Agenda item

Environmental Land Management Scheme - access implications and opportunities

Minutes:

Ben Seal gave a presentation to the Members regarding 2 new pieces of legislation that the new government are pushing through; the Agricultural Bill and the Environment Bill.  The Agricultural Bill  is coming up for its 3rd reading and is very close to being made law, it will be the 1st domestic policy we have had for 45 years  and would look on how farmers, landowners and estate managers manage their land.   They would be paid for providing things that benefit the public, for example access to the countryside and rights of way, which has specifically been identified so will receive some kind of subsidy within the future Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), which is replacing the Common Agricultural Policy, so this is an opportunity to create a bill fit for purpose for all users.  

 

The Environment Bill, is part way through the consultation period,  but both these bits of legislation will significantly change the way in which we access and view the countryside, so it is important that we engage in this process.

 

Two policy discussion documents were released by DEFRA  last week, which are looking at what the new ELM Scheme,  will look like, and how it will work.  There are currently pilot schemes  taking place in the White Peak (summary of the  White Peak Test has been circulated by Sue Smith) area looking to encourage landowners to work in different ways regarding habitats, farming methods, biodiversity etc., but not enhancing the public access.  Ben will be meeting the Director of ELMS, the leading person in DEFRA, in 2 weeks time.  A fresh consultation is being launched soon, and it was important that as many people as possible contributed to this – the more responses we get the better.

 

The policy document is  proposing a 3 tier scheme:-

 

Tier 1 – Covers all payments to farmers and landowners – improving the environment

Tier 2 – Covers payments for public rights of way, navigation and recreational infrastructure

Tier 3 -  Covers larger scale landscape projects ie coastal footpaths, long distance canoe trails.

 

 

Was there anyway that money could be used from the ELMS Scheme  to look after statutory rights of way? 

 

 

 

The Chair thanked Bob for his comprehensive report.

 

 

Agreed:

 

Charlotte Gilbert to take the lead on drafting something in response to the ELMS Consultation.