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Go-ahead for Deer Commission/SNH merger
25/03/2010
Scotland's public service landscape will be further simplified by the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
The merger, ratified today by Parliament, will be finalised on July 1, with organisations already having headquarters in the same Inverness building.
Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham said:
"This Government is committed to simplifying the public service landscape in Scotland.
"Bringing the responsibilities of the Deer Commission for Scotland into Scottish Natural Heritage is a sensible move, which will combine the strengths of both organisations
"The merger will also build on the excellent work the Deer Commission has carried out to improve the sustainable management of wild deer in Scotland.
"The two organisations have worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition, and with both having their headquarters on the same premises, I believe that impacts on staff will be limited and that the deer sector will continue to receive a high quality service."
Chairman of DCS John Milne said:
"The Deer Commission for Scotland has a reputation for providing a good, customer-focused service to land managers. I can assure managers that we will continue to do so between now and the merger with Scottish Natural Heritage on July 1.
"The Board and staff of DCS have been working closely with SNH for many months to ensure a smooth transition. DCS staff will bring a wealth of wildlife management knowledge and experience of working with land managers and an understanding of rural economies to complement the resources and expertise within SNH.
"I'd like to reassure those that we work with every day - land managers and others managing deer - that we will make sure all the normal routes for getting information to and from our staff will remain clear and easy. There will not be a fundamental shift in our approach to deer management: continuity is something we have discussed with SNH, and we all agree on the same basic principles."
SNH Chief Executive Ian Jardine added:
"We have been working well with the Deer Commission toward a merger this year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of both organisations and many of our stakeholder groups, who have worked hard to prepare the way.
"It has been an interesting and useful experience so far, and I am confident that we can benefit in the longer term from the combination of skills and experience we will have."
DCS and SNH have been working together on the transition since the Scottish Government announced plans to abolish or merge a number of public organisations in Scotland.
DCS is an NDPB, constituted by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, as the successor to the Red Deer Commission (which had been in existence since 1959). It is the Non Departmental Public Body charged with furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer in Scotland, and keeping under review all matters, including welfare, relating to wild deer. DCS is unusual in being a direct vote body (rather than Grant-in-Aid) and that its staff are civil servants.
DCS undertakes a wide range of activities throughout Scotland. As well as exercising a range of regulatory functions (e.g. Authorisations, Statutory Returns), it publishes Best Practice Guidelines, consults and advises widely on Deer Management issues, promotes and actively participates in the operation of Deer Management Groups, undertakes and commissions research projects, conducts deer counts, disseminates best practice, assists in training, works with other agencies on wider policy issues, and advises Scottish Ministers on all deer matters in Scotland. In all its activities the Commission seeks a co-operative and consultative approach.
SNH was established in 1992 through the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. It is the government body responsible to Scottish Government Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. SNH's role is to look after the natural heritage of Scotland, help people to enjoy and value it, and encourage people to use it sustainably. This includes notifying Sites of Special Scientific Interest; the responsibility for supporting several other national designations including National Nature Reserves and National Scenic Areas; and promoting awareness and understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code and Scottish Fossil Code. SNH also plays a key role in helping the Scottish Government meet its responsibilities under European environmental laws, particularly in relation to the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives. Much of SNH's work is done in partnership with others - local authorities, government bodies, businesses, community groups, farmers and other land managers, and a wide range of representative bodies.