The Forestry Commission is seeking to appoint new Chairs for its Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) in the North West, West Midlands, and South East of England.
The RACs bring together partners at a regional level to discuss and advise the Forestry Commission on its woodland and forest development and policy for local areas. RAC chairs also collectively advise the Forestry Commission on issues that are of national significance.
Since the development and publication of Regional Forestry Frameworks, the RACs also have a crucial role in advising the Commission on delivering its priorities as part of the Framework action plans. They also work with the Framework partners, including regional development agencies and assemblies, to promote the broad interests of woodlands to the local business and social sector, and to local communities.
The people the Commission are looking for to fill these unique regional roles will have first hand knowledge of the strategic issues and major stakeholders in their region and be able to identify opportunities where forestry can help to make a difference. They will have significant experience in the public, private or voluntary sector, and excellent leadership skills, as well as a good track record of working with a range of complementary interests and expertise in a structured and outcome-focussed way. Chairs need to be independent in their role and should, ideally, be resident within the RAC region.
Paul Hill-Tout, Director of the Forestry Commission in England, said:
“These posts have a key role in helping to deliver forestry policies which are responsive to regional priorities. They are responsible for bringing together the local expertise and knowledge of the RACs to advise the Commission on delivering regional priorities for woodlands across the North West, West Midlands and the South East of England. They are very rewarding roles, at a time when people are increasingly valuing green spaces, and new ways are being developed to help owners manage woodlands sustainably and deliver a wide range of public benefits.”
People with the right qualities for the position of Regional Advisory Committee Chair and who are interested in this unique role should contact Pauline Marchington at the Forestry Commission's National Office for England and ask for an application form:
Tel: 01223 346019
E-mail: pauline.marchington@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Address:
Pauline Marchington
Forestry Commission
England National Office
Great Eastern House
Tenison Road
Cambridge
CB1 2DU
The deadline for receipt of applications is 22 May 2006
For further information about the Forestry Commission visit our website on www.forestry.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Forestry Commission is a government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests, and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive woodlands.
2. RACs are statutory committees and members are appointed under the Forestry Act 1967. The RACs advise the Commission, through our regional managers (Conservators) on the implementation of forestry and related policies in each region.
Their function is to:
- advise the Commission on the implementation at regional level of national forest strategies and associated policies, together with any expressions of these in regional forestry frameworks;
- advise on a small number of specific topics and issues which Commissioners will select, focusing on regional frameworks;
- conciliate in all disputed applications for grant aid, felling licences or approvals of plans of operations under a closed grant scheme where there is a sustained objection by a statutory body; and advise the Commission on other applications when asked to do so by the Conservator; and
- inform the Commission of matters of regional or local concern on which the RAC considers it necessary to comment.
3. There are 9 RACs in England, which advise the Forestry Commission on a range of issues, including the implementation of policy in the regions. In recent years the RACs have played a particularly important role in advising the Commission on the preparation of Regional Forestry Frameworks which provide the primary policy drivers for the Commission’s work in each region. The Frameworks were prepared through an inclusive, Government led, regional process facilitated by the Forestry Commission. The Commission is not the ‘owner' of the Frameworks but has a major role to play in their delivery.
4. All RAC members are appointed in a personal capacity. Members are expected to be well informed of the particular interest they represent.
5. Each RAC normally has 3 meetings a year and there are also 2 meetings each year between all RAC Chairs and the England Forestry Commissioners. Chairs can typically expect to spend up to 10 days per annum on RAC work. A stipend of £2,000 per annum is payable together with t ravelling expenses at Government rates. Appointments will be on the basis of a three-year term of office with the possibility of extension or renewal.
6. The Forestry Commission is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all age groups and sectors of the community.
Media enquiries: Rebecca Britton
Tel: 01223 346 027, 07785 748 351 or e-mail rebecca.britton@forestry.gsi.gov.uk