Beckett Endorses Restructuring of British Environment Ministry

LONDON, UK, November 11, 2003 (ENS) - The British government should establish a new integrated agency to promote sustainable use of land and the natural environment, Lord Christopher Haskins has advised in a new report on the delivery of rural services issued today.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett today accepted Lord Haskins' recommendation to bring together elements of the work done by English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. She said it will create a "single, stronger authoritative body."

The Haskins report, which took just over a year to produce, contains 33 recommendations on issues from giving taxpayers more value for their money to devolving power to local organizations.

Secretary Beckett welcomed what a report she called "compelling in its analysis of the rural delivery landscape as confusing for customers and too bureaucratic and centralized to meet our future challenges."

Lord Christopher Haskins worked for Northern Foods from 1962, becoming chairman in 1986 until he retired in February 2002. (Photo courtesy DEFRA)

In his report, Lord Haskins said that a new agency melding the functions of these agencies is necessary "to prepare for the expanding land management agenda and to improve coordination and service delivery to customers."

He recommended that the responsibilities of the new agency would "embrace biodiversity, historical landscape, natural landscape, natural resources, access and recreation."

"I want to work in partnership on this with all those concerned to secure real improvements in sustainable development from biodiversity to resource protection. This is not only in the interests of Britain's rural communities, but in the interests of us all," Beckett said.

The positive reaction of English Nature, one of the primary bodies that would be affected by the new agency, is based on Beckett's assurance that the role of English Nature as an independent adviser to the government would not be compromised.

Sir Martin Doughty, who chairs English Nature, said he was "reassured" that the proposed new arrangements "will retain the ability to give independent advice to Government, based on sound science and practical experience."

Farm gate, Northumberland, England (Photo by Ian Britton courtesy FreeFoto)

English Nature also works in the wider countryside to restore degraded or impoverished landscapes to improve their life supporting functions, and helping to meet UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets and improve the quality of the environment.

"At this stage," said Lord Doughty, "we are encouraged that the proposed body will have a remit across rural, urban, marine and coastal England so that the environment can be managed for the benefit of the public and future generations. We look forward to exploring these proposals and shaping the way forward with the department in the coming weeks."

While Lord Haskins recommended the abolition of the Countryside Agency, Beckett said there will be a continued need for a much smaller organization to provide independent advice to the government.

Sir Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency and rural advocate, said his agency is taking a positive attitude toward its changing structure. "The Secretary of State acknowledges us as an effective champion for rural issues," he said, now there must be "sufficient money made available to deliver the schemes we have pioneered in all the areas that need it."

The Countryside Agency is 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.

The Stonebridge Meadows Nature Reserve in Coventry includes unimproved pasture and alder woodland with areas of acidic grassland unusual in Warwickshire. (Photo courtesy Warwickshire Wildlife Trust)

In another shakeup, Lord Haskins says the power to deal with rural matters should be in the hands of local, rather than national, agencies. He recommends giving local authorities "the main responsibility" for delivery of programs and services to rural communities.

They should be "fully consulted by DEFRA and the Regional Development Agencies about any changes to policy and delivery arrangements and should be given the necessary flexibility to address local needs," Lord Haskins advises. "The potential of Rural Community Councils as partners in community based delivery is underestimated and should be enhanced."

Lord Haskins gained expertise in rural issues over the past two years as the Government's Rural Recovery Coordinator in the aftermath of the devastating epidemic of hoof and mouth disease in 2001 that required the destruction of thousands of cattle and sheep.

Now that the Haskins report is in, Secretary Beckett said the next steps will include a full review of rural funding schemes to provide a simpler framework for applicants and to cut red tape.

"Much work will be required to develop these proposals into a practical implementation plan, which we hope to publish in the spring," she said.