Triennial Review of the Environment Agency and Natural England
On 12 December 2012, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced the start of the Triennial Review of the Environment Agency and Natural England.
On 12 December 2012, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced the start of the Triennial Review of the Environment Agency and Natural England, publishing a discussion paper which sought views from interested parties by 4 February 2013. The discussion paper and Terms of Reference for the Review are available below. Preliminary conclusions of the Review will be available in late spring 2013.
This review is part of government’s rolling programme of triennial reviews of public bodies, to consider whether the functions carried out by the body are still required and whether the delivery model is right and offers value for money.
Over the last two years, the government has set out its environmental and land management priorities, for example through the Natural Environment White Paper. This Review will be a fresh, open minded look at how we can best deliver on these ambitions in the short and longer terms.
Baseline information for functions analysisIn January 2013, we published baseline information for the functions analysis agreed with the Environment Agency and Natural England, based on their Corporate Plans. This information is available above.
Stakeholder viewsWe are involving stakeholders throughout the Review. The Review Team continues to welcome offers for further engagement with stakeholders.
In addition to seeking views on the discussion paper, we have met a wide range of stakeholders who have a interest in the work of the Environment Agency and Natural England and have held a number of specific events, including a large workshop on 24 January 2013 aimed at a variety of interests.
This event, which was opened by Defra’s Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, was an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the progress of the Review’s analysis across the range of functions of the Environment Agency and Natural England, and the form of delivery of those functions.
Based on the responses received to the discussion paper and the comments received during stakeholder meetings and workshops, we have produced a summary of stakeholder views which is available below. This document seeks to give an insight into the main themes that have been raised and highlight some of the other messages that have been provided to Defra during discussions with stakeholders throughout the Review so far. In total we received 357 responses to the discussion paper of which 135 were from organisations and 222 were from individuals. Evidence from stakeholders forms a key part of the evidence base for the Review.
Challenge GroupThe Secretary of State has established a Challenge Group to rigorously and robustly test the assumptions and conclusions of the Review. The Group is chaired by Dame Deirdre Hutton, the Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority. The Group has met regularly throughout the review. Terms of Reference for the Group are above.
Members of the Group are:
- Dame Deirdre Hutton, CBE (Chair)
- Dr Andrew Brown
- Ed Welsh
- Professor Richard McCrory
- Iain Ferguson, CBE
- Ian Trenholm
If you have queries about the Review please contact the Triennial Review Team on TRT@defra.gsi.gov.uk.