external affairs and policy iconExternal Affairs / Policy / Consultations

IOL External Affairs

IOL has active members and special interest groups acting on behalf of its members with other organisations, agencies and government. For news and current activities within current external affairs see below.


Index to consultations on this page - click to link

 

Draft Marine Bill

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has announced that they will undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the coastal access aspects of the Draft Marine Bill (the creation of a long distance coastal route around England, with associated land for open-air recreation).  

The Committee has invited interested parties to submit their views in writing on the coastal access provisions of the Draft Marine Bill by Monday 19 May 2008.

The Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of Defra and its associated public bodies including the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities. Further details on the Committee and its activities, including its scrutiny of the Draft Marine Bill can be found on the Committee's web pages

Draft Marine Bill - report from the DEFRA Marine Bill Team

The draft Marine Bill published April 3rd sets out radical plans for a new network of marine conservation zones around Britain’s coast.

The nature reserves will have clear conservation objectives, to protect habitats and species of national importance, ensuring that some types of fishing, dredging or other forms of development do not damage them.

The draft bill also includes new systems for managing and protecting our coastal and marine waters through:

  • a new UK-wide marine planning system, which will enable us to set a clear direction for how we are going to manage our seas and make the best use of marine resources;
  • simpler licensing of marine developments, for example, offshore wind farms; and
  • improved management of marine and inland fisheries.

A new Marine Management Organisation, a centre of marine excellence, will be created to regulate development and activity at sea and enforce environmental protection laws.  Migratory and freshwater fisheries will benefit from modernised and more flexible powers. These will give the Environment Agency the tools to better manage fisheries for the benefit of anglers and commercial fishers.

Further details on the consultation can be found on the DEFRA website.

Marine Bill Team: Tel: 020 7238 4399/4422/6560

Phase III Diploma Consultation Events

QCA and  SkillsActive  are pleased to announce nine regional events during 2008 to help shape the Diplomas in Public Services, Retail, Sport & Leisure, and Travel & Tourism. Click here for full info.

 

Adventure Activities Licence Fee

A Health and Safety Executive paper sets out HSE’s proposals to increase the licence fee to £715 with effect from 1 October 2008, and review the fees scheme to inform further changes from 1 October 2009. Click here. CCPR have invited their membership organisations to respond. IOL will be responding.

Canoe England petition response from Government

The Prime Minister’s Office has responded to the petition for legislation to give canoeists and all other users of un-powered craft the free right to navigate all rivers and canals in England and Wales (similar to the right already enjoyed by cyclists to use bridleways, cycle tracks and roads).  The petition was submitted by Roger L. Revell and gained 7,819 signatures The Prime Minister’s Office response is reproduced below and can also be viewed at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Canoeists/. 

A statement from Canoe England.

 

Item : HSE Consultation - Health and Safety (First-Aid) at Work Regulations

  • In the last few years, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has undertaken a review of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, and after previous extensive consultation, it intends to introduce a new training regime for first aiders in the workplace.  In support of this, they have recently revised our first aid guidance for employers and first aid training providers to take account of the new training arrangements.  They are now seeking comments from stakeholders on this draft guidance.
  • Click here (206kb) for the following document incorporating:
    - a letter  explaining the consultation exercise;
    - draft  guidance for employers (L74 - the Regulations  and Approved Code of Practice status text will not change);  
    - draft guidance for  first aid training providers.
    The letter provides background information and a list of consultees.  The Department for Children, Schools and Families suggested the Institute for Outdoor Learning may have an interest in this area.  If you would like to comment, we would be grateful for your feedback by 8 February 2008.  WATCH THIS SPACE FOR WHERE TO SEND YOUR RESPONSE.

 

Item : English Outdoor Council - Bridge the Gap

  • You may have seen EOC's recent lobbying paper "A spirit of adventure in today's society".  This argues the case for an entitlement for out of classroom learning and for funding for those young people who would otherwise not be able to afford the experience.  
  • EOC has now published a two page summary of the longer paper headlined "Help us to bridge the gap".  This is targeted at both national and local politicians and is designed as a resource for you to use - to make it effective, EOC needs your help.  Please help by printing out the linked summary paper and sending it to your MP with a short covering letter.  You may also be able to use it at local level within your local authority.

 

Item : Notes of CCPR Division of Interested Organisations

 

Item : Consultation Compulsory use of Seat Belts by Child Passengers on Buses & Coaches

  • EU Directive 2003/20/EC has directed that all children aged 3-14 yrs will be required to use safety systems where fitted on buses & coaches. (Already compulsory for those over 14 years and on minibuses).
  • The consultation asks for suggestions on how the requirement can be made effective. You can read the full consultation on Dept for Transport web site under the consultations section
  • If you have any comments please forward to Brian Lamb by 15 October.

 

Item : Consultation paper on improving access to the English coast (DEFRA)

  • DEFRA have published a consultation document upon proposals to improve access to the English Coast.
  • Already the  Ramblers Association and the National Federation of Anglers are campaigning  for additional activities to walking along the coast and an 'access  corridor' to the sea.
  • The consultation document can be found on DEFRA  website www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/coast-access/index.htm
  • IOL will be responding to this document but urgently needs to know the views of its members.
  • Please respond to this document by sending your views to Brian Lamb by 20 JULY 2007 and also to the Coast and Open Access Team at Defra, Temple Quay House, Bristol, BS1  6EB

The DEFRA Press Notice:

  • We have today issued a consultation paper Consultation on Proposals to
    improve access to the English coast. Link to it here.
  • The consultation paper follows consideration of Natural England's report
    "Improving coastal access Our advice to Government" which was submitted to
    Defra at the end of February 2007 and which is also published today.
  • It is available on Natural England's website at here along with a number of background papers:
    - Report Coastal Access in England by Ipsos Mori
    - Report Coastal access in selected European countries by Peter Scott Planning Services Ltd
    - Report Options to Improve Coastal Access in England: Study to Investigate Costs by Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd
  • Defra appointed a consortium of consultants led by Asken Ltd to undertake research to identify the benefits and costs of options to improve coastal access and on whom they would fall. To accompany the consultation paper Defra has today also published a copy of Asken Ltd's research report Appraisal of Options to Improve Access to the English Coast. This is available here.

 

Item : Sustainble Schools FAQs - new guidance document

A new document of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about Sustainble Schools, for Pupils, Communities and the Environment has been issued (June 2007). It answers questions such as:

  • What is sustainable development?
  • What is the Sustainable Schools initiative?
  • What are Sustainable Schools?
  • How does the Sustainable Schools initiative work?
  • Why do we need Sustainable Schools?
  • What does the Sustainable Schools initiative mean to me and my community?
  • What resources are available?

Download a copy here

 

Item : Learning Outside the Classroom

  • The DfES  - ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ Manifesto
    (previously titled 'Manifesto for Education Outside the Classroom')
  • The Maniesto was launched on November 28th. For a report and to download a copy of the Manifesto click here.
  • Latest news: The DfES  - ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ Manifesto
    (previously titled 'Manifesto for Education Outside the Classroom')
    The Manifesto was launched on November 28th. For a report and to download a copy of the full Manifesto click here.
    The Seminar     - Sharing Best Practice and Developing a Multi-Agency Approach to Improving Outcomes for Children & Young People. 11th December 2006, Earls Court, London. For first report of this event click here.
  • For some background to the consultation see: Horizons32_reDfES.pdf
  • An update from Andy Gough, Department of Education and Skills. Click here.
  • Case studies
    The following 'case studies' from around the country, are a summary of case studies submitted to DfES in respect of the ‘Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto’, abbreviated to suit DfES' needs. 
    "Crystal Ball" is one with a difference that IOL submitted in its entirety. All the others are more detailed case studies, which were in more depth than DfES wanted.
Case Studies Case Study - Bexley Case Study - Brathay
Case Study - Dudley Case Study - Lanarkshire Case Study - MSc Abstract
Case Study - Self Second Case Study - SEPA Crystal Ball

 

Item : Skills Active Consulations

SkillsActive - 2 Consultations

  • National Occupational Standards for the Exploration and Expeditions sub-sector
  • Higher Level National Occupational Standards (at levels 4 & 5)
  • click here for more info.

 

Item : AAIAC Research

  • AAIAC Research into the Accreditation of Adventure Activities - for a first announcement click here and for an update issued on August 21st click here

 

Item : HSE Public Consultation

  • Message from HSE Public Consultations - Message from HSE Public Consultations - You've been invited to participate in the Work at Height (Amendment) Regulations consultation by the consultation manager, Gloria Birchall. click here

 

Item : Sustainable Schools

  • Sustainable Schools Consultation launched - click here

 

Item : Bid to Boost Countryside Visitors

  • Bid to Boost Countryside Visitors - click here
    Ways of encouraging more minority groups to visit the countryside are to be looked at as part of a Government-backed consultation.
    A 10-year draft action plan aims to increase the number of people from black and ethnic minorities, the disabled, inner city and other minority communities to get out into the great outdoors.
    The consultation is being run by the Countryside Agency on behalf of Defra. IOL will be responding and welcomes comments from members. Click here to email your comments. (Please quote 'Countryside Visitors Boost' in your email subject heading)

 

Item : BSI on Adventurous Activities etc.

  • British Standard for the provision of adventurous activities, expeditions, visits and fieldwork, undertaken for educational, training or recreational purposes outside the UK. Click here for information.
  • Dear Karen-Jane
    I'm writing to keep you up to date with progress being made by the
    Commercial Providers Working Group putting together a document on Standards
    for Overseas Expeditions for schools. We have now finalised a draft document
    and are sending it out to a wide range of individuals and organisations for
    consultation.
    Please see the draft document and a covering letter from our
    Chair, Mike Rosser which should give you all the information you need.
  • If you have any queries, please address them direct to Mike Rosser at
    mike@jagged-globe.co.uk
    For Letter from BSI click here
  • For IOL's response click here
  • For IOL Chair's response click here