Ministerial Response - Government Plan 2022 - 26 January 2022

Findings

Comments

1

There is currently a lack of transparency over  how  departmental  budgets  and resource are allocated to the Minister for Housing and Communities' remit.

It is the nature of the Minister's portfolio that it covers a range of different types of function – from face-to-face advice and support to Islanders to strategic planning, and stakeholder relationship management.

The teams that support the Minister belong to different departments, each of which sets out its funding and priorities in a published Departmental Operational  Business  Plan.  Similarly,  all additional funding for the Housing portfolio is identified as such in the Government Plan.

2

There are no efficiencies assigned to the Minister for Housing and Communities and  Minister  for  the  Environment. There  are  proposed  efficiencies totalling £500k under the remit of the Minister for Infrastructure which relate to proposed recurring spend reductions by Jersey Property Holdings.

Agree.

3

The Housing PDB and Long-Term Plan programme has been designated amber by  the  Panel  due  to  a  lack  of  co- ordination which has resulted in slow progress  to  date.  Whilst  it  is

There  has  been  a  marked  improvement  in coordination on housing within government and across the sector during 2021. Key developments have been:

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acknowledged  that  measures  are proposed  to  improve  co-ordination moving  forward,  the  Panel  will continue to monitor the progress of this programme throughout 2022 in order to determine  whether  coordination  has improved  and  funds  are  sufficient  to deliver  the  intended  aims  of  this programme.

• new post of Head of Strategic Housing and  Regeneration  created  and  interim appointed. The development of the team is under way, which will further support the  coordination  of  housing  policies across  government,  with  input  from across the housing sector.

• new  Strategic  Housing  Partnership  in place,  bringing  housing  sector  players together. Terms of reference agreed and scheduled  meetings  in  place.  The  first meeting held on 29 September 2021 and the next is scheduled for February 2022.

• cross-ministerial  Housing  Political

Oversight Group has been established and a  Modern  Methods  of  Construction (MMC) political working group has been set up to investigate the support required to  facilitate  these  new  building technologies  within  the  Jersey  island economy context.

• Housing  Ministerial  input  to  the Regeneration Steering Group is now in place to ensure direct input and influence regarding  the  government  estates strategy.

Sufficient funds are in place (as applicable) to

deliver this coordination.

4

The  Tenants'  Rights  programme  has been  designated  amber  by  the  Panel given  the  significant  work  which remains in respect of the workstream throughout 2022 and beyond including for social rent, rent stabilisation and the Residential  Tenancy  Law.  The  Panel notes  that  to  progress  this  work,  the direction  regarding  a  licensing  or registration scheme for landlords would need to be decided and approved by the States Assembly.

The  Minister  for  Housing  and  Communities published his Fair Rents Plan on 31 December 2021. The plan sets out a strong programme for enhancing tenants' rights and includes:

• reducing the cap on social rents to 80% market value as of 1/1/2022.

• freezing  social  rents  at  2020  levels throughout 2022.

• widening of eligibility to the Affordable Housing Gateway.

• a commitment to improve the Residential Tenancy  Law  through  a  package  of measures to be brought forward in early

2022.

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 re-appointment  of  the  Rent  Control Tribunal in 2022.

Additionally, the Housing Advice Service became operational  in  2021  and  important  work  is underway  in  CLS  to  improve  homelessness services,  as  set  out  in  the  Housing  Minister's Creating Better Homes Action Plan.

The  proposals  for  Landlords  Licensing  were brought by the Minister for the Environment and were not adopted by the States Assembly. The licensing of rented dwellings is not an action for the Minister for Housing and Communities under Tenant's Rights.

5

Notwithstanding the notable success of the Jersey National Park to demonstrate its  achievements  to  date,  this programme has been designated amber by the Panel, due to the following:

1. Clarity  is  required  regarding JNP's role, purpose and responsibilities and  its  objectives  should  be  clearly defined.
2. Clarification of JNP boundaries and its legal status is required and the concerns raised are dependent, to some extent, on the outcomes of the Bridging Island Plan.

3. There is a risk that with potential changes in Ministerial roles after the election, that JNP's future strategy and how  it  aligns  with  any  changing Government priorities may impact its continued progress.

1. The role, purpose, responsibility and objectives of  the  JNP  will  be  formalised  as  a  policy component  of  the  revised  Rural  Economy Strategy (RES) which is due to be published in Q2 2022.
2. The legal status of the current Coastal National Park  is  very  clear  –  it  is  a  planning  policy definition  that  is  legitimately  expressed  in  the Island Plan, which goes through a rigorous and transparent  process  of  public  consultation, independent  examination  and  political consideration by the States Assembly. The legal status of the Island Plan is set out in the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law.

The  draft  bridging  Island  Plan  proposes redefinition  of  the  CNP  boundaries,  and  this proposal  is  currently  the  subject  of  active consideration  through  the  Island  Plan  Review process.

The proposition to approve a new Island Plan is the subject of an amendment to create a specific legal framework for the creation, definition and objectives  of  a  national  park  in  Jersey  (see: P36/2021 (30)).

3. The  revised  RES  is  built  upon  a  policy framework  which  sets  clear  Ministerial responsibility for policy components, along with the  ability  to  adapt  these  to  changing

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circumstances. Changing Government priorities post-election may impact any policy area.

6

Funding  allocations  agreed  in  the previous Government Plan 2021 for the Marine  Resources  Management Programme  has  enabled  the appointment of two fisheries officers. In addition, progress has been made for the resourcing of the vessel monitoring system  and  online  logbook  system. Funding of £92k is being requested in 2022 of £92k to continue to fund the retention of two fisheries officer posts.

Agree.

7

The  implementation  of  the  UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement is still  in  its  infancy  and  the  vessel licensing regime is yet to be resolved. Consequently,  uncertainty  remains regarding whether the level of funding will  be  sufficient  moving  forward. However, the Panel notes that funds are available  in  the  General  Reserve  to fund  as  required'  the  new  Future Fisheries  and  Marine  Resources Management  Programme  and  has therefore  designated  this  programme with a green RAG rating. The Panel will continue to closely monitor progress of Marine Resources Management during 2022.

Noted.

8

A total of £1,021,000 for the Covid-19 Bus  Contract  programme  has  been spent  to  date  from  the  funding allocation  agreed  in  the  previous Government  Plan  2021  and  any underspend will remain with Treasury. The Government Plan 2022 requests a funding allocation of £1.2m which is deemed  sufficient  and  will  only  be drawn down if required.

Agree, however the impact on the budget of the 6th  Amendment  to  the  Government  Plan  to provide  Bus  Passes  to  Under  18s  cannot  be accurately  forecasted  as  this  time.  The  £1.2m funding allocation was originally agreed because the Covid-19 outbreak led to reduced demand for the bus service, placing acute pressure on the bus network as passenger numbers fell to very low levels, with fare income falling far below break- even. As a strategically important service, it is pivotal to the aims of the Sustainable Transport

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Policy,  providing  environmental  and  social benefits, and reducing congestion on the roads and in public car parks.

The funding was allocated to be drawn down as required, allowing the service to continue without significant changes and reductions having to be made, and avoiding a "vicious circle" effect of rationalised  service  levels  making  travel  less desirable  and  further  impacting  upon  income. While also preserving the employment of over 140 staff. The objectives of the funding:

1 – ensure a bus service remains in service that means it remains a viable alternative to the car, meeting  the aims  of  the Sustainable  Transport Plan and environmental goals for the future

2 – maintain public confidence in the bus service to ensure that the service provided by the operator is capable of being scaled back up to (and beyond) pre-Covid 19 levels as demand increases

3 – provide essential transport for those that rely on  the  service,  including  the  elderly,  school children and commuters.

9

Bus  ridership  is  still  down  65%  on 2019's  pre-pandemic  levels,  despite restrictions being lifted. The reason for this change in travel behaviour is not fully known at this stage, although it is surmised that the pandemic might have instilled a lack of confidence to resume use  of  public  transport,  as  well  as people continuing to work from home and  there  being  less  requirement  to travel to and from the workplace. It is also  unknown  to  what  extent  this reduction in ridership has had, and will continue  to  have,  on  the  operator's profits.

The  report  also  sets  out  the  Jersey  Franchise Model (p.43) as an exemplar as to how these strategies can be successfully deployed. In terms of specifically analysing and identifying the next

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steps for Jersey, this will be undertaken as part of the STP's Bus Development Plan, as detailed in the  Second  Interim  Report  on  the  Sustainable

Transport Policy December 2021.

10

Whilst the continued leasing of the 28- 30 The Parade has provided unforeseen opportunity to accommodate the Covid- 19 Response Team, it does not appear to  be  providing  value  for  money through its current under-utilised use. It has been identified that the intention is to not extend the lease beyond 2023, although  the  Panel  is  uncertain  why indicative funding has therefore been proposed in the Government Plan 2022 for 2024 and 2025.

28-30 The Parade is currently fully occupied, with Regulation, Team Jersey, Covid helpline, Track and  Trace  and  media  facilities  for  the Communications Team. The first break point in the Parade lease is in July 2027 which is why funding exists in the government plan for 2024 and  2025.  The  Intention  is  to  transfer  the occupants to the new government office when it is completed on the Cyril Le Marquand site and opportunities to sublet or assign the lease on the Parade  will  be  investigated  when  the  date  of completion of the new office is confirmed.

11

There is uncertainty over whether the allocated funding of £2m for 2022 for Regeneration, including St. Helier ' is sufficient  to  make  substantial improvements  to  the  Island's  public realm.  In  2020,  funding  was significantly reduced by 75% to £3.4m over  the  four  funded  years  of  the programme  and  despite  additional funds of £1m provided in March 2021, as well as the potential to draw down £730k  from  Jersey  Development Company,  the  programme  remains significantly under-funded against the funding projections made in the 2020 Government Plan.

The 2020 - 2023 Government Plan set out an objective  to  enhance  St  Helier's  urban environment. A capital allocation of £14.4m was made for the development of a programme of Island  Public  Realm,  Including  St  Helier' schemes.  The  impact  of  COVID-19  in  March 2020 meant all capital projects were put on hold. The capital budget was cut by 75% to £3.4m over the four funded years of the programme and has been subject to further revisions. The 2022 -2025 Government  Plan  has  further  adjusted  funding allocations to the programme, providing £2m per annum from 2022 to 2025 inclusive in addition to the funding of £1m for 2021.

The Department for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment has a vacancy rate in the order of 50%  within  its  transport  engineering  division, meaning  it  has  severely  limited  resources  to deliver more work. Meanwhile, the market for experienced  engineers  and  urban  designers  is extremely tight, making recruitment difficult. To be able to create the on the ground momentum required for success, principally the public realm requires consistent and secure funding to allow a stable pipeline of projects to be established and

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permit the necessary development of on-Island skills  and  capacity  required  to  deliver.  The inclusion  of  £2m  per  annum  within  the Infrastructure Rolling Vote is a significant step towards this objective. The pipeline can then be expanded  through  bids  for  further  funding  in future years, as required, once the core technical capacity  needed  for  efficient  delivery  is established.

12

Additional  funds  of  £10.7m  are required  for  the  Sewage  Treatment Works  Major  Capital  Project.  A breakdown  was  provided  by  the Minister  for  Infrastructure  which includes additional funds for Biosolids Storage  Facilities;  STW  Odour Mitigation;  and  Bellozanne  Outfall Rehabilitation.  Also  included  in  the £10.7m is £1.85 which is required to fund additional costs incurred by the pandemic.

Agree.

13

There  are  likely  to  be  delays  to achieving  project  completion  of  the Sewage  Treatment  Works  Major Capital  Project  by  October  2023, although,  it  is  hoped  by  the Infrastructure,  Housing  and Environment Department that it will be able to complete the project by the end of 2023. It is further considered that the IHE  Department  is  sufficiently resourced in this area to able to manage the project through to completion now that the main contractor has gone into administration  and  the  contract  now having been terminated.

Agree.

14

The proposed increase in spend for the Dewberry  House  Sexual  Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Capital Project from £500,000 to £882,000 in 2022 is to ensure space for Victims First (VF) thereby  allowing  Government  to

Agree.

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maximise synergy between the work of SARC,  the  Child's  House,  Jersey Domestic Abuse Support (JDAS) and VF and to realise economies of scale with  having  these  services  all  co- located  in  the  new  building.  The increased space will also allow services to  support  the  recently  released Children  and  Young  Peoples' Emotional  Wellbeing  and  Mental Health  Strategy  and  provide  services from  the  new  building  to  those  who have suffered all types of trauma and abuse.

15

The removal of funds for the Piquet House – Family Court capital project is a  result  of  the  Family  Court  now relocating  to  alternative  premises  at International House following a States' approval to enter a lease contract.

Agree.

16

Anticipated funding of £1m for 2022 for the Drainage Foul Sewers Extension project  has  been  withdrawn  due  to funding pressures and further funding is not proposed until 2023. The delivery of  future  extensions  to  the  foul sewerage  network  will  therefore  be impacted by delays.

Agree.

17

The previous Government Plan 2021- 24 was set on the assumption that £1m in fees would be raised to enable food safety  and  housing  legislation  to  be regulated  on  a  cost  neutral  basis. However, the States Assembly did not support  fees  in  relation  to  housing licensing at the time, nor the subsequent regulations,  leaving  the  cost  of activities surrounding the enforcement of the existing primary laws unfunded.

Agree.

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18

The Jersey Landlords' Association has expressed  concern  regarding insufficient clarity in respect of the use of  the  funds  and  how  the  funding amount  for  the  Housing  and  Food Licensing  Schemes  programme  has been  determined.  The  response  from Government was that ongoing costs and the requirements are known. What is unknown is any works that would be included in post-Brexit requirement or with  increasing  workload  going forward, for which an increased budget requirement  has  been  made  in  the Government  Plan  bid  for  2022.  The £1m figure has therefore been estimated by  Government  on  this  basis  and  is deemed sufficient to fund the necessary requirements.

Agree,  funding  requirements  are  known  by Government  and  have  been  sourced  via  the Government Plan as required.

19

The funds for 2022 for the Housing and Food Licensing Schemes programme is deemed,  by  Government,  to  be sufficient  enough  to  cover  the  costs associated with the backlog of works and will allow the works to continue. However, there is uncertainty regarding additional  potential  costs  resultant  of any  post-Brexit  requirements  or increasing  future  demand.  Moreover, uncertainty  exists  in  respect  of  the evolving nature of the two workstreams and the impact thereof on resourcing for delivery of the objectives. Therefore, the  Panel  has  designated  this programme amber.

Noted.

20

The Government Plan 2022-25 requests funding of £250k for Increased Liquid Waste Processing within the pumping stations and tanker service. It was found that  £170k  of  the  £250k  is  due  to increased  electricity  costs,  with  the balance  relating  to  some  of  the maintenance  within  liquid  waste  and

Agree.

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increased  cost  relating  to  tanker transportation. Increases in population and  adverse,  wet  weather  conditions have also contributed to increased costs in using Government of Jersey tankers, as well as contracted tankers. The Panel is satisfied with the level of funding requested  and  has  designated  this programme green.

21

The  Government  Plan  2022  seeks approval  for  a  funding  allocation  of 1.25m for 2022 in relation to Hazardous Waste Removal which seeks to support the effective disposal and processing of all hazardous waste while adhering to waste  management  regulations  and ensuring that the construction industry has a route to dispose of its hazardous waste.  The  Panel  received  evidence which  confirmed  that  the  funds allocated for 2022 are a contingency measure  for  if  income  targets  of hazardous waste are not met as a result of reduced activity. If income targets are met, and the allocated funds are not required, the funds would be returned to Treasury.  The  Panel  has  therefore provided a green RAG status for this programme.

Agree.

22

Previous  funding  allocations  for  the Vehicle Testing Centre Major Capital Project  have  been  withdrawn  on  the basis that it is now expected this will be delivered  by  the  provider.  The implications of this have been assessed by  Government  and  based  on confirmation  provided  from  potential providers who had made an expression of  interest,  this  has  been  deemed  a workable  model.  The  outcome, therefore, is that this capital funding is no longer available, and the preferred option  is  that  the  provider  will  be required to construct and operate the

Agree, this business model is common practice in other jurisdictions for commercial operations of this type.

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inspection centre, preferably on a site provided by government.

23

A new fund as required' UK/EU TCA Biosecurity  Border  Controls  and Vienna  Convention  Vehicle  Testing programme  is  included  in  the Government Plan 2022 to support the adoption  of  new  border  control requirements in line with the UK-EU Trade  Co-operation  Agreement  and practical steps the UK DEFRA requires the Island to implement. In addition, to enable the periodic technical inspection of all vehicles that will ensure the Island is fully compliant with the articles of the  Vienna  Convention  for  Road Traffic. However, it is uncertain at this stage  how  much  funding  will  be required  for  2022  and  beyond.  The Panel  has  therefore  designated  this programme with an amber RAG rating.

Noted.

24

The Climate Emergency Fund has been designated amber by the Panel given the significant  work  which  remains  in respect of the workstream throughout 2022 and beyond. The Panel notes that to  progress  this  work,  the  policy direction  within  the  Carbon  Neutral Roadmap will still need to be approved by  the  States  Assembly.  Moreover, agreement will need to be reached on the additional revenue streams to fund the  additional  monies  that  will  be required  to  meet  the  Government's ambitious aims to be achieved by 2030.

Noted.

25

The  carbon  neutral  and  sustainable transport workstreams are still in their infancy.  Consequently,  uncertainty remains regarding the level of funding and resourcing that will be sufficient moving forward. However, the Panel notes that the Carbon Neutral Fund will

Noted, please note that the fund is the Climate Emergency Fund, not the Carbon Neutral Fund.

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fund  as  required'  the  new  Carbon Neutral Fund and Sustainable Transport Programme. The Panel will continue to closely  monitor  progress  of  this programme during 2022.

26

The Panel observed a willingness from private  organisations/stakeholders  to play  an  active  part  in  assisting  the Government  to  achieve  its  ambitious policy  aims  in  respect  of  combating climate  change.  However,  views expressed by stakeholders to the Panel suggests  that  Government  should  be doing  more  to  involve  those stakeholders  and  to  form  the partnerships required to impact timely change on carbon neutrality.

The  Ministers  for  the  Environment  and Infrastructure have liaised with key stakeholders throughout  the  process  of  declaring  a  Climate Emergency in 2019 and beyond. The Ministers and their officers will continue to liaise with key stakeholders and encourage them to engage in the consultation  on  the  Carbon  Neutral  Roadmap which is underway at time of writing.

27

Measures  have  been  put  in  place  to manage the crossover of remits through the establishment of the Carbon Neutral Steering  Group  and  with  the  policy development function for the Carbon Neutral Roadmap and the Sustainable Transport Policy both falling within the Sustainability & Foresight team under the Strategy and Innovation Directorate within  SPPP.  However,  it  is  the Minister  for  the  Environment's  view that  the  current  arrangement  for  the climate  emergency  portfolio  was predisposed  to  cause  confusion  as  it crossed the remits of both the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Infrastructure. The Panel observed that improved political oversight of the climate  emergency  portfolio  may  be beneficial  through  a  dedicated ministerial role for the portfolio.

Agree.

28

Funding  has  been  set  aside  in  the General  Reserve  for  the  fund  as required' Future Fisheries and Marine Resources  Management  Programme.

Noted.

Findings

Comments

Although  funding  amounts  are uncertain, £263k has been estimated for 2022 with additional estimates of £253k in 2023 and £238k in 2024 and 2025. Since the implementation of the UK- EU is still in its infancy and the vessel licensing regime is yet to be resolved, uncertainty remains regarding the level of  funding  that  will  be  sufficiently required moving forward. Considering the scope of work and the uncertainty regarding the level of funding, the Panel has designated an amber RAG status for this programme.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/

completion

1

The Minister for Housing and Communities should, in  his  Ministerial Response  to  this  report, provide a breakdown of the apportionments from relevant  departmental budgets  which  are applicable  to  his Ministerial portfolio. The purpose and aim of doing so would be to aid better understanding and enable greater  transparency  in relation  to  the  budget resources  attributed  to Common  Strategic Priority 4 which seeks to improve the quality and affordability  of  housing and  improve  social inclusion.

MH C

Government spending, as approved via the  annual  Government  Plan,  is identified in detail through departmental budgets.

Within the Government Plan report, the ministerial portfolio table on page 127 of the Government Plan provides a best efforts' estimate to allocate departmental budgets  across  ministerial responsibilities.  This  table  shows  an allocation of £650,000 to the Minister for Housing and Communities for 2022.

The  breakdown  of  the  allocation  of £650,000  to the Minister  for  Housing and Communities budget by department and service area is provided below:

As per recomme

ndation, this is answered in

commen

ts'

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/

completion

Head  of  MHC

Service

Expenditure  £000s Area

2

The  Minister  for Economic  Development, Tourism,  Sport  and Culture  should  provide clear guidance on Jersey National  Park's  role, purpose  and responsibilities. Since the JNP  is  an  arms-length organisation  of Government, consideration  should  be given to whether its role can  be  separately identified, as well as how its  objectives  can  be clearly  defined.  The Minister should consider how this clarity might be incorporated  into  the Rural Economy Strategy for 2022.

ME DT SC

N/A

The  role,  purpose,  responsibility  and objectives of the JNP will be formalised as  a  policy  component  of  the  revised Rural Economy Strategy (RES) which is due to be published in Q2 2022. The RES policy  component  will  reference  the Partnership  Agreement  which  exists between  the  Department  for  the Economy (on behalf of MEDTSC) and JNP,  which  incorporates  annual schedules  specifying  the  objectives  of the JNP and the KPIs used to monitor performance on set objectives.

Already underwa y

3

The  Department  for Infrastructure,  Housing

MI NF

Accept

Changes  to  travel  behaviours  and tourism due to Covid is the immediate

End of 2022

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/

completion

and  Environment,  in collaboration  with LibertyBus,  should undertake  an  evaluation of  the  reasons  for decreased  ridership,  as well  as  an  analysis  on measures  which  can  be further taken to promote and  incentivise  bus ridership as a sustainable travel option. This should work  should  be undertaken before the end of  Q2  2022  and  the outcome reported back to the Panel.

reason  for  changes  in  bus  ridership, changes  of  a  similar  order  have  been reported  nationally  and  worldwide  in other  developed  economies.  The  UK Government's Bus Back Better set out the national strategy for the recovery of the bus patronage, based upon universal principles  for  bus  growth.  The  report also sets out the Jersey Franchise Model (p.43) as an exemplar as to how these strategies can be successfully deployed. In terms of specifically analysing and identifying the next steps for Jersey, this will be undertaken as part of the STP's Bus Development Plan, as detailed in the Second  Interim  Report  on  the

4

The  Minister  for Infrastructure  should outline in his Ministerial Response why indicative funding  has  been suggested  for  2024  and 2025 in the Government Plan 2022 if it is not the intention  to  renew  the lease  on  28-30  The Parade after 2023.

MI NF

Accept

See response to Finding 10

5

It  being  acknowledged that  there  will  be considerable  funding constraints  across Government  going  into 2022,  the  Minister  for Infrastructure  should ensure  that  funding  for public realm is prioritised and allocated in gradual

MI NF

Accept

Agreed, there needs to be sufficient and sustainable  funding  for  a  meaningful programme of public realm schemes to enhance St Helier's urban environment to be developed in accordance with the St Helier Public Ream and Movement Strategy,  in  conjunction  with  other opportunity sites across the Island, and to  allow  an  appropriate  technical

2023 - 25

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/

completion

increases  throughout 2023-25,  to  ensure  that any  shortfall  resulting from these funding cuts is suitably  addressed  and that improvements to the public  realm  can  be sufficiently  funded moving forward.

delivery capacity to be established on- Island.

6

The  Minister  for Infrastructure  should report back to the States Assembly in time for the next  Government  Plan 2023 to confirm whether it is the intention to make up  the  shortfall  of funding for 2022 in future Government Plan bids for 2023-25,  as  well  as providing a revised target date for when, wherever practicable,  the  whole Island will be connected to  the  foul  sewerage system.

MI NF

Accept

Additional  funding  for  foul  sewer extensions has been requested for 2023- 2025. For the schemes to be viable the new sewage treatment works needs to be complete  to  accept  more  flow.  The sewage treatment works construction is currently due to be complete by the end of 2023. Depending on the foul sewer extension  scheme  further  network upgrades may also be required. Whilst it would  be  fantastic  to  get  the  whole Island connected, it is unfortunately not practicable.  The  Island  is  currently  at 92% connected and we would like to increase that amount. The Liquid Waste Review  currently  underway  will determine an achievable connection rate for the Island.

2023

7

The  Minister  for  the Environment  and  the Minister  for Infrastructure  should, moving forward, actively seek  to  consult  and involve,  where appropriate,  local organisations  who  are willing  and  able  to contribute to the Island's journey  to  reach  carbon neutrality. The Ministers should  seek  to  form

ME NV / MI NF

Accept

Enabling Policy 2 in the draft Carbon Neutral Roadmap is to 'Create a Carbon Neutral  Alliance'  -  Work  with  the Economic  Council  sustainability working  group  to  support  the development  of  a  Carbon  Neutral Alliance  of  businesses  and  voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector  organisations;  and  establish  a £500k Climate Action Fund to support grassroots projects to tackle the climate emergency.

Ongoing.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/

completion

partnerships  with  local organisations  and stakeholders to accelerate the Government's aims to realise  its  ambitious plans.

8

Given  the  crossover between the remits of the Minister  for Infrastructure  and  the Minister  for  the Environment,  further consideration  should  be given,  before  the  next term of Government, as to how political oversight for  the  climate emergency portfolio can be  strengthened  and improved.  Specifically, whether  the  climate emergency  portfolio would  benefit  from  a dedicated  ministerial role.

Co M

Partially accept

As the Carbon Neutral Roadmap is due for debate in April 2022, the final sitting of this Assembly, this allows little time for the Council of Ministers to consider the  outcome  of  the  debate  and/or  the preference of the Assembly with regard to investigating and considering changes to ministerial portfolios. However, ahead of  any  debate,  the  Minister  for  the Environment  is  supportive  of  greater ministerial oversight as it relates to the Environment and would encourage the next  Government  to  consider  possible changes  to  ministerial  portfolios. Strategic Policy 2 in the Draft Carbon Neutral Roadmap recommends A new ministerial  portfolio  for  energy  and climate change'1 New portfolios will be a  matter  for  the  next  Chief Minister/Government.