Breadcrumbs
Agenda for the 44th meeting of the Countryside Agency
1. Apologies for absence and declaration of
interests
2. Chairman to sign the minutes of meeting held 5 July 2004 and 22 July 2004
3. Chief Executive’s report and matters arising (54kb word)
This paper updates the Board on activity within each programme area, any actions taken as a result of decisions from previous Board meetings and progress made on those issues
4. Implementing the Rural Strategy – September 2004 AP04/28 (255kb word)
The Secretary of State published the Rural Strategy on 21 July 2004. Since then both the Agency, Defra and our partners have made significant progress with the implementation of the strategy. The Board is asked to approve an agreed position on the status of the new Countryside Agency; the creation of an Integrated Agency Steering Group; an agreed position on the appointment of a shadow Chair and shadow CEO for the Integrated Agency; and the negotiating stance on the Local Heritage Initiative.
5. Quarter 1 Report and Period 5 Forecast April – June 2004 AP04/29 (60kb word)
This is the Quarter1 report on progress towards the Corporate Plan 2003/04 – 2005/06 at the end of June 2004. Board members are asked to approve the Quarter 1 report for April 2004 to June 2004, and note the main achievements; to note grant-in-aid underspend; to approve additional works commissioned by the Chief Executive following the reported underspend at Quarter 1; to note the anticipated the slowing of delivery programmes; to note the EDM project forecast of additional spend; and to note a period 5 forecast outturn in line with grant-in-aid budget and a likely rise in underspend by the year end.
6. Outline Corporate Plan Countryside Agency 2005/06 – 2007/08 AP04/30 (255kb word)
This paper provides a high level view of the resource requirements for the new Countryside Agency and LAR division over the 3 year period 05/08 assuming that they are operating as divisions within the Agency and continue to be supported by core functions in 05/06 and 06/07. The Board is asked to note the outline corporate plan for grant-in-aid over 2005-2008; the maintained baseline; the sum for the new Countryside Agency programmes and staff; the budget for the LAR division; to agree the modest cash savings in core costs; and to agree that the Agency continues to assume that Defra will fund the major Rural Strategy implementation costs.
7. EDM Mainstreaming Strategy AP04/31 (67kb word)
This paper sets out progress to date and proposals related to the mainstreaming – ie. securing the future of our work through other partners and embedding the underlying principles into the work of others across the statutory and voluntary sector. Board members are asked to note the activity in hand; to note possible financial implications; to provide a steer on the Key Themes; to note the debate on Putting Down Roots; and to provide a steer on the relative priority to be accorded to further mainstreaming activity.
8. State of the Countryside Review AP04/32 (79kb word)
The Agency has produced the State of the Countryside Report (SOCR) since its inception in 1999. A review of the SOCR was included in the 2004/05 business plan to ensure clarity about the future focus of reporting and to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of all future work. The Board is invited to approve the overall proposal for the national SOCR and indicative timetable for production of the 2005 report; the retention of the 20 indicator themes; a continuing single volume concentrating on analysis as the added value of the new Countryside Agency; the introduction of a new governance structure; and further work to test the feasibility and value of the partnership model for delivery of regional reporting.
9. European Union Rural Development and Regional Development Policies 2007-2013 AP04/33 (92kb word)
Negotiations are under way to determine the budget, spending programmes and corresponding legislative framework for the next European Union programming period, 2007-2013. Negotiations are expected to continue until June 2005, and these will be followed by negotiations on the implementing regulations. The Board is asked to endorse the positions set out in the paper as the basis for developing Agency responses to consultations expected in the coming months.
Annex 1 (133kb word)
Annex 2 (60kb word)
Annex 3 (30kb word)
Annex 4 (23kb word)
Annex 5 (53kb word)
Annex 6 (42kb word)
Annex 7 (36kb word)
This paper contains the Agency’s recommendations to the Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality on the allocation of grant to the English National Parks and the Broads Authority. The Board is asked to approve the proposed recommendations that the Minister considers bringing National Parks funding to the real term levels indicated in the 1991 Edwards Report of the National Parks Committee as soon as the financial position allows; and that this year’s grant is distributed in line with the advice contained in this paper.
11. Spending Review 2004 AP04/35 (114kb word)
In July 2004 the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his Spending Review 2004 announcement. This paper focuses on the rural dimension of the Spending Review across all government departments. Points to note include, the largest additions in funds relate to transport and housing; there do not appear to be significant changes in Public Service Agreements; and it is too early yet to say how far the Agency’s priorities for the Spending Review have been met.
12. New Forest National Park Decision and the Implications for the South Downs AP04/36 (72kb word)
The Board is asked to note that the Minister announced that, subject to a number of modifications, he has decided to confirm the designation of the New Forest National Park and establish a National Park Authority; that the confirmed boundary covers a 14% smaller area from that designated by the Agency; and that the Minister also confirmed that he will revoke the designation of the South Hampshire Coast AONB.
Annex 1 (971kb pdf)
Annex 2
(177kb pdf)
Annex 3 (210kb pdf)
Annex 4 (241kb pdf)
13. Update on the Impact of CROW Mapping Appeals on the CROW Conclusive Maps AP04/37 (32kb word)
Mapping appeals tend to relate to small and/or fragmented parcels around the fringes of open country – the transition areas where open country reaches semi-improved land. Such areas were always more likely to provoke an appeal. Board members are asked to note that the Agency has only issued conclusive maps for mapping areas 1 and 2 to date; and the appeals process is still under way in mapping areas 3-8.
Annex 1 (105kb pdf)
Annex 2 (99kb pdf)
14. AOB
15. Date and location of next meeting
The next meeting of the Countryside Agency will be on 11 November 2004, Dacre House, London.
