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Appointment details

Appointed Verderer (New Forest)

Summary

• Organisation: Forestry Commission
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: South East
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 30 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £409 per day
• Length of term: Please email Sarah.formosa@forestrycommission.gov.uk
• Application deadline: Midday on 6 June 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   12 May 2022

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 6 June 2022

3. Sifting date

   8 June 2022

4. Interviews expected to end on

   23 June 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

Background

The Verderers of the New Forest are a statutory organisation constituted by the New Forest Act 1877.  They are one of the main organisations operating in the New Forest area and working to secure its future.  The Verderers have particular responsibilities for the administration of the areas common rights.

Appointment description

The role and responsibilities of the Verderers

The Verderers responsibilities extend to the commonable lands of the New Forest – that is land which is either now or will be at some time in the future, subject to common rights.  Within that area the Verderers main task is to ensure that the owners of the animals out on the forest exercise their rights in a responsible and proper manner, and in keeping with the highest standards of animal welfare.

In addition to administration of Common rights, the Verderers have powers to determine certain activities that may take place on the commonable lands.  Typically these activities will include requests from Forestry England which involve interference with the common grazing, for example, gas connections to private households, major works on the Open Forest or certain recreation activities.

Organisation description

The Verderers employ five Agisters who assist in the day to day management of the Commoner’s stock.  They also employ a Clerk and Assistant Clerk to administer the Verderers business.

How the Verderers work

The Verderers Court meets in public at the Verderers Hall in Lyndhurst and subsequently in Committee, to which the public are not admitted.  Meetings are currently held at 10am on the third Wednesday of each month except August.

Board composition

Composition of the Verderers

The New Forest Act 1949 determines the composition of the Court of Verderers, which is five members elected from the commoning community; four members appointed by other statutory organisations (currently Defra, Forestry Commission, Natural England and New Forest National Park Authority), and the Official Verderer.

Person specification

Essential criteria

PERSON SPECIFICATION - NEW FOREST VERDERER

QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE

There are no formal qualifications required but in general the person appointed should have a broad and thorough understanding of matters relating to land management, including woodlands, enclosed and open grasslands and heathland with conservation designations.  This could be professional or academic knowledge although personal knowledge or experience may also be sufficient.  The successful applicant will also have a knowledge of the Forest, history and communing practices environmental protection with an appreciation of community and recreational use of the Forest.  As this position is for a Forestry Commission Verderer applicants must have a reasonable knowledge of Forestry England’s aims and objectives.

ESSENTIAL

PERSONAL QUALITIES

To make a substantial contribution to the aims and objectives of the Verderer position, applicants must act with honesty and integrity and be valued for the sound application of their knowledge and expertise.  He/she must be approachable to all, challenge and prepared to be challenged while being discreet and sensitive in handling issues.

ESSENTIAL

STRATEGIC THINKING

It is important to be able to quickly assimilate data to get straight to the root of a problem and find new ways of looking at issues.  He/she must be in a position to give objective advice based on sound evidence and analysis of a situation.  To be effective it is essential that the successful applicant communicates clearly and persuasively and is prepared to listen to the views of others.

ESSENTIAL

RELATIONSHIPS

It is a prerequisite that the successful applicant builds productive relationships with fellow Verderers/Commoners.  Is diplomatic and shows astute powers of judgement.  Is able to value and incorporate different perspectives to achieve the best practical outcomes.  Gets to know people and their aspirations but is not deflected by these in order to obtain an outcome for the greater good.

ESSENTIAL

OTHER FACTORS

Must be in a position to attend the Verderers’ Court for regular meetings.  Be able to attend other meetings/tours of the Forest as and when issues require consideration or fact finding.

Keep in regular contact with the Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. Applicants must confirm that they understand the standards of probity required by public appointees outlined in the “Seven Principles of Public Life” set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Application and selection process

How to apply

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:   

• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire)

• Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)

For further information and an application form please contact

Sarah Formosa

Forestry Commission

620 Bristol Business Park

Coldharbour Lane

Bristol

BS16 1EJ

Sarah.formosa@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Completed application forms must be returned to the above address by 6 June 2022.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

1. Craig Harrison - Forest Management Director – South District - Panel Chair - Departmental Official
2.  Richard Barker  -  Data Protection Manager - Departmental Official
3. tbc

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

Reasonable adjustments

Government departments are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

You will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. If re-appointed, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years  

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on official business however these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon termination because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact Sarah.formosa@forestrycommission.gov.uk in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Contact details

If you need further advice, please email: Sarah.formosa@forestrycommission.gov.uk