Archived decisions
APPENDIX 3
ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC)
1.1 The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre is a partnership funded record centre hosted by the County Council. The Centre provides comprehensive data and information on the natural environment to the County Council and to other local authorities, agencies, consultants and the public.
The County Council's contribution to the Centre is in return for a comprehensive survey and information service. The Centre provides the County Council with information essential to its forward planning and development control work, the Capital Programme, the management of the County Council's landholdings and for the implementation of a range of environmental projects.
The data supplied is essential to enable the County Council to meet its statutory planning obligations and for the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire.
1.2 The primary objectives delivered under the SLA are to:
(i) provide habitat and species data on request, in support of the development control, forward planning, land management and biodiversity action planning functions of the County Council;
(ii) undertake habitat surveys to meet the information requirements of the County Council;
(iii) evaluate habitat and species data for the identification of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation;
(iv) identify planning applications and allocations in draft development plans that may potentially affect important nature conservation sites;
(v) service requests for data from consultants, students, other organisations and the public on behalf of the Environment Department; and
(vi) manage comprehensive databases and the information on GIS in support of the above.
1.3 HBIC provides data and information on biodiversity to all those that require it, including the County Council, local authorities, Government agencies, non-government organisations, consultants, landowners, educational establishments and the wider public for the purposes of conserving, managing and enhancing the natural environment and supporting an understanding and enjoyment of the natural environment.
1.4 Data provided by HBIC underpins the implementation and monitoring of the County Council's statutory duty for the production and monitoring of the Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan and is essential for meeting the statutory duty placed on local authorities for the conservation of biodiversity under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill 2005.
1.5 PPS 12 The preparation of a Local Development Documents states that "policies prepared by the local planning authority should be founded on a thorough understanding of the needs of their area. Local Planning Authorities should prepare and maintain an up to date information base on key aspects of the social, economic and environmental characteristics of their area, to enable the preparation of a sound spatial plan, meeting the objectives of sustainable development".
1.6 The Parliamentary Environment, Transport and Affairs Committee (July 2000) recommended that local authorities should be given a duty to maintain local biological record centres.
1.7 Funding is through the SLA with the County Council; partner contributions; and income from consultants. The service is reliant on County Council funding contribution.
Hampshire Wildlife Trust
2.1 Working in partnership with the County Council the Hampshire Wildlife Trust also jointly funds a dedicated post to provide advice and assistance to the owners of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) under the Habitat Management Advisory Project. The funding under this agreement is a contribution to the costs of the Project Officer employed by the Wildlife Trust. The officer is based within the County Council since it holds the data on SINCs and takes overall responsibility for their designation.
2.2 The primary objectives delivered under the SLA are to:
(i) notify landowners of the SINC designation and promote available land management advice;
(ii) facilitate the management of SINCs by acting as a central point of contact for management advice and coordinating the provision of advice from a network of advisers;
(iii) provide advice to landowners and land managers on the appropriate management of SINCs;
(iv) develop a database to record the management and condition of SINCs, linked to the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre and the Biodiversity Action Plan reporting system; and
(v) assist the Land Management Advisers Forum in its initiatives to coordinate land management advice, to promote good land management practice and to oversee the implementation of land management actions in the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire.
Hampshire Ornithological Society and Butterfly Conservation
3.1 The Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) and Butterfly Conservation (BC) are voluntary organisations dedicated to the recording and conservation of birds and butterflies. They hold and record comprehensive data on the status of individual species, many of which are identified as species of Principal Importance for Biodiversity identified by Government and priority species within the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire. BC manages several nature reserves within the county.
3.2 The services provided under the SLAs by these organisations are assisting the County Council with its statutory planning work, land management and the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire.
3.3 The primary objectives delivered under both SLAs are to:
(i) make existing data held by the organisations available to assist the County Council's development control and land management functions, and the identification of SINCs;
(ii) undertake survey and provide specialist management advice on sites of known or potential importance for nature conservation with which the County Council is involved;
(iii) provide regular reports on the status of species in Hampshire;
(iv) assist the Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership in the preparation, monitoring and implementation of Species Action Plans for priority species; and
(v) provide copies of the annual Hampshire Bird Report and Moth and Butterfly Report.
3.4 Information provided by HOS and BC has greatly assisted the identification of SINCs and the development control work of the County Council. Specific Biodiversity Action Plans have been produced by HOS and BC for Coastal Birds, Farmland Birds, Birds of Wet Grassland and Butterflies and Moths, and the implementation of these plans is being overseen by the two organisations.
Hampshire Gardens Trust
4.1 Hampshire Gardens Trust provides direct support and advice in the development, compilation and monitoring of the Hampshire Local Historic Parks and Gardens Register, giving research support in order for the County Council to maintain an historic environment record under PPS 7 and PPS 12. The Heritage Protection Review White Paper (anticipated spring 2006) is understood will include making access to an Historic Environment Record a statutory requirement for local authorities.
4.2 The Trust works with an increasing number of landowners and other interested parties promoting the care, appropriate management and enhancement of historic parks and gardens. The primary objectives delivered through the SLA are to:
(i) seek to influence national policy in the interest of historic parks and gardens;
(ii) provide guidance and research information to Hampshire County Council on developments with respect to historic parks and gardens;
(iii) provide support in dissemination of historic parks and gardens and heritage awareness in work with schools and communities;
(iv) participate in joint working initiatives to promote an understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of local historic, cultural, natural and built heritage, in order to develop a sense of place for the local community, in particular for the Hampshire Urban Parks Study;
(v) make available Hampshire Gardens Trust publications and training facilities to Hampshire County Council; and
(vi) provide advice on direction and approach for Hampshire County Council's conferences and training seminars on Historic Parks and Gardens.
South Downs Joint Committee (previously East Hampshire AONB Joint Advisory Committee)
5.1 The County Council's statutory duty under the CRoW Act 2000 to produce and implement an AONB Management Plan and the Council's objectives for the day-to-day management of the AONB are met by the SLA with the South Downs Joint Committee (formed from the East Hampshire AONB Joint Advisory Committee with the Sussex Downs AONB Board).
5.2 The County Council is a member of the South Downs Joint Committee. Other funding contributions are received from the local authorities in whose geographic area the proposed South Downs National Park falls and the major funding contribution comes from the Countryside Agency. It is likely that the Inspector's decision on the proposed National Park and recommendation to the Secretary of State will be in autumn 2006. The new South Downs National Park Board will be established following the decision and funding arrangements in the medium term are expected to change.
Learning Through Landscapes Trust
6.1 The Learning Through Landscapes Trust was established by the County Council and has developed over recent years into a body with international influence. The Trust provides assistance to Hampshire County Council in securing improvements to the environmental quality and educational use of school grounds; project funding; and is a source of advice and support for the Hampshire Schools Landscape Programme. The primary objectives delivered under the SLA are to:
(i) seek to influence national policy which it achieves through a number of ways, including the writing of the Government's Building Bulletins in the interest of school grounds;
(ii) provide guidance and dissemination of research information to Hampshire County Council on developments with respect to school grounds as an environmental educational resource;
(iii) make available Learning Through Landscapes publications and training facilities to Hampshire County Council;
(iv) advise and contribute to Hampshire County Council's School Landscape Programme through dissemination of information on similar national projects and practices, in order to inform and advance the development of the process for working with schools in Hampshire on improvements to school grounds;
(v) provide advice on direction and approach for Hampshire County Council's publications, conferences and training seminars on school grounds; and
(vi) provide access to funding for Hampshire Schools from outside the county.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
7.1 The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers provides support on behalf of the County Council for many voluntary and community groups engaged in the practical conservation of Hampshire's countryside. The Trust is a source of advice and training for these groups, not just in terms of practical skills but also in the increasingly important application of health and safety practice. The service is provided across a range of core staff through the Trust's independent role to deliver the following primary objectives under the SLA on behalf of the Environment Department:
(i) support the development of local groups active in environmental conservation;
(ii) provide training, support and advice to community groups and landowners;
(iii) enable the establishment of links between landowners and community groups in undertaking land management activities;
(iv) promote the County Council guidelines for the protection and enhancement of the distinctive landscape character of the county, as a basis for land management activities;
(v) liaise between landowners and other statutory and voluntary organisations to secure land management advice and action and avoid duplication of advice and action;
(vi) facilitate local communities to undertake practical project work; and
(vii) promote the County Council's environmental activities and services targeted at Hampshire communities, making presentations to a variety of groups and contributing to other initiatives within Hampshire.
Hampshire Buildings Preservation/Bursledon Brickworks Trusts
8.1 Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust provides many services in support of Hampshire's historic built heritage which are complementary to the County Council's actions. Its role in the rescue and rehabilitation of threatened historic buildings and the provision of support and advice for other building trusts and members of the public are important components of the Trust's work. Bursledon Brickworks Trust has recently moved towards closer working in association with Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust, sharing specialist and administrative staff support. Specialist advice from the Trust is provided by members of both the Trusts and staff at Bursledon Brickworks.
8.2 Specialist services and advice are provided to the voluntary sector and members of the public and to Hampshire County Council, for practical action in caring for Hampshire's built heritage:
(i) working together with other bodies and preservation societies to promote and develop awareness and support for the conservation of Hampshire's built heritage;
(ii) specialist advice for buildings materials and techniques to the County Council Environment Department; and
(iii) support for the practical restoration of the Bursledon Brickworks by fundraising, both capital and revenue, in support of the Bursledon Brickworks Conservation Centre.
The Forests of Eversley and Bere Partnerships
9.1 Local authorities in the Forests of Eversley and Bere areas formed respective partnerships, along with a number of other external organisations, and agreed to jointly employ a project officer for each area. The County Council has been a key partner in these initiatives for the past five years. The projects deliver the Forests of Bere and Eversley Strategies prepared jointly by the partners, through coordination of other local community activities and direct delivery of the action plan on the ground.
9.2 The Forest of Bere Partnership Community Project Officer post was vacated in November 2005 and has been identified as a recent efficiency saving, with the funding from the County Council specifically for the dedicated project officer post for the period 2006/07 withdrawn. Recent discussions with the partners have indicated that there is still a commitment to the delivery of the Forest of Bere Strategy through collaboration with the partners through their existing programmes and funding of specific projects. The partnership is made up of representatives from Havant Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Winchester City Council, East Hampshire District Council, Forest Enterprise and the County Council.
9.3 The Forest of Eversley Partnership project is funded by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (£7,000), the Forestry Commission (£500), the Environment Agency (£10,000) Hampshire Wildlife Trust (£7,500) and the County Council (£15,000) through the SLA funding.
9.4 The Government will launch a consultation on the England Rural Development Programme in February 2006 which is likely to announce an expansion of the Leader funding from Europe. Early indications are that such funds will be directed at this type of local partnerships delivery and new opportunities may be emerging for these County Council initiatives.
The Hampshire and Surrey Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
10.1 The Hampshire and Surrey Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) provides an advisory service to Hampshire landowners and farmers on behalf of the County Council. The cost of a FWAG advisor is shared between Hampshire and Surrey County Councils and the time is shared between the two geographic areas. The primary objectives delivered through the SLA are to:
(i) provide a farm conservation advisory service to the farming and landowning community of Hampshire;
(ii) promote environmentally responsible farming practices to achieve the sustainable management of land and natural resources;
(iii) promote activities that will contribute to the protection and enhancement of the distinctive characteristics of the Hampshire landscape;
(iv) contribute to the collection of ecological, archaeological and historic landscape information. Subject to the consent of landowners, this data will be integrated into the Environment Department's environmental databases and made available to the public; and
(v) be an active participant in the network of organisations influencing and delivering land management action and community participation in land management.
10.2 Advice is particularly in the development of whole farm conservation plans. As part of this process and through FWAG's independent advisory role, the County Council's environmental, economic, community and sustainable development policies and objectives are promoted. This is a critical period for the farming industry. Over the next five years the industry will need support of local government to make the best of new opportunities. The role of local government in supporting the industry is also under scrutiny through the Rural Pathfinder for the South East of England.
Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology
11.1 The Environment Department has worked closely with the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology for a number of years. The policy objective which is the focus for the work by the Trust under the agreement is to ensure that specialist maritime archaeological advice is available for the Solent, and that data, specialist maritime archaeological staff and specialist maritime archaeological survey capability in the Solent is maintained.
11.2 The Trust delivers the following primary objectives under the SLA on behalf of the Environment Department, to:
(i) provide specialist maritime archaeological advice to the Director of Environment on relevant matters;
(iii) ensure that specialist maritime archaeological advice is available in the Solent region and, when invited, make specialist representation to the Solent Forum, the Dibden Forum, SCOPAC and on matters arising from current Shoreline Management Plans;
(iii) ensure specialist maritime archaeological survey capability is available;
(iv) promote survey and study relating to the Hampshire coast and present the results;
(v) promote a better understanding and enjoyment of the maritime archaeology of the Solent among the public and those who find recreation in the Solent;
(vi) promote a better understanding of the issues in the Solent, particularly amongst those with a professional interest in the Solent; and
(vii) liaise closely with the Hampshire Sites and Monuments Record to ensure effective data exchange of maritime archaeological data.
11.3 Such dedicated maritime archaeological research along Hampshire's coast has led to a rare discovery of an early Saxon boat in Langstone Harbour. Earlier in 2003 the boat was lifted out of the harbour by the Trust and transported to the Mary Rose Trust to be prepared for public exhibition.
11.4 Ongoing research and collection of data by the Trust under the SLA is invaluable to ensure the County Council receives data on Hampshire's historic environment, to which it would not otherwise have access.
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