James Farrell welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular those attending for the first time: Jonathan Briggs, Alex Colón, Mel Lloyd, Sarah Jennings, Chris Skinner, Emily Spearman, Sam Turney, Nigel Greenhalgh.

Apologies were received from Jane Carlsen (GLA), Richard Barnes (WWT), Mike Manuel (British Waterways), Tim Hill (LVRPA), Jennifer Adams (Royal Parks), Alison Manning (PLA).

3. Election of Chair of Steering Group

JF reported that only one nomination had been received for chair – Prof. David Goode. DG was formally proposed by Leo Batten and seconded by Mike Fitt. David Goode was therefore elected as Chair of the London Biodiversity Partnership Steering Group, to be reviewed January 2002 (see Item 9, Recommendation 4).

4. Chair’s Address

DG reported that he was pleased to have been nominated by the Mayor and happy to take on the role of chair for another term. The Steering Group and London Biodiversity Partnership are key implementers of the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy.

5. Minutes of the Last Meeting (2 February 2000)

Agreed.

6. Matters Arising

LB stated that the published Audit had failed to take into account substantial comments he and others made. JF to investigate. Action JF

Involvement of the Environment Agency. David Goode was to have written to the EA, encouraging their involvement throughout the action planning process. DG will continue to encourage this. Action DG

7. Report of the Communications Topic Group

Chris Skinner is now the chair of the Group as Patrick Wilson (BTCV) stood down on 29 June. The Topic Group had a revitalised membership and was meeting monthly.

CS presented the reports of the meetings held on 14 March, 6 April, 18 May & 29 June. She tabled the Topic Group’s ‘Communication Planning Guidelines’, aimed at the initial contacts and Leads for the Habitat and Species Action Plans.

CS stated that these Guidelines are to be supplemented by a Communications Strategy for the Partnership, to be published in December with Volume 2 of the London Biodiversity Action Plan.

LB felt that Local Authorities were under-represented in the Guidelines under ‘Target Audiences’. CS to add in the ‘Decision makers on the local environment’ section. Action CS

LB also highlighted the need for a funding strategy for communications actions. CS to discuss this with the Topic Group. Action CS

8. Report from Habitats, Species and Data Topic Group (HS&D TG)

Mathew Frith presented the report. He pointed out that HS&DTG meetings were held on 29 February and 19 June, not 21 June as stated in the report. He stated that he will be standing down as chair in August and that English Nature will be asked to nominate a chair.

LB expressed concerns over the focus of the Exotic Species paper the Group is preparing. MF stated that the paper will be an even-handed look at the value of exotic, introduced species in London – recognising their cultural importance whilst noting those which may be invasive.

JF stated that this paper will form a chapter in Volume 2 of the Action Plan and therefore will need to be endorsed by the Steering Group.

DG stressed the need to consult and involve sections of London society so far not represented on the Partnership.

9. Report of Project Board

Niall Machin presented the written report of the last meeting (4 July 2000). There were 4 recommendations.

1. That the wasteland action plan is put back into next year's round of plan production and that a wasteland statement is produced in December 2000. Agreed.
2. That the Steering Group endorses the proposal for a December event that has the 'links between culture and nature' as a central theme. The launch of Volume 2 of the Action Plan should be an element of the event. Agreed.
3. The Steering Group request that the Project Board produce an options paper covering the coming year, to be produced for the October Steering Group meeting. Agreed.
4. Chair of the Steering Group is reviewed every 2 years, Chairs of Topic Groups and Project Board every year. Agreed.

It was also agreed that Dr Dave Dawson, Strategy Manager of Biodiversity, Greater London Authority, should attend Steering Group meetings in future.

7. Project Officer’s Report

The Project Officer presented his report. He asked the Partners to send in their e-mail addresses to make future correspondence easier.

Andy Tomczynski asked if the website could record the number of hits it receives. Action JF

LB asked how many borough Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships there were. JF replied that 16 boroughs presently had partnerships. A table summarising their status is available from JF.

DG pointed out that the ALG could play in role in encouraging boroughs to form partnerships and produce and implement local Biodiversity Action Plans.

8. Financial Report

JF presented the financial report. Two consultancy budgets have been defined and the report presented is accurate.

9. Greater London Authority Report

DG circulated a draft timetable for the GLA’s Strategies. The draft deadline for the Biodiversity Strategy is 7 July although this may change. DG then discussed the GLA’s current position and mentioned other new initiatives, as follows.

Biodiversity needs to be raised up the political agenda, as an essential part of our quality of life. In addition to consultation over the Strategies, a series of Commissions will be set up to consult the public. These Commissions must reflect London’s social makeup and will produce findings to inform the Mayor’s Prospectus, to be published in November at a key conference. The aim of this work is to set a long-term agenda for work in London and the Partnership should therefore try to be involved, potentially through the Environment Commission.

DG sees the Biodiversity Strategy being distinct from and more broad-based than the Partnership’s Biodiversity Action Plan. However, the Biodiversity Action Plan must form an integral part of the Strategy.

DG stated that the Mayor has agreed that the GLA has formally joined the Partnership. The GLA will also adopt London Ecology Unit’s SINC Site Series and their criteria for selection.

10. London Borough Biodiversity Forum (LBBF)

Alister Hayes presented the LBBF Terms of Reference and described progress so far. All four ‘sectors’ have met twice to date and will be represented on the Steering Group by four ‘Sector Reps’.

AH stated that detailed information is being collected from the boroughs on their biodiversity process, or lack of, and that an annual conference is planned to share issues across all boroughs together. AH has also been approached by the ALG to brief them on the role of the LBBF. The LBBF may also link with the Commissions and be a mechanism for the Mayor to consult the boroughs on the Biodiversity Strategy.

11. British Waterways

Jonathan Briggs tabled British Waterways’ new biodiversity documents ‘British Waterways and Biodiversity – A Framework for Waterway Wildlife Strategies.’ It is to inform and encourage local British Waterways Biodiversity Action Plans, of which London is an example.

12. A.O.B.

Sam Turney stated that Railtrack’s East Anglian region is presently piloting a Biodiversity Action Plan for the company.

Mike Fitt tabled the Royal Parks’ ‘Biological Recording in the Royal Parks’ document. The programme will be trialed for a year and covers anecdotal as well as biological recording.

13. Date of Next Meeting

2.30 pm, 9 October 2000. Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham St, London SW1P 3PY.