This paper provides members with a summary update of recent activity of the AONB Partnership staff team, and a staffing update.

11.1       Members received the report of the AONB Partnership Manager which provided an update of recent activity. The AONB Partnership Manager highlighted some key points:

11.2       Within the Stiperstones & Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme, work was progressing on many of the projects.  Since July the LPS team had organised 24 events and training activities.

11.3       The three year River Clun Freshwater Pearl Mussel Project funded by SITA had come to an end in August.  A four year project funded by WREN (a landfill tax fund) would be starting in April 2015 which would focus on freshwater pearl mussel recovery sites.  A part time project officer would be recruited for this in the near future.

11.4       The Shuttles services for 2014 had carried slightly more passengers than in 2013 and contributions from partners, along with income from tickets and concessionary fare had covered the cost of running the service.  The contribution from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund was vital for the continuation of the Shuttles, but funding was in place to enable the same service to be offered in 2015.

11.5       It had not been possible to proceed with the proposed stage one application for the Clee Hill Heritage Project, as Shropshire Council had made a decision not to take on the leases for the Heritage Sites involved.  The possibility of carrying forward a different project was currently being investigated.

11.6       Meetings of the Wrekin Forest Partnership had been held, and a survey prepared to help inform the development of a new management plan for the Wrekin Forest area. 

11.7       The Partnership had made submissions on six planning applications, including proposals for solar farms at Acton Scott and Whitton, both of which had been turned down by the planning committee because of their effect on the AONB.  Mrs Bury commented that the CPRE had been very disappointed that Planning Inspectors did not appear to take into account local opinion when considering appeals for renewable energy schemes. 

11.8       The Chair asked whether the Partnership Team had sufficient capacity to respond to planning applications.  The AONB Partnership Manager commented that a standard response was now made to all applications on which the Partnership was asked to comment. This reminded the planning department of the national and local planning policies which applied to the AONB designation and stated that the absence of a detailed response should not be interpreted as suggesting that the application raises no issues with regard to the AONB designation.  He went on to say that the Partnership had recently responded to more planning applications than previously but there was still a need to be very selective in making responses.  Mrs Kidd suggested that Partnership members could be called on to provide local knowledge to aid the preparation of responses. Several members commented that it was important that where detailed responses were made, they referred to all the relevant policies.  The Chair commented that too often the AONB was interpreted as only about visual issues and there was a need for a broader consideration of landscape.  Mr Barker commented that it was important to make a balanced response to applications as in some cases there may be some effects on the AONB which may be outweighed by the benefits to the area.  Mr Dormor informed the meeting that a member of the Strettons Civic Society, who was a retired planning inspector, had offered to advise the Partnership in relation to planning matters.  This offer was warmly welcomed.  Mrs Bedell asked if the team provided pre-application advice.  The AONB Partnership Manager replied that this was not currently provided.  It was acknowledged that people would accept paying for this service, as this was becoming more the norm.

11.9       The Chair informed the Partnership that he and the AONB Partnership Manager would be meeting with planning officers to discuss matters of concern.

11.10    The AONB Partnership Manager informed members that discussions were taking place with regard to the possibility of moving the AONB offices to the building currently used by the library in Church Stretton.  Consultations were ongoing on the reorganisation of council services in Church Stretton and the possible move of the library to the school.

11.11    The Chair thanked the AONB Partnership Manager for his report.