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4. Conflict Resolution and Integrated Coastal Zone Management
4.1 At the first meeting of the Advisory Group, Jim Simpson and the Scottish Coastal Forum ( SCF) were tasked with examining the role that Integrated Coastal Zone Management ( ICZM) can play in dispute settlement. The SCF presented their paper on this work, AGMACS(06)18 (attached at Annex 4), considered at the third meeting of the Group in May 2006.
Workstream Recommendations
4.2 AGMACS(06)18 made proposals for ICZM and conflict resolution to be achieved through the preparation of Regional Policy Statements ( RPS) for Scotland's coastal and inshore waters. To do this the following key steps were identified in the paper.
4.2.1 The Scottish coast should be divided into appropriate sections to ensure there is comprehensive coverage.
4.2.2 The landward boundary of RPS areas should be established.
4.2.3 Within each area, an appropriate organisation should be identified that is capable of delivering and updating the RPS within an acceptable timescale.
4.2.4 Adequate resources should be made available to ensure the production and implementation of RPS.
4.2.5 A central co-ordination and review role needs to be created in order to ensure the quality and consistency of each RPS.
4.3 AGMACS was asked to consider and make recommendations in relation to the following areas.
4.3.1 The future role of ICZM in dispute settlement in Scotland's coasts and inshore waters.
4.3.2 Whether Regional Policy Statements provide a practical way forward in terms of achieving sustainable use of our coasts and inshore waters.
4.3.3 Whether the existing ICZM delivery mechanisms are appropriate for developing Regional Policy Statements.
4.3.4 How the lead agencies responsible for producing RPS should be funded.
4.3.5 The future role that SCF should have in order to support ICZM in Scotland and its funding.
4.3.6 The need to implement legislation to support coastal management.
4.4 At the fifth meeting, a possible timetable for the development and implementation of the Regional Policy Statements over a 3-year programme, AGMACS(06)46 ( Annex 5), was considered. AGMACS was asked to consider the following discussion points:
4.4.1 If it endorsed the idea of Regional Policy Statements as a mechanism for setting out integrated coastal management and planning around Scotland;
4.4.2 If it believed Local Coastal Partnerships are an integral element of the RPS model;
4.4.3 If it considers there is a role for a national stakeholder forum and a Scottish Marine Management Organisation to oversee the process; and
4.4.4 If it was willing to recommend to the Executive that it supports the core costs of this model of ICZM delivery.
4.5 Further advice on the relationship between ICZM, the proposed model of Regional Policy Statements and the parallel workstream on Marine Spatial Planning was noted at the final meeting of AGMACS in February 2007.
AGMACS Recommendations
4.6 Following consideration of the Workstream Report, subsequent reporting and Group discussion, AGMACS makes the following recommendation.
4.6.1 There should be a Scottish Marine Management Organisation with a remit of national coordination of ICZM and Marine Spatial Planning delivery.
4.6.2 The Marine Management Organisation should have a local dimension with powers that can be delegated as required.
4.6.3 The local dimension should be fitting to the needs, uses and geographical requirements of the areas concerned.
4.6.4 The boundaries of the local dimension of the MMO could be called, for example, a Regional Policy Area and could be based around, for example, existing Local Coastal Partnership areas or other suitable bodies, e.g. local authorities.
4.6.5 ICZM and MSP policy at local level should be based on planning or policy statements. Consideration should be given to a delivery model consisting of Regional Policy Statements being prepared within Regional Policy Areas, possibly by the existing Local Coastal Partnerships or local authorities.
4.6.6 The issue of funding for Local Coastal Partnerships should be revisited.
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