To receive apologies for absence

11.1    The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting

11.2    Apologies for absence were received from Jim Bunce, Charles Edwards, Cecilia Motley, Tony Heighway, Heather Kidd, Matthew Lawrence, Sue Manns and Dan Morris 

The note of the meeting held on 23 November 2023 is attached for confirmation

12.1 RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Partnership held on 23 November 2023 be approved as a true record.

12.2 The National Landscape Team Manager reminded members that there were still two vacancies on the Strategy & Performance Committee and asked anyone that was interested to contact him.

This paper introduces the new Defra Targets and Outcomes Framework for Protected Landscapes.

13.1    Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which introduced the new Defra Targets and Outcomes Framework for Protected Landscapes.

13.2    The Team Manager reminded members that the framework applied to the area and not just the Partnership and that all partners should be involved in the delivery of the targets.  He advised the meeting that Natural England would be providing baseline data for each of the indicators by the end of April.

13.3    A member asked whether any funding would follow the targets especially with regards to access.

13.4    The Chair urged all members to consider how their organisations could contribute to the targets

13.5    RESOLVED

            That the Partnership note the information provided in the report.

This paper provides background information on Natural England’s proposal to establish a landscape scale National Nature Reserve in the Marches area close to the existing Stiperstones NNR.

Andrew Nixon from Natural England will give a short presentation and answer questions.

14.1    Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which provided background information on Natural England’s proposal to establish a landscape scale National Nature Reserve in the Marches area close to the existing Stiperstones NNR.

14.2    Andrew Nixon, Natural England gave a short presentation on the proposals and the work done to date.  He then took questions.

This paper highlights two recent publications by Defra – the report on consultation which brings to a close the Glover Review of designated landscapes, and a policy paper on the government’s approach to implementing the international commitment to protect 30% of land by 2030.

15.1    Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which highlighted two recent publications by Defra

15.2 Final response to the Landscapes Review

The Team Manager advised that the outcomes of the consultation in response to the Landscapes Review had been published. Some of the recommendations had been adopted but others such as the possibility of statutory consultee status in planning for National Landscape bodies and the possible updating of statutory purposes of designation were not currently being taken forward, though these had not been ruled out in the longer term.

15.3 30 by 30

The Team Manager advised that the government had committed to protecting 30% of the UK’s land by 2030 and had published a document setting out:

·         criteria setting out how land can contribute towards 30 by 30 in England

·         an indicative map - showing the areas which can already count, and broad areas with potential to contribute towards 30 by 30 in the future?

·         how government will work with stakeholders to develop additional guidance on how land can contribute towards 30 by 30

15.4 RESOLVED

That the contents of the report were noted.

This paper brings forward some topics for discussion to inform content for the Management Plan, building on work by the Partnership in earlier meetings.

16.1    Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which suggested topics for discussion to inform content for the Management Plan

16.2    The Team Manager advised the meeting that the Partnership Team had continued the plan review process and that an on-line survey of public opinion was to be launched shortly.

16.3    The Team Manager then outlined some initial thoughts around the new targets and the effects of incorporating them in the new plan and potential conflicts between Management Plan policies and other environment, social and economic objectives, and how the conflicts may be minimised.

16.4    Members asked how we could meet the challenges posed.  The Team Manager commented that more clarity would be gained once the updated data was received.

16.5    With regard to the “Vision” members commented that it was important that the following issues were included: -

·         The green economy

·         Opportunities for young people

·         Availability of affordable housing of the right type

This paper updates members of the Partnership on a significant new allocation of capital funding from Defra, and on other aspects of funding and activity by the team.

17.1    Members considered the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which provided an update on a significant new allocation of capital funding from Defra, and on other aspects of funding and activity by the team.

17.2    The Team Manager advised the meeting that additional capital funding had been announced by Defra to restore wildlife habitats and improve access, achieving more for people and nature and that it was expected that this would amount to £151k.  He informed the meeting that the team were looking to work with partner organisations to identify potential projects.

17.3    The Team Manager updated Members on the work of the Team and reminded them of the Summer Forum and Field Visits  which was to be held on 13 June at Clee Hill Village Hall.

To receive a presentation from Rachel Glover, Natural Environment Officer

18.1  Members received a presentation from Rachel Glover of the National Landscape Team on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy being led by Shropshire Council and on the recent Species conference organised by Middle Marches Community Land Trust.

This paper provided updates on various aspects of activity by the National Landscapes Association.

19.1    Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which gave an update on  various aspects of activity by the National Landscapes Association.

19.2    The Team Manager took Members through the report and advised them that  as part of the National Landscapes Conference which was being held this year at Harper Adams University, and being co-hosted by the Shopshire Hills, Cannock Chase and Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscapes, the Shropshire Hills team were putting on three field visits on the Clun catchment, FiPL in the Clee Hills and sustainable tourism in the Long Mynd – Stiperstones area.

19.3    RESOLVED:

            That Members note the contents of the report

To receive a verbal update

20.1    Rachel Crockett gave an update on the work of the Landscape Trust.  She advised Members that Veronica Cossons had stepped down as a trustee and thanked her for all her work.  She asked anyone that was interested in becoming a trustee to let the Team know.

20.2    Ms Crockett stated that trustees were seeking to address the decline in income and were looking to increase business sign up and financial support from local parish councils.

Members are advised that future meetings of the Partnership will be held on

Wednesday 31^st July 2024 and

Wednesday 13^th November 2024

All meetings at 9.30am

21.1    Veronica Cossons advised the meeting that she was stepping down as the representative of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and thanked members for their help and support.  The Chair thanked her for all her work during her time on the Partnership

21.2    Members were advised that future meetings of the Partnership would be held on Wednesday 31st July 2024 and Wednesday 13th November 2024