Present

James Farrell - Greater London Authority
Peter Massini - English Nature
William Moreno - London Biodiversity Partnership
Doug Napier - Community Initiative Partnership, Hounslow borough
Jenny Scholfield - London Wildlife Trust (chair and notetaker)

AGENDA

1. Function and structure of management working group

It was agreed that the existing terms of reference that state the purpose of the Management Working Group were satisfactory. ·

DN reported that the London Boroughs Biodiversity Forum had agreed that Andrew Bedford (L.B. Islington) would replace DN as a representative on the working group. This was agreed by the group. ·

The group discussed the current size of the working group - all members were present - and agreed that the chair would invite Chris Lee (Environment Policy, Association of London Government), Jeremy Martin (Government Office for London) and Tim Chapple (Thames Estuary Partnership) to join the group.

2. Terms of reference for working groups, with new membership guidelines ·

It was agreed that all working groups should set their terms of reference. Partnership membership guidelines for all working groups should also be applied. This proposal will be taken to the next project board meeting for their approval (proposed membership guidelines attached). ·

The need for specific guidelines for project board membership was also identified, and a proposal will to be taken to the next project board meeting for approval. ·

Chair to distribute proposed guidelines to other working group chairs for discussion at next chairs meeting.

3. Funding group and business plan group

Both the funding strategy group and the business plan group were set up last year as additional but temporary subgroups to the Partnership structure. Clear lines of reporting now need to be reestablished. The lead of the funding group will report to the management working group, and the lead of the business plan group will report to the project board.

4. Progress of funding strategy

The following comments on the draft funding strategy - 'Meeting the cost' were made by the group;

i. the actions table should be a key element of the document

ii. the summary for each action plan should be no longer than 1 A4 page with achievable and stand-alone relevant projects (and indication of costs)

iii. strategy document should be in form of colour pamphlet with loose sheets for individual haps and saps that can then be updated as necessary.

iv. funding for the production of the document needs to be identified

5. Project Officers report / issues

William's report is attached to these notes.

6. Three year review of action plans - establishing the process

A 3 year review of the existing SAPs and HAPs will be due in December 2003. Some SAP and HAP working groups have already updated original actions, including change of target dates and identifying new actions. Whilst these changes reflect the new agendas identified by species and habitat working groups, this situation will make a 3 year review difficult. It was proposed that Species, Habitats and Data working group establish a procedure and timetable for reviewing action plans. Emerging changes would then be 'adopted' in 2004 as a result of the review process.

There was some concern from the group that suggestions for new species and habitat action plans did not link to the original audit.

7. AOB ·

LBP budget - it was suggested that unallocated money in the budget should be spent on 2 discreet projects, development of the website, and a marketing project to identify action plan champions within the business sector. ·

London Sustainability Exchange JF has had initial contact with this relatively new organisation - 5 year funding from Bridge House Estate fund. They may develop into a host organisation for partnerships. JF to invite their chief executive to a business plan group for further consideration.

Next meeting

The date of next meeting will be set once the project board has set its annual timetable.

Home