Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk
FCTU Forest Research
Guidance For Reps
The FCTU Forest Research Committee is one of the FCTU's six area teams and is responsible for leading on the FCTU's work in Forest Research.
Response to FR SR10 Consultation
19th August 2011
FCTU Research have formally responsed to the SR10 consultation. This can be viewed here. We feel management's reaction to the consultation responses will set the scene for how FR will move forward during the SR10 period, therefore we await the outcome and are ready to listen to their ideas about how they intend to further engage with and support staff through the implementation process at the FR Staff Council on 16th September.
Science & Technology Select Committee - Inquiry Into FR
15th June 2011
The Commons Science & Technology Select Committee agreed on 11 May 2011 to launch a new inquiry examining forest research as part of the ongoing monitoring of the Spending Review 2010, and called for evidence on Forest Research.
The Committee sought submissions on the following matters:
- the effect of the Spending Review on FR;
- how priorities in FR are set and resources allocated;
- how the UK's capability in FR compares with other countries; and
- are there threats to FR in the UK?
The FCTU have submitted a response to this, following the excellent work carried out by members in FR. Click here to view our response. The Select Committee met this morning and are now reporting evidence to the House of Commons.
Review of Forest Research
Information on the 2008 FR Review has been moved: click here for further information on the review.
New Chief Executive for FR
16th May 2008
The joint unions have today welcomed the appointment of a new Chief Executive for Forest Research. We are hopeful that James's previous roles in other research institutions coupled with his recent association with the research commissioning side of the FC will enable him to establish a stronger long-term vision for the agency, as well as to introduce clearer and more robust management processes particularly in the area of financial control.
However James's appointment does come at a difficult time for the agency. At the last meeting of the FR Staff Council held on 9th May, we were informed by Peter Freer-Smith that the agency's anticipated budget settlement for 08/09 will necessitate a formal review of staffing levels, and that some redundancies can not be ruled out. This review is in addition to the review of the role of TSU's announced as part of the the Inventory and Forecasting Review Report.
After an initial meeting with James on 5th June, the joint unions are due to meet with FR managers on 20th June to discuss the full implications of the budget settlement as well as the scope of any review. Given the level of concern at the workloads already being asked of some staff (especially those in TSU) it will be important that we have a clear picture of James's vision for FR, as well as the impact of both the Inventory and Forecasting Review and the proposed Climate Change Centre, as well as a new financial management structure for FR, prior to looking again at staffing levels.