Breadcrumbs
Agenda for the 46th Meeting of the Countryside Agency
1. Apologies for absence and declaration of interests
2. Chairman to sign the minutes of meeting held 11 November 2004
3. Chief Executive’s report and matters arising (60kb 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 – December 2004 AP04/45 (105kb word)
Since the last Board meeting significant progress has been made towards the implementation of the Rural Strategy and, most critically, since the November Board meeting it is now known that a number of Agency staff will face redundancy. The Board is asked to approve a name for the New Countryside Agency (NCA) and a letter to the Secretary of State. The Board is asked to note the progress and update on the NCA, LAR (Confederation), an integrated agency, EDM, Core, MRD programme management and the impact of MRD on staff.
5. Local Heritage Initiative – Plan for Managed Closure & Mainstreaming AP04/46 (248kb word)
This paper updates Board members about current negotiations with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) on the transfer of the Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) programme. The paper outlines the proposed approach to ensuring that lessons learnt from LHI will be mainstreamed whilst, at the same time, managing its closure over a two-year period 2005-2007. Board members are asked to endorse the agreement reached with HLF; to agree that the Agency participate in the LHI for a further two years; and give the Director for EDM the authority to finalise the details of the arrangement with HLF.
6. Revision of the Countryside Agency Corporate Governance Handbook AP04/47 (58kb word)
The Board has agreed changes to the Agency’s corporate governance structure to reflect the direction of travel for the Agency set by the Rural Strategy 2004. The current Corporate Governance Handbook was created in 1999, and as a result of the changes of governance structure the handbook has been amended to reflect, formalise and clarify the new structures. The Board is asked to approve amendments to the Corporate Governance Handbook, in particular the Code of Practice, the Terms of Reference for NCA Committee, the Terms of Reference for LAR Committee and the Procedures.
7. Corporate Plan AP04/48 (38kb word)
This paper provides the final draft of the Corporate Plan for Board members to consider. Following the December Board meeting the aim is to take the Plan forward to the Minister for approval of the Agency’s grant-in-aid settlement for 2005/06. The Board is asked to agree the draft corporate plan, based on an annual grant-in-aid baseline of £62m for 2005/06; and to consider the options for plus/minus 10% of the baseline grant-in-aid and the implications on the delivery of the Agency’s activities.
The Corporate Plan Document (915kb word)
8. Corporate Governance - Risk Management Issues AP04/49 (34kb word)
This paper is presented as part of the overall corporate governance arrangements for the Agency. The risk identification process is in place to help demonstrate that the Agency is managing high-level corporate risk and that there is an effective risk management process in place. Board members are asked to approve the Business Risk Management Action Plan.
9. Freedom of Information Act AP04/50 (113kb word)
This paper informs the Board of work to ensure the Agency’s readiness for and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, and outlines actions towards an Agency wide procedure and policy, and a programme of awareness raising amongst Agency staff. The Board is asked to note progress against the action plan; the establishment of the centre of expertise and it’s promotion to staff and a monitoring system for FOI enquiry exceptions; and the continued training and awareness for staff.
10. European Landscape Convention AP04/51 (80kb word)
This paper updates the Board on recent progress towards the UK government signing and ratifying the European Landscape Convention (ELC) and explains what our response would be in the event of ratification. The Board is asked to note that Defra is cautiously optimistic that it will ratify and sign the ELC, which the Agency has long supported, although there are still some matters of interpretation to be resolved with other Government departments; and to note the plan to confirm the Agency’s support publicly to the approach to ‘landscape’ taken by the Convention.
11. AOB
12. Date and location of next meeting
The next meeting of the Countryside Agency will be on 20 January 2005, John Dower House, Cheltenham.
