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Chapter 5 DEVELOPING A NEW APPROACH TO THE FUTURE "There are major challenges here. To build a united department with shared vision and values. To build on the UK's strengths in science and technology. To make sustainable development a reality not a concept. To promote a cleaner environment. To tackle rural deprivation and secure a modern, sustainable farming industry. I regard DEFRA, with its regional and Agency arms, as fundamentally a public service department. If we want to serve the public, we all need to be willing to adapt and change traditional ways of working, and to be innovative." Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, Prime Minister A new department: a new agenda 5.1 DEFRA is more than just a merger of functions from the former MAFF, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and Home Office; it reflects the Government’s determination to exploit the synergies that exist between sustainable development, environmental protection, rural affairs, and food, farming and fisheries. Completion of a merger, and the necessary culture change that accompanies this, takes time in any organisation. We have embarked on a major change programme designed to deliver a single, distinct and integrated whole, with a markedly new culture. Early results include the statement of our vision and the establishment of a clear aim, objectives and values. We will work further on delivery of these, and of the merger and change programme, in the period ahead. Already we have:
5.2 We want to be a department that:
5.3 DEFRA builds on strong traditions of science, economics, policy evaluation and other types of evidence. Most areas of our activities rely on a scientific approach to policy and regulatory questions, whether it be maintenance of biodiversity and of fish stocks, release of GMOs, animal and plant health and animal welfare, food safety or resource productivity. In 2001–02, we spent around £250 million on science. 5.4 We are raising the status and profile of science within DEFRA to deal with our challenges. We are also strengthening economic and social research to reflect our wide remit. We are reviewing the way that we manage science to support policy-making, and we are focusing on:
Developing a new future Many of the difficult issues we will face in future may not yet be fully recognised. We must make sure that our current activity does not squeeze out work on identifying possible solutions to future problems. To prevent this, we are establishing a new horizon scanning research and development programme, specifically looking for issues at the margins of current thinking. We are consulting widely and drawing on outside expertise to identify issues of potential future importance. Working in partnerships for delivery 5.5 We will strive to offer a high quality service and we want to achieve a reputation for service excellence. To do this, DEFRA works through a range of partnerships. They include our own agencies and public bodies, other departments (including through concordats with devolved bodies), local authorities, private companies and individuals, and our own staff. The public bodies linked to DEFRA are listed at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/agencies.asp 5.6 DEFRA has put emphasis on working effectively in the regions. The Government Offices for the English Regions have always worked on sustainable development and environmental issues. We have recently boosted their rural capabilities by placing a Rural Director in the senior management team of each of the Government Offices (with the exception of London). These Rural Directors quickly established a key role both as partners in the Government Office team and in enhancing the ability of DEFRA to work with partners at a regional level. Their links with the Regional Development Agencies have been vital in carrying through the work of the Business Recovery Fund. Increasingly other public bodies, including the Countryside Agency, Environment Agency and English Nature, operate on a similar regional basis and our presence in the Government Offices also enables a strengthened partnership with local government. Our Rural Development Service also has regular interaction with some of the same regional contacts in carrying out its remit in respect of the English Rural Development Programme (ERDP). 5.7 Liaison with local government is crucial, not least in the field of rural affairs and on a series of environmental issues. We maintain close liaison with the Local Government Association (LGA), particularly with the LGA’s Rural Commission, and play a positive role in the Central Local Partnership, chaired by Stephen Byers MP. 5.8 We are improving the way that we involve all types of people in our policy-making. A good example of this is the Rural Affairs Forum which gives a very wide range of people and organisations an opportunity to have their say. Ministers chair and representatives of all major parts of government attend. This fully inclusive approach is a central part of the policy-making process. Regions will be developing their own variants of the national RAF suiting their specific needs. What we will do:
Working with stakeholders 5.9 DEFRA is about anticipating the future, building a consensus for change, representing the public interest and delivering high quality services. Our work affects the lives and quality of life of everyone. To do it effectively, we must work with experts, in partnership with key individuals and organisations and by consulting with stakeholders. We have over 3,000 national stakeholders and many more at regional and international level. We are developing a strategy for working with them. 5.10 We want to be a department which goes about its business with the benefit and knowledge of a wide range of interests – and is open about it. We will consult with the right people at the right time, recognising that we may need to target different groups in different ways. Our strategy will put the theory of inclusive, outward-facing, joined-up and customer-focused government into practice across all areas of our work.
If you have a general enquiry about DEFRA, call our helpline: 08459 335577 or you can visit our website at: www.defra.gov.uk Getting more copies of this document If you would like further copies of ‘Working for the Essentials of Life’, call, write or email DEFRA Publications at the contact details below. Please quote reference PB6740 and give full details of where your copies should be sent. Telephone: 08459 556000 Post: DEFRA Publications Admail 6000 London SW1A 2XX email: defra@iforcegroup.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Farming Politics
Government Posters Humour
Technology Religion
Nature Me Links
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