30 May 2001
01 October 2002
13 January 2003
17 February 2003
13 May 2003


Minutes of January 13, 2003
British Waterways, The Toll House, Little Venice. 10.30am.

Present
Jenny Schofield LWT
Mandy Rudd LWT
William Moreno London Biodiversity Partnership
Tony Scar EA
Nigel Reeve Royal Parks
Richard Bullock Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust
Mike Waite GLA, Mary Norden BW.

Apologies
Alex Machin

Minutes from last meeting
Approved, no amendments

Progress on the annual report:
William Moreno (WM) reported that this would be produced by March 2003, its critically important that all leads get their monitoring forms complete and to WM ASAP at the latest by the 7th February so that achievements so far by HAPS/SAPS can be included in the annual report for 2002.This group concurrent with its remit will then consider progress and any alterations/reviews made through the monitoring form, on the 17th February at a meeting of the group at LWT offices, Southwark at 11am.

The annual report may ultimately be presented together with the fundraising strategy. WM has altered the monitoring form which has been circulated no further comments were received on this from the group, this should be used to report to WM, until BARS comes on line and each lead partner can report directly to this. BARS is expected to be used from March onwards and this will supersede the monitoring form. There will be a launch with the publication of the annual report.

Prioritisation criteria for the fundraising strategy
After considerable discussion the group concluded that its not possible to prioritise one plan over another and that it recommends to the fundraising group that equal merit is given to each. It felt that bodies looking to fund biodiversity will have their own criteria/requirements that they will wish to fulfil and these will applied to the plans. The group felt that it would be most useful for each HAP/SAP to consider where linkages can be made with their plans with others for example and put these forward to Jan Hewlett (JH). WM is to report back to the fundraising strategy, concern was raised as to how if money /funding achieved for a complimentary group of plans how will this be split and agreed between partners, protocol needs to be looked at by the fundraising group. Additionally the fundraising group needs to agree a protocol for informing each other about fundraising applications. It has already been agreed that this strategy is not exclusive individual organisations are still allowed to apply for funding again a protocol needs to be agreed by the fundraising group as to who is the point of contact, who needs to know to avoid over-burdening a funder. Again WM to report back to the fundraising strategy group these requests.

It was considered by the group that a bi-annual meeting for all the leads prior to one of our meetings would be useful so that all leads can make these sorts of links and communicate. WM to circulate all leads for a date. JH has requested that all leads for the plans cost their plans for the fundraising strategy, William to e-mail all leads to remind them of this and to ascertain exact date required for costing requested by JH.

Update on HAPS/SAPS
WM reported on all of these. Some are more progressed that others. New habitat/species action plans: The group agreed that it would be positive to consider new plans including the built environment, reedbeds, lakes and veteran trees. Nigel Reeve from the Royal Parks (RP) is going to speak to colleagues to see whether possible that RP may be able to lead on a mission statement for veteran trees and to report back to the group at the next meeting. Links need to be made with the existing parks HAP but the group felt that there are enough issues surrounding veteran trees that they warranted at least a mission statement. Timescale approximate 2004. The group noted that there is a guideline available from EN.

Reedbeds: Richard Bullock (RB) to explore with contacts such as RSPB, Lee Valley Park, the receptibility to a new plan for Reedbeds and will report back to this group.
Lakes: This also warrants its own plan, Toni Scarr to speak to Dave Webb about the potential for EA involvement in this, MN to speak to Thames Water and to look at Lea Valley Regional Park plan. BW have some lakes such as Brent Reservoir and also on the Lea.
Built Environment: The group felt strongly that in an urban environment such as London the production of this plan could be very significant. WM to speak to Dusty Gedge and Matthew Frith regarding the potential for this plan.

AOB:
Date of next meeting 11am 14th April 2003, at British Waterways the Toll House, Little Venice London.


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