Review Process 5. The work was tackled in two phases: Phase 1 dealt with ‘Requirements’, and the core content of the UKFS, led mainly by country policy leads. Phase 2 dealt with led by six nominated subject specialists from FC and FR. ‘Guidelines’, 6. The external Reference Group has been helpful and supportive both in terms of endorsing the progress and in making helpful suggestions for improvements. The entire group (Woodland Trust, Confor, RSPB, UKWAS, ICF, SNH, FR) has been notably enthusiastic about retaining the UKFS as common approach across the UK. Update on progress 7. Assembling the eight documents into a single publication, agreeing and checking all the changes and cross-references has been a time-consuming and complex task. The agreed changes were sent to the Reference Group in November and, with some amendment, Phase 1 was agreed by the end of November. Changes for Phase 2 were sent to the Steering Group in November. After some follow up work, and discussions by the Reference Group in February, the changes were agreed in February. 8. The Reference Group has asked to see the final version pre-publication and we have agreed to this. We will also send this pre-publication to the Steering Group as a last check. Both Groups have been advised this is for errors only at this stage and the turnaround time is going to be very tight. 9. In parallel with this work, the Publications team has drafted a communications plan, commenced work with external editors and production contractors to progress the We are now very much in the hands of the external contractor, but barring any unforeseen problems such as new issues being raised by the Steering or Reference Group, we expect the final version to be available 4 April 2017. UKFS web pages 10. The UKFS landing pages are part of the cross-border administered set of pages that will be decommissioned in 12–18 months. To prepare for this, all but one, simplified page for the new UKFS and each of its subject Guidelines will be retained, which will link to dedicated country pages. We have advised that each country now creates these pages in order to: Provide the landing page in each country when the cross-border pages disappear. Set the document in the appropriate context for each country. Provide links to national strategies and delivery mechanisms.
Review Process 5. The work was tackled in two phases: Phase 1 dealt with ‘Requirements’, and the core content of the UKFS, led mainly by country policy leads. Phase 2 dealt with ‘Guidelines’, led by six nominated subject specialists from FC and FR. 6. The external Reference Group has been helpful and supportive both in terms of endorsing the progress and in making helpful suggestions for improvements. The entire group (Woodland Trust, Confor, RSPB, UKWAS, ICF, SNH, FR) has been notably enthusiastic about retaining the UKFS as common approach across the UK. Update on progress 7. Assembling the eight documents into a single publication, agreeing and checking all the changes and cross-references has been a time-consuming and complex task. The agreed changes were sent to the Reference Group in November and, with some amendment, Phase 1 was agreed by the end of November. Changes for Phase 2 were sent to the Steering Group in November. After some follow up work, and discussions by the Reference Group in February, the changes were agreed in February. 8. The Reference Group has asked to see the final version pre-publication and we have agreed to this. We will also send this pre-publication to the Steering Group as a last check. Both Groups have been advised this is for errors only at this stage and the turnaround time is going to be very tight. 9. In parallel with this work, the Publications team has drafted a communications plan, commenced work with external editors and production contractors to progress the We are now very much in the hands of the external contractor, but barring any unforeseen problems such as new issues being raised by the Steering or Reference Group, we expect the final version to be available 4 April 2017. UKFS web pages 10. The UKFS landing pages are part of the cross-border administered set of pages that will be decommissioned in 12–18 months. To prepare for this, all but one, simplified page for the new UKFS and each of its subject Guidelines will be retained, which will link to dedicated country pages. We have advised that each country now creates these pages in order to: Provide the landing page in each country when the cross-border pages disappear. Set the document in the appropriate context for each country. Provide links to national strategies and delivery mechanisms.
Paper6.17-UKFS.docx