The Forestry Commission is playing a full part in the cross-government initiative to ease the burden that government regulation imposes on business in England. We are doing this by taking forward the forestry-related elements of the initiative and examining the regulations we are responsible for. The aims of the initiative are to:
• Reduce and address the cost of the administrative burden placed on UK businesses, charities and voluntary organisations by regulation;
• Simplify regulations for business and citizens.
The target is to cut administrative burdens by 25% by 2010.
Administrative Burdens Measurement Exercise (ABME)
During 2005/6 the administrative burden that the Forestry Commission’s regulations impose on business was assessed in a cross-Whitehall measurement exercise undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC).
The ABME report (56 pages) presents the administrative costs for the regulation in scope for the Forestry Commission. It explains how the measurement was carried out, any variations in the planned implementation approach and how these were handled.
The ABME calculated that the total administrative burden placed on Forestry Commission stakeholders by forestry regulations amounted to £1.5 million each year, excluding business as usual, that is, those things which businesses would do whether regulations were in place or not.
Simplification Plan
We were set a net reduction target of 25% over five years. Although we exceeded the five-year target set for us in year one, we continued to look at what we might do for our stakeholders. We are pleased to report that by the end of year two we had measures in place that, for our stakeholders, have amounted to £391,655 gross savings. This delivers a net saving each year of 27% of the total administrative burden. In addition, we also considered what we might do for those stakeholders (such as timber merchants and haulage contractors) who, although not affected by regulatory control, face administrative costs when dealing with us.
These measures are also in place, saving these businesses £1,382,500 each year.
We have continued to look at what we might do to benefit our stakeholders.
This, our fourth simplification plan, 'Making Regulation Work for Everyone' demonstrates how the Forestry Commission has maintained an exemplary level of engagement with stakeholders on both new regulatory measures and policy changes.
We also continue with the additional non-regulatory measures that will potentially save timber hauliers and contractors an additional £60,000 each year through further developments in e-business using readily available technology.
There will be additional unquantifiable benefits. We are optimistic that we will implement these by the end of this financial year, with more to come next year.
This will mean that the total savings to our stakeholders in the non-regulatory area of our activity will increase to some £1,442,500 each year.
Doing More
Simplified regulation benefits everyone. Better more efficient government means better, more efficient business so the benefits can be felt by both Government and the private sector. We are keen to push this as far as we can and to do this we need your help.
We are continuing to look for ways in which we can benefit our stakeholders. What have we missed? Are there other areas where we could simplify regulations? We want to hear your views and ensure that your ideas for further initiatives are taken into account. We welcome further suggestions for simplification at any time. Even if ideas don’t immediately spring to mind, do take this opportunity to consider all the ways in which you are affected by regulation and where the major impacts lie. You can pass your suggestions directly to the Commission though your usual contact, or by email to linda.mcginley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. We promise to reply to all suggestions explaining how your proposals will be taken forward or, if necessary, why they have been rejected.
For further information on the Commission’s role please contact Linda McGinley, 0131 314 6503 or email: linda.mcginley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
If you want to know more about the Better Regulation initiative or would prefer to submit your proposal through the Better Regulation Executive you can do so on www.betterregulation.gov.uk/
Better Regulation Executive visits
The Better Regulation Executive is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and works to make everybody's working life as simple as possible. BRE staff visit businesses, charities and local authorities. If you would like them to visit you to find out about how regulation affects you and your organisation, please contact them:
Telephone: 020 7215 2582
Email: info@betterregulation.gov.uk
