Soil Action Plan Advisory Forum
Terms of reference
The terms of reference of the Soil Action Plan Advisory Forum are:
"To provide a mechanism by which stakeholders can put views to Government on the progress and implementation of the First Soil Action Plan for England. As the lead Department Defra will:
- provide twice-yearly progress reports for all actions in the plan;
- present specific results of progress to the Advisory Forum;
- keep Ministers informed of progress on the plan and views expressed by the Advisory Forum in relation to this;
- publish relevant papers on the Soils part of the Defra website; and
- ensure joined up working with others in pursuit of sustainable outcomes e.g. Environment Agency work on their soil strategy, work with the Devolved Administrations, work with ODPM to influence planners, and work on the EU Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, in line with the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Development.
Advisory Forum members will:
- provide advice and ideas on the implementation of the actions in the plan;
- provide feedback on progress made on the actions, including ways to overcome difficulties encountered and recommending action when progress has halted;
- offer an independent overview of the implementation and direction of the Action Plan;
- work with Defra and others to take actions forward as necessary;
- discuss additional issues/actions to be included in the Second Soil Action Plan for England; and
- assess priority actions in the event of any resource constraints;
- selectively take part in Working Groups to the Advisory Forum as and when these are necessary to further refine/develop the group's advice to Government."
Page published: 22 December 2004