§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to vary the number of staff in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who administer the access element of the Countryside Stewardship scheme and, if so, how. [HL4465]
§ Lord WhittyThe department is currently reviewing the provision of access within agri-environment schemes, including the Countryside Stewardship scheme. All aspects of its administration will be considered as part of the review.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was their budget, region by region, in 2000, 2001 and this year for administration and monitoring of the Countyside Stewardship scheme; and whether they plan to increase or decrease that budget. [HL4466]
10WA
§ Lord WhittyThe table below shows how much the department spent on administering the Countryside Stewardship scheme in the regions in 2000, 2001 and this year. The Rural Development Service's business plan for 2002–03 has not yet been finalised.
Region 2000–01 2001–02 East 1,626 824 East Midlands 2,070 824 North East 1,626 251 North West 997 549 Yorkshire and Humberside 1,220 1,007 South East 2,070 961 West Midlands 1,109 1,053 South West 2,550 1,556 Total 13,268 7,0251 1This figure is calculated on a different basis from 2000–01. In 2000–01 technical advice was provided by the FRCA. The FRCA was an agency and its costs were calculated on a full economic basis, including accommodation and other overheads. In 2001–02 the Rural Development Service was formed and the costs reflect staff costs only. The 2001–02 figure is also lower than expected because of staff temporarily transferring to FMD duties.
Monitoring and evaluation of the Countryside Stewardship scheme is managed nationally. The table below shows how much the department spent on combined monitoring and evaluation of environmentally sensitive areas and the Countryside Stewardship scheme in 2000, 2001 and this year.
2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 483,000 318,0002 860,000 2 Reduction due to access restrictions as a result of FMD.