Joint Ministerial
Committee: UK Government and the devolved administrations announce
agreement on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
CABINET OFFICE News
Release (CAB/113/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 27
November 2008
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