When and where is the Emergencies Council meeting being held?
The Emergencies Council meeting is being held on Thursday 12 March 2020 at the Old Library in the Royal Court Building.
What is the Emergencies Council?
The Emergencies Council is the overarching body responsible for dealing with emergency situations in Jersey. The Council holds full executive powers for decision-making and strategy in the event of major emergency as directed by the Emergency Powers and Planning (Jersey) Law 1990.
By law, Jersey must have an Emergencies Council in place. Under the Law, the Council “co-ordinate the planning, organisation and implementation of measures which are designed to guard against, prevent, reduce, mitigate or overcome the effects or possible effects of any happening, event or circumstance that causes or may cause loss of life or injury or distress or hardship to persons or that in any way endangers or may endanger the health or safety of the community or that in any way threatens to deprive the community of the necessities of life.”
The Emergencies Council, the Emergency Planning Board and the Emergency Planning Officer each play a role in planning for and responding to any major emergency or disaster in, or affecting, Jersey. They may provide:
- specialist knowledge
- equipment, people and resources
- support, care and welfare
Who sits on the Emergencies Council?
The council is made up of:
- Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, chairman of the Council
- Minister for Home Affairs, Connétable Len Norman
- Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham
- Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis
- Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf
- Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst
- Chair of the Committee des Connétables, Connétable Deidre Mezbourian
The Bailiff, the Lieutenant-Governor and the Attorney General are entitled to attend and be heard at any meeting of the Council.
How regularly do the Emergencies Council meet?
Island preparedness, safety and resilience are discussed biannually at the political level by the Emergencies Council, chaired by the Chief Minister. In addition, the Chief Minister may call a meeting of the Council at any time
This sets political priorities for the executive body, known as the Emergency Planning Board, which meets three times a year and is chaired by the Chief Executive.
When did the Emergencies Council last meet?
24 October 2019
How does the Emergencies Council operate?
To support the development of a fully integrated response to major incidents in Jersey, the Emergencies Council and Emergency Planning Board have accepted the principles of the United Kingdom Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which delivers a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom to reflect the challenges of the 21st Century.
Will there be minutes published following the meeting?
We will share the key topics of discussion following the meeting.
Government of Jersey News Release.