Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy Scrutiny Report: Ministerial Response

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A decision made on 23 November 2010 regarding a Ministerial response to the Scrutiny Report on Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2010-0131
Decision Summary Title :	Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.			Date of Decision Summary:	23/11/10
Decision Summary Author:	Research Officer			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:	Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015. Scrutiny Panel: Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel.			Date of Written Report:	23 November 2010
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: Response to the Scrutiny Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel report on the RES 2011-2015 White Paper.
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment supports the response of the Minister for Economic Development to the Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel report.
Reason(s) for decision: An Economic Affairs Scrutiny Sub-Panel: the Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel was established to consider the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015. Subsequent to calling upon the industry for evidence and once in receipt of the RES 2011-2015 White Paper, the Sub-Panel, in conjunction with an external adviser responded with a series of findings and recommendations to which the Minister is obliged to respond.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: To support the response to the Rural Economy Strategy Scrutiny Sub-Panel from the Minister for Economic Development.
Signature: SENATOR FREDDIE COHEN		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:			Date of Decision:

Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy Scrutiny Report: Ministerial Response

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Support for the lodging of the

Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015:

Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy

19 November 2010

Purpose of the Report

The current Rural Economy Strategy (RES) is a five-year strategy. It is designed to grow the rural economy in line with the objectives of the States Strategic Plan, whilst safeguarding Jersey’s countryside, its character and the environment. The RES recognises that economic sustainability of the rural sector depends on also providing positive environmental and social benefits.

The current RES was adopted until 31 December 2010 and specified that the strategy would be reviewed, to gauge if desired outcomes had been achieved and if the current policies are adequate and appropriate, with the objective of bringing forward a new five-year RES for 2011 to 2015. This process will help to ensure that the changing needs and requirements of the Island’s rural economy are reflected and accommodated from 2011 onwards.

An Economic Affairs Scrutiny Sub-Panel: the Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel was established to consider the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015. Subsequent to calling upon the industry for evidence and once in receipt of the RES 2011-2015 White Paper, the Sub-Panel, in conjunction with an external adviser responded with a series of findings and recommendations to which the Minister for Economic Development is obliged to respond.

Following consideration of the findings and recommendations to the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 White Paper, the Minister for Planning and Environment would like to support the response to the RES Scrutiny Sub-Panel from the Minister of Economic Development.

Background

The States of Jersey, adopting a proposition of the Economic Development Committee, referred to their Act dated 7th July 2004, in which they approved the Fiscal Strategy and agreed that a target for economic growth of 2% per annum should be set for the period 2005 to 2009. The Economic Development Committee was requested, in conjunction with other Committees as necessary, to bring forward, for approval by the States, a strategy for the delivery of this growth by February 2005; and referred to the 2005-2010 States Strategic Plan Objective 1.2.3 To develop a strategy which will explore and promote new opportunities for the rural economy, Objective 4.1.3 To protect and promote Jersey’s environment as one of its most important assets, and Objective 1.3.1 To reduce unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy in the Island.

The resulting five year Rural Economy Strategy 2005 is now up for review and will be superseded by a revised Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015.

The Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015, with its triple bottom line of profit, people and environment, proposes a balance of support to the industry and keepers of our Island environment, to ensure sustainable development in the countryside. It builds on the RES 2005 and has broadened the remit of the original 2005 strategy to include areas not previously addressed: e.g. consideration of fisheries issues, the importance of skills development and the need for greater protection for soil and water.

Recommendation

The Rural Economy Strategy is a joint strategy between Economic Development and Planning and Environment and is endorsed by Ministers from each department.

The Minister for Planning and Environment supports the presentation of the response to the Rural Economy Strategy Sub-Panel’s report from the Minister for Economic Development. The response will be presented to the Chair of the Sub-Panel, the Council of Ministers and States Members, so that it may be published and circulated to the media in accordance with recognised protocols for media release relating to matters presented to the States.

Written by:	Director Environmental Management and Rural Economy

Approved by:	CEO Planning and Environment

19 November 2010