Colleagues
Unfortunately we have again been subjected to an extremely tight consultation timetable by a Government department. In this instance, Defra, working to its own tight timetable, is reviewing the Environmental Stewardship handbooks and literature.
We have to respond with detailed comments by 21 April (we discovered on 21 March).
With this in mind I would ask you, if at all possible, to send me any comments on both the ELS, OELS, HLS and FEP handbooks by 1700, 10 April (other commitments mean I have limited time to deal with this issue as well). Anything that arrives after that time, I can't guarantee to take into account.
The scope of this part of the consultation is geared towards the actual wording and layout of the current handbooks. Some of the things that would fall within this category are
- inaccuracies over the amounts to be paid for FEP advice from the HER;
- the lack of clarity within the pages that describe the exchange of information between FEPer and HER, with the FEPers part of the exchange being under-described (leading to maps without clear boundaries and no field parcels being supplied).
I need to know what the issues are with the process as described in the handbooks and literature, and suggestions of a preferred layout and/or text.
When returning comments please supply the following (related to the relevant handbook):
- page number;
- para number;
- type of change needed (amendment, addition or increased clarification);
- suggested wording (where appropriate).
Request for Feedback on Option/Scheme Design
We have also been asked to gather views on possible changes to the option and/or scheme design. For example, such issues might include the adapting of certain grassland options to include stronger wording relating to archaeology in order to achieve a wider band of payments relevant to the protection of archaeology within grassland areas. It should be borne in mind that at this time new options cannot be introduced- unless it has been demonstrated that the scheme is failing drastically without them. The reason for this is that any major changes or new options would need to be returned to Brussels for consideration. Following on from this, there may be a consultation in due course on ELS, OELS and HLS prescriptions/capital items, with a view to such items being incorporated within the agri-environment scheme designs in the next ERDP.
If you wish to include suggestions or comments upon these somewhat broader issues, please keep them separate to the scheme literature feedback. I will do my best to pull the suggestions together in a single document for passing to Defra at the appropriate time.
I have circulated this note to ALGAO members, to frontline staff via the HER Forum and to HECAS, for comment.
My apologies for the daft deadlines but I am afraid that these are beyond my control.
Regards and thanks in advance for anything you are able to provide.
Ken
Ken Smith
Vice Chair
Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers
c/o Peak District National Park Authority
Aldern House
Baslow Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire DE45 1AE
tel: 01629 816206
fax: 01629 826310
mob: 07890 274625
Working together for the Peak District National Park
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