Cabinet Office
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Joint Ministerial Committee: UK Government and the devolved administrations announce agreement on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
The UK Government and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have reached agreement on a UK-wide approach to marine planning.
The agreement follows discussions in the Joint Ministerial Committee and the further negotiations it put in place. It will provide a coherent legislative framework with greater clarity and certainty for all those seeking to enjoy or make a living from the UK's waters.
As part of the agreement, more functions will be devolved to Scottish and Welsh ministers. Marine planning and nature conservation zone powers will be devolved for the offshore area adjacent to Scotland. In addition the Bill will provide for the creation of a Welsh zone for fisheries and ensure that the National Assembly for Wales has the competence to legislate for the establishment of a route around the Welsh coast and for public access to land at or near the coast for recreational purposes. Taken together, these agreements and new powers will enable the delivery of a UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill with real benefits across the UK, with the full support of the three Devolved Administrations.
The Joint Ministerial Committee, bringing together the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, discussed the Government's draft Marine and Coastal Access Bill at its plenary meeting in June. All Ministers at JMC confirmed their support for the objectives of the Bill, and emphasised the importance of cross Government agreement on detailed proposals in the Bill.
Paul Murphy, Secretary of State for Wales, is also responsible for Joint Ministerial Committee issues within the UK Government. In welcoming the agreement he said:
"I am delighted that a resolution has been found which will enable full support to be given to this important Bill for protection of our seas. The marine area is a complex policy environment containing a mix of devolved, non-devolved and reserved matters. The willingness of colleagues in the JMC to agree to work together for the good of the UK as a whole demonstrates real commitment and also shows that good work can be achieved through the vehicle of the Joint Ministerial Committee."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, as Minister with responsibility for the Marine and Coastal Access Bill said:
"I am delighted that this groundbreaking legislation for better protection and development of our marine resources will go forward with the full support of colleagues in the Devolved Administrations."
"I look forward to the development of the Scottish Marine Bill and indeed the Northern Ireland legislation in due course and I know that with Welsh colleagues we all wish to deliver a consistent approach across the UK." Richard Lochhead, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, said:
"The Scottish Government will bring forward a Marine Bill in the spring that will provide a sustainable future for our waters that will also represent the various sectors that depend on them.
"Further devolution of powers on the marine environment will help us safeguard our seas for generations to come."
"I am delighted that agreement has been reached with the UK on what we have long seen as a sensible approach. This is a clear demonstration that the JMC process is working."
Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister for Wales, Jane Davidson said:
"I have been fully supportive of the need for a Marine Bill. I am pleased that a positive working relationship across Governments has ensured that the legislation that will go forward is suitable for the needs of Wales. I want to see this close dialogue continue."
"I welcome the proposed new powers for the Assembly on coastal access and the proposed extension of the Welsh Ministers' fisheries functions into a new Welsh Zone, as well as the agreement to extend the Welsh Ministers' marine planning responsibilities into the offshore area."
Welcoming the announcement Peter Robinson MP, MLA, First Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, said:
"We recognise the significant contribution the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill will make to the delivery of the future sustainability of our marine environment and our European obligations and particularly welcome the role that JMC has played in reaching this agreement."
Martin McGuinness MP, MLA the deputy First Minister indicated that:
"We look forward to developing further marine legislation here in due course, which will complement the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, and will continue to work with the other Administrations as this is developed to ensure that consistency of approach is achieved."
The UK Government's legislative programme for the coming parliamentary session will be announced by her Majesty the Queen in her Gracious Speech on 3 December 2008 at the State Opening of Parliament.
Notes to Editors
1. The Joint Ministerial Committee is an over-arching body provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations. It includes ministers of the UK Government, and ministers of each of the devolved administrations.
2. The JMC's terms of reference are as follows:
i. to consider non-devolved matters which impinge on devolved responsibilities and devolved matters which impinge on non-devolved responsibilities;
ii. where the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations so agree, to consider devolved matters if it is beneficial to discuss their respective treatment in the different parts of the United Kingdom;
iii. to keep the arrangements for liaison between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations under review; and
iv. (iv) to consider disputes between the administrations.
3. The JMC is a forum where administrations can discuss issues that in some way concern all four territories - whether they're purely devolved issues, or ones that straddle the boundaries of the UK Government and Devolved Administrations.
4. The Joint Ministerial Committee last met in plenary on 25 June 2008, a further meeting of the Committee is due shortly.
Cabinet Office Press Office
22 Whitehall
LONDON
SW1A
2WH
Tel: 020 7276 2533
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
