Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Association of National Park Authorities (Peak District National
Park Authority) (N10a)
You asked for any further thoughts on the nature
of the misconception that the PSA target is a matter for English
Nature. This was referred to in paragraph 5 of the Association
of National Park Authorities evidence submitted. Our further comments
are as follows and hopefully elaborate on the initial statement:
The achievement of the PSA target relies on
the work of all those agencies and organisations that can influence
the way in which land is managed. They have a range of mechanisms,
including regulations and incentives, to help them. Further consideration
is needed of the role of potentially important delivery mechanisms,
such as agri-environment schemes, in helping deliver the PSA target.
Also for some key issues such as air pollution, mechanisms to
address these have not been clearly identified. Clarity of the
contribution that mechanisms can make would naturally lead to
clarity of the role of staff in the delivery organisations.
If we are to achieve this, the PSA target needs
to be seen to be owned and driven by the whole Defra family, not
just English Nature (though clearly they have a pivotal role).
This might for example be done by strengthening the Defra High
Level Delivery Group as a key driver of the target amongst the
main delivery organisations and as a forum for these organisations
to agree their contribution towards delivery of the target.
For example, the potential to use the proposed
(HLS) Higher Level tier of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme
in helping deliver the target needs to be clear. Our view is that
favourable condition should be seen as a minimum baseline standard
for our nationally important wildlife sites and as such, the HLS
should be capable of delivering this without the need for additional
top-up payments except in the most exceptional circumstances.
Other key organisations that need to be included
in agreeing roles include, for example, Rural Development Service,
Forestry Commission, Environment Agency the new integrated land
management agency, Rural Development Agencies and National Park
Authorities. Once the roles of different organisations and mechanisms
are agreed, this needs to be adequately disseminated throughout
the relevant parts of the organisation to ensure staff at all
levels take on board their contribution towards the PSA target.
This might be facilitated, for example, by identification in their
performance plans of the contribution the body will make to the
PSA target and by setting up targets and mechanisms within each
organisation for mainstreaming the PSA target.
April 2004
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