PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Service Level Agreement
Jersey Heritage Trust
Annual Review
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is to review the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Jersey Heritage Trust and the Planning and Environment Department (P&E), looking at its operation in 2007 and 2008, and formally securing the SLA for 2009.
Background and discussion
An SLA to manage the identification and designation of the island’s built heritage assets between P&E and JHT was established in 2005. The relationship has developed and the SLA is reviewed, on an annual basis, to reflect change.
In 2007, the JHT raised comment about a number of issues affecting the operation of the SLA that had become apparent during its operation and evolution from 2005-2007. These issues focused around the following areas:
1. Robustness and impartiality of advice
- Terms of reference
- Access and awareness
The substance of the JHT concern is set out at appendix 1. In essence, the Trust’s main concern was that the Terms of Reference and consequent operation of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group (MRLAG) was not in accordance with best practise of openness, transparency and accountability. Such a view was based on experience of operating the SLA and advice from the Jersey Appointments Commission.
As a result of these concerns it was not possible to formally conclude the SLA for 2008. Work has, however, been undertaken during 2008 to review the ToR for MRLAG in accord with advice from JAC and best practice. This has resulted in the development of new ToR for MRLAG, which have been endorsed by the existing group, including its President, as well as the Minister. These are appended to the draft SLA for 2009 (at appendix 2). Implementation of the new ToR, which includes an open and robust recruitment process, is regarded as a key priority for 2009.
The relationship between the Trust and the Department is considered to be of great benefit and has delivered outputs which serve to contribute towards the objectives of both parties and which are rooted in the protection, management and promotion of the Island’s historic environment. Included within these are the identification and designation of the Island’s prehistoric archaeological assets (160+ sites in Feb 2008); a systematic review of the island’s most significant historic buildings and sites to ensure they receive the appropriate level of protection (castles, forts and towers completed in 2008, manor houses and churches surveyed and assessed in 2008; parish halls and arsenals in progress for 2009); as well as a comprehensive review of the Island’s historic environment protection regime, which is underway, and which has been greatly assisted by the Trust. In addition, the Trust completed detailed surveys and reports on 82 sites and buildings in 2008 (schedule at appendix 3.
The Department is also working closely with the Trust to foster collaborative working with the Island’s voluntary sector to protect and promote the Island historic environment, presently through an exploration of the potential for a World Heritage bid.
Promoting access to an awareness of the information available about the Island’s historic environment is an objective of both organisations and work is scheduled for 2009 to enable web-based access to greater levels of information about historic sites and buildings through the SLA.
Legal and resource implications
Under the provisions of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, the Minister may consult with any person having ‘special knowledge’ of a particular building or site, before including it in the List of Sites of Special Interest. The SLA with the JHT provides the Minister with a primary source of objective professional advice. The new ToR for MRLAG also ensures that this advice can be supplemented by a group that is appointed and which operates in a manner that is open, transparent and accountable.
Provision is made within the Planning and Environment Department’s annual budget, to meet the operational costs of the SLA which, in 2009, amounts to £58,000.
Provision is also made the Planning and Environment Department’s annual budget, to meet the incidental costs for the monitoring of archaeological fieldwork arising from the planning process (payable on a day rate basis, as the need arises).
Provision is also made within the department’s budget to undertake further thematic reviews of buildings, through the offices of the JHT, to greater understanding and to ensure adequate protection of specific building types in Jersey. In view of the anticipated development pressure upon St Helier, work in 2009 is to be focussed on the town’s industrial heritage. £10,000 is allocated to fund this work in 2009.
Recommendations
On the basis of the above, it is recommended that the Minister for Planning and Environment notes and endorses the Service Level Agreement with Jersey Heritage Trust for 2009, as set out at appendix 2.
Reason(s) for Decision
The Service Level Agreement with Jersey Heritage Trust enables the provision of wholly impartial and more robust advice about the identification and designation of the Island’s heritage assets and that the relationship with the Trust, through the SLA, delivers added and better value relative to the objectives of both organisations in relation to the protection, management and promotion of the Island’s historic environment.
Action Required
SLA for 2009 to be signed on behalf of the Minister
Written by: | Kevin Pilley: Assistant Director, Policy and Projects |
Endorsed by: | Peter Thorne: Director, Planning and Building Services |
Attachments:
- JHT Report dated September 2007
- 2009 SLA
- Schedule of Jersey Heritage reports and recommendations
3/04/04/05
20 February 2009
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