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2.6 Deputy J.H. Young of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding the reappointment of the Jersey Architectural Commission:
Would the Minister advise the Assembly whether he has reappointed the members of the Jersey Architectural Commission formed by the previous Minister and if so, whether its role includes setting of architectural policy and commissioning design reviews of significant planning applications?
Deputy R.C. Duhamel (The Minister for Planning and Environment):
In February of this year I endorsed by ministerial decision the continuation of the Jersey Architectural Commission, set up as an external advisory group to provide independent expert advice on guidance to major and sensitive developments, as set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance Practice Note 21. The Commission does not set architectural policy or commission reviews, but works with my department on request as well as with agents and developers to promote good architecture and urban design.
- Deputy J.H. Young:
Would the Minister confirm that 2 members of that Commission that he has reappointed were previously appointed as employees, architectural advisers to the former Minister and that they were responsible for advising him in such major and loved schemes as Portelet, Zanzibar and other architectural sculptures. Did he not consider that his objective of achieving buildings in keeping with their surroundings would be helped by a review of that Commission?
Deputy R.C. Duhamel:
The Deputy is correct in that 2 members were previous advisers to the department but, indeed, under the remit and the protocols for behaving on the Commission, members who do have any previous involvement, so to speak, are excluded from taking part in those discussions. Since the inception of the Commission, the Commission has met on 10 occasions and discussed 42 planning briefs.
- Deputy J.H. Young:
Would the Minister agree to publish the minutes of the meetings of the Architectural Commission so that the public applicants and others can see the advice that the Minister is receiving on these schemes in a transparent way, as should be the case in all planning matters?
Deputy R.C. Duhamel:
The Deputy will know that this body is a non-statutory, informal consultee of the Department for Planning and Environment, presenting an external, independent voice for architecture and design in Jersey. I am happy that the minutes are made available to anyone who would choose to read them.