Governance

Objectives of the Steering Group

  1. Provide, maintain and refine–through an evidence based approach–the bird survey and assessment guidelines.
  2. Ensure robust advice is provided, while representing all stakeholders fairly. 

The structure of the steering group

Permanent seats

There will be permanent seats with a single representative for the following organisations. CIEEM, Natural England (NE), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), NatureScot, Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE), BTO, RSPB, and the Forestry Commission. The individuals representing these organisations can vary depending on availability, relevance, expertise etc.

The role of this element of the group is to act as advisors and represent the full range of stakeholders. Although they will potentially be asked to contribute to material on the website, it is envisaged that most of this will be done by “task and finish” groups  comprised of nominated elected members (in consultation with other relevant experts, as appropriate).

Elected members

There will be up to 11 elected members. Each member will serve a maximum of four years. They will then be required to step down. They will be allowed to stand again for election, but two consecutive terms will be the maximum, after which, a gap of at least two years will be needed before they can stand for election again. In exceptional circumstances, and following a unanimous vote by the remaining members, this rule can be waived. We will aim to maintain a membership with a stratification of individuals in various career stages.

New elected members.

For each round of recruitment to the group, all elected members including those outgoing members, will place all applicants in rank order and the required number of members in that year will be chosen from the those with the most votes. The application process is conducted done blind and we will aim to have a stratification of career stages to include individuals from all stages. 

At the establishment of the membership of the group, all elected members will draw lots. Three people will serve an initial term of one year, three will serve two years, three will serve three years, and two will serve four years. They will all then be able to re-stand for another four-year term, should they wish. After this initial staggering of terms, all subsequent members are elected for four-year terms. 

A chair will be chosen by the elected members (a majority vote decision). They will act as Chair for one year, when a new chair will be chosen. The chair will act as a normal elected member in all ways except that they will be the default chair of meetings, unless decided otherwise, and will have the casting vote when votes are tied (i.e., the 6th vote in a 6:5 result). A deputy chair will also be appointed for the same term as the chair, by the same method and rules. Their role is to help with the progress of actions from the meeting. 

 Frequency of full group meetings

It is proposed that meetings of the full group, including permanent and elected members, should occur quarterly, with alternating face to face and online meetings. Typically, the online meetings will be shorter in duration and will be focussed on reporting back on actions from previous meetings and reviewing progress. Face to face meetings will be an opportunity to discuss in more detail the ambitions of the group and strategic direction in more detail.

Quorum for all meetings will be at least five elected members. Although we aim to reach a consensus and all decisions will need to be ratified by all 11 members , this can be done by a remote vote (if required), after the meeting.

Decisions requiring a unanimous vote:

  1. Changing these governance rules.
  2. Changing the structure of the group, e.g., adding a new permanent seat.
  3. Co-option of an additional ‘elected’ member.
  4. Removing a member.
  5. Addition of new pages/sections to the guidelines.
  6. Any future establishment of the BSAG as a legal entity.
  7. Adoption of additional decisions requiring a majority vote.

 

Decisions requiring a majority vote:

  1. Changes to numbers, /thresholds, or /standing advice within the guidance, based on new evidence.
  2. Selection of a new Chair.
  3. Dates and locations of meetings.
  4. Formal or /public affiliation with any other body.