Joint Advisory Committee

The JAC was established in 1992. Its main responsibility is to guide the management of the AONB and to oversee the work of the AONB Unit. JAC members have a key role in implementing, monitoring and reviewing the AONB Management Plan and generally promoting the AONB.

The current Chairman of the JAC is Councillor Robert Wainwright and Councillor Clare Wood is Vice-Chairman, both having been elected on 2nd November 2007. The JAC comprises local authorities within the AONB, statutory agencies, land owning and farming and community interest groups. In total, 11 organisations are represented on the JAC. These are:

• North Yorkshire County Council - www.northyorks.gov.uk
  
• Hambleton District Council - www.hambleton.gov.uk
  
• Ryedale District Council - www.ryedale.gov.uk
  
• Ryedale Parish Councils
  
• Hambleton Parish Councils
  
• Countryside Agency - www.countryside.gov.uk
  
• Country Land and Business Association - www.cla.org.uk
  
• English Nature - www.englishnature.gov.uk
  
• Forestry Commission - www.forestry.gov.uk
  
• National Farmers Union - www.nfu.org.uk
  
• Ramblers Association - www.ramblers.org.uk
  

The JAC meets 3 times a year including one field visit to inspect work carried out on the ground by the AONB Unit.

The Officers Working Group

A small Working Group of Officers from the local authorities and the Countryside Agency provide the JAC with support, meeting on a quarterly basis. Annual AONB Partnership Group meetings are held to discuss issues with a wider range of partner organisations.

Main work of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC)

The main work of the JAC is to:

Promote awareness and understanding of the AONB for the purposes for which it was designated.

Advise local authorities and other bodies on countryside conservation, informal recreation and environmental management issues affecting the AONB.

Advise on the preparation and implementation of a Management Plan.

Consider and advise on development plan policies, proposals and reviews as they relate to the AONB.

Discuss major issues affecting the character of the AONB and, where appropriate, make recommendations.

Act as a forum where the three local authorities can discuss and co-ordinate their activities.

Suggest priorities for action, agree and monitor an annual work programme and identify the resources required to carry out this work.