Section 24AD Discharge of functions by risk advisory groups
399.This section sets out the nature of the information that RAGs must consider when making recommendations about risks to the aerodrome and appropriate mitigating action.
400.Subsection (1)(a) requires RAGs to have regard to any directions made under section 12,13, 13A or 14 of the ASA. This will require that the RAG, when exercising its functions, takes into account the various security activities that directed parties at the aerodrome are already required to deliver. The intention is that this requirement will reduce the risk of security action being duplicated at the airport.
401.While the RAG is required to take these directions into account while fulfilling its functions, it is not open to the RAG to consider the effectiveness of these directions or to make recommendations about whether or not directed actions should be taken, or should continue to be taken, in response to threats. The interpretation provisions of section 24AT specify that the meaning of the term 'security measure' does not include 'any measure specified in a direction under Part 2 [of the ASA]'. Express provision has been made to preclude the RAG from making recommendations about measures contained in directions because they are considered by the Secretary of State to represent the security actions which should, as a minimum, be carried out at any qualifying aerodrome. It is not the Government's intention that decisions as to the basic minimum level of security action necessary should be left to the local decision making process.
402.Subsection (1)(b) requires the RAG to have regard to any national threat assessments. In practice, the ‘national threat assessment’ referred to in subsection (1)(b) and defined by subsection (3) could comprise any information issued by a Government department, office or agency concerning threats to the aviation industry and might include an amendment to threat levels.
403.The Secretary of State will be issuing guidance to support the functioning of RAGs. Guidance is likely to cover the following aspects of the group’s operations:
the role and objectives of multi-agency threat and risk analysis;
group membership;
the relationship between the RAG and the SEG. (The new sections 24AE – 24AJ concern SEGs. Further information regarding the functions of SEGs is contained at paragraphs 381 to 383 of these notes);
threat and risk assessment methodology; and
risk assessment tools.
Guidance may also contain model documents.
404.Section 24AD(1)(c) requires RAGs to have regard to this guidance.
