Natural England

Corporate Plan progress - Half Year Report (AP01/47)

FOR DECISION

Background

1. The first quarter report showed the Agency was broadly on track in delivering the outcomes and outputs identified within the current Corporate Plan although there was some concern about the transport spend.

Overview of half year progress

2. The Agency is making good progress in the majority of work areas. Particular achievements include:

• the delivery of the access legislation is on target with the first draft maps launched (Wider Welcome)
• the launch of the Rural and Young People's Forum (Rural Services)
• the submission of evidence to the Curry Commission (Enterprise, land management and tourism)
• the launch of two learning networks - for market towns and the rural task force (Knowledge management in partnership with market towns and Press and parliamentary)  

3. However, some projects have had to be delayed as a result of the impact of foot and mouth disease (FMD) including:

• historic rights of way and integrated access demonstration projects, and the Pennine Bridleway and Hadrian's Wall national trails activity within the Wider Welcome programme
• integrated rural development projects in the Countryside Capital programme
• publication of the regional State of the Countryside Reports from summer to early winter
• the community development workers' programme within the Rural Services rural assurance programme
• and work on women entrepreneurs in the Environment, land management and tourism rural assurance programme.  

4. Across the Agency 600 person days have been diverted to FMD related work and around £180,000 spent on the Agency website and special State of the Countryside Report. 

5. Other areas of activity behind schedule include:

• the transport budgets held by Vital Village, Market Towns and Wider Welcome although they are performing markedly better than in previous years
• parish plan grants (Vital villages) 
• parish council training (Local governance and housing)
• planning work (Planning and sustainable development)
• fewer rural advocate visits and lower than anticipated visit costs (Rural proofing)  

6. The financial implications of programmes behind schedule are set out below in paragraphs 7 - 11. Annex 1 summarises the key points from the quarterly reports while Annex 2 contains the full report.

Quarterly reports - financial implications 

7. The Executive has considered these reports in detail, and in particular the financial implications of the reports. In summary, these forecast an underspend for the year of approximately £3m (just under £2m of this is ring-fenced for transport), while running cost budgets were forecast to overspend by £2.2m. Programmes are not achieving their planned spend due to staffing shortages and illness, the impact of FMD, and slow take-up of new schemes. Running costs are forecast to overspend mainly due to increase in the use of temporary Agency staff to fill vacancies early in the year, recent successes in getting the vacancy rate down to 2.5%, and travel and subsistence spend well above budgets, associated with change management and increased activity.

8. In addition, principal managers have found it difficult to manage their budgets given the learning curve associated with the improved financial management system (CAMIS) and the new arrangements for programme delivery. Managers were planning to catch up on these early delays by carrying forward some unspent funds to next year under the financial control regime DETR instituted with Treasury agreement in April this year. The transfer of the Agency's sponsor responsibility to DEFRA has removed effectively removed this end year flexibility. At relatively short notice, therefore, we need to adjust our work priorities.

Action on programme spending

9. The Executive has taken action to tackle the problems identified:

• Directors have been contacting each RCC Director personally to encourage local action leading to an increase in the uptake of our grant programmes - especially Vital Villages
• we have reviewed the guidance and grant criteria attached to our Vital Village and transport grant schemes, and looked at the way that our regional teams have been administering the schemes and identified ways of removing barriers to grant applications and uptake in the light of early experience
• we have held discussions with DTLR and DEFRA to permit new innovations using the ring-fenced transport money including the appointment of rural transport advisers to encourage uptake of grants and the early introduction of a learning network (£80k)
• we have reallocated funds to programmes spending on additional FMD related activity (£200k), to finance the completion of Millennium Greens (£70k), to fund an increase in Market Towns activity (£248k) and to bring forward Community Forest work (£300k)
• we have identified some potential for Agency action in the light of the Haskins Report to promote rural recovery through the Wider Welcome and Countryside Capital programmes (see Annex 3) - in a way that complements but does not overlap with the regional development agencies' programmes.  

10. The Executive has identified a number of actions to bring the running costs budgets back into line including:

• reprofiling payments on the IT upgrade, knowledge management and accommodation upgrade projects
• a one off technical adjustment in the payment of the salary bill
• advising staff to cut back sharply on activities that lead to travel and subsistence expenditure - for example, making much better use of the video conference network that is now in place
• a temporary bar on new recruitment (in effect pushing the vacancy rate back up to the planned rate of 5%)  

11. The overspend on staffing highlights an issue that the Executive has been working on for some time in preparing the new corporate plan. Investments in IT, streamlined procedures, centralised procurement and simpler financial processes should enable us to become more efficient in delivering our planned outputs. Early in the next financial year, we need to have reached the point where we have about 20 fewer posts. And we will also be losing some of the temporary posts we have been carrying on one-off projects such as the implementation of CAMIS. The current staff turnover rate is about 10 per cent. So, we should be able to achieve our goal through "natural wastage" and redeployment of some people.

12. There are lessons here, which we need to bring home to all managers in the organisation. In previous years, difficulties in recruiting have meant that the pay element of our running costs cash limit has not required the kind of management that is going to be likely now that we are at full strength. Managers must also treat budgets more seriously and improve the profiling of expenditure using the tools now available to them through CAMIS. We are a flexible employer and we need to be on the ground learning if we are also to implement and influence well. But we must do this more cost effectively so as to maximise our outputs. The Chief Executive plans to institute an efficiency planning process over the next few months, so that everyone can be engaged in thing out how to do things better. As with our beliefs that communities often have the best solutions to the challenges that face them, in the Agency we have a fresh and bright staff team who we are confident can help achieve the goal of making the Agency still more efficient and effective.

13. On this basis, we are not planning to ask the Department for any adjustment to the current plans for running costs over the next few years. This is because the Executive are confident that it is not necessary to do so. And in the current public spending climate, we also do not think that such an approach would be well received. 

Annex 2

The summary reports are attached in the following order: 

Rural Assurance:

Rural Services

Local Governance and Housing

Transport

Enterprise, Land Management and Tourism

Planning and Sustainable Development

Enjoying the Countryside

Rural Proofing

Research, Data and Information

East of England

East Midlands

North East

North West

South East and London

South West

West Midlands

Yorks and Humber

Countryside Capital

Market Towns

Vital Villages

Wider Welcome

Countryside on your Doorstep

Finest Countryside

Local Heritage Initiative

Equipping the Agency

Communications and PR

Knowledge Management

Finance

Corporate Planning

Human Resources

Internal Audit

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

RURAL SERVICES

Helen Thomson

Objective 1 (Activity Code 101) : Rural areas are provided with essential services that met minimum accessibility standards 

Summary of Progress: Draft report on rural access standards completed; Rural Health Forum established; Rural and Young People's Forum launched; Conference on Joint Provision held; contract let for ICT national demonstration project to South Holland District Council

Objective 2  (Activity Code 102):  Undertake a series of community service fund demonstrations and research initiatives to show how communities can benefit from new approaches to service provision

Summary of Progress:  Terms of Reference, work programme and membership of Rural Social Exclusion Advisory Group with the Executive; Rural Social Exclusion evaluation underway - three reports received; report on social exclusion activity within the Agency presented.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 103) : Put in place measures to identify and tackle rural social exclusion.

Summary of progress:  Draft RCC/CA Compact produced; RCC funding formula options being modelled; revised RCC Service Level Agreement in production; outline Board paper produced; first Community Toolkit seminar held, second to be held in November.

Objective 4 (Activity Code 104) : Support for Rural Communities through the provision of core funding.

Summary of progress: Draft RCC/CA Compact produced; RCC funding formula options being modelled; revised RCC Service Level Agreement in production; outline Board paper produced; first Community Toolkit seminar held, second to be held in November

Objective 5 (Activity Code 105) : Administer a Community Development Programme.

Summary of progress: Launch delayed but guidance and invitations to apply sent to all RCCs on 5 October

Objective 6 (No Activity Code) : Provide Support to achieve Objectives 1 to 5

Summary of progress: Team fully staffed from 1 October. 2 steering group meetings held. In principal agreement to a joint learning network with Vital Villages and LG&H to address some service and community issues. 

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

Administration of the FMD Match Funding scheme. which has been extended until the end of September. Ongoing contributions to Rural Task Force work on Tackling the Impact of FMD on the Rural Economy.  Discussions in hand with various parts of the voluntary sector affected by FMD.

Financial Commentary by Activity Code

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? T he summary reports are attached in the following order:  

Rural Assurance:

Rural Services

Local Governance and Housing

Transport

Enterprise, Land Management and Tourism

Planning and Sustainable Development

Enjoying the Countryside

Rural Proofing

Research, Data and Information

East of England

East Midlands

North East

North West

South East and London

South West

West Midlands

Yorks and Humber

Countryside Capital

Market Towns

Vital Villages

Wider Welcome

Countryside on your Doorstep

Finest Countryside

Local Heritage Initiative

Equipping the Agency

Communications and PR

Knowledge Management

Finance

Corporate Planning

Human Resources

Internal Audit

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

RURAL SERVICES

Helen Thomson

Objective 1 (Activity Code 101) : Rural areas are provided with essential services that met minimum accessibility standards 

Summary of Progress: Draft report on rural access standards completed; Rural Health Forum established; Rural and Young People's Forum launched; Conference on Joint Provision held; contract let for ICT national demonstration project to South Holland District Council

Objective 2  (Activity Code 102):  Undertake a series of community service fund demonstrations and research initiatives to show how communities can benefit from new approaches to service provision

Summary of Progress:  Terms of Reference, work programme and membership of Rural Social Exclusion Advisory Group with the Executive; Rural Social Exclusion evaluation underway - three reports received; report on social exclusion activity within the Agency presented.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 103) : Put in place measures to identify and tackle rural social exclusion.

Summary of progress:  Draft RCC/CA Compact produced; RCC funding formula options being modelled; revised RCC Service Level Agreement in production; outline Board paper produced; first Community Toolkit seminar held, second to be held in November.

Objective 4 (Activity Code 104) : Support for Rural Communities through the provision of core funding.

Summary of progress: Draft RCC/CA Compact produced; RCC funding formula options being modelled; revised RCC Service Level Agreement in production; outline Board paper produced; first Community Toolkit seminar held, second to be held in November

Objective 5 (Activity Code 105) : Administer a Community Development Programme.

Summary of progress: Launch delayed but guidance and invitations to apply sent to all RCCs on 5 October

Objective 6 (No Activity Code) : Provide Support to achieve Objectives 1 to 5

Summary of progress: Team fully staffed from 1 October. 2 steering group meetings held. In principal agreement to a joint learning network with Vital Villages and LG&H to address some service and community issues. 

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

Administration of the FMD Match Funding scheme. which has been extended until the end of September. Ongoing contributions to Rural Task Force work on Tackling the Impact of FMD on the Rural Economy.  Discussions in hand with various parts of the voluntary sector affected by FMD.

Financial Commentary by Activity Code

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

The following funds can be released

£230,000 

From Activity code 105 To [Corporate Planning] Amount £230,000

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name: Helen Thomson

Contact details: Rural Services, 1st Floor, Dacre House, tel: 020 7340 2918

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

LOCAL, GOVERNANCE AND HOUSING

Claire Spink

Objective 1 (Activity Code 111/112) : - To carry out our policy assurance role to assist in the development of local and regional governance in ways which reflect the needs of rural areas and enable communities to influence their own futures

Summary of Progress: Progress well on target with growing number of contacts initiated, a Ministerial event planned for 25 October, work underway on a paper to go to the November Board meeting on regional governance and work initiated to help us influence the review of LA finance. 

Areas of concern : none

Objective 2 (Activity Code 113): - To develop more effective parish councils through helping them achieve quality parish status in particular through training and exchange of good practice

Summary of Progress: National Training Steering group set up and several meetings held. Strategy almost developed and ready to launch shortly after DTLR/DEFRA's Quality Parish consultation which we have also influenced and which will be supported by the Agency. Work in hand with Vital Villages and services teams to develop a pilot learning network for communities which will support parish and town councils and help us meet our RWP target to develop an Internet based management and best practise system. 

Areas of concern : Despite publication of the strategy almost to timetable, we are unlikely to be able to spend this year's allocation as the main spend is not due to take place until after the pilots have been evaluated in March/April.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 114): - To increase the supply of affordable housing, including making effective use of existing housing stock and ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable people in rural housing need are met

Summary of Progress: Work well underway on a series of pieces of research and influencing. A great deal of effort has been made to develop the RHE programme and meet our revised target of 24 RHEs in post by the end of the year. 

Areas of concern : none

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

None 

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Activity Code Title Is spend on track to budget profile? If no, reason

111 Local Governance Yes 

112 Regional Governance Yes 

113 Effective Parish Councils No The bulk of the spend on delivery of the training strategy will take place next financial year with only minor expenses on pilots early next year. We will need to roll forward much of this year's budget to next year. 

114 Housing No RHE programme on target. Also set to spend £215,000 on housing research this year to meet business plan targets and previous year's commitments despite no allocation for this. Have transferred funds from the regional and local governance R&E budget to cover this as agreed earlier this year. 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

None 

The following funds can be released

£None

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request) 

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Claire Spink 

Contact details 0207 340 2997 

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

RURAL ASSURANCE: TRANSPORT

Canda Smith

Objective 1 (Activity Codes 121 & 122): - Improved access to transport for those without a car and realistic alternatives available for those who have, whilst meeting sustainable development criteria

Summary of Progress: 

General issue continues to be lack of staff resources, and skills gaps creating major need to train new team centrally and in the regions. Changes to departmental structure are complicating liaison with DTLR. Internal inertia to change combined with stretched resources has slowed progress. 

A: (Activity Code 122) Carry out policy assurance

Policy paper underway. 

Nine consultations responded to.

Five conference presentations

DTLR work includes road safety, road hierarchies, information provision

Significant work with Social Exclusion Unit study

Good practice guide on multi-modal studies completed including two training seminars

Local Transport Plan research underway

B: (Activity Code 121) Co-ordinate, manage and monitor Rural Transport Partnership

Underway, but slipped. Complicated by delays due to monitoring system held up because of complications with IBM, and time required to establish new processes. This has taken time away from promotion.

C: (Activity Code 121) Report on Parish Grant scheme

Underway. No major issues, apart from time needed to establish demand. Signs positive for future.

D: (Activity Code 121/122/123) National Demonstrations and Good Practice

Rural White Paper commitments underway and on target

Quiet Roads demonstrations slipped, but current programme will complete this financial year

Two good practice guides now published.

Learning network on hold.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

Click here to type Text

Financial Commentary

Activity Code Title Is spend on track to budget profile? If no, reason

121 Rural Transport Fund Yes - 124% formally committed Note: unable to provide overview of overall RTP scheme since only one implementation team has provided details 

122 Transport Probably £80k still to commit - research slipped due to staff shortage, but aim to be back on track within 6 weeks. Confusion over VAT on system has muddied water.

123 Quiet Roads Yes 

The following funds can be released

£Click here to type value Activity code Click here to type code Nominal code 

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request) 

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name C Smith

Contact details Click here to type Text

Contact details 020 7340 2946 Dacre House

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

ENTERPRISE, LAND MANAGEMENT & TOURISM

Richard Lloyd

Objective 1 (Activity Code 131): - Rural economies effectively monitored and understood

Summary of Progress: To get a better understanding of the nature of rural economies in preparation for more in depth work, the Gloucestershire Labour Market Information Unit is to provide an analysis of the rural economy in Gloucestershire. Work on the contribution of women to rural economies is well advanced and preparatory work is in hand for work on self employment and on the contribution of the textiles sector. This has slowed progress overall but highlights the importance of this area of work following the impact of FMD.

Areas of concern : Some slippage in the planned work programme has occurred due to the increased calls for briefings and inputs to speeches

Objective 2 (Activity Code 131): - To enhance the competitiveness of rural businesses

Summary of Progress: Work on business development tools, including woodland industry clusters and tourism consortia and clusters, is on target. Much of the additional work on foot and mouth recovery is included under this theme, such as work to assist the development of the enhanced Farm Business Advisory Service and to help the farm tourism sector work up the "Welcome to the Countryside Initiative" Work on Structural Funds is on target. The internal Structural Funds Strategy, which identifies priorities for the Agency in this area and how they should be taken forward, has been completed and discussed with regional teams and will come to the Executive shortly. 

Areas of concern : Some slippage has occurred with regard to the LEADER+ programme due to delays in the selection process which are beyond our control. The work on IRD is on target for completion before the end of the current yearClick here to type Text

Objective 3 (Activity Code 134): - To sustainably increase the contribution of tourism to local economies, communities and the environment

Summary of Progress: The joint CA/ETC Rural Tourism Strategy continues to be well received and its relevance to foot and mouth recovery endorsed. Agreed actions under the Strategy are being taken forward. In addition to promotional activity, work is in hand on retention of visitor spend in local economies, delivery of business advice and on Integrated Quality Management of tourism destinations. 

Areas of concern : Overall work is slightly behind schedule mainly due to staffing constraints both in the CA and ETC and the increased calls for briefings and inputs to speeches in the aftermath of FMD.

Objective 4 (Activity Codes 132 & 135): - Support and training that meets the needs of rural business and enterprise

Summary of Progress: The programme of craft training is fully subscribed, with a potential overspend of approx.£30k. Initial, exploratory discussions have taken place with a number of potential funders of the programme long term. A Strategy for securing long term funding will be put to the Executive shortly. The external training programme is on target with the programme in place for market towns and shortly to be introduced for access, vital villages and transport: training needs analyses are in hand for other programmes. On business support, an input has been made to the DTI Cross Cutting Review and our contacts strengthened with the Small Business Service, especially since the establishment of their Rural Issues team.

Areas of concern : none

Objective 5 (Activity Code 133): - A more sustainable agriculture and effective implementation of the England Forestry Strategy 

Summary of Progress: A large area of work, mainly on target. Highlights include: promoting our Strategy for Sustainable Land Management; reviewing the effectiveness of integrated farm advisory services as part of a major DEFRA exercise; inputs to the DEFRA consultation on EIA in relation to land improvement; work on environmental standards for farm assurance schemes; much activity nationally and regionally relating to the implementation of the England Rural Development Plan; advice to DEFRA on a Ministerial response to the Forestry Forum Working groups, and developing a woodland component to "Eat the View". Some of the planned work in this area has slipped due to the length of time it has taken to engage partners. Some work will need to be carried forward to the next financial year. We are continuing to play a major part in the joint programme of work through LUPG designed to help influence and shape the next round of CAP reforms. In a separate initiative, plans are well advanced to host a seminar in Brussels on modulation.

Areas of concern : none

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

Considerable additional work has been undertaken as a result of FMD and much will continue until the end of the financial year (and perhaps beyond). The main elements are:

advice on vaccination;

work to help DEFRA put in place the enhanced service for FMD affected farmers from the Farm Business Advisory Service, including national and regional briefings;

work with the farm tourism sector to help them develop the "Welcome to the Countryside" initiative

preparatory work, including a Board paper, for the various post FMD inquiries, including the Policy Commission on Food and Farming where a contract has been let to analyse strategy documents looking at future policies for farming

inputs into the developing thinking for the Cumbria (and other IRD) projects being worked up as part of FMD recovery

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Activity Code Title Is spend on track to budget profile? If no, reason

131 Rural Business No Due to increased pressures in aftermath of FMD

132 External Training Yes 

133 Land Management No Due to lengthy time it has taken to develop partnerships for some new work

134 Tourism No Due to under-resourcing

135 Craft Training No Potential overspend

A separate budget line for activities 131, 132, 133 and 134 has not been allocated. 

Looking at the programme as a whole (ie activities 131 - 135), potential underspends under activities 131, 133 and 134 are matched by new foot and mouth related activity and a potential overspend on activity 135. Overall, it is my judgement that the programme is on target to outturn. 

CAMIS indicates a high level of planned and expected commitments which, if realised, would result in a significant overspend. Conversely, a mis-coding of Countryside Capital activity to this programme (over £100,000) has been identified. All planned and expected commitments will be reviewed during October and deleted/reprogrammed as necessary.

Please provide details of requested movements of funds relating to this quarter.

None

The following funds can be released

£Click here to type value Activity code Click here to type code Nominal code Click here to type CAMIS code

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

There are elements of new work being pursued, for example as a result of FMD. They have been accommodated within the existing budget lines and agreed business plan themes. 

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Richard Lloyd

Contact details Click here to type Text

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - q2 july-september 2001 

RURAL ASSURANCE: PLANNING & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Terry Robinson

Objective 1 (Activity Code 141): - Planning policies and decisions which contribute to achieving a long term vision for rural areas.

Summary of Progress: Work is 6 to 9 months behind-hand due to staff shortages caused by prolonged vacancies, sick-leave and staff secondments from the rural assurance team. Projects have not been initiated as fast as planned and rural assurance team staff have spent more time than planned on assisting and advising regional office staff engaged in casework.

The funds regional offices say they need for casework advisers have been allocated in full from within the programme budget; the Steering Group is regularly reviewing the level 

of regional casework involvement

Objective 2 (Activity Code 142): - Demonstrate and promote the creative use of planning tools

Summary of Progress: Two contracts have been let and two more to let this FY but this has been a serious victim of staff absences leading to the delayed start.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 143): - Show how to deliver community led Renewable Energy Provision

Summary of Progress: Programme on track  although date for work on links between renewable energy and countryside character has been put back.

Objective 4 (Activity Code 144): - Complete the development of Quality of Life Capital as a decision making tool

Summary of Progress: Programme on track but more resources needed if we are to tackle a broader involvement with sustainable development issues.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

None

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

Of the £135,000 in hand for Activity 141, I will want to transfer funds as follows within the Planning and Sustainable Development Programme:

£45,000 to 142

£21,000 to 143

£28,000 to 144

The following funds can be released £40,000, (including a mysterious sum of £25,000 originally allocated as "Miscellaneous costs" in 141)

Proposals attached for New Work? No

Completed by (in the case of queries): Terry Robinson

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

ENJOYING THE COUNTRYSIDE

Paul Walshe

Objective 1 (Activity Code 155): - To promote a strategic approach to providing green space in urban areas and better care for parks, play areas and public spaces

Summary of Progress: Good progress. "Linking Town and Country" steering group re-established under chairmanship of Pam Warhurst, will give good strategic direction and impetus to this work

Objective 2  (Activity Code 155): -  To revitalise Country Parks and bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their renaissance

Summary of Progress:  Good progress, bid to HLF on course

Objective 3 (Activity Code 156): - To provide improved access and green space to all who want to use it

Summary of Progress:  Slow progress on access due to access team being full time on FMD access recovery work. Green Spaces progress good other than where progress is in the hands of others i.e.. "Pride of Place" initiative where a positive response is awaited from DTLR.

Objective 4 (Activity Codes 151 & 152): - Promote good practice and best value in strategic countryside management by drawing on examples from the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty  - to include the production of a good practice guide and the establishment of a learning network

Summary of Progress:  September Board meeting agreed to put this work on a slower track. ETC team will try and negotiate this work through ANPA.

Objective 5 (Activity Codes 151 & 152): - Improve the management of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Summary of Progress:  Good progress. ETC and the Agency are involved with DEFRA review of National Parks. The Agency's implementation of the CROW Act is effecting improved management of AONB's.

Objective 6 (Activity Code 153): - Provide an expert advisory service to achieve the better management of and access to land of outstanding scenic and cultural interest subject to Inheritance Tax exemption

Summary of Progress:  A high level of service being provided

Objective 7 (Activity Code 154): - Preparatory and scoping research to provide a basis for the Lifescapes Programme

Summary of Progress:  Preparatory scoping research in place, but this area of work generally to be placed on a slower track as a result of the September Board meeting decision.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

Claire Spink

£37,000.00 moved from Head Ba, Activity 156 to Head Cb, activity 153

The following funds can be released

£10,000 Activity code 152 Nominal code 26 BA101 152

£17,000 Activity code 152 Nominal code 26 CB101 152

£8,000 Activity code 151 Nominal code 26 CA101 151

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request)

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Paul Walshe

Contact details Head of Enjoying the Countryside Branch, extn 383

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY- Q2 JULY- SEPTEMBER 2001 

RURAL ASSURANCE: RURAL PROOFING STUDIES

Brian Wilson

Objective 1 (Activity Code 161) : - To ensure that the rural dimension is considered so that government and others act in ways that reflect the particular needs of rural business and communities, and deliver a better quality countryside environment- 

Summary of Progress:  By activity:020 7340 2946

• implementation/promotion of rural proofing has proceeded to plan, with considerable activity now in 11 Whitehall Departments and developing in regional Government Offices. Considerable interest shown in rural proofing from beyond Whitehall;
• advice on rural proofing has proceeded as expected and now helping various Rural Assurance teams with their rural proofing advice to Departments. This is paying dividends in policy outcomes;
• work to collate and monitor information about rural proofing for the Agency's first annual report is proceeding well;
• rural proofing studies are behind schedule, due to staff vacancies, but early work is now underway. Launch of Business in the Community's Rural Action work and checklist was a success;
• presentations to Agency teams now almost complete. Achieving external publicity for rural proofing has proved fairly difficult. With a key HQ post now filled, we are planning actions to remedy this;
• DEFRA's progress establishing the rural sounding boards has been slow, but we have had considerable success in negotiating their shape and our involvement at both national and regional levels;
• input to the Treasury on its 2002 Budget achieved ahead of schedule and further work on tax issues progressing well;
• quarterly reports on Agency implementation of the Rural White Paper are on schedule.  

Objective 2 (Activity Code 162) : - Support the work of the Rural Advocate with Government Departments, the Cabinet Committee on Rural Affairs and the National Rural Sounding Board 

Summary of Progress: 

• dates for or agreement to Ministerial meetings for the Rural Advocate now largely achieved. Two of three regional Rural Advocate visits postponed for reasons beyond our control, but now being re-arranged.  

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

This quarter, only commenting upon draft FMD reports and papers, plus some work to assess the applicability of the Jobs Transition Service model for the FMD recovery plan. Amounted to less than 1% of staff time.

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

We wish to release £61k from these two budgets. We will also be re-profiling some of the commitments.

The following funds can be released

£40kA large area of work, mainly on target. Highlights include: promoting our Strategy for Sustainable Land Management; reviewing the effectiveness of integrated farm advisory services as part of a major DEFRA exercise; inputs to the DEFRA consultation on EIA in relation to land improvement; work on environmental standards for farm assurance schemes; much activity nationally and regionally relating to the implementation of the England Rural Development Plan; advice to DEFRA on a Ministerial response to the Forestry Forum Working groups, and developing a woodland component to "Eat the View". Some of the planned work in this area has slipped due to the length of time it has taken to engage partners. Some work will need to be carried forward to the next financial year. We are continuing to play a major part in the joint programme of work through LUPG designed to help influence and shape the next round of CAP reforms. In a separate initiative, plans are well advanced to host a seminar in Brussels on modulation. Activity code 161 Nominal code n/a

£21k Activity code 162

Proposals attached for New Work? No

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request)

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Brian Wilson

Contact details  020 7340 2919

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - q2 July - september 2001 

RESEARCH GROUP

Tim Allen

Objective 1 (Activity Code 171): - Complete the development of Agency / Rural White Paper Indicators and report on them at agreed intervals

Summary of Progress: Some modest slippage (partly a result of FMD work) but not a major concern - the overall programme remains on target 

Objective 2 (Activity Code 171): -  Deliver the Agency Foresight Function to include annual programmes of seminars and published reports

Summary of Progress: On target for a first report in March and publication / seminars in May / June

Objective 3 (Activity Code 171): - Through partnerships with ONS, Government, Regional Development Agencies, other statutory Agencies and others, improve and better co-ordinate data collection and information sharing, including the establishment of an Agency rural database 

Summary of Progress: Good progress in achieving collaborative working and common purpose with ONS (good partnership with ONS small area statistics group) but this is a long term target and progress incremental!

Objective 4 (Activity Code 171): - Achieve and co-ordinate the wide application and use of countryside character as a tool for both the Agency and others in countryside planning, policy and programmes

Summary of Progress: The major element to this is the development of a change in countryside character indicator - early stages delayed because we need to adopt the GATT process for the contract but still on target for reporting

Objective 5 (Activity Code 171): - Co-ordinate and quality control Agency research including the establishment of an Agency research network

Summary of Progress: On target except for the preparation and publication of the research compendium - we now plan to do this by January - probably no bad thing in hindsight as better business plans mean we can elicit and publish a clearer and more focused research programme - well we live in hope - some current business plans are execrable in their description of research plans.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

Preparation and publication of a major report on the impacts of FMD - launched in August - a major team effort on top of an already challenging programme

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter:

N/A

The following funds can be released - 

N/A

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Sarah Sleet Contact details: CPRDI, JDH ext. 451

QUARTERLY REPORTING SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001

EAST OF ENGLAND REGION

Tim De-Keyzer

Objective 1 (Activity Code 186): Regional Partnership Fund to be used as a mechanism to support out influencing activity.

Activity 1:- Deliver Regional Partnership Development Fund. 

Summary of Progress:  Nearly 30 projects/ activities have been identified and appraised up to this point. All proposals have been assessed against the objectives of the Regional Influencing Plan and/or in terms of their contribution to the development of broader Rural Assurance objectives in the region where there is no central fundng to do so and where these are consistent with high regional priorities. Of these, 14 have been agreed and are being progressed with spending planned in the CY. Some of these also have spend in future years. There are a couple of projects where there is still a risk of no CY spend due to match funding not coming through. This could result in up to 20% underspendon the total CY budget, although some of this could be taken up by additional P&I activity (see below).

Progress in implementation of some of these activities has been delayed due to ongoing staff vacancies and a generally higher priority being given to the main implementation/ rural assurance work. 

Activity Code 901 - External Communication & PR. 

Summary of Progress:  The Regional Publicity Adviser is working effectively and generating good levels of local publicity. Demands on his time have been lower than anticipated up to this point, partly due to time lag in new staff generating this but also because some of the larger implementation programmes have used central  P&I resources as well. Increase in activity planned over the next period. Promotional plans have been in place for every implementation team in the region since June. Additional activities have also been identified through the  RPDF process. It is possible that the  RPA contract will not be fully spent, but this can be taken up by additional  P&I activity.

Activity Codes 907/908 - Accommodation/Human Resources. 

Summary of Progress:  Additional temporary accommodation has been taken on to cater for increased numbers of staff. This has taken far longer to sort out than anticipated and has impacted on progress on improving systems in particular. The cost of the additional accommodation and equipping it was included in the business case approved by the Exec and details of which were agreed with Finance unit, but this funding has notyet been devolved into the  EoE budget. The Regional Business Manager only came into post at the end of this period and this has also meant delays in being able to progress business systems improvement in particular. 

Two additional homeworkers have also been established during this period.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please Provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quater.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in the case of queries): Tim De-Keyzer

QUARTERLY REPORTING SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001

EAST MIDLANDS REGION

Peter Stovey

Objective 1:- Regional partnership fund to be used as a mechanism to support out influencing activity.

Activity 1: (Activity Code 184) Influence both individual key partners and the broader regional agenda through chairmanship of East Midlands. Rural Action Group and Funding of the East Midlands Regional Action Group development Officer. 01/02 budget - £9689

Summary of Progress:  We are confident the EMRAG will become the Rural Action Forum - RAF due to the work undertaken by the EMRAG officer during her secondment to GOEM.

Activity 2: (Activity Code 184) Crosscutting regional research affecting implementation and / or assurance theme work. Establish of Learning Network type initiatives to encourage the progress of the Rural White Paper's objectives. 

Summary of Progress: Economy and Environment Study on Track. Rural White Paper training completed.

Activity 3: (Activity Code 184) Influence Local Authorities to include the CA strategy in Local plans. Provide a forum for questions which relate to all CA themes.

Summary of Progress:  Conduct an event to bring together LA's and senior CA officers providing information relating to CA themes, answer questions and help offer solutions to local issues.

Additional Work:- FMD research study "East Midlands Beyond Foot and Mouth Disease" Impacts of FMD and subsequent opportunities for the region. Rural Stress Initiative

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please Provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quater.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in the case of queries): Peter Stovey

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPT 2001

NORTH WEST REGION

Colin Maddison

Objective 1 (Activity Code 182) - Regional Partnership to be used as a mechanism to support the region's influencing strategy.

Summary of Progress: £30,210 formal and planned commitments registered for the period April to September, 2001. 

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

N/A

The following funds can be released.

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

No

Completed by (in the case of queries):  Colin Maddison

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY: Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001

NORTH EAST REGION

Keith Buchanan

Objective 1: (Activity Code 18) Regional Partnership Fund to be used as a mechanism to support out influencing activity.

Activity 1 - Regional Contact Group

Summary of progress converted to Rural Sounding Board and in the process of being converted to the Rural Affairs Forum. The Agency leads on the secretariat.

Activity 2 - Regional Assembly

Summary of progress: strategy presentation made to secretariat and business influenced through officer support group.

Activity 3 - Sustainability Round Table

Summary of progress: framework draft influenced.

Activity 4 - Objective 2 Structural Fund; Leader+

Summary of progress: a post to incorporate environmental sustainability into the Objective 2 secretariat has been established. Rural proofing discussions have also been held with the secretariat.

Activity 5 - Valuing the Environment

Summary of progress: a report has been completed and promulgated.

Activity 6 - Durham Heritage Coast

Summary of progress:  Heritage Coast status has been achieved, following the 'Turning the Tide' project.

Activity 7 - Regional Partnership Fund

Summary of progress: a range of projects in place to assist the delivery of the regional influencing strategy.

Activity 8 - Government Office and One NorthEast

Summary of progress: frequent contact with GO Rural Director established and work on 'rural proofing' GO initiated. Meeting planned with ONE Director to discuss rural issues across the board.

Activity 9 - FMD recovery

Summary of progress: a rural action plan, to focus FMD recovery, has been agreed with the Regional Assembly, Government Office and the Regional Development Agency. This has been distributed for comment.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please Provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quater.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in the case of queries): Keith Buchanan

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPT 2001

SOUTH EAST & LONDON REGION

Duncan Mackay

Objective 1 (Activity Code 187) - Regional Partnership to be used as a mechanism to support the region's influencing strategy.

Summary of Progress:  On target - Contracts/grants let for activities 1-3. Budget to be spent by end of financial year.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work? No

Completed by (in the case of queries):  Duncan Maekay

QUARTERLY REPORTING SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001

SOUTH WEST REGION

Jeremy Worth

Objective 1 (Activity Code 188): Regional Partnership Fund to be used as a mechanism to support out influencing activity.

Activity 1: Influencing the development of projects eligible for Objective 1 and 2 funding.

Activity 2: Support for the regional Sustainable Development Roundtable.

Activity 3: Support out involvement in the South West Multimodal Study.

Activity 4: Scenario building Study for the future of farming in the South West post F&M.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please Provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quater.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in the case of queries): Jeremy Worth

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY: Q2 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001

WEST MIDLANDS REGION

MIKE GRACE

Objective 1: (Activity Code 18) Regional Partnership Fund to be used as a mechanism to support our influencing activity

Activity 1 - West Midlands Rural Network/Rural Sounding Board

Summary of progress:  WMRN model being taken forward to convert into Regional Rural Affairs Forum. Final form and objectives to be agreed after national consultation process complete. Network business, including significant regional conference in September, facilitated and supported by Agency who lead the secretariat.

Activity 2 - Sustainable Development Round Table

Summary of progress:  Business Plan and priorities influenced; membership of Round Table; support given to Executive unit in partnership with Round Table members

Activity 3 - Rural Accord

Summary of progress:  Lead member of Rural Accord group of strategic partners with a rural remit. Development of Rural Accord Framework to co-ordinate and prioritise funding programmes and activities and simplify mechanisms for information exchange. Support given to develop and facilitate this activity (between GOWM, AWM and CA).

Activity 4 - West Midlands Rural Housing Forum

Summary of progress:  development and establishment of Forum to ensure 'Rural Proofing' of regional housing activity.

Activity 5 - Regional Observatory

Summary of progress:  influence during the development phase has secured recognition of our rural expertise and information within the strongly economic and social focus of the emerging observatory. 

Activity 6 - Worcestershire Distinctivness Project

Summary of progress:  sponsored community celebration of local distinctiveness linking to strategic themes of LHI, DGs, MGs and communities developing own capacity

Activity 7 - Farmers Market Recovery Plan

Summary of progress:  discrete targeted support for post FMD recovery in the Marches, particularly Telford, and Ludlow farmers markets to demonstrate countryside was 'open for business'.

Activity 8 - WM Rural Task Force

Summary of progress:  research commissioned on behalf of the Regional FMD Task Force to investigate the impacts of FMD on the community and voluntary sector in the region.

Activity 9 - Young Farmers Club Newsletter

Summary of progress:  discrete targeted support for post FMD recovery.  Dialogue established with  important sector with a longer term goal of engaging them in wider rural debates issues e.g. facilitating NFU/CLA recovery workshops and Bishop of Hereford rural recovery conference to be attended by Alan Michael. 

Activity 10 - Reaching key audiences, influencing the agenda, making connections

Summary of progress:  support for up to 3 key events which offer an excellent opportunity to influence the developing regional 'agenda' and position the Agency as the lead on rural 

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quarter

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in case of queries) Mike Grace

QUARTERLY REPORTING SUMMARY - Q2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001

YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER REGION

Ian Deans

Objective 1 (Activity Code 183): Regional Partnership fund to be used as a mechanism to support out influencing activity.

Activity 1:- Yorkshire Tourist Board FMD Recovery

Summary of Progress:  To assist with the short term marketing recovery in light of the recent foot and mouth disease outbreaks in the country. Grant given to Yorkshire Tourist Board as The Countryside Agency contribution towards this activity. Major campaign launched including posters etc. with the message that the Yorkshire countryside is open for business. Money spent within first quater of the financial year. £3000.

Activity 2:- Coastal Communities Training. 

Summary of Progress: Contribution towards the funding of training opportunities for coastal communities educational aspects of the project aim to install into local communities the value of their environment. The project claim has just been received in the YHR Office and is due to be processed before December.

Activity 3:- North Yorkshire and Cleveland Community project. 

Summary of Progress:  Funding of exit strategy from coastal community work. Ensuring the project is able to continue without further financial input, and overall sustainability is achieved. Helping group to tap into other sources of funding such as HLF and European funding. The project has provided the input of a local volunteers co-ordinator who helps community groups to undertake environmental enhancement projects. Exit strategy due to be in place by December 2001. Financial contribution to be completed in December 2001.

Activity 4:- Sports Board - Funding of publication. 

Summary of Progress:  Part funding of publication in partnership with the Environment Agency and Sports England. Publication entitled " Fresh Air Fitness and Fun", is an exemplars booklet exploring informal recreational opportunities, with cross cutting examples from the three Agencies. Contributes towards work programme of the memorandum of Understanding between the three Agencies. A launch was undertaken to gain publicity for the project, and we are still awaiting monitoring results of the press coverage. The publication was sent out to major players in the field of recreation of all Councils in the YHRO region, and it is hoped that this will lead to more quality schemes being developed. £1500

Activity 5:- SCOSPA regeneration company.

Summary of Progress:  Funding towards set up costs to help establish an organisation with trust status, leading on from the standing conference of Southern Pennine Authorities (SCOPA). This trust body will then be able to apply for external funding, and help contribute to the regeneration of the Southern Pennines area. SCOPA is made up of authorities from both Yorkshire and Lancashire and is a sound example of cross boarder working.

Activity 6:- Environmental Economy Study. 

Summary of Progress: Assessment of economic potential of environmental and related industries, work outside major towns and cities in the Y&H region. The project is steered by a number of Agencies and environmental organisations. Tender documents are due to be sent out to a number of consultancies on 1/11/01, with a view to the constancy contract being let in early December.

Activity 7:- Regional Environmental Forum Activity. 

Summary of Progress:  Contribution towards the setting up of a new sectoral group to advise upon and discuss environmental issues within the region. Countryside Agency contribution will help to ensure we can influence the outcomes of this group within the region.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below:

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year?

b. if not, why not?

Please Provide details of requested movement to funds relating to this quater.

N/A

The following funds can be released

N/A

Proposals attached for new work?

Completed by (in the case of queries): Ian Deans

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

COUNTRYSIDE CAPITAL

Liz Newton

Objective 1 (Activity Code 201): - Inform how further policy development and reform of CAP can foster a viable and sustainable agriculture and sustainable rural development

Summary of Progress: LMIs contribute formally to the above objective, through input into policy reviews. They also contribute informally, by helping in the development of Agency understanding and thinking. Currently, the LMIs are contributing to a CA sponsored review on approaches to provision of integrated advice to farmers and experience gained will be fed in to the consultation for the Food and Farming Commission.

A project officer is now in post for the Great North Forest and all eight LMIs are operational and report good progress. There have been some delays due to FMD, but the initial view is that impact on work programmes will be manageable, with no serious budget consequences. A review is however in process which will be available mid October. This has now been done. The LMI's most affected by foot and mouth are those within livestock areas where farm appraisals, farm interviews and promotional events had been planned. ie. North York Moors, Severn Vyrnwy, South West, Humberhead levels and High Weald. However progress in most did not halt altogether and in most cases projects have been able to either bring forward other activities or undertake work in different ways. The South West LMI was at the epicentre of the outbreak in Devon and progress has been seriously affected. We are now undertaking a major review of this project.. Severn Vyrnwy has also reported delays and requested an extension to the project which we are considering. Other projects should be able to adjust work programmes without significant impact on the overall time scale or projected outputs.

The alternative payment mechanism is being put together and tested and state aid notification is being prepared for the Peak District LMI. EU officials are advising on de coupling mechanisms and DEFRA continue to show a positive interest in the project. We will discuss the APM with DEFRA in early December and hope to quickly progress a state aid notification to the European Commission following this. Funding still needs to be secured for the project .

Objective 2 (Activity Code 203):- More tourist activity, and tourism businesses operating in ways that support the special characteristics of the countryside

Summary of Progress:  A discussion paper on the need for and approach to tourism demonstration projects was discussed in detail at the Countryside Capital Steering Group meeting in September.

This concluded that it is not clear where demonstration projects are needed at the moment although work being undertaken by ELMT may throw up opportunities. We suggest a review of good practice is undertaken in this financial year to give us a better understanding of what further demonstration is needed. This will have an impact on spend in this area. See below for comments.

Uptake for the Green Audit Kit remains bouyant.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 202): - Double the number of consumers aware of the links between the products they buy and the special quality of the countryside 

Summary of Progress: After many hours of staff time, the Eat the View website finally went live in mid September, and this was supported with appropriate press releases. The website gives information about the way goods are produced, how they can impact on the countryside, and where to buy products that support the countryside. Website administration training will be given to regional officers in the near future in order to encourage ownership of their regional area.

The quarterly review identified funds for the next stage of consumer research. Baseline measures have now been identified and meetings are being set up with the major supermarket companies in order to identify a possible partner(s) for this work.

The second Protected Areas Branding Forum was held in August with over 20 attendees. A sub group was formed to address issues related to a national framework for marketing and branding, and this group will report at the next meeting in February 

Objective 4 (Activity Code 202): - Help at least 100 producers per year to find new and stable or growing markets for local produce

Summary of Progress: The grant agreement for the Soil association FoodWorks project was signed in August. Project officer posts were advertised in September with a closing date of 15 October.

Reports are due from each Regional Food Group at the end of September. This will be the first significant report now that project officers have been in post for approximately 8 months. A second workshop to develop communication and ideas is planned for 8 November. The reports have now been received and we can report that the regional food groups are beginning to make good progress on most of the objectives set. The project team looking at Eat the View in the North East met for the third time in September, work continues to identify the needs, aspirations and opportunities in this area.

The first meeting of the South West Eat the View Forum was held in September. A mapping exercise is being undertaken for food and drink in the SW but because this sector is already well developed, it is likely that this group will focus on non-food products. 

Objective 5 (Activity Code 202): - Increase to at least 400, the number of farmers' markets operating to standards set out by the National Association of Farmers' Markets

Summary of Progress: Most of the 300 farmers' markets are now open for business again. The September relaunch was rather overshadowed in the national press with the problems in America. However, it did get a mention in many other publications, including an excellent 2 page article in Country Life magazine. 

Objective 6 (Activity Code 202): - Establish and promote best practice across the production, distribution and retailing chain with a learning network

Summary of Progress: It is hoped that this is an area that can be developed when the newly appointed Eat the View marketing and communications officer takes up post in December.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

The following funds can be released

£ Activity code Nominal code 

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request)

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Peter Simpson

Contact details  Tel 01444 891309

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - JULY-SEPTEMBER 2001 

MARKET TOWNS

John Burns

Objective 1 (Activity Code 301): - Establishing and promoting national adoption of a national 'health check' methodology to help local communities assess the economic, social and environmental health of market towns and an accompanying "tool kit" for delivering market town regeneration

Summary of Progress: Toolkit and Healthcheck established, with first revision due November 2001. The Healthcheck is now an established part of the market towns activity in all regions apart from SWRO, where the situation is slowly being resolved.

Objective 2 (Activity Code 301): - Establishing a national best practice network, drawing on the experiences of a "beacons" network of 10 - 20 towns, to help in developing the health check approach and to provide practical examples for others to draw on and learn from

Summary of Progress:  The Learning Network will be launched on Oct 10 2001. One of the first discussions will be on how to identify best practice in market towns and how best to disseminate learning from it. A network of 'exemplar towns',  which have demonstrated  best practice in various aspects of market towns issues will then be established.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 301): - Establishing partnership programmes with all 8 Regional Development Agencies to work with communities and local authorities to conduct health checks in at least 140 Market Towns - to be phased in over the Plan period but all completed by 2004/05

Summary of Progress: Partnerships in place and most RDAs are contributing to the Healthchecks in their region. 92 towns identified to date. On target to complete 140 by 2004/5. 

Objective 4 (Activity Code 301): - Identifying additional resources at national and regional level to increase the number of towns able to benefit from our support and undergo the health check to 200 across the plan period

Summary of Progress:  Ongoing discussions with RDAs and others regarding funding for additional resources.

Objective 5 (Activity Code 301): - Funding local co-ordinators and teams of professionals to advise and help local communities prepare community led action plans - to include the 140 towns completing Agency assisted health checks

Summary of Progress:  10 Healthcheck Co-ordinators in post. Others coming on stream

Objective 6 (Activity Code 301): - Working with Regional Development Agencies, Regional Tourist Boards, Local Authorities and others to establish local public, private and voluntary sector partnerships to deliver the 140 action plans by 2004/05 - delivery to have started within the Plan period and be completed by 2007/08

Summary of Progress:  The majority of selected towns have local partnerships in place though many are being strengthened/broadened prior to the Healthcheck starting.

Objective 7 (Activity Code 301): - Funding local project managers to deliver the action plans and giving them the skills they need to do so effectively  by developing a training package to suit their individual requirements

Summary of Progress:  Training advice and support now in place in 8 regions. Seminars and workshops held to introduce the Healthcheck and relationships established with co-ordinators.  One project manager in post.

Objective 8 (Activity Code 301): - Ensuring that suitable mechanisms are in place to allow the above work to continue beyond the programme period

Summary of Progress:  Discussions held with AMT and ATCM and response awaited. Paper to go to Executive late 2001/early 2002 giving options on future direction.

Commentary on Rural Transport Grants (Activity Code 302)

As expected, it is proving difficult to spend the full £1.3m budget in the first year of a new programme. Our projected spend is £550k but we remain confident that the emerging Action Plan will highlight transport needs and we are putting in place procedures to maximise spend in 2002/3. Some additional spend may be identified for this year  as a result of increasing focus on transport in the regions.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD

None

Financial Commentary 

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movement of funds relating to this quarter.

Virements / Movement of Funds 2nd Quarter 200

£34,000 12 BA100 301 to EMRO

£33,000 12 BA100 301 to SERO

£93,000 12 BA100 301 to NERO

£86,093 12 CA100 301 to NERO

£15,000 12 BA100 301 to SELRO

£3,410 12 BA100 301 to WMRO

£750,000 12 CA100 301 to 12 BA100 301

£17,000 12 BA100 301 to EMRO

£13,686 12 CC100 302 to NWRO

£13,050 12 BA100 301 to EoERO

£10,626 12 BA100 301 to YHRO

£37,000 12 BA100 301 to EMRO

£8,500 12 CC100 302 to SWRO

£1,100 12 BA100 301 to NERO

£129,500 12 BA100 301 to NWRO

The following funds can be released

£800,00 Activity code 302 Nominal code cc100

Proposals attached for New Work? Yes 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request)

1. Additional funding for

• Healthchecks - to meet demand that is greater in Year 1 than originally anticipated.
• Project work in Phase 1 pilot towns in Y&H region  

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name John Burns

Contact details  Ext 375

QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY - Q2 July - September 2001 

VITAL VILLAGES

Nick Holliday

Headline news

• VV programme was launched by Margaret Beckett on 16th July and the first grants have now been offered on the 3 brand new schemes.
• A big pr push has resulted in the distribution of 16,000 application packs and a further 3 grant specific information leaflets, including a direct mail to 10,000 parish and town councils.
• Delays in staff recruitment continue to impact heavily on VV targets, combined with an lower actual allocation of 52 staff against a corporate plan allocation of 60. In the first six months we have lost the equivalent of 8 FTE. Six months into the programme and regions are still getting up to strength. 
• The Executive needs to decide whether or not to direct that the necessary staff be allocated to the programme or to authorise the Head of Implementation to adjust targets and spend.
• VV has spent £1.7 against an allocation of £7.64m (up from 8% in the first quarter to 22%) with additional formal and planned commitments of £7.4m but this masks slow take up on two grants and doubts still remain on the accuracy and reliability of data on CAMIS, 
• Interest in Community Services grant is high with good and innovative schemes coming in. Financial and numerical targets are on course but we need to move funds within CSG to cover the costs of the retail advisers at £170k.
• There is good interest in Parish Plans and numerical targets are expected to be met or exceeded, but spend is slow, though the direct mail to local councils may se an upturn in the next quarter. 
• We wish to roll forward £500k to next year as the demand is there.
• Rural Transport Partnership grant scheme is gaining momentum. 
• The pattern of spend suggests we should offer up £750k now.
• Interest in Parish Transport grant remains poor. A PTG promotional leaflet and good practice flyer have been produced and direct mailed to local councils to stimulate greater take up. 
•   Currently we predict an underspend of £1m but wish to roll this forward for next year as we build demand.  

Objective : - To deliver Corporate Plan Performance Indicators and VV business plan targets

Summary of Progress: Overall targets remain achievable, with some regional variations, except for Parish Transport Grants (see summary targets table attached). Targets for CSG and RTP have been recalibrated to ensure the same criteria are applied by each region and we only count new business from 1st April 2001

Objective 1 (Activity Code 402): -  To encourage small rural communities to meet their needs for local service provisions in ways that suit local circumstances

Summary of Progress:  Community services grant remains the most popular element of the programme, but many applications are not service orientated e.g. repairs to village halls. We are to hold a CSG event for staff to ensure they are on message and will prepare a CSG promotional leaflet and flyer to promote good practice along the same lines as PTG. There is some revisions of regional allocations to be made and we need to find £170k for the cost of employing retail advisers.

Objective 2 (Activity Code 401): - To help small rural communities to identify and act to meet local needs

Summary of Progress: The statements of intent suggest we are on target for Parish Plans, but we do not expect to hit the financial targets. There may be an opportunity to exceed the targets to meet financial spend  targets

Objective 3 (Activity Code 404): - To enable small rural communities to identify and implement small scale local transport solutions to meet their local transport needs. (Parish Transport Grant)

Summary of Progress:  Parish and Town Councils are not used to taking action themselves on transport matters and this appears to be a barrier to take up.. A new promotional leaflet has been produced and good practice flyer and mailed direct to all local councils with NALC endorsement. An October 'briefing' event is being held with RTPOs and CA staff.

Objective 4 (Activity Code 403): - To increase access to jobs, local services and social activities for those who live in small rural communities (Rural Transport Grant)

Summary of Progress:  The new RTP guidance is now included in VV application pack and the generally RTP take up appears to be improving. However, formal commitments remain low; RTP has a history of claims coming well under the grant offered and their still remains no CA RTP promotional literature.

Objective 6: - To ensure VFM in the delivery of the programme

Summary of Progress:  A VV business plan exists and the work programme has been amended as the team has become better informed on it's work. The contracts for development of the database and monitoring and evaluation will both be let by the end of October

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

None

Financial Commentary 

Unable to answer until regions have profiled, accurately, commitments and spend.

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this point of the year? b. if not, why not? 

Please provide details of requested movements of funds relating to this quarter.

None

The following funds can be released

£500k Activity code 401 Nominal code

£750k Activity code 403 Nominal code

£1000k Activity code  404  Nominal code

Proposals attached for New Work? No 

(Please delete as appropriate. If Yes, include separate request) 

Completed by (in the case of queries): 

Name Nick Holliday 

Contact details 0117 974 6265 

WIDER WELCOME

Bob Roberts

With the exception of the RTP budget (which is ring fenced), I currently predict an outturn of approximately 98% of the rest of the WW budget for this year. I now offer £450k for virement out of the WW RTP budget. With end year management, it should be possible to achieve or exceed 100% for everything except the transport funds.

Balancing the books within the National Trails creation head has been made difficult by FMD delays, and late payment by the HLF on Hadrians Wall. A request is made to carry over £236k for the Pennine Bridleway, as an exceptional measure, because of FMD. Given the pressure on next years budget, it is proposed that this carry over should be through a separate suspense account, rather than as part of the main WW budget allocation.

The Historic Rights of Way work was slow to start because of staff diversion onto FMD work, but is now running well. We have used the freed up funds to balance the books elsewhere in the WW head - and especially to accommodate additional access work costs. This transfer may eventually have an impact downstream (perhaps in 2004/5) if we are pressed by DEFRA to eventually apply the same global amount of money that they identified for this work (but did not ring fence).

Objective 1 (Activity Code 505) :  Implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act

Summary of Progress: 

A1 Map all open country and registered common land by 2004/5

Work has continued to the revised schedule issued in June 2001. The draft maps for regions 1 and 2 will be issued on 12th November 01. Detailed discussions have been held with DEFRA to clarify what is required from the Agency. Significant additional responsibilities have been identified by DEFRA regulations in a number of areas and cost estimates have been revised upwards to reflect these

A2 Develop procedures and systems for managing local restrictions to access land

DEFRA rescheduled the issuing of regulations for restrictions to November 2001. As a result we have also rescheduled our activities under this heading. Discussions are continuing with DEFRA to clarify what the Agency will be required to deliver under this heading. Cost estimates have been revised upwards for 2002/3 as the detail and additional work has become clearer in draft regulations.

A3 Co-ordinate advice, monitoring and resources for the management of access land and extensions to the new rights

Work on this activity identified gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the issues. Activities have been rescheduled to allow additional time for research into the issues and solutions.

A4 Support and co-ordinate the National Countryside Access Forum

The next NCAF meetings will be in December. There was no meeting this quarter.

A5 Provide and promote guidance on the new rights and responsibilities to the public, land managers and local authorities, including through a new Country Code

Work is continuing but has been delayed. the new Country Code and related advice will now be completed in May 03, in line with the earliest likely date for the commencement of new access rights under CRoW. 

A6 Advise on the establishment of local access forums across England to achieve full implementation by 2004/5

Good progress has been made in encouraging local authorities in the lead regions to establish LAF's. The targets under this heading have been revised to bring them in line with the new statutory status of LAF's and the responsibilities of local authorities to establish and manage them.

Objective 2 (Activity Code 502) :  Recording Historic Rights of Way

Summary of Progress: 

A7 Put in place research into the historic rights of way network by March 2002

The start of the phase 1 contract to gather baseline date and recommend options for managing the historical research has was delayed until September as a result of loosing a member of staff from the team at the start of the FMD outbreak.

Objective 3 (Activity Code 505): Integrated Access

Summary of Progress

B1 Deliver Integrated Access Demonstration Projects in the south east

Some of the projects are making good progress and have been completed on target. Others have been affected by FMD and consequent staff diversion in partner organisations. The expected spend figures have been revised in light of this.

B2 Deliver Integrated Access Demonstration Projects in the north west

Many projects are running late in this area as partner organisations are short staffed, in many cases as a result of the FMD outbreak. The projects are still expected to be completed this financial year, though later than originally planned.

B3 Deliver Integrated Access Demonstration Projects in Yorkshire and Humberside

This activity is behind schedule as partner organisations largely because of the FMD outbreak. The budget for this activity has been reprofiled and reallocated within WW.

B4 Establish and promote a National Countryside Access database 

A contract for a feasibility study on this has been let.

Objective 4 (Activity Code 505):  - Access for socially excluded and disadvantaged people

Summary of Progress

C1 Advise, promote and support projects which improve access opportunities for socially excluded and disadvantaged people in the countryside.

One of our partner organisations has announced their intention to withdraw from this activity. We have, however, identified additional projects that we intend to support this year. The budget has been reprofiled and reallocated.

Objective 5 (Activity Code 504): - National Trails - New Trails

Summary of Progress: 

D3 Agree and implement plan for a new national trail on the Hadrian's Wall Path by 2002

Practical work to complete the trail has been delayed because of the FMD outbreak. Activities have been rescheduled with some tasks normally undertaken near the end of the programme being brought forward. There are problems with very late payments from Heritage Lottery Fund which make it difficult to confidently predict the annual budget profile on this activity.

D4 Agree and implement plan for a new national trail on the Pennine Bridleway by 2004

Work in North Yorks and North Lancs has been at a standstill because of the FMD outbreak. Approval to roll expenditure into 2002/3 as a special case, in a dedicated 'suspense account' will be requested.

D5 Agree and implement plan for a new national trail on the Cotswold Way by 2004

Work early in the year was delayed because of the FMD outbreak. Activities have been rescheduled with the emphasis put into catching up the practical works on the ground. 

Objective 6 (Activity Code 503): - National Trails - Maintenance and Restoration

Summary of Progress:

1 Ensure all major restoration and alignment projects are completed and preventative maintenance regimes are in place for existing National Trails by 2004

The picture on this activity is very variable around the country. Budgets have been reprofiled .

2 Agree and implement new arrangements for the management of the National Trail network

We will report to the Board in December.  on the next stage of the new arrangements.

Objective 7 (Activity Code 501): - Support for Rights of Way Action

Summary of Progress: 

E1 Complete a controlled exit from the RoW 2000 grant programme by 2004/5

All grant offers have been formalised for this financial year. The pattern of receipt of claims means that several regions are already committed to expenditure in 2002/3. Regions report that local authorities have mostly caught up on work following delays earlier in the year, so we expect to outturn this budget. There have been delays in publishing the Rights of Way 2000 survey and this work has been rescheduled.

Objective 8 (Activity Code 506): - Rural Transport Partnership

Summary of Progress: 

F1 Use the RTP to support at least 12 projects in 2001/2

A few more grants have been approved and issued but we are still finding it very difficult to identify schemes to support. We have received bids for several large capital projects but (unfortunately) are advised that supporting these currently falls outside the RTP guidelines.

Additional Work undertaken (with or without funding) as a result of FMD:

Some ad hoc support for the FMD team, but declining through the period.

Financial Commentary

Please indicate for each activity code shown below

a. are you on track to your budget profile at this poi