Emergency Advisory Group

Summary

The request sought details on Emergency Advisory Group (EAG) meetings, discussions, membership, and the delay in publishing minutes since November 2021. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the group met three times, provided a link to the published minutes, explained the delay was due to staff changes, listed the members, and confirmed the group is now in abeyance following the end of the pandemic emergency response.

Key Facts

• The EAG met on three occasions after November 4, 2021: November 29, December 20, and January 20.
• Minutes for December 20 and January 20 were delayed due to a change in the EAG secretariat caused by staff changes in the Cabinet Office.
• Dr Rachel Glover resigned from the group on December 20, 2021.
• The Council of Ministers agreed on February 17, 2022, to place the EAG into abeyance as the pandemic transitioned to an endemic position.
• No replacements were appointed for departing members as the group was stood down.

Data Disclosed

• 4 November
• 29 November 2021
• 20 December 2021
• 20 January 2022
• 17 February 2022
• 1 March 2022
• 27 April 2022
• 12 May 2022
• 2413681
• 3
• 1

Original Request

Further to the most recently published minutes from the Emergency Advisory Group's 4 November meeting, could you confirm: 1. How many times the EAG has met since 4 November? 2. What was discussed at these meetings? 3. Why the minutes have not been published? 4. Who are the current members of the EAG? 5. On what dates were there departures from the group? 6. Have replacements been appointed?

Data Tables (12)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 2413681 12 May 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 April 2022 and which states:

"Further to the most recently published minutes from the Emergency Advisory Group's 4 November meeting, could you confirm: 1. How many times the EAG has met since 4 November? 2. What was discussed at these meetings? 3. Why the minutes have not been published? 4. Who are the current members of the EAG? 5. On what dates were there departures from the group? 6. Have replacements been appointed?"

Our response to your request is as follows: "Further to the most recently published minutes from the Emergency Advisory Group's 4 November meeting, could you confirm: 1. How many times the EAG has met since 4 November? The Emergency Advisory Group (EAG) met on three further occasions: 29 November 2021, 20 December 2021 and 20 January 2022. 2. What was discussed at these meetings? The proceedings and discussions of these meetings can be read in the minutes, which are published online here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/council-of- ministers/the-council-of-ministers/council-of-ministers-emergency-advisory-group-eag/. 3. Why the minutes have not been published? The minutes (20 December 2021 and 20 January 2022) were not published at the appropriate time due to a change in secretariat for EAG, as a result of staff changes in Cabinet Office in November and December 2021.The Cabinet Office apologies for this oversight. These minutes are now available online: https://www.gov.im/about-the- government/council-of-ministers/the-council-of-ministers/council-of-ministers- emergency-advisory-group-eag/. 4. Who are the current members of the EAG? The EAG is currently in abeyance, please see the response to Question 6 for more information. The membership of EAG while it was active, was as follows:

Mr John Spellman (Chair) Mr Rob Mercer MLC, Tynwald representative Hon Jane Poole Wilson, MHK, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs (vice chair) Mr Peter Davidson Dr Rachel Glover Mr Steve Christian Mrs Jacqui Bridson Professor Peter Edge Ms Julie Hotchkiss Mr Jonathan Wild 5. On what dates were there departures from the group? Dr Rachel Glover tendered her resignation from the group to the Chief Minister on 20 December 2021. 6. Have replacements been appointed?" No, replacements were appointed, in light of the following: Early in 2022, the Emergency Advisory Group asked Council of Ministers for its view on the future of EAG. This request coincided with the pandemic transition to an endemic position, the removal of Covid-19 restrictions and consequently, a reduced need for Government to acquire the range of [external, professional] advice the group had been established to provide. The Chair of EAG suggested that the group could be placed into abeyance, given that the immediate emergency response period to the pandemic had ended. EAG indicated that should matters escalate, Council of Ministers could swiftly reactive the group to seek further advice. Council of Ministers considered this request and options for the future of EAG; these included retaining the group in its (then) current form to provide advice and support on Covid issues; to retain EAG and widen its remit; or to stand the group down and place it into abeyance so it is ready to resume, should the need arise. Council agreed [at a meeting on 17 February 2022] to the latter option, and the Chief Minister wrote to members of the group [on 1 March 2022] to thank them for their service and informing them of CoMin's decision. Please quote the reference number 2413681 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are

dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely