Ministers reminded about their environmental responsibilities

• Environment Scrutiny Panel is calling for more recognition of the environment in Strategic Plan
• Panel has lodged an amendment to the plan, which currently has no specific mention of the environment
• The draft Strategic Plan has so far attracted 14 amendments
• Do Jersey’s politicians care about the environment? Take part in our our poll below

A STATES watchdog is pushing for more recognition of the environment in a major policy document that is due to be debated by politicians.

• 14,000 Islanders are aged 65 or over. By 2035 that figure will increase to around 28,000.
• Jersey ranks in the top 10 per cent of countries in the world for life expectancy and 85 per cent of Islanders rate their health as good or better.
• Diabetes figures in Jersey have been doubling every 6–8 years for the past two decades. If this trend does not change, nearly 1 in 8 Islanders will have the condition by 2020.
• Between 1999 and 2009, Jersey children consistently out-performed their English counterparts in achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*– C. Since then, however, Jersey’s academic performance has plateaued and the Island has been overtaken.
• Less than half of St. Helier residents say they are ‘very satisfied’ with their neighbourhood as a place to live compared with 72 per cent of people elsewhere in the Island.
• By 2030 London is planning for a 15 per cent increase in its population, Singapore is predicting population increases of up to 25 per cent and New York is aiming for a million new residents. Melbourne, currently rated as the world’s most ‘liveable’ city, anticipates it will be home to 40 per cent more people by 2031.
• By 2030 about 40 per cent of working age people in Jersey will be over 50.[/breakout]

The Environment Scrutiny Panel, which also considers housing and technical services issues, has lodged an amendment to the latest Strategic Plan, which will set the States policy priorities over the next three and a half years.

The draft document currently sets out four main areas for improvement – health and wellbeing, education, economic growth and St Helier.

Although the Council of Ministers has previously said that the environment is linked to these issues, there is no specific mention of it in the draft Strategic Plan.

If approved, the Environment Scrutiny Panel’s amendment would ensure an explicit mention and consideration of the Environment within the document.

It has been suggested that text describing each priority be amended to include references to the environment.

Chairman of the panel Constable Simon Crowcroft said: ‘Our amendment would not change the proposed priorities of the Council of Ministers.

‘Rather, we are seeking to ensure that environmental matters will not simply be forgotten during the current term whilst work focusses on other matters.

‘We recognise that the Council of Ministers talks about environmental and sustainability issues and that the Council acknowledges the need to address them in the long-term.

‘The Council has also said that the environment is one of the three pillars of strategic planning, alongside the community and the economy.’

However, Mr Crowcroft added that for strategic planning to be ‘truly integrated’, environmental issues could not simply be viewed as secondary ‘add-on’ considerations.

‘If our amendment is adopted, the Council will not be able to forget about its environmental responsibilities as it works on health, education, the economy and the future of St Helier,’ Mr Crowcroft said.

The draft Strategic Plan, which has so far attracted 14 amendments, is due to be debated on Tuesday 28 April.

THE States Strategic Plan sets policy focus over a three-year period.

In the Council of Ministers’ draft plan suggestions are made about what the plan’s key priorities should be.

States Members are then allowed time to suggest amendments to the plan, which are then debated and voted on by the Chamber.

Earlier this year the Council lodged its proposal for the plan.

The guiding mission statement used by the Council is to serve and represent the best interests of the Island and its citizens.

To achieve this the Council said they must:

• Provide strong, fair and trusted leadership for the Island and its people
• Deliver positive, sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes for Jersey
• Ensure effective, efficient and sustainable management and use of public funds
• Ensure the provision of modern and highly valued services for the public

The four suggested priorities and what the Council has said about them:

Health and wellbeing

The Council of Ministers’ draft plan said: ‘Poor health can drive social exclusion, and social exclusion itself can cause health problems.

‘Our focus on increasing the health and wellbeing of our community, and ensuring that people can access quality health care if they need it, will help reduce social exclusion.’

Education

The Council of Ministers’ draft plan said: ‘Education plays a pivotal role in the prevention of social exclusion.

‘People who leave schools with low levels of educational attainment and poor basic skills are at a higher risk of experiencing social exclusion as adults.

‘Our focus on early years and education is intended to ensure that every Islander has the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence to become a successful, independent citizen.’

Economic growth

The Council of Ministers’ draft plan said: ‘Nothing undermines social inclusion more than financial hardship.

‘Our focus on economic growth is intended to help create more good jobs and opportunities for Islanders, remove barriers to employment and increase participation.

‘Ensuring that competition works in favour of consumers will help promote more affordable living.

‘Economic growth will also provide government with more resources to fund services that help lower-income households and safeguard the vulnerable.

Improving St Helier

The Council of Ministers’ draft plan said: ‘Urban design has a strong influence on people’s quality of life.

‘Our focus on St. Helier will help improve the quality of its homes and neighbourhood. This includes the supply and quality of housing and the appeal of the public spaces and amenities we all use.

‘Improving our town as a place to live and enjoy will help create a stronger community and increase social inclusion.’

Long-term:

• PLANNING for the next three years is essential, but what about the long-term?
• The Council of Ministers also has broader strategic goals designed to help Jersey navigate any economic, social and environmental challenges in the coming years.
• New strategies, policies and legislation include moves to:
• Review and update of the existing Community Safety Strategy
• Review and update of the existing Criminal Justice Policy[figure caption=”There are plans for a new Road Safety Strategy” title=”DSC_0002″ align=”right” url=”/wpmvc/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/543025.jpg” id=”1250409″ size=”25″]
• A new Road Safety Strategy
• A new Climate Adaptation Strategy
• A new Disability Strategy
• New Water Strategy
• Equal marriage legislation
• Further development of new discrimination legislation
• Development of a family policy statement
• A strategy to prevent and combat violence against women and girls
• A new housing strategy [/breakout]