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Letter - To Minister for Infrastructure re Ministerial Response to foreshore review outstanding - 2 August 2021

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States Greffe

Deputy Kevin Lewis Minister for Infrastructure BY EMAIL

2nd August 2021

Dear Minister,

Foreshore Encroachment Policy Scrutiny Report [S.R.1/2021] – Ministerial Response

I  am  writing  further  to  our  previous  follow-up  requests  for  a  Ministerial  Response  to  be presented to the States in relation to our scrutiny report [S.R.1/2021] which was presented to the States on 14th January 2021.

As outlined in paragraph 59 of the Code of Engagement between Scrutiny and the Executive, Ministerial  Responses  to  scrutiny  reports  should  be  presented  within  six  weeks  of  the presentation of a scrutiny report; and where a response is not able to be provided in this timescale an interim response should be presented within the six weeks, with a full response presented within three months. We are therefore disappointed that your response has not been forthcoming, despite numerous requests made via our Officer.

When questioned on this delay in the Public Quarterly Hearing held on 6th July, The Director of Property advised this was due to challenges with the adoption of P.111/2020 and that Jersey Property Holdings was in discussion with the Law Officers' Department and the Law Society to work  out  the  best  approach.  It  is  disappointing  that  these  challenges  have  not  been communicated to us, or with any details on progress. Notwithstanding this, the presentation of a Ministerial Response should still have been prioritised in order to confirm any recommendations accepted (including next steps and target dates to achieving their implementation) or rejected (including reasons).

Considering this ongoing and lengthy delay we would request you finalise and publish your Ministerial Response as a matter of priority before 31st August 2021. Given the considerable time that has elapsed since the presentation of our scrutiny report on 14th January and the adoption of P.111/2020 on 2nd March, we would anticipate that your response includes a full update outlining Jersey Property Holding's progress to date and with clear target dates for the implementation of the Panel's recommendations.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter and we look forward to receiving your response. Yours sincerely,

Connétable M. K. Jackson

Chair,

Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel

 Scrutiny Office | States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je