Status of the Green Lane User Group and its relationship with the DoI

Summary

The request sought details on the formation, governance, funding, and relationship between the Green Lane User Group (GLUG) and the Department of Infrastructure (DoI). The DoI disclosed that GLUG is an unregulated advisory group formed in 2002 with no specific budget, chaired by a DoI employee to facilitate communication and volunteer work.

Key Facts

• GLUG was formed in 2002 by Minister John Shimmin to coordinate green lane users.
• The group acts solely as an advisory body with no executive authority or decision-making power.
• There is no specific funding or budget allocated to GLUG; works are funded via the DoI highway maintenance budget.
• A DoI employee historically chairs the group to control meetings, though users could theoretically chair.
• GLUG is not constituted as a Government Board or Committee and is therefore not regulated.

Data Disclosed

• 2002
• 28th May 2002
• 23rd July 2002
• 1646513
• 2021-01-26
• 2021-02-26
• KQ188

Original Request

In respect of the Green Lane User Group ('GLUG') which appears to be closely aligned to the Department of Infrastructure ('DoI'), please explain and provide evidence in respect of the following questions: i) How was GLUG formed and what are its constitutional documents; ii) What is the purpose and overall intention of GLUG; iii) What is the status of GLUG within both the DoI and the wider community; iv) What is the hierarchy of GLUG and who are its members; v) On what basis does an employee of the DoI sit as Chairman of GLUG. Was he appointed to this role by the DoI, and if not, by whom; vi) How is GLUG regulated and by whom; if it is not regulated, please explain why not; vii) How does GLUG exert its influence within the DoI and wider community i.e. does it lobby the DoI and / or government on specific issues; viii) How is GLUG funded; and ix) How much funding has been made available from the DoI to GLUG from inception to date in respect of all of its activities.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Appendix 1

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team DWG/TS Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1646513 26 February 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 26 January 2021 and which states:

"In respect of the Green Lane User Group ('GLUG') which appears to be closely aligned to the Department of Infrastructure ('DoI'), please explain and provide evidence in respect of the following questions: i) How was GLUG formed and what are its constitutional documents; ii) What is the purpose and overall intention of GLUG; iii) What is the status of GLUG within both the DoI and the wider community; iv) What is the hierarchy of GLUG and who are its members; v) On what basis does an employee of the DoI sit as Chairman of GLUG. Was he appointed to this role by the DoI, and if not, by whom; vi) How is GLUG regulated and by whom; if it is not regulated, please explain why not; vii) How does GLUG exert its influence within the DoI and wider community i.e. does it lobby the DoI and / or government on specific issues; viii) How is GLUG funded; and ix) How much funding has been made available from the DoI to GLUG from inception to date in respect of all of its activities."

Our response to your request is as follows: i) GLUG was formed in 2002 by the then Minister John Shimmin, he offered his support in the formation of a green lane user group to co-ordinate and bring together various interested parties. This is referred to in the Tynwald Hansard 28th May 2002 on page KQ188 this is in the public domain (attached at Appendix 1). There exists a Terms of Reference for Volunteer Greenlane Working Groups (attached at Appendix 1) but no other Terms of reference are available from the inception of the GLUG. ii) The GLUG is a group of green lane users, representing all of the various types of users of the green lanes; horse riders, cyclists, motorbike riders, etc. Its purpose is to act as a means of communication between the DoI and the various users about the state of the green lanes, and issues about their use. See the web page Isle of Man Government - Greenlanes for copies of minutes to see business discussed. The GLUG also organises volunteer parties to carry out work on the green lanes. iii) The GLUG has no executive authority, ie it does not make decisions on behalf of the DoI regarding the green lanes. It acts only as an advisory group. iv) There is no particular hierarchy for the GLUG. See meeting notes on web page for members. From the earliest meeting 23rd July 2002 (attached at Appendix 1) the DOI were to chair the meeting and provide secretarial support. v) Historically the DoI representative has always sat as the chairperson. There is no particular reason for this, and it has been discussed in the past with the group that one of the users could sit as chairperson. However, this has never happened. Since the GLUG has no executive purpose, the chairperson is there simply to control the meetings. vi) The GLUG is not constituted as a Government Board or Committee. Again, the GLUG does not have any executive powers and so there is no reason for it to be regulated. vii) The GLUG exerts its influence through inviting the Minister and/or Political Members to meetings. See notes of meetings at Isle of Man Government - Greenlanes. viii) The GLUG has no specific funding, there is no budget set aside for the GLUG. Works carried out on the green lanes are funded through the DoI highway maintenance budget. ix) The GLUG has no specific funding.

Please quote the reference number 1646513 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

FOI Team