Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk
Public Bodies Bill
UPDATED - see Campaign page.
The purpose of the Public Bodies (reform) Bill is to make provision for conferring powers on Ministers of the Crown in relation to certain public bodies and offices; to confer powers on Welsh Ministers in relation to environmental public bodies; to make provision in relation to forestry; to make provision about amendment of Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972; and for connected purposes.
Main points of the bill:
Creates legislative powers for ministers to abolish or merge public bodies.
Creates legislative powers for ministers to modify the constitutional or funding arrangements of public bodies.
Confers powers on Welsh ministers to modify and transfer the functions of environmental bodies in Wales.
Provides for the Secretary of State to make an order amending the Forestry Act 1967.
Provides for the Secretary of State to modify the constitutional arrangements and functions of the Forestry Commissioners.
Provides for the amendment of Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972.
Our Concerns:
The FCTU are deeply concerned with some disturbing aspects contained in this Bill that will have serious implications to the Public Forest Estate and to our members in the Forestry Commission. Staff in the Forestry Commission are exceptional within the public and private sector for the dedication they show to their employer and their long and continuous service. Some of the contents of this Bill represent the biggest challenge to employment in rural communities, the integrity of the Forestry Commission and the sustainability of the English Forestry Sector that we have seen.
The Public Bodies Bill was included in the Queen's Speech on 25th May 2010.
Stage |
Date |
|
28.10.2010 |
||
09.11.2010 |
||
23.11.2010 |
||
29.11.2010 |
||
01.12.2010 |
||
14.12.2010 |
||
21.12.2010 |
||
Committee stage: House of Lords |
11.01.2011 |
|
Committee stage: House of Lords |
18.01.2011 |
|
News
Joint Unions Rally to Oppose Public Bodies Bill 24th January 2011
There is a joint union rally being organised for 9th February to protest against the Public Bodies Bill, the enabling legislation behind the government proposals to sell off public forests.
Come to the rally and lobby your MP to ask the government to stop, listen and look again – we urge all who work in these organisations or who benefit from the work they do to come and raise their concerns.
12.30 – 2.00 pm: rally at Old Palace Yard, opposite parliament, where speakers will explain the issues and what will be lost if these public bodies are abolished or drastically changed
2.00 – 4.00 pm: Lobby in committee room 5 in the House of Commons. Make an appointment to meet your MP to say what you think about the proposals.
The government is proposing to abolish, merge, privatise and drastically cut and reform a large number of non-departmental public bodies that play important roles in the regional and rural economy, the environment, education, equality and the community. The Public Bodies Bill currently going through Parliament will give ministers wide-ranging powers to make these changes without full consultation and proper Parliamentary scrutiny.
The trade unions that represent members working in a wide range of non-departmental public bodies affected by these proposals are campaigning to get the government to stop, listen and look again.
Following a mass rally which will hear speakers on the issues raised by these drastic plans, our members who work in the public bodies affected and users of the services they provide are going to lobby their MPs.
We will be asking MPs to call on the government to reconsider their ill thought out and hasty plans for the reform of public bodies (recently criticised by the influential public administration select committee).
We want MPs and peers to call on the government to rethink the Public Bodies Bill which it is pushing through Parliament at the moment to give wide-ranging powers to ministers to make these changes with minimal consultation or Parliamentary scrutiny.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195310953817603
http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/events/index.cfm/id/DB69B60C-FA88-4C10-BC110E764DE2B604
Second Reading - FCTU Letter to Lords 9th November 2010
The Public Bodies Bill received its second reading - a general debate on all aspects of the Bill - in the House of Lords today. Prior to its reading, FCTU Sectretary Allan MacKenzie wrote to each of the Lords speaking at reading, highlighting our concerns and seeking support. The template used can be viewed here.
Transcript of debate (forestry related only)