Breadcrumbs
Agenda for the 31st Meeting of the Countryside Agency
1. Apologies for absence
2. Chairman to sign minutes of meeting held 17 September 2002
This paper updates the Board on action taken as a result of decisions from previous Board meetings and progress made on those issues.
4. A South Downs National Park: designation order and advice to the Government (AP02/33)
The process of designation of a South Downs National Park has begun. The Board needs to consider responses to the statutory consultation and agree if the Agency should proceed with designation, including agreeing a final boundary. This paper invites the Board to make the designation in accordance with the statutory criteria on the recommended boundary; to make Revocation Orders for the East Hampshire and Sussex AONBs; and to advise the Secretary of State that a South Downs National Park should be established.
5. Fringe Benefits (AP02/34)
Much of the policy advice related to countryside around towns, as published by the former Countryside Commission in 'Linking Town and Country' (CCP546), is still relevant. However there have been significant changes with the publication of the Urban and Rural White Papers, the establishment of the regional agenda and changes to planning policy. This paper asks for the Board's approval for the preparation of a new 'Fringe Benefits' implementation programme; to prepare a new vision for the urban fringe and to gather evidence to build a strong case for a joint DEFRA/ODPM SR2004 bid.
6. Market Towns - interim evaluation and future direction (AP02/35)
The Agency has a broad vision of the critical role that market towns can play in helping rural communities to thrive. Board members are invited to note and endorse the success of the market towns healthchecks; to agree the Agency's approach to identifying and supporting beacon towns; and to agree the strategy of promoting the continued use of the healthcheck by others while ceasing the Agency's financial support.
7. Countryside Capital - future direction (AP02/36)
The Agency wants to see countryside capital supporting, and supported by, both the economic and social capital of an area. The Board are invited to agree to the completion of the Eat the View programme to 2005; to agree the priorities for the Land Management Initiative programme (Annex 2); to agree to the focus of harnessing future tourism to improve countryside capital; and to agree to work to explore how countryside capital can be measured and improved in particular areas.
The Agency is making good progress towards the implementation of the Corporate Plan 2002/03 in the majority of work areas. Board members are recommended to note the results of the second quarter review and to endorse the decision of the Executive to re-balance programme money to ensure full outturn of budget.
9. Latest news on the draft Corporate Plan 2005/06, submitted to the Secretary of State on 1 November 2002
(Closed Session)
No paper to follow. Board discussion only.
10. Date and location of next meeting
The next meeting of the Countryside Agency will be on 12 December 2002, Dacre House, London.
