The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act – which received Royal Assent today - has been welcomed by the Government’s Rural Advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess.
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New organisations will benefit rural people and places - 30 March 2006

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act – which received Royal Assent today (Thursday 30 March) – has been welcomed by the Government’s Rural Advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess.

Stuart Burgess, who is also Chairman of the Countryside Agency, said: “Royal Assent is an important milestone in the creation of two exciting new bodies which have both been shaped by the Countryside Agency’s work to improve the quality of life for people living in rural England and to enhance the quality of the countryside for everyone to enjoy.

“We may be changing, but our skills, knowledge and enthusiasm will continue to benefit the people and places in rural England and the nation as a whole. 

“Our landscape, access and recreation responsibilities will become a fundamental part of Natural England, combining with English Nature and much of the Rural Development Service.

“Meanwhile our knowledge and understanding of the issues facing rural communities will pass to a new Commission for Rural Communities which will be rural advocate, expert adviser and independent watchdog with particular focus on rural disadvantage. It will also have an important role in monitoring rural proofing of policy development and implementation by government and others.

“For now, the immediate task is to ensure an orderly transition, so that both these new organisations can get off to a flying start in October, building on our achievements to make a real difference to the natural environment and rural communities.”

Ends

30 March 2006

Notes for editors:
The Countryside Agency was established in 1999 as the statutory body working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone.   It is a non-departmental body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It will cease to exist when the changes arising from the NERC Act come into effect in October 2006.
The changes as the result of Defra's Rural Strategy (published in July 2004) and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act which will:

  • establish the Commission for Rural Communities as rural advocate, expert adviser and independent watchdog, with a particular focus on disadvantage.   Currently operating as a division of the Countryside Agency, the Commission will become an independent body.
  • form a single new body – Natural England – integrating the Landscape, Access and Recreation division of the Countryside Agency with English Nature and most of Defra’s Rural Delivery Service (RDS).  Natural England will work for people, places and nature, with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public well-being, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed – so that they can be enjoyed now and by future generations. 

For further information, please contact:
Nigel Ellway, (Countryside Agency) on 07900 608 204.
Nick McClelland, (Commission for Rural Communities) on 0207 932 5814 or 07900 608045.
Matthew Heard, (Landscape, Access and Recreation / Natural England) on 01242 533467 or 07900 608168.