The Forestry Commission will be substantially reformed as part of the government’s cull of quangos.
The government’s sweeping changes to non-governmental bodies it funds – it is abolishing 192 – will include reform to the Forestry Commission by Defra, with further details to be released in the autumn as part of the government’s strategic approach to forestry in England.
In addition, Forestry Commission Wales may move to form part of a Wales Assembly Government environmental body.
Elsewhere, the National Forest Company is being retained on the grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of the government.
The company received £3.6m from Defra in 2009/10 to help fund its aim of creating “The National Forest” – a new wooded landscape for the nation spread across 200 square miles of central England.
Meanwhile, the future of the Construction Industry Training Board is under consideration, with a decision to be taken by November 4 on whether to transfer the body and its functions to private sector status.
