To receive apologies for absence

22.1   The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

22.2   Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Hilary Luff, Cllr Dan Morris, Rob Harris, Richard Grindle, Gillian Preece, Sue Manns and John Luck.

The note of the meeting held on 19 March 2024 is attached for confirmation

23.1    RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the National Landscape Partnership held on 19 March 2024 be approved as a true record.

23.2    There were no comments.

To receive a presentation from Emma Birks, Senior Engagement Manager, Midlands and East, on NLHF new strategy and application process

24.1  Members received a presentation from the representative of the National Lottery Heritage fund.

24.2  Members asked questions and it was confirmed that the slides of the presentation on   new funding opportunities will be circulated together with details of grants to private land owners.

24.3 The National Lottery Heritage Fund representative confirmed that they were available to attend meetings of partner organisations and that their contact information would be supplied to partners by the National Landscape Team Manager

To receive a presentation by Dougald Purce, Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team.

25.1 Members received a presentation of the Woodland Project Officer.

25.2 Discussion took place and it was confirmed that the presentation slides, with the addition of the sites map, would be circulated.

The Chair will give a verbal update

26.1 Members received the verbal report of the Chair.

26.2 It was advised that there was a new ministerial team in place with Mary Creagh MP holding a dedicated portfolio for Nature- https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state--278 It was confirmed that the National Landscapes Association will engage with relevant Defra ministers.

26.3 Discussion took place and members requested a future agenda item on the state of rivers in the area.

This paper provides selected brief updates on recent activities of the staff team.

27.1 Members received the report of the National Landscape Team Manager which gave brief updates on activity of the team and of the National Landscapes Association.

27.2 The chair advised that he had received very good feedback from attendees at the Summer Forum

This paper provides updates and material for discussion on the Management Plan review. This will be supplemented with slides at the meeting.

28.1 Members receive a presentation from the National Landscape Team Manager detailing doughnut economics, highlights from the public survey and top priorities of partners.

28.2 Discussion took place and it was confirmed that the presentation slides would be circulated.

To receive brief updates from Partner Organisations

29.1 The National Trust representative requested an agenda item at the next meeting to give a detailed update on the Stepping Stones project, as time constraints did not allow them to deliver their planned presentation.

29.2 Rachel Cockett was introduced as the new Chair of the Shropshire Hills Landscape Trust. She confirmed that £20000 had been granted to 14 projects and that information on these projects would be circulated.

29.3 The NFU representative brought attention to the current concerns of their members.

29.4 It was confirmed that the Shropshire Good Food Partnership’s Good Food Trail was now live and that 50% of the required £120k funding had been raised by MMCLT for their latest project.

Members are advised that the next meeting of the Partnership will be held on Wednesday 13th November 2024 at 9.30am

30.1 Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Partnership would be held on Wednesday 13th November 2024 at 9.30am