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A decision made 17 January 2011 regarding: Rural Economy Strategy 2011 - 2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.

Decision Reference: MD-E-2011- 0004
Decision Summary Title :	Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.			Date of Decision Summary:	11 January2011
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:	Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.			Date of Written Report:	11 January 2011
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: Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.
Decision(s): The Minister for Economic Development hereby notifies the States that he has approved the report the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.
Reason(s) for decision: The Rural Economy Strategy (RES) 2005 has been reviewed and a revised RES 2011-2015 has been produced on the basis of Green Paper and subsequent White Paper public consultations. In addition, the report undertaken by the Rural Economy Strategy Scrutiny Sub-Panel was presented to the States on 14 October 2010, with all but one of the 36 recommendations being agreed by the Minister.
Resource Implications: As set out in the strategy document.
Action required Request the Greffier to present a copy of the report to the States Assembly ~~at the earliest opportunity.~~on 18th January 2011.
Signature: SENATOR ALAN MACLEAN		Position: Minister for Economic Development
Date Signed:			Date of Decision:

Rural Economy Strategy 2011 - 2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Presentation of the

Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015:

Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy

11 January 2011

Purpose of the Report

To request the approval and presentation of the report: Rural Economy Strategy (RES) 2011-2015 to the States.

Background

The States of Jersey, adopting a proposition of the Economic Development Committee, referred to their Act dated 7 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, was adopted until 31 December 2010 and specified that the strategy would be reviewed, to gauge if desired policy outcomes had been achieved and to consider new challenges and emergent issues, with the objective of bringing forward a new five-year RES for 2011 to 2015.

This review process has included the production of both Green and White Papers for broad public consultation, ensuring that the changing needs and requirements of Islanders and the Island’s rural economy are reflected and accommodated from 2011 onwards.

The consultation process has been very usefully supplemented by the Rural Economy Strategy Scrutiny Sub-Panel, chaired by the Deputy of Grouville, which presented its report to the States on 14 October 2010 and which welcomed much of the strategy. The subsequent formal response from the Economic Development Minister, agreed to all but one of the 36 recommendations contained within the report, the exception being a recommendation relating to Jersey’s relationship with the European Union, which was felt to be more appropriately placed with the Chief Minister’s Department. The Deputy of Grouville has agreed that it would be appropriate to present the new strategy to the States as a report.

The Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 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. As such, the new strategy promotes sustainable development, recognising that economic sustainability of the rural sector depends on also providing positive environmental and social benefits.

Recommendation

The Minister is asked to approve the report: Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy and notify the States of his decision.

Written by:	Director Environmental Management and Rural Economy

Approved by:	CEO Economic Development

11 January 2011