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Introduction

This consultation document invites comments on draft revised statutory guidance to the Environment Agency. The guidance concerns the Agency's activities in England. It:

• sets out the statutory objectives which the Agency should pursue over the next few years;
• identifies its roles in contributing to the achievement of sustainable development; and
• sets out the principles it should follow in deciding its priorities.

The draft guidance has been developed in response to recommendations in the Stage One Report of the first Financial, Management and Policy Review (FMPR) of the Agency. The Report noted that, while the Government's environmental agenda had progressed considerably since the Agency was set up in 1996, there was no single statement bringing together the Government's strategic objectives for the Agency nor was there up-to-date guidance on the contribution the Agency was expected to make to sustainable development.

The National Assembly for Wales will be consulting separately on draft statutory guidance in respect of the Agency's activities in Wales.

Summary of the Issues for Consultation

We would especially welcome your comments on the following issues:

Section 2- Prioritisation and Accountability

• Do you agree with the principles for prioritisation set out in paragraph 2.1?

Section 3 - Statutory Objectives

• Have we identified the right objectives for the Agency? In particular:
• Do you endorse the objectives in paragraph 3.1 for how the Agency should go about its work?
• Do you support the objectives in paragraph 3.2 for what the Agency should achieve through its functions? These are grounded in existing legislation and Government policy.

Section 5 -Sustainable development

• Do you agree with the roles identified for the Agency in contributing to the achievement of sustainable development?

How to respond

We need to receive your response by 18 April 2002. Please send it:

• by e-mail (in Word or Rich Text format) to ea.guidance@defra.gsi.gov.uk

• or by post to:

  EA guidance consultation
  Environment Agency Sponsorship Division
  Defra
  Zone 5/G10
  Ashdown House
  123 Victoria Street
  LONDON SW1E 6DE

• or by fax to 020 7944 4412

In your response please:

• Explain who you are, and where relevant who you represent, and include your name and address.
• Order your comments under the same headings as the consultation paper.
• Include a summary of your comments if they are more than three pages long.
• If you want your comments to be treated as confidential, say so. (Responses may be made public unless consultees specifically request confidentiality. All responses will be included in any statistical or other summary of the results.)

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this consultation please 'phone 020 7944 6593. If you have a complaint about the consultation process please contact Defra's consultation co-ordinator, Grant Scott, either by email (grant.scott@defra.gsi.gov.uk) or by phone (020 7238 5789).

Further copies of this consultation paper are available from 'EA guidance consultation' at the above address, or by e-mail at ea.guidance@defra.gsi.gov.uk . It is also posted on the Department's website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm

Next Steps

All the responses received by the deadline will be analysed and a summary placed on the Cabinet Office consultation website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/servicefirst/consultationregister/index.htm . After consideration of the responses, the proposed final version of the guidance will be placed before both Houses of Parliament for a period of 40 days before coming into force. If during this 40-day period, either House resolves that the guidance should not be given, the guidance will not come into force.

Code of practice on written consultation

This consultation paper has been produced in accordance with the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultation

The consultation criteria Timing of consultation should be built into the planning process for a policy (or legislation) or service from the start, so that it has the best prospect of improving the proposals concerned, and so that sufficient time is left for it at each stage. It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, in what timescale and for what purpose. A consultation document should be as simple and as concise as possible. It should include a summary, in two pages at most, of the main questions it seeks views on. I should make it as easy as possible for readers to respond, make contact or complain. Documents should be made widely available, with the fullest use of electronic means (although not to the exclusion of others), and effectively drawn to the attention of all interested groups and individuals. Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from all groups with an interest. Twelve weeks should be the standard minimum period for a consultation. Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and reasons for decisions finally taken. Departments should monitor and evaluate consultations, designating a consultation co-ordinator who will ensure the lessons are disseminated.

Regulatory Impact

We have considered the regulatory impact of this draft guidance. Since it is grounded in existing legislation and Government policy we have not included a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

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Published 25 January 2002

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