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

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2011-0004
Decision Summary Title :	Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.			Date of Decision Summary:	10/01/11
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: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.			Date of Written Report:	15 December 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: The Rural Economy Strategy is a joint strategy between Economic Development and Planning and Environment and is endorsed by the Ministers from each department.
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment supports the presentation of the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.
Reason(s) for decision: Both the Green Paper and subsequent White Paper consultations are now closed and responses have been considered. The Minister supports the presentation of the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015, in preparation for States consideration in Q1 2011.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: To support the presentation of the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.
Signature: SENATOR FREDDIE COHEN		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:			Date of Decision:

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

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Support for the presentation of the

Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015:

Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy

10 January 2011

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.

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.

Following consideration of the responses to the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 Green Paper and the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 White Paper consultations, which included comments from members of the public and the industry, we have finalised the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015.

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 is asked to support the presentation of the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015: Sustaining and Growing the Rural Economy.

Written by:	Director Environmental Management and Rural Economy

Approved by:	CEO Planning and Environment

10 January 2011