Strategic Plan 2006 to 2011 (P.40-2006) - 10th amendments

STATES OF JERSEY

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STRATEGIC PLAN 2006 TO 2011 (P.40/2006): TENTH AMENDMENTS

Lodged au Greffe on 2nd June 2006 by the Connétable of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

STRATEGIC PLAN 2006 TO 2011 (P.40/2006): TENTH AMENDMENTS ____________

After the word "Appendix" insert the words – ", except that,

1. in the Visionon page 5, in the second bulletpoint, after the words "based on a strong" insert thewords ", environmentally sustainable";
2. in the Council'sTop Priorities onpages14 to 15,in the Existing Priorities' insert the followingitems –

• " " T he State of Jersey – a report on the condition of Jersey's environment (January 2005)" – implement the 5 Environmental Priorities in the Executive Summary

• B i o d iversity Strategy for Jersey (2000/2001)";

3. in CommitmentOneon page 13after the words "successfuland" insert the word "environmentally"; an d a mend the wording on page21accordingly;
4. in CommitmentOne, before Outcome1.1: insert the following newOutcome 1.1 –

" 1 .1 Sh o w the world that economic and environmental success can work together

In  d  ic ated by:

• 2 %   r eduction in per-capita consumption of resources

• T a r g ets and timescales for reductions in per-capita waste arisings that reflect best practice globally

• T a r g ets and timescales for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that reflect global commitments

• P r e v ention of adverse environmental impacts resulting from economic growth

• C o n servation  and  enhancement  of  biological  diversity  locally  and  contribution  towards  the conservation of global biodiversity where appropriate

W  h a t we will do:

1 .1 . 1  I mplement the 5 Environmental Priorities in the Executive Summary of "The State of Jersey – a

report on the condition of Jersey's environment (January 2005)"

1 .1 . 2   A  dopt the overall goal of the Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey and pursue the objectives for

conserving biodiversity

1 .1 . 3  P rovide an annual Report to the States by the Director of the Environment"

an d r enumber the following Outcomes accordingly.

5. in CommitmentFour,Outcome4.4, after Action 4.4.4insert the followingaction –

" 4 .4 . 5  In  2006  debate  and  implement  an  Air  Quality  Strategy  for  Jersey,  including  proposals  for monitoring and publishing levels of local air pollution, and targets, policies and timescales for reductions in air pollution levels that reflect best practice globally." ".

CONNÉTABLE OF ST. HELIER

REPORT

There is much to be welcomed in the Council of Ministers' first Strategic Plan. I am particularly pleased to see that perhaps for the first time in the history of States strategic planning there is due priority attached to urban regeneration and specifically a commitment is made to the creation of the Millennium Town Park.

In his foreword to the Strategic Plan the Chief Minister states that the Plan builds on previous plans whilst also incorporating new thinking'. I am not sure that the first part of this statement stands up to scrutiny, at least in respect of Jersey's commitment to best environmental practice, both locally and globally. Despite the various commendable initiatives to be found in the detail of the Plan, there is no high-level, or strategic commitment that the Island is serious about its environmental obligations, such as is found in earlier strategies for the Island including the landmark document of 1995, 2000 and Beyond', the 2002 Island Plan, or the Environmental Charter which, a decade ago, was endorsed by the States of Jersey with the following mission statement:

The States will promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and will minimise environmental pollution in all of its own activities. It will seek, through its influence, the achievement of the same objectives by other sectors of the community. The States will review all of its policies, programmes and services and undertakes to act wherever necessary to meet globally accepted environmental standards.

The Foreword includes some very positive, constructive and helpful statements of a general nature, but the Chief Minister's remarks suggest that this will be a strategy which will be weak on environmental issues, including the specific issue of climate change which is, not before time, being given high priority by governments around the world. (N.B.: the phrase climate change' does not appear at all in Jersey's Strategic Plan.)

The Foreword uses the word sustainable' once, and does so to signify affordable', while the Vision uses the word to mean maintain'. It is not mere pedantry to point this out: neither usage suggests that the Council of Ministers understands the concept of sustainable development, which is in Bruntland's words, development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.'

Whatever the failings of Into the new millennium: a sustainability strategy for Jersey', there is no doubt that it was an important contribution to the development of environmental policies, and one which should have been debated and, where necessary, amended, before being implemented. It is not surprising, therefore, given that the document was mothballed by the then Policy and Resources Committee, that there is neither a high-level understanding of nor a commitment to the concept of sustainability in the Council of Ministers' Strategic Plan.

More surprisingly, there is no reference in the Foreword to the fact that Jersey is part of the international community and has a part to play within it. (The international scene is referred to in the first part of the Introduction, but in the context of how our economy is performing in a competitive, scrutinizing outside world.) Rather, the Foreword reflects an inward-looking, insular, approach, which is also reflected in the vision statement: no single reference here to the fact that Jersey has a responsibility in the twenty-first century to make its presence felt as a community which pursues best environmental practices, and in relation to the international commitments the States have made, and will continue to make, practises what it preaches.

The Introduction to the plan urges that as a centre of economic activity we seek to grow in international stature and recognition,' while the Vision Statement speaks of our unique and recognised identity'. But unless our international reputation is based at least in part on how we are meeting the environmental challenges facing us, it will be hollow and unconvincing.

It may be argued that the Council of Ministers have done enough to signal their intentions to safeguard Jersey's natural environment in Commitment Four: we will maintain and enhance the natural and built environment'. But the boxed headings which follow this statement, setting out the expected outcomes and their concomitant indicators, are more remarkable for what they leave out than include.

Just how impoverished the plan is in terms of environmental initiatives, objectives and indicators can be seen by contrasting its proposals with those set out in The State of Jersey – a report on the condition of Jersey's environment' (January 2005). This lists 12 Environmental Perspectives, 5 Environmental Priorities and 6 Guiding Principles. Some of these are touched upon in the detailed section of the Strategic Plan, but the comprehensive and holistic approach set out in The State of Jersey needs to be incorporated in it, including the need to educate and empower the community in sustainable living, and to monitor the Island's environmental performance.

It is for this reason that I am seeking the States' approval to amend the Vision Statement of the Strategic Plan to include a commitment to environmental sustainability, while I am asking that the adoption and implementation of the Environmental Perspectives' and Priorities' set out in the document, The State of Jersey', and the goal and objectives in the Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey be included in the Council of Ministers' Top Priorities'. As far as possible I have attempted to reflect those Environmental Perspectives' and Priorities' in the additional objectives and indicators I have suggested as amendments, but it may well be that our public servants charged with the protection, promotion and interpretation of our natural environment can improve upon these suggestions.

I am advised that the Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey has not been forgotten and that action plans are already in the pipeline. However, I would argue that if this is the case then the importance of this vital area in the Island's overall commitment to environmental sustainability needs to be reflected in the Council of Ministers' first Strategic Plan.

In relation to environmental health, the absence of any detailed targets or timetables for the implementation of an Air Quality Strategy for Jersey is particularly worrying, given the length of time the relevant department has been working on this crucial issue. There is a draft Air Quality strategy that the Health Protection team commissioned in 2003 and elements of this appear within the proposals for transport in the Strategic Plan.

Jersey has no direct legislation in this area, unlike the United Kingdom, where it is covered by the IPPC regime and the Local Authority provisions. I am seeking to rectify this lamentable situation by seeking proposals for monitoring and publishing levels of local air pollution, and targets, policies and timescales for reductions in air pollution levels that reflect best practice globally'.

Summary

Amendment (1) seeks to ensure that environmental sustainability is an integral part of the States' vision for Jersey's economy. It is not enough that we work towards strength' and prosperity' unless our decision-making is influenced by the overarching requirement to respect the environment, which we hold in trust for future generations.

Amendment (2) seeks to rectify a surprising omission on the part of the Council of Ministers to include in the list of existing strategies that need to be updated, agreed and implemented both the Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey, and the report that Senator Ozouf , then President of the Environment and Public Services Department, called a landmark document'. The State of Jersey – a report on the condition of Jersey's environment (January 2005).

Amendment (3) seeks to replace the ambiguous phrase a sustainable economy' with an environmentally sustainable economy' for the same reasons as described under Amendment (1) above.

Amendment (4) seeks a commitment to implementing theBiodiversity Strategy for Jersey and The State of Jersey as outlined in Amendment (2) above.The amendment further seek to ensure that the States are provided with an Annual Report by the Director of the Environment so that progress towards the overall goal of the proposed new section in the Strategic Plan can be monitored and measured – Show the world that economic and environmental success can work together' – (for which phrase in The State of Jersey I am indebted to the then President of the Environment and Public Services Committee, Senator Philip Ozouf ).

Amendment (5) seeks to include a specific commitment to bring forward and implement an Air Quality Strategy for Jersey, given that the achievement of international standards for air quality' is listed as one of the indicators in section 4.4.

Financial and manpower implications

I have been advised by the Director of the Environment that many of the items put forward in these amendments

are –

already implicitly included within the draft strategic plan, and their delivery will be bound up in the various individual plans, strategies and proposed laws as they are progressed.

Most notably are the plans, strategies and laws already encompassed within the Strategic plan that will tackle –

Energy (and greenhouse gases) SSP 4.3 Transport SSP 2.9

Air quality SSP 4.4, 2.9 Solid waste SSP 4.6 Contaminated land SSP 4.4 Rural Economy SSP 4.1 Draft water resources Law SSP 4.4 Island plan revision SSP 4.7 Bio-diversity strategy SSP 4.5

In some cases such as the energy policy it is impossible to accurately predict resource impacts in advance of creating and then debating the policy, however the plan assumes that their implementation would be fiscally neutral – funded through associated environmental tax measures (see 4.6.3, 2.9.2) which form part of the Fiscal strategy, which is an existing priority '.

There are areas where additional resources would be required to fully implement the measures put forward (by the Connétable ). In all cases these requests have been subject to previous FSR conferences and have not secured funding. Best estimates are tabulated below'.

I would argue that these extra posts can be achieved by a proportionate reduction in administrative posts in the Departments of Planning and Environment, Education, Sport and Culture and Health and Social Services so that that the human resources implications are, therefore, neutral.