Policy Committee
The Policy Committee is an advisory committee that was established by the Board of CPRE in 1968. Its broad purpose is to provide a body of expertise to assist CPRE in all aspects of its external policy. In particular, it considers policy issues; advises staff on policy development; maintains an overview of policy developments in government; and reports on this to the Board, including advising the Board on policy priorities for the Strategic Plan and on new or contentious policy issues.
Below are some questions and answers that explain a bit more about the role of the Policy Committee and how you can get involved.
How often does the Policy Committee meet?
The Policy Committee meet five times a year – usually a Tuesday afternoon in February, April, June, September and November. The meetings are usually scheduled at least a couple of weeks ahead of Board meetings so that the minutes can be presented to the Board while issues are current. Details of previous and forthcoming meetings can be found by clicking on the 'Policy Committee meetings' tab on the left of this page.
Who is on the Policy Committee?
The Policy Committee consists of policy experts who serve in a voluntary capacity. Most members have been or still are strongly involved with their local CPRE Branch or Regional Group. Short biographies of all the current Policy Committee members are here. In addition, Policy Committee meetings are attended by one or two Trustee Board representatives and as often as possible by the Chair of CPRE. The Policy Committee chair is also a CPRE Trustee.
The Policy Committee consists of policy experts who serve in a voluntary capacity. Most members have been or still are strongly involved with their local CPRE Branch or Regional Group. Short biographies of all the current Policy Committee members are here. In addition, Policy Committee meetings are attended by one or two Trustee Board representatives and as often as possible by the Chair of CPRE. The Policy Committee chair is also a CPRE Trustee.
How are members of the Policy Committee selected?
When a vacancy becomes available on the Policy Committee (usually when a current member has reached the end of their term) a Circular is sent to the field calling for nominations. The Circular will highlight any particular gaps in knowledge that the departing member(s) will leave, to help ensure that expertise on the Committee covers a spread of policy areas. Any call for nominations is also highlighted in the Weekly Round-Up. Once the deadline has passed, nominees are shortlisted and invited for interview by the Chair of the Policy Committee. Based on the interviews, the Policy Committee Chair makes recommendations to the Trustee Board, who must approve the proposed individuals before they can be offered a position on the Committee.
When a vacancy becomes available on the Policy Committee (usually when a current member has reached the end of their term) a Circular is sent to the field calling for nominations. The Circular will highlight any particular gaps in knowledge that the departing member(s) will leave, to help ensure that expertise on the Committee covers a spread of policy areas. Any call for nominations is also highlighted in the Weekly Round-Up. Once the deadline has passed, nominees are shortlisted and invited for interview by the Chair of the Policy Committee. Based on the interviews, the Policy Committee Chair makes recommendations to the Trustee Board, who must approve the proposed individuals before they can be offered a position on the Committee.
What are the terms of service of Policy Committee members?
Members are asked to commit to an initial period of three years on the Policy Committee. At the end of the three years, with agreement from the Chair, this can be extended for an additional three years if the member is willing. Six years is the maximum length of time people can serve on the Committee.
Members are asked to commit to an initial period of three years on the Policy Committee. At the end of the three years, with agreement from the Chair, this can be extended for an additional three years if the member is willing. Six years is the maximum length of time people can serve on the Committee.
How to get involved
Who writes the papers?
Most of the papers are written by members of the national office policy and campaigns department and are signed off by the Director of Campaigns and Policy, and in some cases by the Chief Executive and Policy Committee Chair. Who writes the papers depends on which policy topics are most pressing and which member of staff, has expertise or responsibility for the policy issue.
Most of the papers are written by members of the national office policy and campaigns department and are signed off by the Director of Campaigns and Policy, and in some cases by the Chief Executive and Policy Committee Chair. Who writes the papers depends on which policy topics are most pressing and which member of staff, has expertise or responsibility for the policy issue.
Papers can also be contributed by Regional Groups and Branches. If your Branch or Regional Group has a topic it would like to be considered by PC, please contact the Director of Campaigns and Policy at least 4 weeks in advance of a meeting. Emails can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject heading ‘FAO: Director Campaigns and Policy - PC’.
How are the topics of Policy Committee papers chosen?
Policy Committee meetings usually focus on one key area of policy to be developed (the Discussion Paper) and two or three shorter discussions pieces where advice is sought on current consultation responses or work in progress (Papers for Advice). The September meeting is usually the 'Open Policy Committee' meeting of the year where all branch and regional chairs are encouraged to attend. In the final meeting of each year the Discussion Paper covers the draft operational plan for the following year.
Policy Committee meetings are scheduled a year in advance which means the meetings may not be able to cover quick-changing, short-timescale issues. In areas of fast developing policy, advice may be sought in between meetings through email correspondence with Policy Committee members.
Are Committee Papers available before meetings?
Yes, the Agenda for the next meeting is posted in advance on this section of the website. Papers presented to Policy Committee are available via email from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We very much welcome comments by members on the Papers, and any feedback will be forwarded to the Chair of PC in advance of the meeting.
If I want to hear the discussion on a particular paper can I attend a meeting?
Policy Committee meetings are open to all active members of CPRE. All you need to do is contact us at least 4 days before the meeting so that we can ensure there is enough seating.
How can I find out about the outcome of a Policy Committee meeting?
Minutes of Policy Committee meetings are placed on the Local Group Area of the website after they have been reviewed by the Committee and signed-off by the Chair. This sign-off takes place at the subsequent meeting to which the minutes refer.
Draft Policy Committee minutes are also presented by the PC Chair or Director of Campaigns and Policy to the Board meeting which is held approximately two weeks after the Policy Committee meeting. The Board considers issues raised in the minutes and may seek further debate on some policy issues. These draft minutes are available on the website with Board papers.
Published in
Policy Committee
A short biography of Policy Committee members.
Published in
Policy Committee
