ONE VOICE, C/o Blue Cedar, Wootton Road, Tiptoe, Lymington, Hants
SO41 6FT
Tel:
01425 621889 Fax: 01425 620063
Website:
www.onevoice.officeoverload.com
19 February 2011
Rt. Hon. Caroline Spelman MP
Secretary of State,
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Dear Madam,
Your department has been familiar with
the One Voice group here in the New Forest since 2008, and knows of
our particular vigilance for openness, transparency and accountability in
all matters relating to local governing bodies.
We have obviously kept a keen watch on developments
throughout the short period of the Forestry Commission Land Consultation’s
existence; and another issue that has kept our interest, is the recent National
Park Authorities/Broads Governance Arrangements Review.
With regard to the Independent Panel, I am particularly
concerned that if representational groups/organisations from within the
New Forest's 27,613 hectares of FC land are invited onto the panel, these
may not be democratically accountable to the electorate. Another concern would be the inclusion of
charities/charitable trusts which, because of their constitution, may also not
be accountable to an electorate. This, of course, will also be of concern
to other areas of FC land under discussions.
I believe accountability should be a key discussion point
for the panel, as any outcome proposals which include accountability and
transparency will perhaps gain a degree of trust from an otherwise sceptical
public, so I ask that the Terms of Reference will reflect this.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Sue Baillie
ONE VOICE
New Forest