HC 846 Sustainability in the Overseas Territories

Written evidence submitted by the Governor of Anguilla, Alistair Harrison

Thank you for your letter of 25 March 2013. I set out my answers to your questions below, but many of them are for the elected Government of Anguilla (GoA) to answer more fully. I have therefore forwarded your letter to the Minister for the Environment Hon. Jerome Roberts and his colleagues. I understand that you have also written separately to the Government of Anguilla (GoA).

Turning to your questions in order:

- As in most of the Overseas Territories, the environment is a devolved matter for the GoA. My role is limited to that on all devolved matters: I act as the Chair of Executive Council (EXCO, effectively the cabinet) and can therefore influence discussion to some extent. But decisions are taken by the four elected Ministers. However, in addition to the work we do with the Darwin Initiative and other strategic funds, my Office has some small devolved project funds that we use to assist Anguilla in capacity building and other support including environmental work. Examples are the support we have given to opening a Centre for Vocational and Technical Education, an outreach initiative with the National Trust "youth with nature" and a sports ground water capture and filtration system. Anguilla also recently participated in the environmental mainstreaming initiative which was funded by Defra (and managed by JNCC). The initiative aims to encourage elected representatives, civil servants and the private sector to consider environmental impact in decision-making across the board. The Governor’s office played a key role in working with JNCC to ensure local buy-in to this initiative -and I opened and closed the 3-day workshop.

- The priority placed on environment and sustainable development is a matter for the GoA. My input is limited to my chairing EXCO as noted above and where practicable helping to share UK best practice and expertise.

- Legislation pending is also a matter for the GoA, who bring legislation to the House of Assembly. My input is as above and I have never declined to assent to environmental legislation. Nor, as far as I am aware, have any of my predecessors.

- I attend the annual meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) which brings together the Governors and elected governments of all the OTs in London each autumn, and associated meetings involving all Governors. There are usually further meetings involving Governors in London in the late Spring. Defra is represented at the JMC at Ministerial level, and officials attend relevant parts of the other meetings.

- All projects, including those with potential environmental impact, are subject to local planning laws. In the case of the marine environment, for example, a decision by the Minister for the Environment can be appealed to the full EXCO (as has happened on two occasions recently – you have received a letter dated 16 April from one of the appellants in the most recent appeal).

- This is a hypothetical question, but I would follow the normal disciplinary procedures if necessary.

18 April 2013