Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR CULTURE, COMMUNITIES AND RECREATION

PART II

    NORTH WESSEX DOWNS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY MANAGEMENT PLAN

    1. The Executive Members, for Environment and for Culture, Communities and Recreation have approved the adoption of the 2009-2014 Management Plan for the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Policies and objectives within the plan will help the County Council meet aims under two of the three Corporate priorities, and it also contains measures to help the area adapt to future climate change. The Executive Members have also agreed that the County Council will be party to the drawing up of the new Memorandum of Understanding between the partners in the North Wessex Downs AONB.

    2. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated by Government, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, for the primary purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. The Government provides up to 75% funding for AONB partnerships, with local authority partners sharing responsibility for the remaining 25%. Natural England has recently announced that AONB funding for the next three years at least has been secured.

    3. The AONB partnership is made up of two Counties, four Districts and three Unitary Authorities. The primary purpose of the partnership is to `enhance and protect the natural beauty of the AONB' and to

    · promote sustainable development and appropriate enjoyment of the AONB;

    · promote public and political awareness and support for the AONB both locally and nationally;

    · make the AONB relevant to the people who live and work in and around the North Wessex Downs and to visitors to the area; and

    · prepare, produce and review the AONB Management Plan on behalf of and with permission from the local authorities within the AONB and for the local authorities to adopt, and to oversee its implementation.

    4. Since the adoption of the Management Plans in March 2004, the AONB teams and wider partnerships have been undertaking activities to deliver actions set out in the plans. Delivery against the plans is reviewed and evaluated by the wider partnership annually though Management Plan Reviews and has been satisfactory in the North Wessex Downs. Hampshire County Council has been involved in the AONB and Management Plan via:

    · Member and officer steering of the AONB via the Management Working Group and Council of Partners;

    · officer guidance and advice into the Management Plan review;

    · steering initial priorities via two workshops;

    · officer consultation on the first draft of the revised 2009-2014 Management Plan; and

    · formal adoption.

    4. This report arises from consideration of the report by the Executive Members on 28 July 2009, which is on Hantsweb at: /decisions/decisions-docs/090728-execmb-R0721103150

MEL KENDAL MARGARET SNAITH

Executive Member Executive Member for

for Environment Culture, Communities and Recreation