How Decisions are Made

The members of Kent & Essex IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. They guide the IFCA to deliver its mandate under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and in line with Defra guidance.

Members of the IFCA help to ensure that:

• the exploitation of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way

• the social and economic benefits of exploiting the sea fisheries resources is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment from, or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation

• other steps are taken which, in the IFCA's opinion, are necessary to achieve sustainable development

• the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced

• the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

Section 153 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 sets out KEIFCA's duty to manage the exploitation of the cockle fisheries in a sustainable way, whilst seeking to balance the social and economic benefits of exploitation with the need to protect the marine environment. Section 153(d) also highlights the duty of the IFCA to seek to balance the different needs of persons engaged in the exploitation of the cockle fishery

Authority meetings follow Standing Orders and are supported by a Clerk from Kent County Council Democratic Services.

Position	Role
Chairman	Ensure that the Authority is able to carry out the business at its meetings efficiently, in line with its plans and policies, legal duties, Constitution and standing orders Enable members to participate fully in discussions and decisions so that the Authority can benefit from their experience and expertise, and their knowledge of the interests of the Kent & Essex IFCA’s communities and stakeholders.
Clerk	To attend, or ensure representation, at all meetings of the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Technical Panels and any special meetings and to advise such meetings on constitutional and procedural issues
KEIFCA member (MMO appointee)	Appointees to IFCAs are legally required to represent all the local fishing and marine environmental interests in the waters of the IFCA district, in a balanced way, taking full account of all the economic, social and environmental needs of that district. Appointees should recognise that they are part of a committee and should not regard themselves as representing solely one particular interest within the IFCA district
KEIFCA member (Local Authority appointed)	Local Authority appointees to outside bodies (i.e., IFCAs) should: • Act according to the rules, constitution and framework set by the outside body. • Make independent personal judgements in line with their duty of care to the outside body. • Behave ethically and comply with the Code of Conduct for Councillors except and insofar as it conflicts with any other lawful obligations to which that outside body may be subject. • Take an active and informed role in the management of the outside body’s affairs. They should not: • Represent the political party to which the Councillor owes their political loyalty. • Look at things simply from the Council’s perspective.
KEIFCA Chief Officer & Assistant Chief Officer	Ensure that all matters within the decision-making powers of the full Authority are brought forward to the relevant forum in a timely manner and with all information necessary for a robust and lawful decision

Members meet regularly and are provided with briefing papers to assist them in their role. Copies of all papers can be found at https://www.kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk/about-us/committee/committee-meetings