Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk
Public Forest Estate Study
Following Forestry Commission England’s recommendation the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, has asked the Forestry Commission to undertake a study of the estate the Forestry Commission manages in England. The Study is part of the Forestry Commission's Corporate Plan 2008–11 published in June 2008.
The purpose of the study to:
- consider the future long term sustainable role for the public forest estate making recommendations about any necessary changes to improve its ability to deliver relevant priorities in the Strategy for England's Trees Woods and Forests and contribute to other government objectives.
Forestry Commission’s England National Committee is overseeing the study. An external Working Group has been set up to support the process. There is ongoing information gathering and research as well as a formal public consultation to seek wider views. The group will make recommendations to the England National Committee, which will consider them and then make recommendations to our Minister. The process should be completed during the autumn or winter of 2009.
Responses to the Consultation
The FC have received 2100 responses to the PFE Study consultation, 5% of which were from FC staff. Initial responses seem to indicate widespread support for the PFE and many respondents would like it to be bigger than it is now.
FCTU England's Response
On 25th September we submitted our response to the consultation. This can be viewed here.
Get Involved
Many of you will be aware that we have been asked to give our views on the study. Although some of us have already taken part in the staff events, which are currently being held the length and breadth of England; this is not a substitute for responding to the study. Those events are simply designed to inform, and to provide us with the opportunity to think through some of the issues that affect the Public Forest Estate today.
The study itself will not alter our terms and conditions but the outcomes from recommendations enacted by the Minister may do. The danger for us as union members is to do nothing now and then have to react to outcomes that we did not try to influence when we were given the chance.
It is absolutely vital, therefore, that as many union members as possible send a response. This can be done online or on a downloaded hardcopy of the questionnaire; while you will need to identify yourself as a member of Forestry Commission (FC) staff, you are not required to give any personal details if you do not want to.
We, as unions need to be engaged in any process that may affect all of our futures. The joint unions will respond through the FCTU to the study and make that response known to you. Again, I must stress this cannot be seen as a substitute for you as an individual making your own response.
The role of the Forestry Commission is seen as bringing about greater public benefit not only for today but for the future, with new and challenging proposals on how the FC contributes to the climate change agenda, adds greater value to PFE asset and realises the full potential and value of the staff in the FC.
If you have any difficulties in responding to the study please contact your local union representative or the FCTU Office and we will be happy to help where we can.
To get involved, please read the consultation document then fill out the form below.
Please select a format:
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Please send completed forms to.
Dominic Driver
Senior Projects Officer
Policy and Programmes Group
Forestry Commission
620 Bristol Business Park
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1EJ
Telephone: 0117 906 6003
Email: pfe.consultation@forestry.gov.uk
By 17:00hrs, 28 September 2009
To request a paper copy of any of the documents please contact Dominic Driver. (contact details above)
The FC has carried out an Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment.
- Download Impact Assessment
- Download Equality Impact Assessment
- Download Equality Impact Assessment Annexes