Natural England

[Hughie]

Erm, what about the the funding of loads of conservation work in the Peak District? Eg:- Rowter, Gautries, Bagshawe, Stoney and Bradwell Dale cleanups, various caves in the Manifold area. Also funding of the Peak District SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme web site at:- http://www.peakcavemonitoring.org.uk/, hosting SSSI conservation meetings at their offices. I could go on, but... 

Admirable work too, no doubt, to a small, special interest group.

But to a large non caving populace it would appear to be an unjustifiable use of tax payers money, which could be much better used elsewhere.

They'd see it as money down the drain (as it were).

 

[graham]

But to a large non caving populace it would appear to be an unjustifiable use of tax payers money, which could be much better used elsewhere.

They'd see it as money down the drain (as it were).

Indeed they would, just as I see, for example, the provision of cycle lanes as money down the drain, or the funding for the Olympics, or indeed the building of yet more useless nuclear missiles.

 

[kay]

I think we were answering Andy F's question, which was specifically what have Natural England done for caves?

Their work extends across pretty well everything that allows us to enjoy the English countryside. The number of people who want to do this may well be a rather larger special interest group, at which point Graham's comment becomes pertinent.

 

[AndyF]

Well lets have a look at the figures. You can look at the accounts here:

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0708/hc07/0727/0727.pdf

Boring, but lets pick a few bits out (Y/E 2008)

Staff costs                        ? 89,700,000    Yes, that 89 MILLION pounds
Operating costs                ?63,400,000   
Programme expenditure    ?43,000,000

So, they actually spent on "programmes" only about a quarter of the two headline figures....

Now how much do the top guys get paid:

Sir Martrin Doughty      Salary 2008 - ?70,000  Mmm nice for 156 days service.

Helen Philips              up to ?145-150,000
Adrian Belton            up to ?85-90,000
Andrew Wood          up to ?100-105,000
David Young              up to ?80-95,000

it goes on....

oh yes plus up to about ?25k for each of the above pension contributions....

THink Ive made my mind up...

It takes more than a few clean up cave days to justify this gravy train....

 

[al]

I'm afraid Sir Martin passed away in March 2009. He'll be fondly remembered in the Peak district for a lot more than his work for Natural Endland.

 

[kay]

It takes more than a few clean up cave days to justify this gravy train....

They did a little more than a few clean up cave days. But you've made your mind up.

 

[AndyF]

IMHO Something is very seriously wrong when someone heading a quango is paid more than the prime minister.

With 2270 employees, employees costs are 39K per employee.... nearly twice the average for a large private sector company.

It is fairly ridiculous when employee costs are larger than the project budget they are actually administering  :doubt:

How did senior staff salary double in a single year...?

Bring on the axe...

 

[braveduck]

Natural England is NOT going to be abolished,but retained and enhanced apparently.
Found that information on the Official list.

 

[AndyF]

No doubt  the "enhancement" will involve another hike in the senior staff salaries then ..... :blink: