Formal Establishment of Environment Think Tank with Terms of Reference

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 (08.09.08) to formally establish the Environment Think Tank with Terms of Reference

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2008-0200
Decision Summary Title :	Terms of Reference for Environment Think Tank		Date of Decision Summary:	4th September 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Sarah Le Claire, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy		Decision Summary: Public or 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 :	Terms of Reference for Environment Think Tank		Date of Written Report:	4th September 2008
Written Report Author:	Sarah Le Claire, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Establishment and Terms of Reference for Environment Think Tank
Decision(s): The Environment Think Tank was formally established with Terms of Reference.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Environment Think Tank was set up by the Minister for Planning and Environment in January 2008 as a discussion forum to assist in mapping out the environmental challenges and opportunities faced by the Island over the next decade or so. Three meetings have been held to date (January, May and September) and it has become increasingly apparent that there is value in continuing this level of strategic discussion on an ongoing basis. It was therefore concluded at the September meeting that there is a need to both formalise and publicise the group and its Terms of Reference.
Resource Implications: Officer time input. Currently two meetings per year.
Action required:  To adopt the Terms of Reference  To publicise existence of Environment Think Tank through media and www.gov.je  To circulate the attached Terms of Reference.  To amend the Terms of Reference of the Jersey Environment Forum to reflect its new relationship with the Environment Think Tank and the requirement for liaison and reporting.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Formal Establishment of Environment Think Tank with Terms of Reference

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

ENVIRONMENTAL THINK TANK – TERMS OF REFERENCE

(Public)

Purpose of the Report

To formalise the establishment of the Environment Think Tank and set its terms of reference.

Background

The Environment Think Tank was drawn together informally by the Minister for Planning and Environment in January 2008 as a discussion forum to assist in mapping out the environmental challenges and opportunities faced by the Island over the next decade or so.

Discussion

Three meetings have been held to date (January, May and September) and it has become increasingly apparent that there is value in continuing this level of strategic discussion on an ongoing basis. It was therefore concluded at the September meeting that there is a need to both formalise and publicise the group and its Terms of Reference.

The Environment Think Tank will work alongside the Jersey Environment Forum, which was established in June 2003. The Jersey Environment Forum acts 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. The Environment Think Tank operates at a higher 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 reporting between the Environment Think Tank and the Jersey Environment Forum, the combined impact 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

That the attached terms of reference are adopted by the Minister for Planning and Environment.

That the terms of reference for the Jersey Environment Forum are amended to reflect its new relationship with the Environmental Think Tank and the requirements for liaison and reporting.

Written by: Sarah Le Claire, 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-2008-0200

04 September 2008

Environment Think Tank

Terms of Reference

The Environment Think Tank is an expert advisory group that seeks to set out the environmental challenges and opportunities faced by the Island at a strategic political level and provide advice and input to assist the delivery of the environmental aspects of the Strates Strategic Plan and future development of policy.

Aims

 To assist the Minister for Planning and Environment in mapping out the environmental challenges and opportunities faced by the Island over the next decade or so.

 To seek to advise the Council of Ministers on strategic matters affecting the environment and which contribute to wider states objectives so that policy development and implementation is on a sound and informed basis.

 To work at a strategic, political level to seek to assist delivery of the environmental policies within the States Strategic Plan across government.

 To liaise with and receive quarterly reports from the Jersey Environment Forum in their monitoring of operational environmental issues and environmental objectives within Departmental Business Plans.

 To provide six monthly evaluation reports to the Jersey Environment Forum of the inclusion and implementation of strategic environmental objectives within the States Strategic Plan.

Membership

Membership comprises political and non-political members capable of providing a strategic perspective on environmental issues. Invited by the Minister for Planning and Environment, members currently include:

Political

 Chief Minister

 Minister for Planning and Environment

 Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment

 Chairman, Environment Scrutiny Panel

Officer

 Chief Executive Officer, Planning and Environment

 Director of Environment, Planning and Environment

 Assistant Director – Policy and Awareness, Environment Division, Planning and Environment

Other

 Sir Nigel Broomfield (co-chair)

 Lee Durrell, Honorary Director, Durrell (co-chair)

 James Godfrey, Chief Executive, RJA&HS

 Hugh Forshaw, Past Chairman, Jersey Environment Forum

 Mike Liston, Jersey Electricity Company

 Paul Masterton, Chief Executive, Durrell

 Bruce Willing

 Alick McIntosh

 Ian Christie, UK-based independent sustainability advisor

The Minister for Planning and Environment may co-opt further members as appropriate.

Co-chairs are appointed by the Minister for Planning and Environment for the duration of one year.

Frequency and duration of meetings

Meetings shall normally be held every six months. 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 Minister for Planning and Environment, the Co-Chairs and Think Tank members. Discussion papers and background information are prepared for the meetings by officers, or other individuals or organisations as appropriate.