The Joint Advisory Committee.

The purpose of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) is to provide advice to those of its members with statutory responsibilities for the effective management of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Terms of Reference

Membership
Independent Chairman: Chris Reynolds
Vice-Chairman: Kent County Councillor

Funding partners:
Natural England
Ashford Borough Council
Canterbury City Council
Dover District Council
Gravesham Borough Council
Kent County Council
London Borough of Bromley
Medway Council
Maidstone Borough Council
Sevenoaks District Council
Shepway District Council
Swale Borough Council
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

Other member organisations:
Country Land and Business Association
Environment Agency
Kent Association of Parish Councils
Action with Communities in Rural Kent
National Farmers Union

Other members may be invited to join from time to time.

The County Council, District Councils and the London Borough of Bromley are represented by an elected member with accompanying officer adviser. Local authorities may send substitute members.

Power to co-opt The JAC has the power to co-opt as and when necessary.

Voting rights Should a vote be required, voting rights are limited to funding partners. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair has the casting vote.

Election of Chairman The JAC will elect a Chairman from either a funding partner member or independent member, which is thought desirable to support the advisory function. The Vice-Chairman is also elected. The terms of office for both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are three years. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman may be elected for further terms.

Frequency of meetings The JAC meet twice a year. The Chairman can convene further meetings of the JAC according to the strategic needs of the AONB Partnership.

Secretariat The Secretariat for the JAC is provided by the AONB Unit.

Agenda The agenda for the JAC will be co-ordinated by the Executive Group and the Unit.

The Executive Group A small Executive Group meet as required by the chairman but normally four times a year. The Executive Group advise on the implementation of the management plan, and are responsive to opportunities as they arise. The Executive Group report to the JAC and have specific terms of reference delegated to it by the JAC – see above.

Membership The Executive Group membership should be small with a maximum size of 12 people. The chairing of the Executive Group can be interchangeable between the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the JAC. This ensures a clear link to the JAC, but will ease potential problems of time-commitment. Membership can be flexible based in part on the skills that members bring but is expected to include Natural England as the major funding partner and Kent County Council as the employing authority. It is proposed that there are at least four members from the other Local Authorities, either members or officers, one for each former Area Strategic Partnerships, and four members from other organisations according to the skills and influence they can offer. At least one member should represent landowners or land managers.

Nominations and volunteers for membership will be invited by the Chairman of the JAC and membership will be agreed by the JAC.

If voting is necessary, each member of the Executive will be able to cast one vote and the Chairman will have the casting vote if needed. A quorum of seven members will be needed at a meeting, if voting is required.

The membership of the Executive Group will be reviewed every two years with the possibility of rotating membership for Local Authorities to ensure representation.

The AONB Forum

Purpose The Forum will be a place to report and celebrate the work undertaken in the previous year and help to set the agenda for the coming year. The Forum will be open to many groups, organisations and individuals with an interest in the AONB and will broaden ownership and influence in the work of the JAC, Executive and Unit.

Format and timing Each year the Forum will be held within the AONB in the form of a ‘Countryside Day’. Activities could include, for instance, presentations, site visits and workshop sessions covering a range of current topics.

Attendees Attendance will include many organisations currently excluded from the JAC such as the National Trust and Woodland Trust, the Countryside Management Projects and businesses. Relevant organisations will receive a formal invitation but the event would be open to all with an interest.

Sub-Committees The JAC appoints other sub-committees on a needs basis to advise the JAC with respect to matters arising from time to time, including the following matters:

• Tourism
• HLF application
• The management plan review
• Communications and promotion.

The AONB Unit

The Kent Downs AONB unit was established in July 1997 with one AONB officer. As the work programme has expanded the unit has grown to 4.6 full time equivalents:-

• AONB Director - Nick Johannsen
• Communications Manager - Frances Clayton
• External Funding and Partnership Development Officer – Tim Owen
• Office Manager - Gill Bell
• AONB Major Projects Officer - Catherine Brady (part time)
• AONB Planning Officer – Stella Bandu (part time)

In addition, the Unit supports several projects delivering the aims of the partnership.

• Mid Kent Downs Project Officer - Sally Evans
• Mid Kent Downs Orchard Officer - Pippa Palmar
• Rural Advice Co-Ordinator - Jenny Bate
• Denge Woods Project Officer - Fran Thompson
• Finance, Reporting and Partnership Officer - Lisa Monk-Jones
  
  The Unit is a strategic body that works with partners to achieve the conservation and enhancement of the AONB. It undertakes a number of core functions and is also a source of expertise. An annual work programme is developed by the Kent Downs AONB Director and agreed by the JAC and Executive Group.
  
  Kent County Council act as the employing authority and a supplier of line management and technical services (finance, IT, personnel) to the Unit.