Terms of Reference and appointment of Chairman and Members to the Jersey Environment Forum (JEF).

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A decision made (02/12/2008) regarding: Terms of Reference and appointment of Chairman and Members to the Jersey Environment Forum (JEF).

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2008-0259
Decision Summary Title	Terms of Reference and appointment of new Chairman and members to the Jersey Environment Forum		Date of Decision Summary:	25 November 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Louise Magris, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title	Terms of Reference for the Jersey Environment Forum		Date of Written Report:	21st October 2008
Written Report Author:	Louise Magris, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Terms of Reference and appointment of Chairman and Members to the Jersey Environment Forum (JEF)
Decision(s): The Assistant Minister approved - 1. the revised Terms of Reference for the Jersey Environment Forum; 2. the appointment of Nigel Querée as Chairman for the term of 3 years ending April 2011; 3. the appointment of Jeremy Barnes, John le Maistre and Marina Brydon as members of the forum for three years until September 2011. 4. the appointment of Maisie Lemon-Smith and Timothy Nicolle as youth members to serve for approximately one year until September 2009.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Jersey Environment Forum (JEF) is a non-executive body whose purpose is to advise the Minister on matters of environmental policy. It has 10-14 members who serve for terms of three years, resulting in the need to replace approximately four retiring members each year. The JEF Terms of Reference serve to establish their relationship with the Environmental Think Tank.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: 1. The Assistant Director for Environmental Policy to publish the adopted Terms of Reference on the JEF website on www.gov.je 2. The Assistant Director for Environmental Policy to issue a press release outlining the new Terms of Reference and working relationship with The Environment Think Tank. 3. The Director of Environment to inform the Chairman and new members of their formal appointments.
Signature: Deputy Anne Pryke		Position: Assistant Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision

Terms of Reference and appointment of Chairman and Members to the Jersey Environment Forum (JEF).

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

Terms of Reference and appointment of a new Chairman to the Jersey Environment Forum

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

To define the new Terms of Reference to account for the working relationship between the Jersey Environment Forum (JEF) and the recently established Environment Think Tank (see MD-PE-2008-0200).

For the Assistant Minister to approve the appointment of Nigel Queree as Chairman of JEF and five other new members: John Le Maistre; Jeremy Barnes; Marina Brydon, Timothy Nicolle and Maisie Lemon-Smith.

Background

The Jersey Environment Forum (JEF) was established by the Environment and Public Services Committee in June 2003 to bring together the views of all those who have a stake in Jersey’s environment. Support for such a forum was confirmed at an open workshop held in December 2002. In the past five years the Forum have provided advice on the development and implementation of environmental policy issues to ensure that it is on a sound and informed basis. JEF have also facilitated the effective exchange of knowledge, information and views at all levels between the Government, the public and non-governmental stakeholders.

In January 2008 an ‘Environment Think Tank’ was convened by the Planning and Environment Minister as a task and finish group in order to provide strategic environmental advice to Ministers. However, it has become increasingly apparent that there is value in continuing this level of strategic discussion on an ongoing basis. Thus the Environment Think Tank was formalised in September (See MD-PE-2008-0200).

On the 3rd June 2008, the Chief Minister made his ‘Keeping Jersey Special’ speech that set out his environmental vision in the face of the serious challenges ahead. Arising from this will be an Environmental Manifesto. The work of the Environment Think Tank informed, and will continue to inform, the strategic direction of environmental policy.

‘The Keeping Jersey Special Initiative’ announced by the Chief Minister (03/06/08) has provided the opportunity for JEF to re-focus its working practices and prioritise its activities. In particular a working relationship has been established with the Environment Think Tank that was recently formed by the Minister for Planning and Environment. This decision reflects the new Terms of Reference.

Members of JEF suggest a chairman from within their number who is approved by the Minister. For the last three years Hugh Forshaw has undertaken this role; Hugh retired from the forum this year and members have suggested Nigel Queree to be their Chairman. The recommendation of ordinary members of the Forum is carried out by the Chairman in consultation with the Director of Environment and they are formally appointed by the Minister. The Forum agreed that it currently requires expertise in the following areas: the youth sector, the farming industry, architecture/construction and the hospitality industry.

Discussion

The agreed roles of the two bodies are as follows:

The JEF will act at an ‘operational level’, providing constructive criticism to the Minister for Planning and Environment on specific policy issues, bringing together the areas of interest that each member represents (in this sense the term operational refers to specific policies, projects and the business of the Department as defined by the States of Jersey Strategic Plan and Departmental Business Plan).

The Environment Think Tank operates at a strategic level, providing a wider perspective and focusing on strategic, political environmental challenges and opportunities across the States of Jersey as a whole. By ensuring close liaison and regular dialogue between the Environment Think Tank and the Jersey Environment Forum, the combined work of the two groups will ensure that environmental issues are at the heart of the States of Jersey’s operations and planning at all levels.

Recommendation

1. That the attached Terms of Reference are adopted by the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment.

2. That the Assistant Minister approves the appointment of Nigel Queree as Chairman for the term of 3 years ending April 2011

3. That the Assistant Minster approves the appointment of the following members of the forum for three years until September 2011: Jeremy Barnes; John le Maistre; Marina Brydon and the following youth members to serve for approximately one year until September 2009: Maisie Lemon-Smith and Timothy Nicolle.

Written by: Louise Magris, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy, Planning and Environment

Approved by: Chris Newton, Director of Environment, Planning and Environment

Attachments: Terms of Reference

Ministerial Decision Ref: MD-PE-2008-0259

21 st October 2008

Jersey Environment Forum

Terms of Reference

21/10/08

Aims

The Jersey Environment Forum (JEF) is a non-executive advisory group that seeks to bring together the views of those who have a stake in Jersey’s environment.

The JEF will provide constructive criticism to the Minister for Planning and Environment on specific policy issues and will be consulted on all major policy documents in advance of their publication.

The JEF will monitor States of Jersey environmental policies and operational issues as defined by the ‘Keeping Jersey Special’ initiative and the associated environmental manifesto and the reflection of these initiatives in States of Jersey Annual Departmental Business Plans. The JEF will work in liaison with the Environment Think Tank with regular dialogue and sharing of minutes and reports.

The JEF will draw attention to issues of environmental concern or areas for improvement in the Islands’ environmental performance that are perhaps not already being looked at elsewhere.

The JEF will liaise with the public and environmental stakeholders in order to represent a broad spectrum of public opinion on environmental issues.

Membership

Membership comprises 10 to 14 members who generally serve for terms of three years.

Members are drawn from a broad range of areas in order to represent a wide range of experience and knowledge.

Members are recruited through various channels including public advertisement depending on the expertise sought. The Chairman, in consultation with the Director of Environment and existing members, will recommend new members for appointment by the Minister.

Members suggest a chairman from within their number who is approved by Ministerial Decision by the Minister or Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment. The Chairman will usually serve a term of 3 years.

Frequency and duration of meetings

Meetings shall normally be held every 8 weeks; interim meetings may be requested if the need arises.

Administration

Agenda preparation and administration is managed by the officers of the Environment Department in liaison with the Chairman of JEF. Discussion papers and background information are prepared for the meetings by members, officers, or other individuals or organisations as appropriate.

Confidentiality

The JEF may receive documents in advance of public consultation in order to provide the Minister with advice, it is therefore understood that the JEF not make public any information thus received.

The JEF and individual members will not make public statements on environmental policy without discussion with the Minister.