Countryside Enhancement Scheme: Launch

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 21 May 2012:

Decision Reference:

MD-PE-2012-0050

Decision Summary

Title :

Launch of the Countryside Enhancement Scheme following a review of the Countryside Renewal Scheme.

Date of Decision Summary:

17 May 2012

Decision Summary Author:

Director, Environmental Management and Rural Economy.

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

(If Exempt state clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

n/a

Written Report

Title:

Launch of the Countryside Enhancement Scheme following a review of the Countryside Renewal Scheme.

Date of Written

Report:

17 May 2012

Written Report Author:

Director, Environmental Management and Rural Economy.

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

(If Exempt State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Subject: To adopt the recommendations of the review of the Countryside Renewal Scheme (CRS) completed in May 2012 and to approve the launch of the revised Countryside Enhancement Scheme (CES) on 22nd May 2012.

Decision(s): The Minister supports the recommendations of the CRS review and provides for the implementation of the revised scheme entitled the Countryside Enhancement Scheme.

Reason(s) for decision: The revised scheme will allow a broader range of applicants and projects and allow for more targeted delivery of the Islands multi lateral environmental agreements.

Resource Implications: None

Action required: Launching of options 1 of the Countryside Enhancement Scheme on 22 May 2012 with options 2 and 3 to be introduced in October 2012 ready for the 2013 budget year.

Signature:

Deputy Robert Duhamel

Position:

Minister for Planning and Environment

Date Signed:

Date of Decision:

Countryside Enhancement Scheme: Launch following review of Countryside Renewal Scheme

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Launch of the Countryside Enhancement Scheme following a Review of the Countryside Renewal Scheme.

17 May 2012

Purpose of the Report

To adopt recommendations following the review of the Countryside Renewal Scheme (CRS) completed in May 2012 and approve the launch of a revised scheme, the Countryside Enhancement Scheme (CES) on 22nd May 2012.

Background

The CRS has been in existence since 2005 and has been an integral part of the Rural Economy Strategy (RES) 2006 – 2011. The current RES 2011-2015 required a review of the CRS which was completed in 2012 (Policy PR15).

The review also identified that the CRS could be expanded to help deliver the widest range of policy initiatives and that any revised scheme should assist compliance with the widest range of local policy and international commitments.

The recommendations of the review were as follows:-

That the name of the scheme should be changed to ‘Countryside Enhancement Scheme’ removing any negative association with the word ‘Renewal’.
The scheme should be more inclusive and open to anyone who can deliver projects that will benefit the environment and biodiversity of Jersey.
That the scheme should be developed to meet States strategic environmental aims including local and international agreements and policy objectives.
That applications from individual agricultural businesses should be based on the farm’s Environment Plan.
The new scheme to have 3 options:

1) for small local projects open to anyone,

2) to deliver strategic environmental objectives and

3) to support environmental improvements identified in the Farm Environment Plans.

Develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) to improve recording and monitoring of the new scheme.

It is proposed to launch the new Countryside Enhancement Scheme (CES) on 22 May 2012 to coincide with the International Day of Biodiversity under the Convention of Biological Diversity to which Jersey is a signatory. The launch on 22nd May will involve Option 1 of the Scheme with Options 2 & 3 introduced in October 2012 ready for the 2013 budget year.

Recommendation

The Minister is asked to support the recommendations of the CRS review and approve the launch of the revised CES on the 22nd May 2012..

Written by:	Director Environmental Management and Rural Economy

Approved by:	CEO Department of Environment

17 May 2012