Advisory functions
Section 3: Review and research
67.Subsections (1) and (2) ensure that Natural England keeps under review matters relating to its general purpose, and that it consults bodies that it considers to have an interest when doing so.
68.Subsection (3) gives Natural England powers to undertake research which relates to its general purpose, and to commission or support others to undertake such research. The power to support research is not limited to financial support and so could include the provision of accommodation, equipment and expertise. “Research” is defined by section 30 to include inquiries and investigations, and so could include, for example, surveys and monitoring of the natural environment.
69.Subsection (4) ensures that when Natural England is carrying out functions to monitor nature conservation and related activities it should have regard to the common standards for monitoring of nature conservation, research into nature conservation and analysis of resulting information that have been established by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Section 4: Advice
70.This section specifies Natural England’s duties and powers to provide advice to public authorities and others in relation to Natural England’s general purpose. “Public authority” is defined in section 30.