This snapshot taken on 03/12/2009, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

Minutes of the external advisory group, February 2005

Minutes of the External Advisory Group Meeting, aviation white paper, held on 4 February 2005 at 3pm in Great Minster House

Attendees: David McMillan (Chair), Barry Humphreys, (Virgin) Jonathan Sharrock (DfT), Ken Crawford (Scottish Executive), Martin Capstick (DfT), Owen Simon (CBI), Sam Whatling (DfT), Jim Bailey (SASIG), Dean Dyer (DfT), Keith Jowett (AoA), Dipak Valand (DfT), Mike Toms (BAA), Victoria Mayo (DfT), Alison Pridmore (SDC), Simon Evans (AUC), Jonathan Bailey - for Rowena Burns - (MAG), Roger Wiltshire (BATA), Tim Johnson (AEF), Paul Ellis (BA), Nic Ferriday (FoE), Simon Buck (Charter Airlines).

Introduction

David McMillan welcomed two new members to the group: Simon Buck, representing the Charter Airlines, and Nic Ferriday from Friends of the Earth.

Update on Legal Challenges and the January Programme Board paper, and summary of extracts from the White Paper Implementation Delivery Plan

Jonathan Sharrock updated the group on the latest developments with the three Legal Challenges against the White Paper. A decision on the Essex and Wandsworth cases was expected on the 18 February with the decision on the Persimmon case to follow on the 21 February.

Post meeting note: The Judge has ruled on the three cases and the period for Appeal elapses on Friday 4 March.

The extracts from the White Paper Delivery Plan were explained and the group was invited to comment. Key developments across the programme's eight work areas were described and the group was given the opportunity to ask questions. The main messages in the January Programme Board report were summarised as follows:

  • Stansted - the Department (and its delivery agencies) is continuing to work with BAA to identify surface access solutions and their potential costs.
  • PSDH - work is continuing to explore the air quality issues, the viability of mixed mode and the potential surface access impacts.
  • Rest of UK - the main area of work is looking at how the Department can work with airport operators on the delivery of regional airport policies. This is being mainly carried out via the Government Office network.
  • RDF's/PSO - Progress has been made on RDFs but it is behind schedule.
  • Environmental Impact - The main aim in this work area is to make progress on the emissions trading regime during the UK Presidency.
  • Spatial Development - Developments on Masterplans and blight issues has created a heavy workload for this work area.
  • Legal Defence - The Government's White Paper has been upheld in the Court, subject to clarification about the location of capacity increases at Stansted and Luton.

The Group raised specific questions on the following:

  • The work of the Government Offices on regional implementation objectives.
  • The impact of the White Paper on safeguarding and spatial development plans, particularly in respect of the RSS process.
  • The financiability of Stansted and the implications of the Judicial Review decisions.
  • The timetable for pursuing changes to the emissions trading regime.

Actions:

  • DfT to explore with ODPM the potential impacts of the RSS process on the White Paper delivery programme and discuss with SASIG;
  • DfT to discuss the implications of slippage on RDFs with the AoA;
  • DfT to review how the Government Offices are engaging with UK airports, particularly in the North West, and report back to MAG.

Prioritisation Exercise

The group carried out a prioritisation exercise looking at the range of White Paper delivery objectives. Two groups were formed and the conclusions were reported back to the full EAG group. The three questions the group were asked to consider were

(i) the importance of the specific work areas within the White Paper,

(ii) the Ministerial/Political priority of each work area,

(iii) the urgency of implementation and

(iv) the criticality of the work area to programme delivery.

Feedback to plenary group

  • The Legal Challenges, Stansted, Heathrow, Regional Delivery and Emissions trading were all rated as high priority workstreams.
  • Aircraft maintenance and freight were considered to be low priority.
  • The work on slots was assessed as being a high political priority.
  • There was a difference of views on the priority of RDF's and PSO's.
  • There were mixed views on the importance of spatial development work, although there was stronger recognition that it was important to deliver other objectives.
  • All agreed Project Management was a key factor in the delivery of the workstreams
  • It should be added that, in the time available, it was not possible to fully consider all the separate components of each work area in depth.

Summary and next meeting

David McMillan summarised the key conclusions from the meeting and invited suggestions on what issues should be covered at future meetings. The group indicated they would like spatial issues, surface access, funding and European issues to be included on future agendas

The next meeting is scheduled for 16th June 2005.

Programme Management Office
Airports Policy Division

03 March 2005