Common Strategic Policy 2024-2026 (P.21/2024): amendment (P.21/2024 Amd.) – amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2024- 2026 (P.21/2024): AMENDMENT (P.21/2024 AMD.) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 14th May 2024 by the Council of Ministers

Earliest date for debate: 21st May 2024

STATES GREFFE

2024  P.21 Amd.Amd.

COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2024-2026 (P.21/2024): AMENDMENT (P.21/2024 AMD.) – AMENDMENT

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1 PAGE 2, PART 2 –

In the table adding a new priority, substitute the words “Natural Environment” with “Sustainable Resources”.

2 PAGE 2, PART 3 –

In paragraph 3, for the words “We will reform our planning service to enable sustainable development in Jersey and the frictionless use of our existing Laws and policies contained within the Bridging Island Plan.”

there should be substituted the following –

“We will reform our planning service to get Jersey building. Changes will include developing and introducing a fast-track service process for minor applications and improving customer service throughout. We will also deliver improved planning guidance and explore the relaxation of planning control to enable Islanders to undertake more work without the need for planning permission.”

2  PAGE 3, PART 4 –

In paragraph 4, for the words “with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2035” substitute the words “committing to an emissions reduction pathway in line with the Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050.”

 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Note:  After this amendment, the amendment would read as follows –

1  PAGE 2 –

After the words “report accompanying this Proposition” insert the words –

“, except that, in the table on page 3 of the report, for the words “Reform the Planning Service to get Jersey building” there should be substituted “Reform the Planning Service to enable sustainable development in Jersey.””.

2  PAGE 2 –

After the words “report accompanying this Proposition” insert the words –

“, except that, on page 3 of the report, at the end of the table there should be added the following new priority –

3  PAGE 2 –

After the words “report accompanying this Proposition” insert the words –

“, except that, on Page 11 of the report, for the section entitled “Reform the planning  service  to  get  Jersey  building”  there  should  be  substituted  the following –

“Reform the Planning Service to enable sustainable development in Jersey

A more efficient, effective, and better value planning system is of fundamental importance to meet the community’s development needs and to deliver the Government’s priorities.

We will reform our planning service to get Jersey building. Changes will include developing and introducing a fast-track service process for minor applications and improving customer service throughout. We will also deliver improved planning guidance and explore the relaxation of planning control to enable Islanders to undertake more work without the need for planning permission.

When developing consideration must be given to sustainable growth, building quality, and the need to maintain and protect the natural environment. Without this balance there is a risk to the priority which will be placed on the obligations of Government to maintain and protect the natural environment and, potentially, have an impact on longer term commitments to ensuring growth and construction are sustainable.”.

4  PAGE 2 –

After the words “report accompanying this Proposition” insert the words –

“, except that, on page 11 of the report, after the existing text there should be inserted the following wording –

“Meet the Island’s commitments to address the climate emergency through the Carbon Neutral Roadmap

We are currently facing a climate emergency and the States Assembly has committed to responding to the emergency “with energy and pace”, committing to an emissions reduction pathway in line with the Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050. In order to fulfil this commitment, we recognise that delivering the actions  in  the  Carbon  Neutral  Roadmap  must  remain  a  priority  for Government.””.

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion –  in accordance with Article 18(2)(e) of the States of Jersey Law 2005, to approve the statement of the Common Strategic Policy of the Council of Ministers as set out in the report accompanying this Proposition, except that –

1. in the table on page 3 of the report, for the words “Reform the Planning Service to get Jersey building” there should be substituted “Reform the Planning Service to enable sustainable development in Jersey”.
2. on page 3 of the report, at the end of the table there should be added the following new priority –

3. on Page 11 of the report, for the section entitled “Reform the planning service to get Jersey building” there should be substituted the following –

“Reform the Planning Service to enable sustainable development in Jersey

A  more  efficient,  effective,  and  better  value  planning  system  is  of fundamental importance to meet the community’s development needs and to deliver the Government’s priorities.

We will reform our planning service to get Jersey building. Changes will include developing and introducing a fast-track service process for minor applications and improving customer service throughout. We will also deliver improved planning guidance and explore the relaxation of planning control to enable Islanders to undertake more work without the need for planning permission.

When  developing  consideration  must  be  given  to  sustainable  growth, building  quality,  and  the  need  to  maintain  and  protect  the  natural environment. Without this balance there is a risk to the priority which will be placed on the obligations of Government to maintain and protect the natural  environment  and,  potentially,  have  an  impact  on  longer  term commitments to ensuring growth and construction are sustainable.”

4. on page 11 of the report, after the existing text there should be inserted the following wording –

“Meet the Island’s commitments to address the climate emergency through the Carbon Neutral Roadmap

We are currently facing a climate emergency and the States Assembly has committed  to  responding  to  the  emergency  “with  energy  and  pace”,

committing  to  an  emissions  reduction  pathway  in  line  with  the  Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050. In order to fulfil this commitment, we recognise that delivering the actions in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap must remain a priority for Government.”

REPORT

The Council of Ministers accepts the proposed amendments to the Common Strategic Policy (“the CSP”) proposed by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (“the Panel”), pending some amendments to the supporting text.

Paragraphs  relating  to  ‘Reform  the  Planning  Service  to  enable  sustainable development in Jersey’

The spirit of the Panel’s proposed amendment could, arguably, be seen to limit the Minister for the Environment’s (“the Minister”) vision of relaxing planning controls by, for example, either seeking to amend legislation or make variations to policy. As such, this amendment seeks to reinstate the original second paragraph.

However, the Minister recognises the comments made by the Panel in the report supporting their amendment, particularly with regards to sustainable development and protecting the  natural environment. Therefore,  he wishes to retain their proposed changes to the third paragraph.

Paragraph relating to “Meet the Island’s commitments to address the climate emergency through the Carbon Neutral Roadmap

As stated in the CSP, the 12 priorities do not limit what will be delivered in this Government’s term of office. Business as usual activities will continue, and this includes continuing to meeting Jersey’s commitments to address climate change through the Carbon Neutral Roadmap (“the CNR”).

It is  recognised that the Panel feel that this  classification does  not represent the importance  of responding the climate emergency, and  so Council of Ministers is supportive of this being added to the CSP as a 13th priority.

Two changes are proposed, however. Firstly, to the wording put forward by the Panel by replacing “with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2035” with “committing to an emissions reduction pathway in line with the Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050”, as this ensures alignment with the CNR as adopted by the Assembly in 2022. Secondly, to amend the words “Natural Environment” in the table to “Sustainable Resources” as this is the correct indicator.

Financial and staffing implications

There are no new resource implications arising from this amendment. Children’s Rights Impact Assessment

A full Children’s Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has not been prepared in relation to this proposition as a CRIA is not required, in accordance with Schedule 2 to the Children (Convention Rights) (Jersey) Law 2022, following completion of a CRIA screener form.