Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: Ministerial Working Group - terms of reference

‘Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – Towards a Better Place for Everyone’ (CAFS2) is a cross-cutting strategy that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partner organisations propose to further reduce air pollution to protect human health and fulfil Scotland’s legal responsibilities as soon as possible over the period 2021 to 2026. It replaces and builds on the achievements of ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future’, the Scottish Government’s first air quality strategy, which was published in 2015.

These terms of reference set out the roles and responsibilities of organisations participating in the ministerial group.

Purpose

The purpose of the ministerial group is to oversee at a strategic level implementation of the actions set out in CAFS2 and the accompanying delivery plan. The group brings together senior representatives from the key organisations responsible for delivering the CAFS2 actions, who will be responsible for ensuring that their organisations are both engaged and involved in the delivery process, together with senior representatives from other organisations who have a direct interest in the policy areas covered by the CAFS2 actions.

Key deliverables 

• provide high level oversight of the CAFS2 implementation process
• approve the CAFS2 annual progress report
• where appropriate and necessary, provide direction to the delivery group which is responsible for the day to day governance of CAFS2
• ensure that ministerial group members’ respective organisations are fully signed up to and engaged with the overall aims and objectives of CAFS2

Reporting

The group will report annually, via the Scottish ministers, to the Scottish Parliament on progress with implementing the CAFS2 actions.

Membership

Ministerial group member organisations are listed in annex A.

Working methods

• the ministerial group will meet on an annual basis in June each year, either in person, virtually or a combination of these. However an initial one off meeting to establish the group will be held in December 2021
• the group will be chaired by the Minister for Environment and Land Reform
• organisations or individuals who are not members of the ministerial group may be invited to attend from time to time if their input is required for the purposes of the group’s discussions
• all meeting papers and agendas will be issued to ministerial group members no later than five working days prior to each meeting
• secretariat to the ministerial group will be provided by the Scottish Government and SEPA
• agreed minutes of ministerial group meetings, and other relevant papers and documents as agreed by the group, will be published on the Air Quality in Scotland website

Responsibilities of ministerial group members

• members of the ministerial group shall represent the views of their organisations
• members whose organisations have direct responsibility for implementing actions should ensure that those organisations are fully signed up and committed to delivering those specific actions
• members are responsible for ensuring their organisation is kept informed and engaged with CAFS2 delivery, reporting on progress their organisation’s appropriate level of management as needed. Members should be committed to fully participating in the work of the group
• should a member be unable to attend a meeting, a deputy should be identified who is able to fully participate in the proceedings

Confidentiality

Where issues of confidentiality or sensitivity are discussed each organisation shall follow its internal protocols for handling such information. Comments will not be attributed to individualgGroup members where any part of a meeting takes place under ‘Chatham House Rules’. Statements made or declared in confidence will remain in confidence. 

Reviews and timescales

The ministerial group will meet for the lifespan of CAFS2.  Membership and terms of reference will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Annex A

Ministerial group membership

• Asthma UK/British Lung Foundation Scotland
• British Heart Foundation Scotland
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Friends of the Earth Scotland
• Minister for Environment and Land Reform (Chair)
• Minister for Transport
• Public Health Scotland
• Royal Environmental Health Institute Scotland
• Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland
• Scottish Council for Development and Industry
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Government 
• Society of Local Authority Chief Executives
• Transport Scotland