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We broadly support the proposals for restructuring included in the Rural Strategy but the rationalisation process should not be a cover for cutting the budgets required for the bodies concerned to fulfil their tasks. It is inevitable that staff will be distracted by process issues during this kind of transition, and administrative upheaval can lead to substantive work being neglected. The Government has to demonstrate how the benefits of the proposed changes for the recipients of the services will outweigh such disruption.
The new Integrated Agency must have a strong independent voice and credibility among its stakeholders. We welcome the fact that the Countryside Agency is not to be abolished. The new Commission for Rural Communities must have sufficient resources, influence and independence to act as an effective champion of rural issues across the whole of Government. We would be concerned if the role of Rural Advocate were detached from the CRC.
The Government's approach to devolving rural delivery will only work if there is real empowerment at the local level. Defra must make clear what it expects local government's role to be in delivering rural services. The Regional Development Agencies will have a major role to play in the new arrangements for the delivery of rural economic policy; but to perform it successfully they will need to work in partnership with other bodies.
We remain to be convinced by Defra's claim to be streamlining over one hundred rural funding schemes. The three major funding programmes with which Defra proposes to replace them may still involve many specific funding schemes. Given the rapid pace of change in setting up the new arrangements, care must be taken to ensure that effective IT systems are in place in time.
The draft Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill should be amended to make clearer the independence of the Integrated Agency and the Commission for Rural Communities. The Integrated Agency's environmental purpose should take precedence in case of irreconcilable conflict between its purposes, while the Agency should also have a clearer remit to promote sustainable development and socio-economic well-being. Defra must provide more clarity about the draft Bill's provisions on flexible delivery arrangements, especially the role of non-designated bodies in discharging Defra's functions. Enhanced Parliamentary scrutiny of orders reforming or abolishing the levy boards is needed, as well as statutory consultation on such proposals.
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