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Towards a mature relationship with Natural England………

Steve Preston Natural England New Agreements and Funding Arrangements for AONB Partnerships and Conservation Boards Autumn workshops. Towards a mature relationship with Natural England………. Hierarchy of Agreements / Documents. N.E Corporate Plan / Strategic Direction

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Towards a mature relationship with Natural England………

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  1. Steve Preston Natural EnglandNew Agreements and Funding Arrangements for AONB Partnerships and Conservation Boards Autumn workshops

  2. Towards a mature relationship with Natural England………

  3. Hierarchy of Agreements / Documents N.E Corporate Plan / Strategic Direction National Agreement N.E-NAAONB Relationship Plan – NAAONB Grant MoA Local AONB Agreement (MoA) Local Relationship Plans Single Pot contribution guidance Application forms, Offer letters etc

  4. N.E. Strategic Direction Our diverse landscapes continue to provide inspiration and enjoyment for people and enable our wildlife to adapt to the challenges of the future. How we will do it : By working with National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to retain and enhance features and demonstrate best environmental practice, including adaptation to climate change, within our designated landscapes.

  5. Strategic Direction Objective NPs and AONBs demonstrating an increasing level of exemplary management of our finest landscapes: including local character, cultural heritage, tranquillity, biodiversity in favourable condition, exemplary access management, resilience in adapting to climate change.

  6. 08/11 Corporate Plan Target 1.1.2 Protected landscapes and areas of importance for geodiversity are clearly delivering a range of environmental and socio-economic outcomes. Planned 3 year fixed budget £11.919m – subject to efficiency savings (£4m 09/10 ; £1m 10/11) Who we will work with In particular, we will work with individual AONB Partnerships and Conservation Boards who are our key partners in the delivery of this target. Membership of these bodies includes local planning authorities and partner agencies including English Heritage, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission.

  7. 2008/09 key target milestones Implemented a new strategic partnership with the 36 AONBs. Natural England is working with the NAAONB and individual AONBs towards a new, more independent relationship for the family of AONBs. During 08/09 we will negotiate and agree a new national agreement which will set out the broad principles for this relationship. We will also agree to 36 specific agreements between individual AONBs and Natural England at a regional level, these regional agreements will focus on delivery .

  8. 2008/09 key target milestones We will work with AONBs to develop a monitoring system for AONB Management Plans and improve the quantification of the benefits these deliver for the natural environment.

  9. National Agreement N.E. NAAONB • Underpinning key support from N.E. for AONBs • Signals new relationship – interdependence and trust – 3 year funding • Vision – the way forwards bigger and better things – Delivery • Establishes link to local delivery / support mechanisms • Monitoring of outcomes – joint work Big picture stuff – higher visibility and understanding of AONBs, better environmental outcomes, clear investment opportunities for N.E. and others. Can sum all this up quickly and easily.

  10. A vision for AONBs A shared vision Natural England and the NAAONB are striving to achieve: • More independence and autonomy for AONBs • Increased security of funding and flexibility • Greater support for AONBs from others, particularly government agencies and public authorities at all levels

  11. A vision for AONBs • A better evidence base for future planning, monitoring and reporting • Improved governance arrangements, including the production of management plans and business plans • Innovation and the sharing of knowledge and experience, between AONBs and also between countries • Greater effectiveness and transparency in delivering outcomes

  12. A New Funding Steer? Environmental outcomes in the AONB will be a key measure which will help to determine Natural England investment rather than any formula based on land area, population or governance.

  13. Issues • Format of agreement and sign off. • Interdependence and trust – how do we know? • Assessment of N.E. performance – 2 way ? • Performance and Environmental Outcomes monitoring – linked to N.E Strategic Outcomes • High level rhetoric and local delivery mismatch ? • Big picture stuff, confidence in AONBs

  14. Local Agreement Template (MoA) • Is still an MoA in its format – is how N.E does business. Confirms N.E’s intentions, legally binding. • Contract between N.E and Local Authority funding partners (and others?) – joint working /governance between AONB Unit , N.E. and LAs • Evolution not revolution – 3 years plus – security of 3 year funding (next CSR) • Clear expectations for staffing and core functions • Environmental outcomes and management plans as drivers

  15. Local Agreement template (MoA) • Employment of staff – significance of AONB Officer • Flexibility for other staffing arrangements between AONBs – sharing skills. • Redundancy – legal advice sought – guidance given • Core functions –indicators attached to these • Health of the partnership (KPIs) Local N.E leads to develop agreement with AONB Unit and local authorities ; clearance via Procurement ; delegated sign off at Regional / Local level.

  16. Key documents to steer local agreement • The AONB Management Plan • A three year / rolling work programme for each AONB unit drawn from the Delivery Plan part of the AONB management Plan • Annual business / work plan and budget. • Annual review of achievement of the AONB unit • Regular (5 yearly) review of the state of the environment in each AONB.

  17. Key points • Focus on core funding - 25% – detailed discussions next session • Balanced work programme • Template to follow – consistent approach say to core functions makes reporting easier but local arrangements may give added value • Onus on N.E to use information for Big Picture reporting

  18. Issues • Local Authorities aware of next steps? • N.E. staff and AONB Unit need to work together. • Defining a balanced work programme – short and long term , local and national – N.E. role. • Time to get up and running • Redundancy – guidance • Core Functions - Health of the partnership– (KPIs) • Monitoring N.E input and performance – local and national

  19. Cherry = SDF ? Filling = Project ? Sponge base = core ?

  20. Single pot contribution Overall high level of flexibility, delivering a balanced programme and reporting to fulfil obligations, manifestation of interdependence. Key role for N.E. to be involved in developing and agreeing the balanced programme – but will be judged on outcomes and delivery – Big picture stuff.

  21. Single pot contribution • Local partner match funding meeting expectations as regards 25% Local Authority buy in • But some core functions may be funded at >75% • No distinction made between core and project – blurring of edges accepted • Pump priming for the delivery of projects, expectation to do more and attract other sources of funding – bigger and better delivery. Leverage of N.E funding is an attractive message

  22. Single pot contribution - SDF • No minimum amount for SDF • SDF – political sensitivities about standing of programme – funding eroded over the years but not ring-fenced by Defra. • SDF to continue as part of a balanced programme of good delivery and visibility. Shifting emphasis to more innovative projects cf standard projects. • SDF and LEADER - synergies and differences need to keep an overview of how they work together, or not.

  23. Single pot contribution • Don’t forget other sources of funding which are already going in e.g. agri env't, new coastal access. Relevance and delivery of such schemes.

  24. Issues • Bigger and better projects, but risk of lack of funds in new 3 year spending round which we know will be tight. N.E advice ? • Stretched N.E resources >75% - message to other partners that they can withdraw ? • Balanced programme and messages about SDF. What if SDF is diminished ?Defra interest. • Likely issues if money is tight • KPIs – more input to get right

  25. Administrivia / Procedures guide Application forms • One application form for single pot not three – core , project, SDF. • Standard form or bespoke to AONBs? Contribution Offer letter • Grant / Contribution offer letter. Is Standard letter ‘appropriate’ ? • Link to MoA and application form – so letter can be brief • Check with finance / legal team re validity of offer letter?

  26. Administrivia / Procedures guide Grant / Contribution conditions Standard? • Grant / Contribution conditions NE ‘proof’ all grant conditions • Check compatibility with the core function / performance indicators ? • Link conditions to MoA and application letter Claim form to be submitted • Claim should be submitted on form GR6/V2. Check with finance / legal team, procurement?

  27. Administrivia / Procedures guide Grant condition: quarterly progress and financial reports • Ensure a consistent approach for quarterly reporting - accrual reporting to tie in with N.E system. • Review all monitoring and reporting requirements from AONBs Grant files. Minimum amount of information needed on a grant file? • Provide basic guidance? Payments – in arrears • Interim claim / First payment December , Final payment May.

  28. Timetable Oct – Nov • 3 Funding workshops to discuss new arrangements Announcement of 09/10 funding ? November • Finalise any outstanding documents / templates • AONBs / N.E. and LAs to begin working up local arrangements for 09/10 budget , business plan and application ; also to negotiate local AONB agreement (5 years) . • New 3 year strategic plans ?

  29. Timetable December • Draft of Protected Landscape Policy statement out for consultation ? To be signed off in July 2009. January • AONB Contribution Offer letters being sent out • Local Agreements start to be signed off – complete by the end of March - June ???? • Review Relationship Plans April • Most AONB Management Plans published and adopted • Protected Landscape Policy Position Statement nearing completion

  30. Timetable issues • Announcement of 09/10 funding ? And 95%. • Sign off of documents • Length of time to negotiate MoA

  31. Potential Annual Timetable • AONB submissions of key performance measures from previous year and special pleadings, Annual reviews, SDF reports. By end of May • Submission of Core Function Performance indicators– N.E. to analyse. Assessment of outcomes? By end of August • Budget announcement (95% or more) October (?) • Draw up business plan / application form Approval of business plan / application Submitted by end November / December • Offer letter January No later than end of January • 1/4ly reports – 1/4ly progress / accruals–

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