Contact: Linda Tartaglia-Kershaw, ext 6815

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given to the allocation of £196,000 revenue funding for the provision of environmental services for 2006/07 to support the County Council's objectives.

(ii) That the County Council enter into agreements with the following voluntary sector and other bodies providing services and support to the County Council's environmental objectives:

£

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers 23,000

Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust 15,000

South Downs Joint Committee 30,000

Forest of Eversley Partnership 15,000

The Hampshire and Surrey Farming Wildlife Advisory Group 15,000

Hampshire Gardens Trust 15,000

Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology 19,000

Learning Through Landscapes Trust 22,000

Hampshire Wildlife Trust 15,000

Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre 21,000

Butterfly Conservation Society 3,000

Hampshire Ornithological Society 3,000

Total £ 196,000

2. Reason

2.1 To support the County Council's corporate strategies and environmental objectives through existing service provision arrangements, aimed at improving and enhancing the environmental quality and assisting in both the statutory and discretionary activities of the County Council, by providing advice and information to land managers and communities on the conservation and enhancement of Hampshire's countryside.

2.3 This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aims 1 and 4 (Maximising Life Opportunities and Building Strong and Safe Communities) by promoting an understanding and appreciation of the cultural, natural and built environment among the public and those who find recreation in the Hampshire countryside and Solent, and by supporting with training and advice many voluntary and community groups in practical conservation of Hampshire's countryside and through a better understanding of Hampshire's environment to develop a sense of place with communities and schools; and

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by providing advice to land managers and wider communities on the conservation and enhancement of Hampshire's built and natural environment, data collection and management, and coordination of the implementation of environmental projects to deliver the County Council's environmental policies and strategies.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to make arrangements with these voluntary bodies and other service providers this year.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T G Knight

876Decn/LT-K