Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation
Boards
Appointment of Secretary of State Members
Information pack for applicants
The closing date for the receipt of applications for this role is:
9th November 2015 at 12 noon
Ref: PAPPT 012-15
Information packs are available in other formats such as larger font and Braille.
The Secretary of State has delegated the interview process for these appointments to Natural
England. If you need a different format please contact Natural England.
Email: sosappointmentsinbox@naturalengland.org.uk
Diversity
To ensure our public bodies better represent the communities we serve, we positively
welcome applicants from all walks of life. All public appointments are made on merit
following a fair, open and transparent process as regulated by the Office of the
Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Equal opportunities
UK government has a policy of equality of opportunity. We aim to promote equal
opportunity policies whereby no one suffers unfair discrimination either directly or
indirectly, or harassment, on grounds such as race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex,
gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or age.
Disability
Defra will be operating an interview access scheme for disabled people (as defined by the
Equalities Act 2010) who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment as published in
these notes. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please notify the
Department when you return your application. In addition, if you require any special
arrangements at interview stage, please give details in a covering letter to enable us to
make the appropriate arrangements if necessary. Furthermore, reasonable adjustments
will be made in the event of a successful application.
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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards: Chilterns &
Cotswolds
Introduction
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are areas of the countryside that are
protected to ensure the conservation and enhancement of their special qualities. There are
34 AONBs in England. The Chilterns and Cotswolds AONBs are managed by
independent Conservation Boards, whilst the majority of AONBs are managed by the local
authorities within the designated area.
National Parks and AONBs are of equal landscape importance, status and protection.
They vary in terms of the specific purposes for which they were designated and their
management structure or organisation. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
provided for the establishment of independent Conservation Boards, with both the
Cotswolds and Chilterns Boards being established in 2004 and becoming fully operational
in 2005. The Conservation Board option was seen to be a management structure that
would be best suited to AONBs that were geographically large and administratively
complex.
AONBs are designated for the statutory purpose of:

Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.
Where a Conservation Board is established for an AONB, the Board has an additional
purpose:

To increase the understanding and enjoyment by the public of the special qualities
of the area.
In addition, while having regard to its purposes, a Board must seek to foster the economic
and social well-being of local communities within the AONB. In delivering this duty, a
Board should co-operate with local authorities and public bodies whose functions include
the promotion of economic or social development within the AONB. These two purposes
and duty are modelled on those of the National Parks in England and Wales.
The statutory AONB Management Plan is a key document for the area. This sets out
policies and actions to help conserve and enhance the area and increase the
understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities. As such the plan is an essential tool
for all those with an interest in the area and partnership working.
The Secretary of State wishes to make 2 new appointments to the Chilterns Conservation
Board and 1 new appointment to the Cotswolds Conservation Board.
The Chilterns Conservation Board comprises 27 members: 8 appointed by the Secretary
of State, Defra; 13 by the local authorities that cover the Chilterns AONB; and 6 are
elected by the parish and town council or parish meetings covering the AONB.
The Cotswolds Conservation Board comprises 37 Members; 14 appointed by the
Secretary of State, Defra; 15 by the local authorities that cover the Cotswolds AONB and 8
by the parish and town councils or parish meetings covering the AONB.
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Although Defra works closely with AONB Conservation Boards, they are independent
bodies and the Secretary of State does not intervene in their day-to-day running. It is for
Conservation Boards themselves to consider how they achieve their statutory purposes.
Defra encourages AONB Conservation Boards to maximise funding from a full range of
sources in order to help deliver their statutory purposes and there are opportunities for
AONB Conservation Boards to generate commercial and philanthropic income to
supplement their grant from Government.
Part of the role of Members appointed by the Secretary of State could be to identify and
progress schemes that would generate income such as this.
Submit your Statement of Suitability and CV to Natural England. Any specific queries
about the vacancies or about the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Conservation
Board should be made to the contacts named below.
Chilterns Conservation Board
http://www.chilternsaonb.org/
Contact for enquiries:
Sue Holden - Tel: 01844 355505
Email: sueholden@chilternsaonb.org.
For information on current Board members and committees please see:
http://www.chilternsaonb.org/conservation-board/board-members.html
Cotswolds Conservation Board
http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/
Contact for enquiries:
Martin Lane - Tel. 01451 862000
Email: martin.lane@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
For information on current Board members and committees please see:
http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=boardmembers
The Roles
Description
AONB Conservation Board Secretary of State Members have a primary responsibility to
ensure that the Conservation Board furthers the statutory AONB purposes as set out in the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. They should regard themselves first and
foremost as members of the Board, with a duty to act in the best interests of the
Conservation Board and of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rather than
representatives of any organisation or interest group.
A member should make sure the Conservation Board fulfils its objectives and does so in
a way that best suits the special characteristics of the AONB. Members are expected to
achieve the efficient, effective and accountable governance of the Conservation Board in
the best interests of the AONB. Members provide leadership, scrutiny and direction for
the organisation as a whole.
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The key functions of a Secretary of State Member are to:







participate in the development of policy, strategy and innovation within the
Conservation Board, through the development of management policy, business
plans and participation in the activities of the Conservation Board’s Committees and
Working Groups;
contribute opinions and advice from the national perspective;
approve and monitor programmes to implement the Conservation Board’s policies;
scrutinise independently the workings and policies of the Conservation Board;
use skills, experience, local, regional and national knowledge for the benefit of the
Conservation Board;
influence the Conservation Board to help it to come to informed and balanced
decisions;
accept collective responsibility for the decisions of the Conservation Board.
Board members must abide by the Nolan principles of public service attached at Annex A.
Essential Criteria
In your written Statement of Suitability you must demonstrate examples of how your
experience matches the following essential criteria:
1) An understanding of the significance and statutory purposes of England's Protected
Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks) at both
national and local level.
2) The ability to communicate effectively and to make reasoned judgments when
conflicts arise.
3) Demonstrable ability to advise and work with top level professionals with clarity and
vision.
In addition to the criteria above, you must also demonstrate how your experience matches
the additional criteria below specific to each Conservation Board. If you are applying to
the Chilterns Conservation Board, you must provide evidence of how you meet either the
criterion for Post 1 and/or the criteria for Post 2. Please state clearly in your Statement of
Suitability which Conservation Board you are applying to join. If you are applying to both
Conservation Boards, please indicate the Conservation Board to which you are applying
before demonstrating how you meet the criteria.
Chilterns Conservation Board
Post 1
 Expertise or ability in one or more of the following: networking, managing historic
sites, building stronger partnerships.
Post 2
 Expertise or ability in one or more of the following: local businesses, networking
and developing relationships, facilitation.
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Cotswolds Conservation Board

Expertise or ability in one or more of the following: communications, traditional
media, social media, commercial awareness and fundraising.
Terms of appointment
Period of appointment
Initial appointments are for a period of up to 3 years. These appointments will take effect
from 1 April 2016.
An appointee may resign at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State may terminate an appointment under certain conditions. These
conditions will be notified to a successful candidate on appointment on request.
Remuneration, Allowances & Time Commitment
Chilterns Conservation Board
Typically members are expected to be initially available for 10-15 days per annum. This
can be higher if members become involved in the work of sub committees and project
management boards. The extent to which members do so is at their own discretion.
In recognition of this level of commitment the Board pay a basic allowance supplemented
by special responsibility allowances.
The full Board holds four formal Board meetings each year (March, June, October and
December). The meeting in June is the same day as the Board’s AGM. The venue for
meetings moves around the Chilterns. The Board also holds an Annual Forum, usually in
November. There are tours and field visits throughout the year but members are not
expected to participate in them all.
The Members’ Allowance scheme is:
Allowance
Basic Member’s Allowance
Chairman of the Board
Vice Chairman of the Board
Member of the Executive or Planning Committee
Chairman of the Executive or Planning committee
2015-16
£653
£2,180
£545
£545
£816
Cotswolds Conservation Board
The full Board holds three formal Board meetings each year (March, June and December).
The meeting in December is the same day as the Board’s AGM. The Board also holds a
day of site visits and workshops in October each year which means that members are
expected to be initially available for 10 – 15 days per annum. The Board normally holds its
formal meetings in Cirencester.
The Board’s Executive Committee (12 members) meets six times a year and its four sub
committees (Living & Working; Enjoying & Appreciating; Conserving & Managing; Grants)
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each meet approximately four times a year. The Executive Committee and its Sub
Committees normally hold their meetings at the Board’s offices in Northleach.
The Members’ Allowance scheme is:
Allowance
Basic Member’s Allowance
Chairman of the Board
Vice Chairman of the Board
Member of the Executive or Planning Committee
Chairman of the Executive or Planning committee
2015
£240 p/a
£2,165 p/a
£1,445 p/a
£480 p/a
£720 p/a
No one Member is entitled to receive more than one special responsibility allowance at
any time. Allowances for mileage and subsistence are available.
Annual Appraisal
The performance appraisal and review process helps to formally connect Defra’s priorities
and objectives to the Conservation Boards. It is a requirement that the performance of
Secretary of State Members is appraised annually so that personal achievement can be
recognised and developmental needs identified. The annual performance appraisal of
Secretary of State Members is usually undertaken by the Chair of the Conservation Board.
Conflicts of Interest
You must inform the Department if you have any conflict of interest that might affect your
ability to undertake this role. You should disclose information on any relevant business
interest, public appointment or position of authority, including other connections with
commercial, public or voluntary bodies.
Ineligibility criteria
You cannot be considered for Secretary of State Appointments to a Conservation Board if
you are:
a) a member of a local authority for an area wholly or partly within the AONB, or an
employee of such an authority;
b) a member of a town or parish council or chair of parish meeting for a town or parish
wholly or partly within the AONB or an employee of such a parish;
c) a serving employee of the Conservation Board;
d) the holder of a politically restricted post in any local authority.
A person is also disqualified from becoming or remaining a member of the Board if s/he
holds any employment in a company which would be under the control of the Board.
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Applying for a role
The Commissioner for Public Appointments
This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, to ensure
that it is made on merit after fair and open competition. More information about the role of
the Commissioner and their Code of Practice is available at
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2012/02/Code-of-Practice-20121.pdf
For full details of the complaints process for public appointments, please click on the
following link which will take you to the Commissioner for Public Appointments website
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/
Alternatively please contact the Commissioner’s office on 020 7271 0831 for a printed
copy.
The Commissioner for Public Appointments would like to find out what you think of the
public appointments process. When you have completed the process, the Commissioner
would appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey:
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/candidate-survey/
Your response will be anonymous and will inform the Commissioner's ongoing work with
Government Departments to improve the public appointments process.
How to apply
All candidates are required to complete the following forms which are available to download
from the Cabinet Office website:
 Political Activity Questionnaire
 Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire
 Conflicts of interest form
 Advertising Questionnaire
You must submit your Statement of Suitability (limited to two sides of A4 paper) and CV,
which must include details of your education, professional qualifications and employment
history, and the names and contact details of two referees. The Statement of Suitability
should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet all the essential criteria
for the roles as well as stating clearly which Conservation Board you are applying to.
Failure to provide good evidence will result in exclusion at sift and you will not be invited to
interview.
Your Statement of Suitability and CV should be returned by email or by post by 12 noon on
9 November 2015 to the following address:
Chris Buxton
Natural England
Suite D, Unex House
Bourges Boulevard
Peterborough
PE1 1NG
Email: sosappointmentsinbox@naturalengland.org.uk
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You may find the following video clip showing two Public Appointment Assessors discussing
the appointments process helpful.
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/news/public-appointmentassessors-paas-discuss-the-public-appointments-process-1st-june-2015/
Selection Process
Short listing
Appointments will be made in accordance with the guidance laid down by the Office of the
Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). Candidates who demonstrate that they
meet all the essential criteria will be invited to interview. It is therefore essential for your
statement to give full but concise information relevant to the appointment.
Selection Panels
The short listing and interview Panels are outlined table below:
Conservation Board
Chilterns
Cotswolds
Panel Chair
(Natural England
Board member)
Andy Smith
Audrey Roy
Chair of AONB
Conservation
Board
Cllr Ian Reay
Cllr Liz Eyre
Independent
Panel Member
Linda Blanchard
Martin Daunton
Interviews
Interviews will be held on the dates and at the location listed below.
Chilterns Conservation Board
Interview Date
18 January 2016
Location
The Lodge, Chinnor, 90 Station Road
Chinnor, OX39 4HA
Cotswolds Conservation Board
Interview Date
22 January 2016
Location
Cotswolds Conservation Board Offices
The Old Prison, Northleach, Fosse Way,
Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
The interview will last up to 45 minutes and you will be asked questions to assess whether
you can demonstrate that you meet all the specified criteria. All interviewees will be
advised in writing of the outcome of the interview.
You will be able to claim reasonable expenses incurred travelling to and from the interview
(please note you may be asked to justify travelling costs if the Department consider the
claims unnecessarily excessive). Please let Defra know beforehand by contacting Mehdi
Kurrimbux: Protected Landscapes Team, Landscape, Access, Planning & Forestry, Defra,
Area 1D, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR;
mehdi.kurrimbux@defra.gsi.gov.uk if you are likely to claim and the approximate costs.
For queries about your application or the recruitment process, please email Natural
England: sosappointmentsinbox@naturalengland.org.uk
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How we will handle your application
Natural England will acknowledge receipt of your application. You will be contacted once
the panels have considered all the applications.
Data protection
Defra is committed to protect your privacy and to process your personal information in a
manner which meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
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Annex A
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not
do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation
to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the
performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts,
or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should
make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and
must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions
that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only
when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public
duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public
interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and
example.
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