Agenda item

Purpose of Item: Performance Management/Policy development and review.

To consider progress towards implementation of the Task Group’s recommendations, which were agreed by the Select Committee on 6 March 2013.

Witnesses:

Lisa Creaye-Griffin, Countryside Group Manager

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Countryside Group Manager explained that a transformation programme was underway which sought to deliver and enhance the countryside service. There were five main areas of work covered by this programme; reviewing the partnership contract with Surrey Wildlife Trust, reviewing the smallholding and farm estate, refreshing the rural and countryside partnership working, assessing the rural economy, and enhancing countryside tourism in Surrey.

2.    Members expressed concerns that requesting a peer review from another Local Authority was not the best approach for assessing Surrey’s the smallholdings and farm estate. It was the general view among the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Board that Local Authorities should not manage these estates. Members suggested the best approach would be to do an internal review and recruit relevant consultants, or to conduct a 360° review with all the tenants and relevant organisations. The Countryside Group Manager stated that it was felt a peer review would be useful, especially by a Local Authority who managed their estate well, and that Property Services were assisting with setting this up.

3.    The Committee queried the situation with Chesterton Humberts as the view was expressed that communication with tenants was at an all time low. The Countryside Group Manager confirmed the contract with the organisation was up for renewal and would be reviewed.

4.    The AONB Board was discussed by the Committee and concerns were expressed that the County Council was perceived to fund most of the board’s budget. It was confirmed that it was a joint committee with all Borough and District councils in the area having a seat on the board, and that the local authority partners contributed 25% of the Board’s core budget, with Defra being responsible for the remaining 75%. Surrey County Council’s contribution was stated as being 13% of the overall core budget.

5.    The Countryside Group Manager confirmed a meeting was being organised in September for all major stakeholders of the Surrey countryside to develop a shared vision for the countryside and shared. This would help in the establishment of the Surrey Nature Partnership, and assist with the partnership working aspect of the countryside plan. In addition, a registry was being drawn up of all partnership organisations involved in the Surrey countryside.

6.    Members requested a thorough review of Surrey Wildlife Trust be completed as soon as possible as they were 11 years into a 50 year contract. The Cabinet Member confirmed a review would be completed however it had been delayed due to a number of issues which had now been resolved. Key to this was final approval of the Surrey Hills Trademark Licence Agreement, which was due to be signed off next week.

7.    Members expressed their disappointment that the action plan was not as radical as was intended when the Task Group was first formed and that there had been delays in its implementation.

Recommendations:

None.

Actions/further information to be provided:

None

Committee next steps:

The Committee to review in October 2013 a further progress report on the Recommendations of the Countryside Management Task Group which was submitted to the Committee in March 2013.