Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan. Lessons Learned.

Appendix 3: Terms of Reference for the advisory group

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PILOT PENTLAND FIRTH AND ORKNEY WATERS MARINE SPATIAL PLAN ADVISORY GROUP

BACKGROUND

Marine Scotland, Highland Council and Orkney Islands Council have established a working group to develop a pilot non-statutory Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters ( PFOW) Marine Spatial Plan ( MSP). The pilot plan will promote the sustainable management and development of the marine environment and will incorporate economic, environmental and social considerations into marine development decision making.

An advisory group has been set up to oversee the work of the working group and to provide advice and guidance on the outputs from the group. The members of the advisory group are representative of organisations with an interest in the protection and enhancement of the PFOW, and the use of the PFOW for recreational and commercial purposes.

MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP

Marine Scotland ( MS) Tracy McCollin

Highland Council ( HC) Shona Turnbull

Orkney Islands Council ( OIC) James Green

MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY GROUP

Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH) Kate Thompson/Chris Leakey

Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA) Susan Haslam

Historic Environment Scotland Alasdair McKenzie

Royal Yachting Association ( RYA) Graham Russell

Orkney Harbour David Sawkins

Scrabster Harbour Sandy Mackie

Highlands and Islands Enterprise ( HIE) Norma Hogan

ORGANISATION OF THE ADVISORY GROUP

Marine Scotland will lead on the secretariat of the advisory group. A paper outlining the governance of the Marine Spatial Plan will be provided to the advisory group. As attendance will be at the members own cost, MS will try to ensure that, when meeting in person, the location of the meetings ensure travel is minimised as much as possible. It is likely there will be at least two face to face meetings a year with the group meeting by video or telephone conferencing as necessary during the rest of the year. The meetings will likely be arranged around key milestones during the development of the pilot MSP. The group is likely to last until the completion of the MSP.

Other people may be invited to join forum meetings on a one-off basis to aid discussion of a particular topic, for example as speakers, observers or invited guests.

Working methods

The advisory group will meet face to face at least twice a year and by video and telephone conferencing as necessary during the year to;

1. Review and provide advice on the output of the working group e.g. on documents such as the Governance Paper and the Plan Scheme;
2. Provide guidance on the proposed work plan of the working group;
3. Ensure that the interests represented by the advisory group are taken into account during the development of the pilot MSP;
4. Provide guidance on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal process;
5. Where appropriate, provide relevant specialist advice to develop appropriate policies approaches in the MSP;
6. Provide guidance on further engagement with additional specialists and interest groups.

Sharing of information and resources

• Through the advisory group meetings and electronic communications, members will be able to share information and resources.
• Members should be able to choose what they share and when they share it.
• It is each member’s responsibility to make it clear where a matter shall remain entirely confidential and not for discussion outside the advisory group.
• When sharing documents, members should make it clear if there is a restriction as to:
  • Circulation of the documents beyond the advisory group;
  • Copyright/use of the contents