Introduction

'English Nature will give the lead in sustaining and enriching England's natural heritage for all to enjoy now and in the future.'

English Nature was set up in 1991, as the successor in England to the Nature Conservancy Council, as statutory body responsible for nature conservation in England. It was established under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. English Nature's work includes:

• providing advice on nature conservation to Government and other organisations;

• identifying the most important areas for wildlife and natural features as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and promoting the sustainable management of these sites;

• licensing various activities relating to wild animals and plants;

• establishing and managing National Nature Reserves and Marine Nature Reserves;

• supporting and conducting research relevant to these functions;

• implementing international conventions and EC Directives on nature conservation; and

• implementing the Biodiversity Action Plan and assisting in the application of sustainable development.

English Nature is funded by grant-in-aid from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

It is governed by a Council whose Chairman and Members are appointed by the Secretary of State to represent range of interest and bring professional expertise and experience. The constitution and proceedings of the Council are laid out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Council comprises 11 Members (as at 1 April 1997), including the Chief Executive and Chairman.

English Nature works jointly with equivalent organisations in Scotland and Wales, through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) on certain UK and international nature conservation issues.

Achievements in 1996/97

• English Nature provided advice to the Government on a wide range of policy developments including agriculture, forestry, the water sector, transport, industry, minerals, coastal and marine issues, changes in planning, local government and National Parks.

• English Nature and the Countryside Commission, with the help of English Heritage, published a 'Character England' map which depicts natural and cultural dimensions. The map defines England's natural heritage in a single easily understood framework and will be used in English Nature's work with other organisations to help focus actions and plans in the future.

• The Reserves Enhancement Scheme and Wildlife Enhancement Schemes continued to be successful in ensuring that Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are actively and positively managed.

• Nearly 3000 Site Management Statements were produced by working with owners and occupiers to ensure that land is positively managed for nature conservation.

• Citizen's Charter awarded a Charter Mark in December 1995. English Nature is committed to improving the quality of its services and informing people about what they should expect and how it performs.

• Competing for Quality English Nature is committed to review all major in-house service areas at least every three years and all other services every five years using a range of tools and techniques to ensure greater efficiency and improve service. English Nature is continuing to identify new areas to investigate the potential value for contracting out.

• Investors in People one Local Team has already been accredited with IiP. English Nature is committed to progress towards IiP in all Teams by 2000.

English Nature publishes a comprehensive account of its achievements in its Annual Report.

Plans for 1997/98

Nature conservation priorities will include:

• implementing the UK Biodiversity Action Plan;

• securing the safeguard of wildlife sites important at a European level;

• implementing obligations under the Habitats Directive;

• providing high quality advice to the Government;

• managing the Nature Reserves (NNR) series; and
• continuing to increase the numbers of NNRs managed by approved bodies.

Key Performance Targets
	1994/95		1995/96		1996/97		1997/98
Key Measure	Set	Achieved	Set	Achieved	Set	Achieved	Set
% of NNRs making satisfactory progress towards management objectives		89	95	97	95	97	95
No. of Site Management Units Assessed		-	8000	4120	5000	3245	3500
Area of SSSI within WES (ha)		9246	9500	12057	12500	15500	-
% of WES costs on admin.		6.4	10	6.8	10	>10	-
Area of SSSI within RES (ha)		12587	14600	16210	16300	16736	1700
No. of Management Agreements Concluded (New and Renewals)		341	515	597	425	616	630
No. of Sites Submitted for Re/De notification		86	85	81	85	87	85
No. of Licences issued		1967	1500	1583	1500	1926	1500
% of Licences determined within 10 days		70	90	93	95	85	95
% of Licences determined within 30 days		90	100	100	100	100	100
No. of Species in Species Recovery Programme		29	30	37	30	50	50
New Species added to SRP		10	10	14	10	21	10