Transcript Slide 1

Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Natural Environment White Paper (2011):
• Local Nature Partnerships (50 in England)
• Nature Improvement Areas (12 in England)
• Catchment-based Approach (Tame,Anker, Mease)
England Biodiversity Strategy (2011):
• Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem
services
PLUS
National Planning Policy Framework (2012):
• Replaces all PPGs / PPSs
• Section 11 deals with conserving / enhancing the natural
environment
• Paras. 109 – 125, 117 mentions NIAs, 165 directs “Working with LNPs
where appropriate...” in relation to using a proportionate evidence base
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
DEFRA’S AMBITION FOR LNPs:
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a key Natural Environment White Paper commitment - one of clear messages from
consultation was that there was a need for local areas to work in a joined up and
strategic way to help manage the natural environment to produce multiple benefits for
people, the economy and the environment.
•
echoed conclusions of the independent UK National Ecosystem Assessment, which
emphasises the need for an integrated, landscape-scale approach to managing the
natural environment.
•
NEWP says that effective local partnerships focus on different aspects of the natural
environment and wildlife already exist but there is a need to encourage these
partnerships to join-up and integrate action to achieve multiple benefits, eg. water and
air quality, wildlife, climate change adaptation, the provision of green networks and our
health and well-being.
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
DEFRA’S AMBITION FOR LNPs:
“…is that they will help their local area to manage the natural
environment as a system and to embed its value in local decisions
for the benefit of nature, people and the economy. To do this
effectively they will need to be self-sustaining strategic
partnerships of a broad range of local organisations, businesses
and people with the credibility to work with, and influence, other
local strategic decision makers.”
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
LNPs in England – about 50
LNPs in West Midlands – 6
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Vision:
“To represent and champion the essential role of the natural
environment in achieving a vibrant, healthy and prosperous
Birmingham and Black Country to the benefit of economy and society,
with a restored and improved natural environment that is valued and
managed as a sustainable and integrated system underpinning the
health and well-being of nature, people and the economy.”
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Purpose:
“To be a driver for positive change by making visible and championing the unique
qualities and functions of the B&BC natural environment in terms of its ecological,
cultural, aesthetic, economic and health values inherent in the delivery of ecosystem
services, working to the Government’s national environmental objectives, international
requirements and local objectives.
By working with stakeholders to establish a partnership of partnerships at a strategic
level, the LNP will influence policy, decision making and actions to ensure, integrated,
long-term sustainable and resilient benefits, adaptation to climate change, ecosystem
services and environmental gains for nature, people and the economy.
To work closely with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Health and
Wellbeing Boards to support the delivery of the Birmingham & Black Country Nature
Improvement Area (B&BC NIA) aspirations, contributing locally to the Government’s
national environmental objectives.”
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Terms of Reference Appendix 1 Structure and Composition
Strategic
LNP BOARD (17)
Structure of LNP Board:
Natural Environment (4), Local Govt (2),
Agencies (4), LEPs / Business (3),
Health & Well-being (2), Education (1),
Voluntary sector (1)
Birmingham Green
Commission
Black Country
Environment Forum
Natural Environment 4
Delivery / Stakeholder
Greater Birmingham
LEPs
Black Country
Nature Improvement
Area P’ship & Board
Health &
Well-being
Boards
Agencies 4
Local Authorities
Birmingham & Black Country
Chambers of Commerce
Biodiversity – Geodiversity
Partnership
Local Govt. 2
Local Waterways
Partnership
Business / LEPs 3
Voluntary Sector / Community
EcoRecord BRC
Steering Group
Local Sites Partnership
B’ham GI & Adaptation
Delivery Group
Health & Well-being 2
Support / Celebrate
Annual Nature Forum
Annual Report
Secretariat
Birmingham & Black
Country Wildlife Trust
Education 1
Vol Sector 1
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Role of the LNP Board:
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a single voice for the natural environment at a strategic level, representing the sub-region’s
perspective to national and local decision makers
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provide the overarching framework for achieving consensus amongst its constituent member
partnerships and organizations, integrating their aims and objectives on a broad range of issues that
impact upon the environment (natural, built and historic)
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seek to integrate the needs of regeneration, and the natural environment and help facilitate greater
synergy between them and other environmental interests
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act as champions for the natural environment within their own constituencies
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provide strategic support for the B&BC Nature Improvement Area and its delivery programme for
sustainable long term landscape-scale environmental gains and benefits for nature and people
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Role of the LNP Board:
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facilitate an annual conference in conjunction with partners to celebrate recent achievements and to
raise awareness of the importance of the natural environment to people, the economy and quality of
life.
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lead discussions and develop dialogue and collaborative working relationships with Local Enterprise
Partnerships, Health & Well-being Partnerships, Local Authorities and Government Agencies to
ensure that the natural environment is managed to produce multiple benefits for people, the
economy and the environment
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support environmental gains and improvements to local biodiversity and geodiversity through the
provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Black Country Core Strategy and
Environment Infrastructure Guidance, Black Country as Urban Park initiative, UNESCO endorsed
Black Country Geopark, the Birmingham Development Plan, the Green Living Spaces Plan and
Carbon Roadmap, delivery of the Water Framework Directive and other strategic initiatives.
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contribute to environmental, economic and Health & Wellbeing strategies and initiatives, and
respond to consultations as deemed appropriate.
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Work Area Priorities and Progress in 2013:
Sustain and develop the LNP
 Chairman: John Box Vice-chair: Prof. Richard Coles, elected by the Board at the
inaugural meeting in December 2012
 5 Board meetings, the last being the AGM at which the Chairman and Vice-chair reelected to serve for 2014
 Secretariat service supported by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham & the Black
Country
 Prepared a Draft Action Plan to guide the work of the LNP
 Secured representation on the Birmingham Green Commission
 Continued representation on the Black Country Environment Forum
 Updated component partnerships of LNP progress
 Contributed to DEFRA’s research and evaluation project on the development of
LNPs, being one of the Case Studies
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Work Area Priorities and Progress in 2013:
Strategic, sustainable, long-term, landscape-scale actions and improvements for
nature and people
 Endorsed and expressed support for the application for European Geopark status
to UNESCO for the Black Country
 Championed the Birmingham & Black Country Nature Improvement Area and the
work of the 50+ partners in delivering significant improvements to the natural
environment, on-budget and of the 12 NIAs is the fourth highest in terms of securing
added value (£1 levering £5.50) , 36 projects have been funded / undertaken since
April 2012, with 18 new wild flower meadows created in 2013
 EcoRecord, the Biological Records Centre for Birmingham & the Black Country,
continued to play a critical role in the provision of evidence about the area’s natural
environment, leading on the publication this year of the Flora of Birmingham and the
Black Country, and the development of the Freshwater Invertebrate Network using
volunteers to monitor the water quality of watercourses
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Work Area Priorities and Progress in 2013:
Strategic, sustainable, long-term, landscape-scale actions and improvements for
nature and people
 Tame Catchment-based Approach – the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black
Country is the co-host (along with Severn Trent Water as main Catchment Host) of
the Birmingham and Black Country section of the catchment and a Final Draft
Catchment Management Plan has been prepared
 Submitted responses to 4 consultations under the Duty to Co-operate requirement of
the Localism Act, three draft planning document consultations, two for Walsall
Council and one for Wolverhampton City Council, plus a response to the Draft
Environmental Statement published by HS2
 Acted in an oversight role for the component partnerships of the Local Nature
Partnership
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Work Area Priorities and Progress in 2013:
Attract investment to ensure that economic growth and regeneration and our
natural assets sustain each other
 Taken opportunities to input to the Strategic Economic Plans of both the Greater B’ham
and Solihull and also Black Country LEPs
 Responded to the Black Country LEP EU Structural and Investment Funds Draft
Strategy
 Inputted to a joint investment offer from West Midlands LNPs to West Midlands Local
Enterprise Partnerships for projects to support and benefit the natural environment
across the region using EU Strategic Investment Funds - the woodland economy and
demand and supply chains, natural assets / tourism, sustainable water, agri –
environment and landscape-scale conservation, and green infrastructure for quality of
place, prosperity and health and well-being
 Working with the Greater Birmingham and Black Country LEPs, and Birmingham City
Council on the application of the LEED Toolkit and the Natural Capital City Tool
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham
Birmingham and Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Work Area Priorities and Progress in 2013:
Ensure the natural environment makes a significant contribution to the health and
well-being and the quality of life of our people and communities
 Made a response to Birmingham City Council’s Service Review Consultation under the
Duty to Co-operate requirement of the Localism Act
 Undertook a Health and Well-being Project to carry out basic engagement, add to key
contacts, and discover progress with Health &Well-being Strategies
 Ran a Nature Discovery day workshop with a health and well-being theme
 Initiated work on a Performance Management Framework “Dashboard” document to
describe the State of the Environment in Birmingham and the Black Country
Birmingham & Black Country Local Nature Partnership
Third Sector Assembly Environment Network
17th December 2013
BVSC, Digbeth, Birmingham