Annex A 6 May 2015 Subject Defra rural impacts report From REDACT(Energy Development) To EDU - OUGO Sent 06 May 2015 10:51 All, For information, REDACT just mentioned that the Information Commissioner’s office is expected to rule on the release (or not) of this report later this week or soon after. Watch this space… REDACT REDACT Policy Manager – Regulation, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT A: REDACT 3 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2AW 5 June 2015 Subject RE: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report - RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To REDACT(Energy Development) Cc REDACT Sent 05 June 2015 07:47 Attachments <<150601 - Draft response to FOI 08510 relating to Rural Economy Report.docx>> 1 REDACT, Thanks for your work on this request. Some minor amendments attached, otherwise happy to clear, Emily From: REDACT(Energy Development) Sent: 03 June 2015 19:06 To: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Cc: REDACT; REDACT (Energy Development) Subject: FW: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June 1 Annex B Importance: High Emily Please find attached draft response to FOI 2015-08510 for your comments and clearance. This requester is asking to release Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impact Report. I checked with DEFRA if the position has changed and they confirmed that they were still waiting for ICO’s response (see attached e-mail). Please see attached e-mail from DEFRA. I have therefore used previously agreed lines from a similar request. REDACT is content. I’d be grateful if you could clear this for me by Friday 5 June. I will than forward to Comms. and PO’s for their cleance before issuing. The statutory deadline for issuing this case is 10 June. Thanks REDACT REDACT REDACT Office of Unconventional Gas & Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk 8 June 2015 Subject FW: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June From Emily Bourne(Energy Development) To REDACT Sent 08 June 2015 08:40 REDACT, to see below from REDACT re the Defra rural impacts report. Can you make sure that once the ICO response is received we send a short email up to Ministers? Thanks, Emily From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 05 June 2015 17:08 To: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Subject: FW: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June Emily Please note e-mail below. REDACT REDACT REDACT Office of Unconventional Gas & Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: PS Andrea Leadsom Sent: 05 June 2015 17:03 To: REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT(Communications); REDACT(Communications); SoS Rudd; PS SOS SPADS; Perm Sec (DECC) Cc: REDACT (ITD) (REDACT@bis.gsi.gov.uk) Subject: RE: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June Content this does not require Ministerial clearance. REDACT – given the history of this it might be worth briefing the Minister once we have a response from ICO. Thanks, REDACT REDACT REDACT Email: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk; REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACTM: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 05 June 2015 11:50 To: REDACT(Communications); REDACTCommunications); SoS Rudd; PS SOS SPADS; PS Andrea Leadsom; Perm Sec (DECC) Cc: REDACT(ITD) (REDACT@bis.gsi.gov.uk); REDACT(Energy Development) Subject: FW: FOI/EIR Request ref FOI2015/08510 - Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report RETURN DRAFT BY 3rd June Importance: High Dear All Please find attached draft response to FOI 2015/08510 for your clearance. The request is from REDACT a member of public asking as: To release full copy of the Shale Gas: Rural Economy Impacts Report. This is DEFRA’s report. DEFRA are currently undergoing ICO appeal process. I checked with DEFRA if the position has changed and they confirmed that they were still waiting for ICO’s response (see attached e-mail from DEFRA). I have therefore used previously agreed lines from a similar request. I’d be grateful if you could please confirm by c.o.p. Monday 8 June 12:00 noon that you’re content for us to issue this case. The statutory deadline for responding this case is Monday 8 June too. With thanks REDACT REDACT REDACT Office of Unconventional Gas & Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk 9 June 2015 Subject FW: Shale gas & rural economy paper From REDACT(Energy Development) To EDU - OUGO Sent 09 June 2015 17:57 Dear All Please see ICO’s decision to Shale Gas & Rural Economy Report. Thanks REDACT REDACT REDACT Office of Unconventional Gas & Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT(Defra) [REDACT@DEFRA.GSI.GOV.UK] Sent: 09 June 2015 17:50 To: REDACT(Energy Development); REDACT(Energy Development); REDACT(Energy Development) Cc: REDACT(Defra) Subject: Shale gas & rural economy paper Importance: High REDACT et all, To be aware that today we have received the ICO Decision Notice. The ICO has found against us. We have been informed by our Info Rights team that if the ICO follows their usual practice, the Decision Notice will be published on their website on Thursday next week (18 June). However, the requester should have received the Notice at the same time as us and there’s nothing to stop him publishing it. Our press office will be in touch with yours. We have now 35 days to decide whether to appeal or release a full copy of the report. We’ll keep you posted. Regards, REDACT REDACT Water Quality - Shale Gas Policy Defra Area 3D, Nobel House Tel. REDACT 15 June 2015 Subject FW: Forecast re Rural Impacts From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To REDACT(Energy Development) Cc REDACT; REDACT(Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development) Sent 15 June 2015 14:38 REDACT, Please see below from the Minister on FOIs and the Defra Rural Impacts report in particular. Please could you do me a draft response to look at tomorrow? Note the 3pm deadline – the sooner I can see the better given my diary tomorrow. I suggest you get a factual response from Defra to point 1, 3 and 4; and you get a view from Comms on point 2 (they may also have a comment on point 4). Note her request that we flag up an contentious FOIs when they come to her for clearance. I think this is doable and we can discuss in our fortnightly FOI catch-ups if needed. Thanks, Emily From: PS Andrea Leadsom Sent: 15 June 2015 14:33 To: REDACT(Communications); REDACT; Bourne Emily (Energy Development); REDACT(Communications) Cc: SoS Rudd; SPADS Rudd Subject: RE: Forecast re Rural Impacts REDACT Emily, The Minister has noted the update on DEFRA’s Rural Impacts Report on Shale. She has asked that we continue with to flag any contentious FOIs to her. Emily – it would be really useful if, when the FOIs come to us they have a sentence or two noting if they are particularly contentious, if the Minister should be aware or if we expect any media pick up from the FOI, particularly given her sensitivity to shale comms at the moment. Is this do-able? She has asked a few other questions specific to the next steps following the ICO’s decision: 1. Does she need to input to the decision? 2. Are we assisting DEFRA with any comms issues? 3. Does HMT know about this problem? 4. She suggests we do nothing before Cuafrilla’s planning decision if we have time. Grateful for a response to this by 3pm tomorrow to provide an update in the box. Thanks, REDACT REDACT REDACT Email: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk; REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT; M: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk 16 June 2015 Subject FW: Forecast re Rural Impacts From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To REDACT(Energy Development) Sent 16 June 2015 10:26 REDACT as just mentioned, Emily From: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Sent: 16 June 2015 08:52 To: REDACT(Communications); REDACT(Energy Development) Cc: REDACT; REDACT(Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Communications) Subject: RE: Forecast re Rural Impacts REDACT, thanks for this – amends from me below – have deleted some text and highlighted additions in red. I would be surprised if HMT have not been informed but I will make sure they know about this. Please could you tidy formatting and send up to REDACT, copy list as above plus spads and SoS. Best wishes, Emily From: REDACT (Communications) Sent: 15 June 2015 18:23 To: REDACT (Energy Development); Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Cc: REDACT; REDACT(Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Communications) Subject: RE: Forecast re Rural Impacts Hi REDACT I can confirm the part below concerning me – though if you send advice to the Minister can you just leave it as DECC Comms as the wider team other than just myself will be involved. Thanks REDACT Senior Media Officer E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 15 June 2015 18:08 To: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Cc: REDACT; REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development) Subject: RE: Forecast re Rural Impacts Emily I contacted REDACT but she refused to give me further information. Please see attached e-mail. I subsequently spoke to her and she gave me brief info. This has helped me to draft a response below for your consideration. I am also copying this to REDACT for any additional input. Hope this is helpful. Thanks REDACT Draft Response: Dear REDACT Thanks for your e-mail of 15 June. As requested, in future we will flag up contentious FOI responses for Minister’s attention. A response to the Minister’s queries regarding Rural Economy Report is as follows: 1. Does she need to input to the decision? No, this is DEFRA’s report and we have deferred all decisions to DEFRA. 2. Are we assisting DEFRA with any comms issues? Yes DECC Comms has been contacted by DEFRA and will be assisting on comms issues 3. Does HMT know about this problem? We will make sure HMT shale leads area aware. No. 10 have been informed by DEFRA about the decision notice. 4. She suggests we do nothing before Cuadrilla’s planning decision if we have time. The decision notice is expected to be published on Thursday 18 June on ICO’s website. We cannot defer ICO’s decision and this is out of DEFRA’s hands. However Defra has 35 calendar days either to disclose the unredacted paper or submit an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal within 28 calendar days. They will let us know in advance if and when they decide to publish the report and we will make sure they are aware of the Minister’s views. Best wishes REDACT Subject FW: Forecast re Rural Impacts From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To REDACT (Energy Development) Sent 16 June 2015 17:14 From: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Sent: 16 June 2015 16:11 To: SPADS Rudd; REDACT (Communications); PS Andrea Leadsom; REDACT(Energy Development) Cc: REDACT; REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); SoS Rudd Subject: RE: Forecast re Rural Impacts For info, I have just discussed with the G5 at Defra. The Thursday publication is the ICO's and will say only that they have ruled to release, however this will attract media interest. If Defra SoS decides to publish the report they will set up a meeting with us, No 10 and others to discuss timing but they are thinking first week of July. Must be before July 13. Emily Sent from my Windows Phone REDACT REDACT REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT M: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk 19 June 2015 Subject RE: PMQs Blackpool Shale [OFFICIAL] From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To REDACT (Energy Development) Cc REDACTING (Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT(Energy Development) Sent 19 June 2015 13:16 Thanks REDACT, as discussed I think we only need background on rural impact report. Emily From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 19 June 2015 13:04 To: Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Cc: REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT (Energy Development) Subject: FW: PMQs Blackpool Shale [OFFICIAL] Importance: High Emily, Grateful if you could clear the below email to Number 10. The lines are either from the original commissioning email or standard lines – my inclusions in red. I have added REDACT’s section about the Defra Rural impacts report. Do you think we need to include a line on the report itself before the lines on how Cuadrilla’s planning applications relate to it? I’m not sure we have an updated one. We will most likely need to update the lines on Wednesday 24 June, in time for PMQs. Thanks, REDACT REDACT, Please see below updated lines for how things will stand at 12 on Monday. It is likely that we will need to provide a revised line on Wednesday, as decisions on the applications relating to one of Cuadrilla’s sites – Preston New Road – are scheduled for Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th June. One of our team will be in touch. Kind regards, REDACT Lines to take • I understand that local planners have recommended approval for 1 of 2 sites. • The local planning committee will decide this week and it is absolutely right that they should. As I’m sure the Hon. Member will understand, it would not be appropriate for me comment on the details of this case. • But let me be clear. The Government continues to support the development of the shale industry in the UK. • It has the potential to power economic growth, create tens of thousands of jobs and provide a new domestic energy source, making us less reliant on imports from abroad. We’re ensuring that local communities get to share the proceeds through community benefit packages. And a Sovereign Wealth Fund for the North of England will be created so that the shale gas resources of the North are used to invest in the future of the North. • If pressed on the double standards of letting communities have the final say on wind farms but not fracking: The Conservative manifesto set out a commitment to make changes to planning, to give local people the final say on windfarm applications. We wholly agree that local communities should play a key role in determining shale operations in their local area too, through democratically elected councils and the planning system. There is already an established framework through which communities can engage with local decisions on shale operations. BACKGROUND • • • • On Monday 15 June 2015, planning officers in Lancashire published their recommendations on applications by Cuadrilla to explore for shale gas at 2 sites (Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood) Whilst the application for Preston New Road was recommended for approval subject to a number of conditions, the application for Roseacre Wood was recommended for refusal on traffic grounds The applications relating to the Preston New Road site are scheduled to be decided at Lancashire County Council Committee meetings taking place on Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June. The applications relating to the Roseacre Wood site are scheduled to be decided at meetings taking place on Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June Following an appeal by campaigners, the Information Commissioner ordered the Government to publish the Defra Rural Impacts report in full on 18 June, saying there was “a strong public interest” in the Government’s policy on fracking and research on it. Defra have 35 days in which to publish it or be deemed in contempt of court but could also lodge an appeal within 28 days. • Given the Lancashire County Council’s request for the report to be released, there is a possibility that councillors could defer their decisions to wait and see the unredacted report. If the Council fails to make a decision [or decides to delay making a decision having set these decision dates] then Cuadrilla can agree to a revised date for decision with the planning authority or has a right to appeal (to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) on the basis of ‘non-determination’. 20 June 2015 Subject FW: Lancashire Shale Planning Decisions 24/6/15 update From Bourne Emily (Energy Development) To EDU - OUGO Sent 24 June 2015 18:22 All for info From: PS Andrea Leadsom Sent: 24 June 2015 18:10 To: REDACT (Communications) Cc: Fox Penny (Communications); REDACT (Communications); DECC Ministers - SpAds & Perm Sec; REDACT (Communications); Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Subject: FW: Lancashire Shale Planning Decisions 24/6/15 update REDACT, As discussed, I’ve had a message passed to me that Liz Truss’ office have apparently confirmed that the DEFRA Rural Impacts Report will be published on 1st July (and No.10 have agreed with this). Might be worth confirming with No.10, and then whacking it on the Grid. Cheers, REDACT REDACT REDACT Email: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk & REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT ; M: REDACT; url: www.decc.gov.uk Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 23 June 2015 17:52 To: SoS Rudd; PS Andrea Leadsom; PS Lord Bourne; SPADS Rudd; EDU - OUGO; Speed Stephen (Energy Development); Pocklington Jeremy (Energy Strategy Networks and Markets); REDACT (Communications); Fox Penny (Communications); REDACT (Communications); ' REDACT' Cc: REDACT; David Cooper; REDACT; REDACT; REDACT (Oil and Gas Authority); REDACT; 'Louise Barr'; REDACT; 'Nico Heslop - HMT'; REDACT; Stuart Edwards; Toole Simon (Oil and Gas Authority) Subject: Lancashire Shale Planning Decisions 23/6/15 update Dear all An update on the today’s committee meeting on the Lancashire planning decisions: • • • • There were requests to defer consideration until publication of the Defra Rural Impacts Report. The Council’s legal team advised that they proceed with the discussion, and the Council voted 12 to 3 to proceed with considering the applications. The planning officers gave a presentation on their recommendations. Interventions from a pre-determined list of opposed speakers, followed by proponents (about 70 in total): • Local opponents pointed to wide range of concerns, majoring on impacts on the environment, health and wellbeing of residents, and lack of trust in regulations to protect locals. • Proponents were mainly local businesses, some with academic backgrounds – noted benefits and jobs for local economy, energy security and safety offered by the UK regulatory regime. Meeting will continue tomorrow with questions from the committee to planning officers, followed by deliberation and decision. Best wishes REDACT 30 June 2015 Subject RE: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: Defra Rural Economy Impacts paper From REDACT (Energy Development) To Bourne Emily (Energy Development); REDACT Sent 30 June 2015 12:17 Attachments <> Sorry now the paper itself with redacted sections highlighted REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT (Energy Development) Sent: 30 June 2015 12:13 To: Bourne Emily (Energy Development); REDACT Cc: REDACT (Communications) Subject: FW: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: Defra Rural Economy Impacts paper Hi Emily and REDACT As discussed, Defra confirmed the Rural Impacts Report will be published tomorrow afternoon (timing tbc). Defra sent through a draft Q&A which we took a quick look at, updating and adding with our core script lines. They will draw up the statement based on the wording on the 1st page. Thanks REDACT REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk Subject RE: Defra rural impacts report to be published tomorrow From REDACT (Energy Development) To REDACT (Communications); PS Andrea Leadsom; PS Lord Bourne; SoS Rudd; SPADS Rudd Cc REDACT (Communications); REDACT ; REDACT (Communications); Bourne Emily (Energy Development); Speed Stephen (Energy Development) Sent 30 June 2015 14:31 To add that we’ll look to not get drawn into talking about specifics in the report, but have input into Defra who are preparing some lines in case we’re pressed. We should see those in their handling plan later. REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT (Communications) Sent: 30 June 2015 14:26 To: PS Andrea Leadsom; PS Lord Bourne; SoS Rudd; SPADS Rudd Cc: REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT ; REDACT (Communications); Bourne Emily (Energy Development); Speed Stephen (Energy Development) Subject: RE: Defra rural impacts report to be published tomorrow Tonight hopefully, but they are clearing internally first Defra will lead on knocking the report down. We (DECC) might need to comment on the Government’s shale policy more generally and we’ll probably get together a couple of top lines to basically respond to the question why have we ignored this report when formulating our shale policy. something like the below (though not yet cleared) “The Government is firmly committed to the development of a safe shale industry, and our policy has been developed while considering credible and relevant external evidence. “For instance the Royal Academy of Engineering has said that risks from shale operations could be managed effectively so long as the correct procedures are followed, which is what our regulations insist on, and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have said there is no market evidence that fracking affects property values.” REDACT Senior Media Officer E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: PS Andrea Leadsom Sent: 30 June 2015 14:23 To: REDACT (Communications); PS Lord Bourne; SoS Rudd; SPADS Rudd Cc: REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT ; REDACT (Communications); Bourne Emily (Energy Development); Speed Stephen (Energy Development) Subject: RE: Defra rural impacts report to be published tomorrow Hi, Thanks for updating us. I’m copying in Emily and Stephen. Do you know when we expect the handling plan to come through and what sort of involvement are you anticipating? Thanks, REDACT Jessica Mackenzie Private Secretary to Andrea Leadsom, Minister of State Email: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk; REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT ; M: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk From: REDACT(Communications) Sent: 30 June 2015 14:21 To: PS Andrea Leadsom; PS Lord Bourne; SoS Rudd; SPADS Rudd Cc: REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development); REDACT; REDACT (Communications) Subject: Defra rural impacts report to be published tomorrow Hi all Just to note if you have not been informed already that the Defra Rural Impacts Report will be published fully unredacted tomorrow Defra will publish this quite late in the day – around 4pm. They are developing a handling plan which I will share with you when they have finished it, however we will likely need some level of involvement given DECC leads on this issue Please let me know of any further questions. REDACT Senior Media Officer E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk 1 July 2015 Subject Defra Rural Impacts Report (Official: sensitive) From REDACT (Energy Development) To Bourne Emily (Energy Development); REDACT; REDACT (Communications); REDACT (Energy Development) Sent 01 July 2015 11:38 Attachments <> 2 <> OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE Dear all To see attached the version of the Defra report + cover statement, and Defra’s media lines (we input into the more detailed lines at the end, although we’ll try to not get drawn into specifics). The report is being published today at 4.15pm on the Gov.uk website Thanks REDACT REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk Subject Defra Rural Impacts Report From REDACT (Energy Development) To SoS Rudd Cc Bourne Emily (Energy Development) Sent 01 July 2015 15:54 Attachments <> Hi REDACT Emily said you asked for a version showing what was redacted before – here it is. The highlighted bits were redacted – not sure what yellow vs green means though… Best wishes 2 Annex C REDACT REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk Subject Defra Rural Impacts Report From REDACT (Energy Development) To EDU - OUGO; REDACT (International Energy EU and Resilience) Sent 01 July 2015 16:58 Dear all This is now published on the Gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draftshale-gas-rural-economy-impacts-paper REDACT REDACT Policy Manager, Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil E: REDACT@decc.gsi.gov.uk T: REDACT Follow us on Twitter.com/DECCgovuk