Stansted Airport Consultative Committee

	Stansted Airport Consultative Committee
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Abbreviations:

STACC = Stansted Airport Consultative Committee
STAL = Stansted Airport Limited
NATS = National Air Traffic Services Ltd

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Background

It has long been recognised that Airports need effective dialogue with representatives of those who use them and those who live in the area. In this way the difficulties which inevitably flow from the operation of a large and busy undertaking can be more deeply understood and problems can often be avoided, resolved or mitigated.

The importance of such consultation was soon recognised in airports legislation and this is now consolidated in section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 which allows the Secretary of State for Transport to designate airports "for the purposes of consultation". Where Airports are designated in this way the Department for Transport recommends the setting up of a consultative committee according to Guidelines published by the Department - most recently in December 2003.

The Guidelines say that Consultative Committees should :

provide an opportunity for information exchange between the airport and interested parties;
provide a structured forum for discussion so as to make recommendations to the aerodrome management and other bodies when appropriate;
provide the opportunity to reach a common understanding between interested groups about the nature of aerodrome operation, thereby increasing the scope for issues to be resolved amicably. However, people interested in and affected by an aerodrome operation may have mutually inconsistent viewpoints and it is not realistic to expect that all matters of concern will be able to be resolved through discussion;
promote understanding about airport operations more widely, through dissemination of relevant information by committee members;
promote understanding by the airport operator of the nature of its impacts on local communities and businesses.

But as the Guidelines also make clear it is not intended that a consultative committee should -

detract from or constrain the responsibility of the airport owner and/or operator to manage the aerodrome;
prevent interested parties from raising concerns directly with the airport, or through other channels.

serve as a forum for the resolution of disputes;
have any executive or decision-making power over the airport.

The December 2003 Consultative Committee Guidelines can be seen on the website of the Liaison Group of UK Airport Consultative Committees which includes also more detailed information on the statutory backgroundUKACCs webpage on statutory background of Consultative Committees and role UKACCs webpage on the role of Consultative Committeesof consultative committees.

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The Stansted Consultative Committee

Constitution

STACC was set up to fulfil the British Airports Authority (BAA) and its successor BAA plc obligations under section 2 (7) of the Airports Authority Act 1965. This obligation is now to be found in section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (as amended by the Airports Act 1986) and states:

1. This section applies to any aerodrome, which is designated for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State.

2. The person having the management of any aerodrome to which this section applies shall provide:-

(a) for users of the aerodrome,

(b) for any local authority (or, if the person having the management of the aerodrome is a local authority, for any other local authority) in whose area the aerodrome or any part thereof is situated or whose area is in the neighbourhood of the aerodrome, and

(c) for any other organisation representing the interests of persons concerned with the locality in which the aerodrome is situated,

adequate facilities for consultation with respect to any matter concerning the management or administration of the aerodrome, which affects their interests.

Membership

Although the Chairman of the Committee is appointed by Stansted Airport Limited (STAL) he or she is independent both of the Airport and the other various interests represented on the Committee. The Chairman is Mr Stewart Ashurst.

The other members are nominated by the following bodies:

Uttlesford Association of Local Councils
Association of British Travel Agents
Consumers Association
Braintree District Council
Essex County Council
Harlow District Council
Uttlesford District Council
Hertfordshire County Council

Bishops Stortford Trades Council
East Herts District Council
Epping Forest District Council
North West Essex and East Hertfordshire Preservation Association
Airport Operators Committee
Association of East Herts Town and Parish Councils

The Committee also includes one of the members of the Passenger Services Group not appointed by STACC.

For the current memberhip of the Committee see our Membership Page

Committee Terms of Reference

To advise BAA plc on any matters which it may refer to the Committee.
To consider any question in connection with the problems of the Airport as they affect the users and communities and organisations represented.
To make suggestions to the Managing Director on any matter connected with the administration of the Airport, which could further the interests of the passengers and the communities and organisations represented.
To stimulate the interest of the local population in the achievements of the Airport.

Meetings

The Committee meets four times a year in January, April, July and October. The meetings begin with a public participation session which starts at 2.00pm and lasts for 15 minutes. The main meeting, wbich starts at 2.15 pm, is open to the press and public. The meetings are held at venues at or near the Airport.

For details of meetings visit our Diary Page

Administration

The Committee is administered by the Secretary, Graham Redgwell. For contact details visit our Contacts Page

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The Airport Issues and General Purposes Sub Committee

Constitution

Eight members appointed by STACC. The membership is chosen with due regard to geographical balance and the interests represented on the Consultative Committee.

Membership

For the present membership of the sub-committee see our Membership Page. The Chairman of the sub-committee is Mr Stewart Ashurst, the Chairman of the Consultative Committee.

Terms of Reference

To consider:

(i) the development of the Airport; and
(ii) any other matters requiring attention as a matter of urgency or expediency.

Meetings

The meetings of this sub-committee, which are not open to the press or public, are held four times a year at 2.00pm at the STAL headquarters office at Enterprise House. For details of meetings visit our Diary Page

Administration

The sub-committee is administered by the Committee Secretary, Graham Redgwell. For contact details visit our Contacts Page

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The Passenger Services Group (PSG)

Constitution

Seven members in total, three of who are appointed by and from STACC and four representatives of passenger interests appointed by STAL. The Chairman is appointed by STAL. The members are all appointed for terms of three years.

Membership

For the present membership of the PSG see our Membership Page. The present Chairman is Mr R Gilbert.

Terms of Reference

To consider on their own initiative, or by directions of the Consultative Committee, any questions in connection with the Airport affecting passengers/user interests.
To act as an advisory body to the Consultative Committee on their considerations with, where appropriate, recommendations.
To report to the Consultative Committee on their considerations with, where appropriate, recommendations.

Meetings

The PSG meets four times a year at 10.00am on the day of the STACC meeting. There is usually a visit at 09.00am. All meetings are held at the STAL headquarters office at Enterprise House. The meetings are not open to the press or public.

Administration

The Group is administered by the Committee Secretary, Graham Redgwell. For contact details visit our Contacts Page

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The Noise and Track Keeping Working Group

Constitution

Representatives of STAL, NATS, aviation interests using the Airport and four representatives of STACC.

Membership

For the members of the Working Group appointed by STACC see our Membership Page. The Chairman is appointed by the Working Group (currently John Williams of STAL).

Terms of Reference

To consider any appropriate issues relating to noise and track keeping at Stansted Airport and to report accordingly to each meeting of STACC.

Meetings

The Working Group meets four times a year early in January, April, July and October. All meetings are held at the STAL headquarters office at Enterprise House at times agreed by the Working Group.

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The Wider Scene

STACC keeps in touch with the equivalent committees for the other London area airports - Heathrow , Gatwick, Luton and London City - with whom there are arrangements for exchanging agenda papers and minutes.

There is also contact with airport consultative committees across the country. Each year the Committee's officers meet with their opposite numbers at 21 other UK airports to discuss common issues and to share experience. The Liaison Group website includes the agenda papers and minutes of the annual meetings from 2002 onwards including the 2007 meeting at Stansted in June 2007. The site also includes more information on the statutory background of Consultative Committees and role of Consultative Committeesof consultative committees and on current aviation issues both in the UKaviation issues and in Europe.aviation issues

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