London Biodiversity Partnership

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Project Board

3 October 2001, Greater London Authority

Reports

Habitats, Species and Data Working Group. 6 September

1^st round of action plans

An update was given to the group on the implementation of 1^st round of action plans. Most HAPs and SAPs had already met some of their first year targets and progress with the plans appeared to be reasonably good. A couple of SAPs had no leads:

However, Jonathan Briggs (British Waterways) was happy to continue leading the Mistletoe SAP.

Grey Heron SAP still had no lead, but first years actions were being undertaken and a Grey Heron Working Group was to be formed soon.

2^nd round of action plans

	There was a problem finding a lead to cover Ponds, Lakes & Reservoirs HAP. Various organisations had been approached including EA, Thames Water and LVRPA. The group suggested that perhaps this HAP was too diverse for a single lead to feel confident to cover all aspects of the HAP - c.f. the problems associated with finding a Grasslands, Meadows and Pastures HAP lead. The group suggested that the answer was to perhaps break the HAP into smaller components e.g. produce an individual Reservoirs HAP that Thames Water or some other organisation would be happier to lead.
	Tidal Thames HAP … EA involved with writing the original draft plan.
	Adder & Other Reptiles SAP … the draft SAP had been written, but the group suggested the name change to Reptile SAP as all other London reptile species were covered in the SAP. The group suggested that some note regarding confidentiality of records be written into the plan so that recorders realised that all locations would be held in confidence by EN. There should be close liaison between EN and LEHART for this SAP to work effectively.
	Good progress has been made with other HAPs and SAPs … Churchyards & Cemeteries appeared lengthy, but could probably be abbreviated by some of the actions entering the generic action plans. Urban Gardens HAP required targets for its objectives. Acid Grassland HAP had the Royal Parks involved as the lead; there was an invertebrate slant to this plan to help address the comments made by Peter Harvey who wanted a separate and is still pursuing a separate Thames Terrace HAP. Black Poplar SAP draft has also been produced although BTCV are now the new lead. It was recommended that a copy of the SAP also be sent to Rodney Burton for comments.
	Other HAPs being drafted include Parks, Amenity Grasslands & City Squares … this has taken longer than was predicted, as it comprises a complex variety of sub-habitats. The draft was delayed by a fortnight. The Canals HAP was being progressed and the group was asked to comment on a number of Flagship species that were to be incorporated in the plan.

Communications Working Group

	New strapline for Partnership logo has been decided - "Working together for wildlife" After much discussion this was agreed on as it is short and to the point. It will also fit nicely under the Thames on the logo!
	We have reviewed feedback from the Partnership Event in July and in reaction to that we are producing and will be shortly distributing a Comms information pack. This will include the aims and objectives of the Comms Working Group and publicity guidelines for partners.
	Discussions and organisation of the AGM in Dec/Jan.
	Partnership Pledge - we are now focusing our full attention on this and aim to have it produced by the end of the December.

Management Working Group

Future funding for Partnership and Project Officer

	SG reported that a full project proposal had been submitted to the John Ellerman Foundation for funding at £40,000 pa for three years. EC and SG had been due to attend a meeting with Eileen Terry, the Foundation’s Principal Grants Officer, on 7 September but this had been cancelled at the last moment due to Eileen being ill and re-scheduled for late afternoon on 26 September.
	Post meeting note: the meeting with Eileen Terry appeared to go well, and at the end she indicated that she would be recommending the Trustees to approve the application. The Trustees meet on 4 October and we should know the outcome by the following day. SG will report back as soon as we know.
	PM confirmed that £5,000 of bridge funding would be available from EN to cover the period Jan-Mar 2002.
	CA gave some details of Interreg funding. This may become relevant in the long term but is not an answer to the shorter term funding needs of the Partnership. There is to be an Interreg workshop at GOL on 5 October.

Memorandum of Understanding

The text has been finalised and there was discussion on practical arrangements for distribution and the level in each organisation at which endorsement/signature should be sought. Whilst ideally this should be at a high level, it was for each organisation to decide on this and initially the approach would be via existing contacts. David Goode would sign a copy to go to each partner, although in due course it was hoped that Ken would sign for GLA. JF to take forward.

Other issues

	EC distributed a draft timetable of future meetings of the Partnership Working Groups
	AGM to be in w/c 10 December, hopefully with Ken’s attendance
	Mayor’s Draft Biodiversity Strategy launched on 25 September for public consultation until 4 January.

Project Officer Report

Key Work

Round 2 Action Plan Update

On the 12^th Sept the second round of action plans when out for consultation. These included

Churchyards & Cemeteries … lead GLA

Private Gardens … Lead LWT

Acid Grassland … initial contact GLA, Lead RP

Black Poplar- lead BTCV

Reptiles- lead EN

Consultation has been delayed for Parks, Amenity Grassland & Canals HAP’s and are now due to go for consultation on the 28^th Sept

Tidal Thames HAP … Consultation has been delayed until further notice.

Still no initial/ lead contact for Ponds, lakes & Reservoirs

Timetable for consultation is as follows:

5^th November- consultation ends, comments back to leads

19^th November- Final version emailed to Project Officer (Final editing)

26^th November- Final review by H, S & D WG

3^rd December … Printing

Week of the 10^th December - Partnership AGM (date to be confirmed), The Mayor to launch second round of action plans. Chairs of each working group to provide an update

Implementation of 1^st round of Action Plans Update

Progress is good, all working groups have held meeting or are corresponding via email. Heron working group to have first meeting on 9^th October. Implementation monitoring forms due back in December so annual report can be complied for Jan

Co-organised London LBAP Reporting & Monitoring Prototype Database Event with EN. To be held on 26^th October at EN London Office.

Audit Update

	Article submitted to LNHS newsletter
	Deadline for comments & corrections is the 5^th November for update on website

Partnership Event

The Practitioners day at WWT had very positive feedback. Circulated feedback report to participants.

Background Work

Attended Partnership meetings including HAP & SAP implementation & LBBF

Financial Status

Allocated amount Current total

Print- £5000 £4930

Confrernces-£3000 £1654.40

Consultants- £3000 £2747.37

Training- £690 £139.90

Total £11,690 Total remaining £9471.67

Project Officer Progress Report

Key Work

Round 2 Action Plan Update