Shropshire Outdoor Partnerships Service Annual Report 2017/18
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Shropshire Outdoor Partnerships Service Annual Report 2017/18 Contents Page 1.0 Summary 3 1.1 Achievements 3 1.2 Issues 4 1.3 Future developments 4 2.0 Strategic Priorities 5 2.1 Happy 5 2.2 Healthy 6 2.3 Prosperous 7 2.4 Connected 7 2.5 Cherished 8 2.6 Safe 8 3.0 Budget 9 4.0 Activity in 2017/18 10 4.1 Improving accessibility and the natural environment 10 4.2 Southern Shropshire LEADER Programme 25 4.3 Active volunteering 26 4.4 Promotion 36 4.5 Projects 39 4.6 Consultation and survey results 40 4.7 Partnership working 45 5.0 Priorities for 2018/19 46 6.0 Further Information 48 7.0 Appendices 49 7.1 Rights of Way maintenance tasks completed 49 7.2 Rights of Way maintenance case study 50 7.3 Rights of Way mapping and enforcement actions 51 2 | P a g e 01/05/2018 1.0 Summary The report gives an overview of the work of the Shropshire Outdoor Partnerships team in 2017/18. It discusses the achievements and issues encountered and includes evaluation of activity where possible. It is not designed to be completely comprehensive but to illustrate the quality and breadth of the activity being delivered. This report will be used to provide feedback to Councillors, other Council staff, funders and other stakeholders on the activity of the Outdoor Partnerships Team in 2017/18. 1.1 Achievements Key facts and figures Countryside Access Strategy 2008-2018 evaluated and report published New Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy published for public consultation Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy Board successfully developed Funding application for extension to the visitor facilities at Severn Valley Country Park submitted New Volunteer Manual for Volunteer Rangers Income generation of £464,455, this has almost quadrupled since 2012/13 (£118k) An estimated 868,000 visits to Country Parks and Heritage Sites 751 children on school visits External funding continues to be secured for parks and sites projects despite heavy workloads Severn Valley Country Park Visitor Centre project submitted Over 1,100 improvements to Right of Way, Parks and Sites 182 stiles replaced by gates to make access to the countryside easier for those with limited mobility Shropshire Way Main Route South launched £886k LEADER funding allocated- 25.25 jobs secured to date 26 improvements to the Definitive Map Responded to 447 planning applications Responded to 5811 Public Rights of Way Searches. Successful ploughing and cropping campaign 963 volunteers, mostly 55+ years old, supplying over £337,000 worth of volunteer support, which is equivalent to 21 full time staff There are 64 Parish Paths Partnership groups across the county now Parish Paths Partnerships groups dedicated over 10,000 volunteer hours Healthy Outdoors for Schools paid-for service launched- one school involved this summer Walking for Health groups are working more independently following a review of the initiative and the development of a new Walking for Health Forum 50 Wild Team volunteers have been involved this year and 12 volunteers in total have gone on to find employment or other volunteer roles from the scheme 134,000 users of the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website, 76% of whom were under 45 2,960 likes on Facebook and 2,258 Followers on Twitter 26 Shropshire’s Great Outdoors memberships, of which 4 were joint 3 | P a g e 01/05/2018 Over 1,500 people take part in Walking for Health, this is a drop from last year, due mainly to the poor weather this winter 1.2 Issues The following issues were raised by users: Better promotion of the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website and the work of the Service is needed Concerns over impact of housing and other developments Concerns about lack of funding and reliance on volunteers Conflicts between user groups are becoming more common as interest in outdoor activities continues to grow The following issues need to be addressed to further develop the work of the Service: Simple Terms and Conditions are required for small contracting works with external parties A Working Capital account is needed into which any income that is earned beyond the annual targets could be stored between years. Better promotion of the Service through development and delivery of communication plans. Increased staff capacity is needed to fully address the on-going needs of the Service. The reduction in funding is having an impact on the quality of the Rights of Way network, with the latest survey demonstrating that 66% of it is open- this has fallen from 70% two years ago. There are also more issues being raised on parks and sites, partly due to reduced staffing. 1.3 Future development The priorities for 2018/19 are: Publishing the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors 2018-28 Strategy Continued development of the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy Board Development of a new wood fuel business- using timber extracted from the sites An extension to the Visitor Centre at SVCP to enable more events, education visits and space for the café Development of Swan Hill Depot at Ellesmere for new café and indoor activities for families Initial discussions about new Country Parks for market towns as part of planning for new housing, transport and economic growth development Continued emphasis on income generation Successful delivery of Southern Shropshire LEADER Programme Developing a new approach to volunteer co-ordination across the county to better fulfil the aims of Public Health Creation of a calendar of events across Country Parks and Sites to interpret natural and cultural heritage New signage at Country Parks Focused work at Nesscliffe Country Park to improve information for users and address issues between user groups Restructuring the Outdoor Partnerships Service to accommodate the loss of the Country Parks and Sites Manger in March 2019 4 | P a g e 01/05/2018 2.0 Strategic Priorities The Shropshire’s Great Outdoor 2018-28 Strategy sets out the priorities for Outdoor Partnerships, working with relevant partner organisations. Our Vision By the end of 2028, people will be happier, healthier and more prosperous by being better connected to Shropshire’s Great Outdoors through safe and cherished publically accessible outdoor assets. The quality and promotion of the recreational access, Country Parks and Heritage Sites will be inspiring people to be more involved, get more active and enjoy and celebrate our wonderful habitats and heritage. Communities will be happier and healthier as a result. Businesses will benefit from this increased activity and more visitors will be enjoying the outdoors. Biodiversity and climate change mitigation benefits will be maximised. In a time of reducing Government support, this will be achieved through increasing income, securing more external funding and working more closely with other departments and partner organisations. Core Principles The provision of high quality ecosystems, cultural heritage, assets and outdoor infrastructure underpins the community need for outdoor recreation The involvement of local people in the provision of service will increase physical and mental wellbeing and community resilience Provision of high quality outdoor recreation assets will give many businesses the products on which to build the local economy Joint working with relevant partners is the best way to deliver a range of outdoor recreation provision across the county Well managed ecosystems benefit wildlife, the environment and help mitigate climate change There is a legal requirement to manage land, along with the statutory duties regarding Rights of Way Our natural and cultural heritage should be protected for future generations 2.1 Happy- Encourage the enjoyment of Shropshire’s Great Outdoors by more people, of all ages and abilities Outcomes: More people will be enjoying Shropshire’s Great Outdoors, especially those who do not do so at present Provision for different types of users will be identified and better promoted More schools and families will be visiting the outdoor assets People will be better informed about the outdoor assets There will be better understanding between different user groups and more responsible use by all users 5 | P a g e 01/05/2018 Whilst more people are using the Country Parks, Heritage Sites and Rights of Way, those with a disability, economic disadvantage and the unemployed are still less likely to visit the natural environment. These people need better access from their homes or that are accessible by public transport. We will be working with partners to better promote the outdoor offer and offer a range of events to attract those who might not otherwise get involved. Conflicts between users is becoming more common and a new User Guide and campaign will help address some of these issues. 2.2 Healthy- Benefit the health of residents and visitors through increased physical activity and improved mental wellbeing in the Great Outdoors. Outcomes: Residents and visitors to Shropshire will be more physically active, helping avoid the onset of chronic health conditions. More people will connect with their local communities and build social networks as a result of their involvement with the Great Outdoors, improving their mental wellbeing. People with chronic physical and mental health conditions will be better able to live independently for longer. Children will be more physically active; increasing educational attainment, reducing issues with weight and anxiety and improving overall wellbeing. Public Health allocated the Outdoor Partnership’s Service £200,000 funding in 2017/18 to develop