Lord Haskins' review of rural delivery
Secretary of State Margaret Beckett's statement of 11 November 2003
I am very pleased to welcome today the publication of Lord Haskins’ report on Rural Delivery, copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lord Haskins and his team for all their work. The report is compelling in its analysis of the rural delivery landscape as confusing for customers and too bureaucratic and centralised to meet our future challenges. This echoes the concerns which led us to commission his report. While we have already begun to address these concerns this report helps us take our work forward.
Shortly we will also be publishing a review – 3 years on – of the Rural White Paper alongside a study of economic performance in rural areas from Birkbeck College. In the New Year, drawing on the 3 reports, we expect to publish a ‘refreshed’ rural strategy.
I attach a copy of Lord Haskins’ recommendations, but will single out for comment a few key issues.
Next steps
My first priority is an immediate full review of rural funding schemes to provide a clearer and simpler framework for applicants and to achieve a reduction in bureaucratic procedures.
In the principles he published in the summer Lord Haskins called for a clearer division of responsibility between policy making and delivery. Government’s clear role is to set the framework for policy. But is clear that policy advice can be particularly valuable when it comes from those involved in delivery. I attach huge importance to independent advice from my Department’s agencies and partners. I do not intend to lose that advice.
An Integrated Agency
A major challenge in the 21st century is the effective stewardship of land in England against the need to conserve and improve the natural environment, maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Lord Haskins recommends bringing together elements of the work done by English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service where those functions will most enable the agency to reflect its new remit. I accept that broad recommendation. We will also consider how to achieve alignment of the Forestry Commission with the integrated agency.
The integrated agency will build on the successes and expertise of its constituent parts, such as English Nature’s worldwide reputation on biodiversity matters. It will create a single, stronger authoritative body, accelerating integration of work on biodiversity, natural resource protection and landscape issues in order to improve the environment across rural, urban, marine and coastal England. It will provide independent policy advice and implement policy within the framework of the Government’s approach to sustainable development. I will look for a legislative opportunity as soon as possible to formalise arrangements for the agency, and am pleased the constituent bodies have agreed to work with Defra to make practical progress before that point. This will allow continuity for the organisations, their staff and stakeholders, while preparing for the future.
Countryside Agency
Lord Haskins recommended the abolition of the Countryside Agency. I do not, however, agree that there will be no role for it. There will be a continued need for a much smaller organisation, with a new, well focused role providing independent policy advice to Government from a national perspective on issues affecting people in rural communities, and analysing and reporting on best practice in the delivery of the Government’s rural policies. We also need to build on experience so far on rural proofing and embedding rural objectives in all relevant aspects of government policy.
Regional and local delivery
Lord Haskins recommends devolution of the way in which the Defra family delivers its policies to achieve greater effectiveness and accountability at regional and local level. My Department will therefore be discussing with the Regional Development Agencies, the Government Offices for the Regions, local government, the Rural Affairs Forum and the voluntary sector how to define new mechanisms for delivering services to rural communities, which will be accompanied by strong and effective performance management arrangements.
Much work will be required to develop these proposals into a practical implementation plan, which we hope to publish in the Spring. I want to work in partnership on this with all those concerned to secure real improvements in sustainable development from biodiversity to resource protection. This is not only in the interests of Britain’s rural communities, but in the interests of us all.
Page published: 11 November 2003