HOW HAVE GOVERNMENT CUTS AFFECTED THE WORK OF NATURAL ENGLAND? LORDS TO HEAR EVIDENCE

HOW HAVE GOVERNMENT CUTS AFFECTED THE WORK OF NATURAL ENGLAND? LORDS TO HEAR EVIDENCE

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 will take evidence from the Environment Agency and Natural England on Tuesday 5 December.

In the first session, the Committee will ask which areas of the responsibilities of the Environment Agency overlap with the functions and responsibilities of Natural England, and how they interact with each other.

It will also consider the increased amount of joint working that has been undertaken by the Environment Agency and Natural England in recent years, and the measures that are taken to avoid duplication and promote collaboration between the two agencies.

At 11:05am the Committee will hear evidence from:

• Dr Tony Grayling, Director of Sustainable Business and Development, Environment Agency

In the second session, the Committee will consider Natural England’s ability to deliver against its broad remit, in the light of ongoing reductions to its funding, and the plans for future delivery which were set out by the organisation in Conservation 21.

At 11.45am the Committee will hear evidence from:

• Andrew Sells, Chairman, Natural England
• Dr Andy Clements, Board Member, Natural England
• Alan Law, Chief Officer for Strategy & Reform, Natural England

Question the witnesses are likely to be asked include:

• How does Natural England try to support the social and economic wellbeing of rural communities, and what importance does this objective have in the strategies and plans of Natural England?
• Have budget reductions had an impact on Natural England’s ability to comment upon and contribute to local plans? How has this affected Natural England’s work to conserve and enhance the landscape?
• To what extent does Natural England rely on obligations currently contained in EU law in order to fulfil its nature conservation objectives?

The evidence sessions will begin at 11:05am, Tuesday 5 December, in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.