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Introduction
1. This concordat is made between the UK Government Department for Transport ( DfT) and the Scottish Executive.
2. It is intended to provide the framework to guide the future working relationship between the Secretary of State for Transport, other DfT Ministers and DfT officials (together referred to in this document as " DfT") and Scottish Ministers and their officials (together referred to in this document as "the Executive" or " SE"). The terms " DfT" and "the Executive"/ " SE" also include their respective Executive Agencies where appropriate, including Transport Scotland. Transport Scotland, the national transport agency for Scotland, is part of the Scottish Executive and is an executive agency directly accountable to Scottish Ministers. The Transport Scotland Framework Document which is available from the Transport Scotland website sets out the different roles and responsibilities of Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Executive and Transport Scotland in delivering the Scottish Executive's transport policy objectives. The objective of the concordat is to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of DfT and the Executive are effectively translated into practical working arrangements between the two organisations. The aim is to promote the establishment of close and harmonious working relationships and good communications at all levels between the two organisations, and in particular to foster constructive co-operation.
3. In support of these objectives, DfT and the Executive jointly established in October 2002 a forum of senior officials intended to help promote good relationships between the two organisations (the SE- DfT High Level Forum). The Forum focuses on administrative and cross-cutting issues rather than specific policy matters or disputes, which are dealt with under the procedures indicated below. The Forum monitors the effectiveness of this concordat in delivering the aims described above, and considers the scope for improvements, taking account of the future developing needs of the two organisations. This includes oversight of the formal review process for the concordat referred to in paragraph 38 below.
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