.07.2009) to present to the States, the Ministerial Response to the Scrutiny Review Report on Air Quality.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2009-0129
Decision Summary Title:	Response to the Environment Scrutiny Panel Air Quality Review (S.R.8 /2008)		Date of Decision Summary:	21 July 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Director, Performance and Operations		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Response to the Environment Scrutiny Panel Air Quality Review (S.R.8 /2008)		Date of Written Report:	21 July 2009
Written Report Author:	Assistant Director, Environment Policy and Education		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Response of the Minister for Planning and Environment to the findings and recommendations of the Environment Scrutiny Panel Air Quality Review (S.R.8 /2008)
Decision(s): The Minister approved the response to the Environment Scrutiny Panel’s Air Quality Review (S.R.8 /2008) and agreed that it should be presented to the Chair of the Environment Scrutiny Panel and the States at the earliest opportunity.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister is required under Scrutiny protocols to formally respond to all relevant reports and reviews undertaken by Scrutiny Panels and to formally present his response to the Chair of the Scrutiny Panel and to the States for information.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Planning and Environment Department to forward the Minister’s Response to the Greffe with a request that it be presented to the States for information as soon as possible.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Air Quality Scrutiny Review: Ministerial Response

Air Quality Review S.R.8 /2008

Response of the Minister for Planning and Environment to the findings and recommendations of the Environment Scrutiny Panel

Introduction

The Minister welcomes this report, in particular its central recommendation that clarification is sought with regard to which Department has lead responsibility for developing an Air Quality Strategy for Jersey. Progress to date has been hampered by this lack of clarity and also by a lack of resources.

The Minister is delighted to note that agreement has now been reached with the Chief Medical Officer, and the Planning and Environment Department will lead. Production of the strategy has been included as a priority activity within the Department’s 2010 business plan (yet to be debated by the States).

It is important to note however, that whilst it is included in both the Department’s business plan and the States Strategic Plan, no additional resources have been allocated. This will impact on the Department’s ability to produce the strategy, in particular on the development and enforcement of any associated legislation. In addition, compliance with any future air quality legislation will generate costs which need to be borne by the States and other private companies.

The Minister’s replies to the findings and recommendations of the report are shown on the following tables.