- Habitats, Species and Data Management Working Group Report
ACTION: RB to ask Jonathan Briggs (British Waterways) to see
if BSBI will lead the Mistletoe Species Action Plan. Whilst
the group is grateful for Jonathan’s work on this plan, there
is the need for organisational support behind each action plan.
AT reiterated Thames Water’s standpoint of being unable to
lead on local Biodiversity Action Plans.
ACTION: RB to draft letter to Alastair Driver (Environment
Agency), inviting him or a colleague to join the Habitats Working
Group.
- Communications Working Group Report
EC reported in the absence of Anne Homyer.
The Partnership’s new strapline is ‘Working Together for Wildlife’.
The December evening event should have Ken Livingstone to launch
the action plans, if possible. ACTION: JF
The group is working on the Partnership Pledge. JF reported
that there is interest from the Civic Forum is getting members
to sign up.
- London Biological Records Centre Working Group Report
RG reported in the absence of AM. Stated that funding for the
records centre needs special attention.
Borough representation on the group is needed.
MF reported that the Royal Parks are going to employ an ecologist.
AH mentioned a Welsh INTERREG bid for record centre funding.
Possible link to London.
- Management Working Group Report
The main cross-cutting theme is core funding, to be discussed
later.
- London Borough Biodiversity Forum Report
ACTION: EC to email the national LBAP updates from Charlotte
Gault and Alison Barnes to partners.
Wildlife 2000 officer Ruth Hayhurst produced the summary report
‘A Year on a Page’. ACTION: JF put on website.
5 London Boroughs have an EU LIFE bid of c£1M in progress to
fund biodiversity action officers in each borough, with money
for implementation, for 2-3 years. The boroughs are Sutton,
Richmond, Bromley, Redbridge and Hounslow … and 2 in Italy.
Hopefully this will start in July 2001.
- Project Officer Report
The Board thanked EC for her continuing hard work for the Partnership,
and in particular towards the success of the Practioners’ Day.
- Cross-cutting issues
Core funding for the Partnership was the only major cross-cutting
issue.
SG described the options available. It was agreed that a self-funded
Partnership was the only long-term viable solution for core
funding. Money is not available from the partners for the next
financial year, as it is already allocated.
There is to be an emergency meeting of the MWG and others to
discuss core funding, in light of the decision from the John
Elleman Trust (post-meeting note: John Elleman Trust turned
down the application and an emergency meeting was held on 8
October. The Partnership is to apply to Esmee Fairbairn Trust
and the Environmental Action Fund).
It was agreed that a business plan that sets out the scenario
for the future of the Partnership must be the first priority
for next year. The MWG has responsibility for this.
ACTION: SG contact Charlotte Gault re. England Funding Strategy.
- A.O.B.
JF reported that the Mayor’s draft Biodiversity Strategy is now
out to consultation.
ACTION: EC to co-ordinate a response on behalf of the Partnership
(minus GLA) on the relevant … i.e. BAP … elements of the Strategy.
