Breadcrumbs
Agenda of the 33rd Meeting of the Countryside Agency
1. Apologies for absence
2. Chairman to sign minutes of meeting held 12 December 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. Third Quarter Report (AP03/01)
The Agency is on track to achieve its planned outcomes this
year. The Agency is forecasting that it will deliver spend within
the resource ceilings set by Defra in their Grant in Aid letter of
June 2002, following the lifting of the transport budget
ring-fence. Board members are asked to note progress towards
planned outcomes and financial outturn by the Third Quarter of
2002/03.
5. Rural Service Standards (AP03/02)
The Rural White Paper 2000 charged the Agency to keep
Rural Services Standard under review and to report annually on
progress. The Board is invited to note progress on producing the
second annual report and to agree the proposed outline, including
emerging issues, new standards for 2003, proposals for future work
and publication of the report.
6. National Countryside Access Forum (AP03/03)
The National Countryside Access Forum (NCAF) was set up in 1999 to assist the Agency in making the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation. It is recognized that much of the Forum’s agenda to date has understandably been dominated by open access. This paper asks for the Board’s approval on consulting with NCAF to provide high quality policy advice to the Agency; strengthening membership of NCAF to reflect broader access and recreation issues; and the introduction of a seminar-style format to NCAF meetings.
7. Steps towards a revised Country Code (AP03/04)
The Board agreed proposals for consultation and the
production of supporting information on a new Code in September
2002. Working relationships with the Countryside Council for Wales
have now been formalised for the consultation phase of the Code
development, with the aspiration for producing a common Code for
both countries. Board members are asked to agree proposals for
wider external consultation and the production of a common Code; to
agree that Board members should chair stakeholder workshops and
agree plans to launch the revised Code in Spring 2004.
8. Proposals for the Second Annual Report on Rural Proofing (AP03/05)
(Closed session)
9. Rural Delivery Review
(Closed session)
10. Date and location of next meeting
(The next meeting of the Countryside Agency will be on 10 April 2003, John Dower House, Cheltenham.)
