Dorset AONB Partnership Hosted by Dorset County Council
County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ
tel: 01305 228239 email: [email protected] web: www.dorsetaonb.org.uk twitter: @DorsetAONB
November 2016
Dear Board Member
Dorset AONB Partnership Board Meeting, 10.00am, Thurs 24th November 2016
Dorchester Cricket Pavilion, off Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester The cricket pavilion is located off Weymouth Avenue to the south of Dorchester’s town centre, a short walk from Dorchester South Railway station and close to Fairfield Car Park (£4 all day). There is limited parking on- site (use DT1 2RZ for SatNav to take you onto Sawmills La; the building is the first on the left having turned off Weymouth Ave).
The meeting will start at 10.00 am (refreshments from 9.45am). If you are unable to attend it would be helpful if you could send a briefed representative. Please confirm attendance to Katharine Wright on 01305 228239 or [email protected]
AGENDA
Welcome, introductions and apologies
1 Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising
2 Board member ambassadorship & AONB-related updates
3 Delivering the AONB Management Plan [information]
4 National Grid Visual Impact Provision [information]
5 Low Carbon Dorset (ESIF) programme [information]
6 Outline budget 2015-2016 [decision]
7 Proposed dates of next meetings: Partnership Board 2017: 25th May & 16 th November Steering Group 2017: 25 th April & 17 th October
1 © Crown Copyright 201 5 OS licence number: 100019790.
2 Minutes of the last Partnership Board meeting (21 st May, Weymouth Ave Pavilion, Dorchester)
Present : Chairman : Jim White (also Dorset LNP) Local Authority Members : Cllr Audrey Burch (North Dorset District Council), Cllr Peter Webb (Purbeck District Council), Cllr Hilary Cox (Dorset County Council) Sector representatives : Helen Mann (National Trust), Janet Page (Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils), Brian Bleese (Purbeck Heritage Network), Roderick Knight (Dorset Cultural Partnership), Rupert Best (CLA), Alison Moore (Dorset LEP) Local Authority officers : Hilary Jordan (WDDC, WPBC & NDDC), Alison Turnock (PDC), Phil Sterling (DCC) Defra family officers : Matt Low (Natural England), Ben Rayner (Environment Agency), DAONB Team : Tom Munro (Manager), Ian Rees (Countryside Officer), Julie Turner (AONB Project Officer), Katharine Wright (Dorset Food & Drink Coordinator), Sue Dampney (Communications Officer), Richard Brown (Landscape Planning Officer), Jill Hearing (South Dorset Ridgeway Project Officer), Marie McLeish (South Dorset Ridgeway Learning Officer), James Sharpe (SDR Project Manager)
Apologies: Sally King (Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site), Cllr Matthew Hall (WDDC)
ITEM 1: Welcome & minutes of the last Partnership Board meeting Minutes of the last meeting were agreed as correct, with matters arising covered on the agenda.
ITEM 2: Short Updates from Board members re AONB opportunities/issues Dorset Cultural Partnership: will come to an end on 27 June; 5 year Cultural Strategy was launched recently and will continue under the auspices of Dorset Arts Trust. RK will remain on AONB Board representing the cultural sector in his role as Trustee of Dorset County Museum. Strategy available at http://www.theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk/59/dorset+cultural+strategy+2016-2021 DCC : PS reiterated what a pleasure it was to oversee the AONB team; he also spoke of the closer working between the AONB Team & the Jurassic Coast Team during their hosting transition phase, particularly with relation to the Visitor Management / Access, Recreation & Transport roles. WDCC, ND, W&P : NDDC Local Plan has been adopted (Local Plan coverage now complete); however it needs to be reviewed immediately due to housing numbers. WDDC and W&PBC Joint Local Plan currently under review, with focus on promoting tourism; some concerns that budget savings will follow but very aware of DAONB/DEFRA financial contribution. All engaged in discussions re Dorset local government reorganisation. PDC: partial review of current Local Plan will be on dorsetforyou shortly. Consultation agreed from 9 June for 9 weeks; required housing numbers very high with potential impact on AONB. Local Plan to be approved by end 2017. PHN: Draft strategy, reflecting AONB aims, out for final round consultation, for approval Nov 16. CLA: RB spoke of future infrastructure needs for rural business; made a plea for ‘imagination’ in responses to development proposals of that nature. Dorset LEP: AM reappointed to Board for 3yrs; Growth Deal 3 to Ministerial challenge mid-June, final applications due early July, & decisions re funding in autumn. Destination management funding ending this year. NE: Team geography re-aligning with EA regions (Dorset, Somerset & Avon grouped); an NE delivery plan in progress with a likely focus on Dorset Heaths, South Purbeck & the coast from Studland to Lyme Regis as priorities. DATPC: training for new councillors is ongoing, 1 year in.
3 NT : NT’s Landscape, Outdoors & Nature (LON) strategy focuses on making NT estate work for nature; changes will be implemented with tenants as well as in-hand land. Collaborating with AONB on Hardy Country & Hillforts projects and further joint working under discussion. Also working on SW Coast strategy and Purbeck heath re- wilding. Katharine’s work on the Springtide Festival was much appreciated and made it a great success. EA: Winfrith Magnox restoration due for completion by 2023 leading to fully reverted heathland through fast- tracking new habitat communities; Regional Flood & Coastal Committee to fund a pilot based around Hooke trialling natural flood management techniques (£100k over 5 yrs) with aspiration to incorporate conservation, river restoration, etc. RPSB Arne Moors: looking to open up to sea providing coastal habitat to help prevent coastal squeeze: EA funding secured for half site but seeking match funding for remainder; is a protected habitat so looking for potential sites for compensatory habitat provision. Dorset LNP: Environment Economy study involved close collaboration between AONB & LNP and was main focus for annual forum; LNP Health & Wellbeing position statement makes reference to Stepping into Nature project.
ITEM 3: Delivery of the AONB Management Plan TM delivered the Manager’s report with the following updates: • South Dorset Local Action Group now up and running; • NAAONB and Activate Performing Arts Stage 1 ACE bid was successful • Stunning photographs of the AONB can be found at: http://gigapan.com/profiles/Dorset_AONB • Dorset Food & Drink Steering Group recommending move to become independent CIC so as to access grants not available to public sector • Woodlink: AONB Team will continue to support the Community Woodland groups. The board approved and noted with thanks progress in delivering the management plan.
ITEM 4: Dorset Local Authorities’ governance review (Report by AONB Steering Group Local Authority Officers: Phil Sterling & Hilary Jordan) PS: Current model under review is for 2 unitary councils (B&P, Rural Dorset) with Christchurch joining one or other. Public consultation underway until Nov 16. HC : sits on DCC’s Shaping Dorset’s Future Board and chairs Service Delivery Working Group, both of which are inviting contributions from all councils re Combined Authorities proposals: this would involve a small joint core staff with limited functions centred on strategic economic development and transport; and would cover total area reflecting coverage of LEP funding; Combined Authorities bid is to central Government and separate to LA governance review. PS : in interim, DCC recognises the need to work closely with DCs re shared services, eg arboriculture, to make the most of the opportunities for synergy & savings. PW: expressed concern that Town & Parish Councils may have to take on more functions for which they currently do not have capacity, without additional resources. HC: in response to query from HM, the National Park proposal is on a different timeline and decision-making track so is not yet being formally considered by the local authorities.
ITEM 5: National Grid Visual Impact Provision Presentation by Ian McKenna, National Grid VIP senior team member with responsibility for stakeholder land & consent . National Grid has agreed with OFGEM a fund of £500m to address impacts of high-voltage lines on protected landscapes. A 7km section of line crossing the South Dorset Ridgeway from Corton to Winterbourne Abbas has been selected as one of only 3 to be taken forward for undergrounding (a 4 th section will be re-routed); these sections total 14km (so DAONB section is 50%) out of total 571km network. Work has progressed significantly on pre-application survey, route choice and impact assessments. The National Grid VIP team been undertaking site surveys and plotting a preferred route, taking into account biodiversity and heritage interest features, and approximate preferred locations for the two sealing end compounds have been assessed and agreed in principle with the AONB team. Two Public information events are scheduled for late June for the communities affected, covering both weekday and weekend. Feasibility work will take place during summer 2016, with planning applications being drawn up mid-2017 and construction scheduled for mid-2018. Construction will involve a
4 swathe up to 60m wide with trenches for cables of 1m-1.5m deep (ie below deep ploughing depth ). PS advised early discussion with DCC/NE re efficient approach to assessing ecological impact, which IMcK confirmed is already underway. Directional drilling may possibly be used only under A35 and adjoining the South Winterbourne. TM advised DCC/HE archaeologists are leading on assessment/monitoring of archaeological impact: potential hotspots re unknown archaeology have already been identified and an onsite watching brief will be maintained during construction. Landscape Enhancement Initiative: The LEI is a parallel grant scheme offering funding for small localised landscape solutions for 30 affected areas over 5 years with 2 application windows each year and a 3 stage application process. Only AONBs/NPs may apply but projects can be in partnership with other organisations. Whilst the primary objective is to mitigate visual impact, it is hoped that solutions will bring additional benefits to eg biodiversity. The guideline for eligible areas is within c3km of a powerline. A minimum 25% match funding is required, which can be either cash, in kind contributions or volunteer time. Landowner consent will generally be expected by full application stage, although funds may be adjusted in proportion if full consent not obtainable. The Board welcomes the further work on this priority section of line and endorses the team’s intention to access investment from the Landscape Enhancement Initiative across the wider area
ITEM 6: Dorset’s Environmental Economy Study TM presented key findings of the study, which was led & delivered by respected economists. Reports available at: http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/1204-aonbcontributes65million IR presented a parallel study, commissioned by DEFRA, using an alternative ‘ecosystem account’ model which sought to ascribe financial value (with some caveats) to resources/activities which currently have no such value . Reports available at: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=19271&From Search=Y&Publisher=1&SearchText=wc1107&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc&Paging=10#Description TM/JW: highlighted the value that this reflects for LAs/DEFRA combined investment of £260k in DAONB. BR: referred to a further joint LNP /LEP study which assessed the value of landscape especially re flood management; EA looking at developing natural flood management but need to establish efficacy and to be able to measure benefit if to move towards reduction in ‘hard’ flood management. Board members endorse the report and promote its messages where relevant
ITEM 7: Any Other Business TM: JCT has just published Fossils of the Jurassic Coast by Sam Scriven, which is available from their website: http://jurassiccoast.org/product/6264/ JW: Dorset Wild Flower Week has a programme of guided walks from 28 May to 5 June: http://www.derc.org.uk/local/DFGleaflet2016.pdf
ITEM 7: Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 24 November 2016 (venue: Dorchester Cricket Pavilion)
Board member ambassadorship & AONB opportunities
AONB Board Members are encouraged to take an ambassadorial role for the AONB’s landscape designation and its managing Partnership, primarily within the organisation or sector which they represent but wider afield. The team offers an introduction to the role and the landscape to new board members in order to help them fulfil this. The AONB Chairman requests Partnership Board members to feed back to the Board briefly (2 mins max): How you have raised AONB issues / news to your organisation How you have helped promote awareness of the AONB in your organisation / wider afield Any new opportunities for engaging in the delivery of the AONB Management Plan
5 Delivering the Management Plan: progress report
Item for: Information
Report by: AONB Team
Summary: The AONB team is leading, coordinating, promoting and supporting delivery of the actions and intent of the AONB Management Plan as the central part of its core duties and through specific projects.
Financial implications: Delivery based on agreed budget and business plan.
Recommendation: The Board approves and notes the progress made towards delivering the AONB Management Plan 2014-2019
3.1. SUMMARY For this November Partnership Board meeting, the team has carried out an analysis of management plan delivery. The 2014-2019 AONB Management Plan contains 302 discrete actions spread across 5 delivery years. Over the last 12 months there has been a significant number of action completions, a significant increase in actions “in development”, a reduction in those either not started or behind schedule.
9 actions for this period are behind schedule; 6 are not started. The vast majority of these are partner-led initiatives which the AONB Team were to support.
6 2014 2015 2016 Not started / known 0 0 6 Behind schedule 1 8 0 In development 0 7 5 In delivery / ongoing 2 5 8 Complete 1 6 8 TOTAL 4 26 27
3.2. Action area reporting The table below shows Defra’s expectations of an AONB staff unit and the report headings under which those functions are reported. CORE CORE work LPS SouthRidgeway Dorset Wild Purbeck NIA Woodlink FoodDorset & Drink Fingerpost Project Dorset into Nature Stepping Defra's core functions of an AONB staff unit Developing reviewing, preparing and publishing the AONB vision and the CRoW Act AONB a Management Plan Promoting the AONB vision and management plan to help distinguish the AONB from adjacent b countryside Advising upon, facilitating and co-ordinating implementation by others of the Management c Plan Advising Local Authorities on their activities within AONBs, to encourage them to go beyond d normal levels of service(attain the highest possible standards) in countryside management
e Monitoring and reporting on progress against AONB Management Plan targets
f Monitoring AONB landscape condition
g Accessing resources for management activities
Working with and contributing to the NAAONB activities, sharing advice and best practice h nationally and regionally Providing a management role to co-ordinate AONB protection through the actions of the AONB i unit, the AONB partnership and other partners at a local and strategic level.
j Developing an involvement by the community in the management of the AONB
k Providing landscape related planning advice
CORE work
3.3. Providing landscape-related planning advice via the Planning Protocol: Rampisham Down Solar Array: A revision to the solar array proposed at Rampisham Down has been received. This proposes an amended layout to the north of the road, on farmland, rather than the site of the transmitter station. Subject to securing a wide range of enhancements, alongside the withdrawal of the application on the transmitter site and the removal of installed infrastructure for this earlier proposal. In principle it is considered that the application has the potential to be acceptable. However, further mitigation measures have been recommended and the development would require a s106 agreement.
7 Hawkchurch gas fired energy reserve: An application has been received by East Devon District Council, who have consulted the AONB Team. The proposal is for a small scale power plant in the setting of the AONB, visible from locations close to Holditch and Payne’s Down. An objection has been submitted based on the inadequacy of information provided and foreseeable effects on views from and the character of the affected area. Partial Review of the Purbeck Plan: The AONB Team has been engaged in ongoing discussion regarding the Plan, particularly the allocation of housing sites within and close to the AONB. There has been particular focus on discussion of the allocation of a site for 500 houses, west of Wareham, which the Team has objected to. Owermoigne Solar Arrays: Following further mitigation measure the Team has removed its objections to two solar arrays within the setting of the AONB, near to Owermoigne.
3.4. Accessing resources / project development The team has submitted at Stage 2 bid to Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund to resource Stepping into Nature (c £300k); more detail at 3.20 The team has submitted a bid to the Landscape Enhancement Initiative to mitigate the impact of the National Grid’s high-voltage overhead line through the Brit Valley & Marshwood Vale (£190k) The team has secured just over £22,000 from Defra for Dorset Food & Drink to develop a series of food trails building on the success of the West Dorset Pedal The team is working with the National Association for AONBs and Activate Performing Arts on a Heritage Lottery bid (c£400k) for the Icknield Way Heritage Project; more detail at 3.26 We continue to work with DCC’s Minerals Planners to draw down £1.7M for landscape and access mitigation associated with the continued operation of the Wytch Farm oilfield. The AONB Team has steering input to the following strategic organisations which are a potential source of funds for conserving and enhancing the AONB: • Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Rural Enterprise Group / Dorset Destination Management Organisation) • Southern Dorset Local Action Group The team is in the early stages of investigating various Heritage Lottery Fund strands as sources of funding for several projects (Fingerpost Heritage Project, a Marshwood Vale & Hillforts Landscape Partnership)
3.5. National Association for AONBs / Protected Landscapes collaboration The Dorset AONB team is developing two collaboration projects across the AONB Family: • The Icknield Way Heritage Project, a collaboration between Activate Performing Arts and 5 AONBs between Dorset and Norfolk with significant funds already secured from the Arts Council England. • Significant Spaces, a collaboration between Winchester University, several AONBs and National Parks and the Public Health sector. Dorset AONB Communications Officer has been working with other AONBs and the NAAONB to develop a range Case Studies to showcase the work of AONBs to national decision-makers and funders, which will be accessible through the Landscapes for Life website shortly.
3.6. Promotion of the AONB : Publications The new Explore, West Dorset Pedal and Drawing Inspiration leaflets proved extremely popular at events over the summer and high quality eye-catching displays at County Hall in Dorchester and at Dorchester Tourist Information Centre increased take up significantly. Dorset AONB Annual Review 2015-16 ‘More Than the View’, which is aimed at local authority councillors and other decision-makers, was distributed in October. It focuses on the health, wellbeing and economic benefits of the AONB and takes an eye-catching ‘infographic’ format. This is available here: http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/publications/248-aonb-annual-reviews
8 3.7. Promotion of the AONB : Events The Dorset AONB Team attended 11 food events this year, promoting opportunities to explore the AONB; the South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership and Dorset Food & Drink - an effective way of meeting the public, promoting our key projects and developing the AONB e-news mailing list. Inside Out Dorset, Cultural Canapes and Screen Bites offered further opportunities to promote the AONB. The Dorset AONB Annual Forum 2016 was held on Wednesday 5 th October, with 104 people attending. Entitled ’So Where is the Land of Bone and Stone?’, it aimed to promote the South Dorset ridgeway and the opportunities to get involved in the remaining 18 months of the HLF funded Landscape Partnership Scheme. We received very positive feedback after the event and have had several sign ups to walks and projects as a result.
3.8. Promotion of the AONB : Photo Competition “Site Seeing” The Site Seeing Photo Competition – with Dorset AONB and South Dorset Ridgeway categories, attracted over 200 entries, with the Winner and Runner Ups announced at the Annual Forum. As well as receiving some very high quality images for us in AONB promotional material, we also received good publicity during and after the competition. The winning entries, together with the Highly Commended and Commended entries will be included in the Inspiring Landscapes display at Durlston Castle in January. You will receive an invite to Private View shortly.
Winner of Dorset AONB category: James Loveridge, Sunset over Colmer’s Hill
9 3.9. Promotion of the AONB : Website & social media Regular newsletters continue to be circulated to 5016 members of the public and local organisations, with news of events, training, activities and project updates. This mailing list is developed through sign ups at public events and through AONB Team contacts. Dorset AONB now has a Facebook page which is being used to promote Dorset AONB events (329 followers). Twitter following • 5133 followers @DorsetAONB • 20,000 followers @DorsetFoodDrink; 678 followers on DF&D Facebook page • 1720 followers @LandBoneStone South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership has a Land of Bone & Stone Flickr gallery, (https://www.flickr.com/photos/131152284@N07/albums ) providing a comprehensive record of activity (inc. guided walks and volunteer events). Most images receive dozens of views with some exceeding one hundred views each. A regular SDRLP e-newsletter is sent to a mailing list of nearly 700 with details of forthcoming events.
3.10. Monitoring AONB condition : Further progress has been made with photographic monitoring, with additional locations toward Beaminster and the Marshwood Vale. Images can be viewed online at http://gigapan.com/profiles/Dorset_AONB Early work has been undertaken to explore the scope and cost of new satellite imagery available for the purposes of landscape monitoring, for use towards a refreshed landscape condition assessment
DORSET AONB PROJECTS
3.11. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Conserving and restoring significant monuments in the South Dorset Ridgeway’s ancient ceremonial landscape A volunteer work party cleared gorse and bracken from an extensive scheduled monument on Black Down to enable a volunteer group to undertake geophysical surveys. The 21 volunteers trained to survey and record the condition of monuments at risk have completed surveys of over 200 barrows to date; the success of this project was recently highlighted by Historic England when the annual Heritage at Risk register was launched and the story was covered in the local press and on local radio.
3.11. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Conserving and restoring priority habitats, species and other natural heritage 4 volunteer work parties were held clearing scrub from 4 priority habitat sites (3 chalk grassland sites, 1 heathland restoration on Black Down). Four new Countryside Stewardship applications were submitted for Ridgeway farms and associated whole farm plans completed. First Small Grants project was completed, using local wildflower seed to enhance 0.5ha of land near Maiden Castle. A talk on Sustainable Intensification by Dr David Styles of Bangor University was attended by Ridgeway farmers; subsequent subjects of monthly breakfast meetings will cover practical methods of carbon storage/emission reduction for both arable and livestock systems.
3.12. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Increasing participation in local heritage - management and celebration To date, 8 traditional fingerposts have been restored in the project area, with match funding coming from local residents providing cash contributions and volunteer hours. 6 workshops were held engaging 74 children in Ridgeway-themed creative activities.
10 3.13. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Improving access to the South Dorset Ridgeway heritage 18 guided walks led by experts and volunteers have been attended by 326 participants, covering themes of archaeology, geology and wildlife. One walker commented: “we learned a great deal about an area of Dorset (the Valley of Stones NNR) that we had seen signs to and driven past on all sides for many, many years and it was a fascinating experience. Steve (Wallis, DCC Senior Archaeologist) explained – or rather revealed - the landscape in such a way that will, hopefully, allow us to look at and learn more about this area and more of the Dorset countryside in the future’.
3.14. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Increasing understanding of the SDR heritage through formal and informal learning opportunities: The learning programme in schools continues to progress. The number of schools engaged has risen to 37, against a target of 40 by the end of the project in July 2018. We have reached an estimated 7000 school children. Many of the schools have successfully embedded the outdoor learning opportunities of SDR into the heart of their curriculum year on year. The 2016 SDR School festival was a massive success this year, and attendance way above that anticipated. Some 250 school children experienced 10 workshops in the wonderful setting of Littlebredy on Tuesday 20 September. Children experienced Wild Art, Ancient Music, Wayfaring, Ridgeway Forest school, Ridgeway Farms, Ridgeway Badges and Finds. The underlying theme of the festival was livelihoods and landscapes, helping children gain an appreciation land and farming through time. Appreciation of the festival was widely reported in school blogs. See links below. http://www.acornacademy.org/standrews/fun-stone-age http://www.loders.dorset.sch.uk/ridgeway-festival-trip/ http://www.broadmayne.dorset.sch.uk/web/y3_at_the_south_ridgeway_festival/230425 http://pow-year3.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/fun-at-south-dorset-ridgeway-project.html Three new teachers’ kits have now been created through the Access to Experts offer. These SDR themed lesson plans are now available at http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/south-dorset-ridgeway- partnership/schools Looking forward to 2017 my key focus will be making sure schools take up their kick-start visits to the Ridgeway and access to expert’s opportunities. The Field Days exhibition, presenting the work of specially commissioned local and national artists in response to the SDR landscape, toured to four venues reaching an audience of 650. 8 associated workshops engaged almost 200 participants. Initiated and led by the participants, the Ridgeway Choir (established as part of the ‘Rooting around the Ridgeway’ project) have become a separate, self-funding group and are booked for several performances as part of the Artsreach rural touring programme.
3.15. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Developing skills in heritage management: 13 volunteers, supported by 2 highly experienced volunteers, undertook a flora survey in Black Down Woods. 10 volunteer work parties continued to restore dry stone walls at 2 prominent locations, Corton Down and Goulds Hill, alongside the National Trail. 2 volunteers achieved their Level 1 Dry Stone Walling certificate, after taking a timed practical exam. 7 hedgelaying days were held introducing 18 new participants to this traditional craft.
3.16. Wild Purbeck Nature Improvement Area We are still waiting confirmation of the Perenco section 106 agreement, which has been delayed for reasons unconnected with the section 106 sum. There is a requirement for this to be signed by the end of November if the planning consent is to remain valid, so it is hoped that there will be an update by the date of the meeting. The funding will enable the single grazing unit works to proceed. In July a National Nature Reserves working group came for a 2 day site visit to Purbeck. They visited various sites and were particularly impressed with the partnership working evident in Purbeck and the work undertaken through the Nature Improvement Area (NIA). A separate meeting of climate change
11 experts also chose to visit Purbeck for their annual meeting and to find out how land managers in the area are working to increase the resilience of their sites to climate change. One direct result of NIA status has been showcasing the work undertaken with a more widespread, national audience. Further meetings have taken place of the visitor management working group. The National Trust is re- looking at the possibility of submitting a LIFE bid for a package of work including visitor management infrastructure, visitor engagement, implement the single grazing unit and land acquisition. This will be worked up over the winter with partners. In parallel with this, the AONB is looking to submit a bid for funding from the HLF “Our Heritage” funding stream which will complement the LIFE bid and seek funding for areas not eligible through LIFE. The bid is likely to include working with Dorset Dogs on visitor management for dog walkers, signage and interpretation (ensuring signage is consistent across the different land ownerships), some schools work, infrastructure relating to rationalising car parking (dragon’s teeth, bunding and some small car park changes) and some work with cyclists. At the last Wild Purbeck meeting in September, the group was updated about a piece of land recently purchased by the National Trust which links two National Nature Reserves – Hartland Moor and Stoborough. The RSPB also informed the partnership that Arne Plantation has been put on the market. RSPB is interested in purchasing this and is looking into potential funding options, which could include LIFE or HLF.
3.17. Dorset Food & Drink Continue to support and promote all 172 members with industry information, event invitations, and support and advice. Continue to work with and support partners NT, DWT, Hix Academy, Kingston Maurward. Dorset Coast Forum, Bournemouth University Submitted an application for DF&D to Community Interest Company & DF&D have now moved offices to Kingston Maurward College. Building up on the business relationship with KMC, NFU Mutual, Porter Dodson. Great opportunities for members, as well, as DF&D. Continue liaising with Visit Dorset & the Dorset Tourism Association - Offering great opportunities for the members. Time offered to write and supply images to the new Visit Dorset website. Recently been awarded a grant from DERFA of £23800 to produce Pedals and Plod for the areas North/East and Purbeck to showcase out of season tourism, food trails and local economy. ( based on the WD Pedal model) Shows and festivals – With the season nearing the end DF&D has supported over 25 food festivals this year< new opportunities for this year was Dorset Seafood and KMC Open Day. DF&D Continue to work in partnership with Dorset Food and Arts festival, Springtide, Wimborne, Shaftesbury, Church Knowle, Sturminster Newton Producers market, and founder member Hall & Woodhouse and more. About to host our 4 th Christmas Food & Drink Fair at Athelhampton – Sat 26 th November 10-4 We are continuing the members networking events. 4 held this year and next year these will co arranged with our Corporate Partner Porter Dodson and their Food and Beverage Group. Just offered a mini meet the buyer event in partnership with Creative Dorset, linking the hospitality trade, local food and drink, culture and the landscape. New guide - The new look guide has been a great success, and have just stated planning for the 2017 edition. All 20,000 of the 2016 edition have gone, so aim to have a bigger print run next year. DF&D is negotiating rates with the Bournemouth Hotel and catering show DF&D have produced with a member (Tracey of Ajar Of), charity calendar. We had offers of free photography, free paper, free PR, printing at cost and free design. Charities are Welmar, and Julia's House. Now available to buy. Sponsored and attended the Dorset Food, Drink and Farming Awards, Dorset Tourism Awards and Screenbites Continue to update database, members profile pages, and the general DF&D website. Continue to act as voice for DF&D members at LNP, LEP, DTA, Northern & Southern LAG, and the Growth Hub
12
3.18. Walks from bus stops A draft version of the newly designed pdfs (the title will change to reflect the route, rather than ‘Walks from bus stops’!). 17 routes are being designed up and the pdfs will be available for download on both the AONB and JC websites by Christmas 2016.
3.19. Dorset Fingerposts The project continues to go from strength to strength, with good and reliable systems in place to make the process easier and sometime quicker! With over 450 posts being restored/restored across the County A special thanks goes to Roger Bond, who has been an absolute star liaising and giving both technical and practical support to the community groups, without him this AONB initiative would have come to an end. Still waiting on the BBC hit daytime TV show ‘Escape to the Country’ to be aired. An updated ‘how to guide’ now available on the Dorset AONB website. The Portland YIO, now offering a faster and quicker service than had previously, along with another option of the Dorchester Men’s shed. A new database still being worked up by volunteer James Purkiss, which will include the original DCC GIS database, the Dorset AONB fingerpost database and the database which lists all the fingerposts being/will be restored. This new database shows the historical record of the majority of the posts.
3.20. Stepping into Nature – helping to deliver health and wellbeing benefits for Dorset’s older people, including those living with dementia and their carers. The project uses Dorset’s outstanding natural and cultural landscape to create and provide dementia friendly activities and sensory rich visits to places of interest in Dorset. Successful in stage one Reaching Communities Fund, Stage two now submitted. Outcome of this funding is due early 2017. Won the NAONB Bowland Award as voted by peers, a hen harrier sculpture in bronze, which is awarded annually for the best project, best practice or outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The pilot project a report available at http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/our-work/health-and- wellbeing including a video @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRkj7DeT73k In total around 400 people were engaged in the pilot project, of these 293 people commented, completed questionnaires or took part in activities. Stepping into Nature has now joined the Dorset Dementia Action Alliance http://www.dementiaaction.org.uk/members_and_action_plans/6081- stepping_into_nature_dorset_aonb_lead Inspired by 2012 Health & Wellbeing Legacy Fund - Achievements and Lessons Learnt Event – will be using S.I.N as a case study and we shall be presenting the projects outcomes and methods of delivery on the 6th December Workshops delivered at the following conferences: • 10 th November Transforming Mental Health and Dementia Provision with the Natural Environment - hosted by Natural England • 16 th November Healthcare Sustainability and Transformation - STP implementation and unlocking the benefits of the Natural Environment – hosted by NHS England Highlighted as a case study in presentation to Health & Wellbeing Board for inclusion of the Natural Environment to aid the delivery of health benefits as part of the STP Prevention at Scale
13 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
3.21. Research : Better Understanding Tranquility Research undertaken by Winchester University, funded by ESRC and delivered with DAONB Team support is being published in an academic journal imminently. Once published, the findings can be published on the AONB website. Engagement in this work has given the AONB team a greater understanding of the concept of tranquillity and how it applies in a Special Qualities context.
3.22. Research : Significant Spaces Following on from the partnership with Winchester University above, a new strand of research is being developed as a proposal for ESRC funding. This explores the health and wellbeing attributes of protected landscapes, with a view to replicating some of those attributes in more accessible areas: urban parks, for instance. Engagement is helping to develop a relationship with Public Health colleagues.
3.23. Cultural Tourism Dorset AONB are on the Steering Group for Phase 1 of the Cultural Tourism Action Plan. The 'Cultural Canapés' event at Blandford Brewery in June successfully showcased the Dorset cultural offer to tourism businesses and the Food event at Kingston Maurward in November developed relationships between the tourism and food & drink sectors.
3.24. Hardy Country Following the retirement of Sue Mitchell in March, the chair to the Hardy Country Group is now going to be led by Marie McLeish at the National Trust. Dorset AONB will maintain a watching brief. The steering and learning groups met on Thursday 3 November. Kingston Mauward college principle Luke Rake joined the steering group, and will play a significant role acting as a hub for Hardy country.
3.25. Life Cycles and Landscapes Building on experience gained through the South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership, Activate Performing Arts has been successful in being awarded over £350,000 for a series of artistic landscape- related celebratory and/or interpretative events/installations, and a parallel series of artistic residencies. This is to celebrate and raise awareness of the Icknield Way – not a particular route (although one could be walked) but a series of routes through 5 AONBs between Abbotsbury and North Norfolk. The grant award is from the Arts Council through their Ambition for Excellence strand.
3.26. The Icknield Way Heritage Project This project is being developed to help match fund Life Cycles and Landscapes (above) and to broaden its aims and reach into outcomes for heritage and people. A Stage 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund is being submitted (for c£450k) with the National Association of AONBs as the lead body. This fund will facilitate joint working between the 5 AONBs across the Icknield Way (Dorset, Cranborne Chase, North Wessex Downs, Chilterns and Norfolk Coast) and help deepen people’s connection with those landscapes through interpretation and celebration.
14 National Grid Visual Impact Provision
Item for: Decision
Report by: VIP Project Manager
Financial implications: No implications for the AONB Partnership
Summary: National Grid’s VIP project is making use of a £500m allowance from Ofgem to reduce the landscape and visual impact of its existing infrastructure in AONBs and National Parks. An approximately 7km section of transmission line near the village of Winterbourne Abbas and visible from the Hardy Monument has been identified as one of the most visually intrusive in the country and it has been prioritised for removal with the overhead line being replaced by cables buried underground.
Recommendation: The Dorset AONB Board formally endorses the project
4.1. National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project makes use of an allowance of £500m by Ofgem across Great Britain to carry out work which will help to reduce the impact of existing electricity transmission lines in English and Welsh AONBs and National Parks.
4.2. The main task for the project is to use the allowance to achieve the maximum enhancement to the landscape in England and Wales, while avoiding unacceptable environmental or heritage impacts. To ensure that National Grid gets this right, it has been working closely and collaboratively with national and local stakeholders from the launch of the project in 2014.
4.3. The Visual Impact Provision project applies to existing electricity infrastructure – principally high-voltage overhead electricity lines – in AONBs and National Parks in England and Wales. It can, in special cases, also be applied to lines running adjacent to these protected landscapes where the lines impact on the visual setting. The allowance could be used for: Landscaping enhancements Screening substations or overhead lines from public viewpoints Re-routeing existing lines Replacement of existing overhead lines with underground cables Innovative painting techniques to reduce pylons’ visual impact Initiatives in AONB or National Park management plans which mitigate the impact of our electricity infrastructure Other visual impact measures recommended by stakeholders.
4.4. The project’s guiding principles are to prioritise potential projects which: Result in greatest landscape enhancement benefits. Result in greatest opportunities to conserve and enhance natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, whilst avoiding unacceptable environmental impacts. Result in greatest opportunities to encourage public understanding and enjoyment of the protected landscapes, including positive socio-economic impacts. Are technically feasible in the context of the wider transmission system. Are economical and efficient.
4.5. An independent national Stakeholder Advisory Group, chaired by environmentalist and broadcaster, Chris Baines, has been set up by National Grid. It comprises organisations dedicated to conserving the landscape and countryside throughout England and Wales. The group is helping National Grid to make
15 decisions (in accordance with the guiding principles in 4.3). By adopting this approach National Grid aims to ensure fairness and balance in the decision making to help select the projects which are undertaken.
4.6. Following an independent landscape and visual assessment of all 571km of National Grid overhead lines in 30 AONBs and National Parks, the Stakeholder Advisory Group decided that a shortlist of twelve sections of overhead lines in eight designated areas should be taken forward for more detailed technical assessment during 2015.
4.7. Following an independent landscape and visual assessment of all 571km of National Grid overhead lines in 30 AONBs and National Parks, the Stakeholder Advisory Group decided that a shortlist of twelve sections of overhead lines in eight designated areas should be taken forward for more detailed technical assessment during 2015.
4.8. Options appraisal studies in each of the 12 locations identified potentially feasible methods of mitigating the landscape and visual impacts of the existing transmission lines. The environmental and landscape consultants who prepared the Options Appraisal Studies undertook an appraisal of the mitigation options and their potential impacts and made a recommendation on the most favourable options for presentation to the Stakeholder Advisory Group. The National Grid team also discussed the options appraisal and the proposed preferred options with local technical stakeholders in each of the designated areas as part of this process. The preferred options for the Dorset schemes were endorsed by the technical Stakeholder Reference Group (see 4.9 below).
4.9. As soon as the shortlist of 12 was announced, National Grid working with local partners established a Stakeholder Reference Group in each of the eight designated areas. After consultation with Tom Munro and Richard Brown of the Dorset AONB Partnership, the following organisations were invited onto the Dorset Stakeholder Reference Group: Dorset AONB Partnership West Dorset District Council Dorset County Council Historic England Natural England Environment Agency South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership
4.10. The Stakeholder Advisory Group considered the output from the options development and assessment work at its meeting in September 2015. The Group assessed the proposed mitigation options against the Guiding Principles in the Visual Impact Provision Policy. Following detailed consideration and discussion of the mitigation options, the Stakeholder Advisory Group agreed unanimously that four schemes should be prioritised to be taken forward for potential undergrounding. The scheme in Dorset near Winterbourne Abbas was one of the four schemes.
4.11. The preferred mitigation option involves the replacement of the existing section of overhead line with underground cabling. Since the decision to prioritise this scheme, further development work and stakeholder consultation have taken place and the emerging project includes: The removal of the existing overhead line over a length of approximately 7km, including the removal of approximately 20 pylons (depending on the location of cable sealing end compounds – this is currently under discussion between National Grid, landowners and members of the Stakeholder Reference Group in Dorset). Construction of two new sealing end compounds which are required to connect the new underground cables to the remaining existing overhead line. Laying of new underground cabling of approximately 7km (depending on the location of sealing end compounds and cable route alignment).
16 4.12. During 2016 a series of surveys have been undertaken including: Ecological • Breeding bird and quail • Great Crested Newt • Dormouse • Bats / Bat trees • Hedgerows • Badgers • Reptiles Archaeological surveys, ground intrusive works and geophysical surveys have also been undertaken where landowner consent has been given. No significant archaeology has been found to date, however both the County Archaeologist for Dorset and Historic England have been kept updated.
4.13. Public drop-in events have been held in the local area during 2015 and more recently in June 2016. Over 100 local people attended the June 2016 events held in Winterbourne Abbas and Martinstown and the overall feedback suggested strong local supportive of the project – provided plans were drawn up for minimising local disruption during construction and for full restoration of the area once the cables had been buried.
4.14. Following detailed technical work and detailed discussions with technical stakeholders and the local community, a preferred route alignment has been produced and agreed with the Stakeholder Reference Group. The locations for the two sealing end compounds (north and south) have been narrowed down and are now the subject of detailed discussions.
4.15. National Grid will undertake a full environmental assessment between now and Spring/ Summer 2017 with a view to submitting a planning application (including determination period & discharge of pre- commencement conditions) to West Dorset District Council in Autumn 2017. A round of pre-application public and stakeholder consultation will precede the submission of the application and, as with all stages to date, feedback from this consultation will, where appropriate, be incorporated into the final scheme. The current indicative programme is that, subject to all necessary approvals and consents, on site works are expected to commence in late summer 2018 and take approximately two and a half to three years to complete.
4.16. A full site restoration programme will form a part of the planning application and will be developed in conjunction with the Dorset AONB Partnership and other local stakeholders as well as the relevant landowners. The land is currently under largely agricultural use and will be restored as such. National Grid has considerable experience in projects where high voltage electricity cables are buried underground in agricultural locations. A recent example is located in the Wye Valley AONB where the farmer was able to sow crops in the area where the cables were buried in the sowing season immediately after National Grid completed on site.
4.17. The scheme in Dorset – alongside the VIP project near Pensitone on the Yorkshire side of the Peak District National Park – would be the first such project in the UK and, National Grid understands, anywhere in the world should it go ahead. This would result not only in the landscape being enhanced enormously by the removal of the electricity infrastructure, but hopefully also in attention being focused on this part of Dorset with the potential for economic benefits via enhanced tourism and increased visitor numbers.
4.18. The VIP project in Dorset in common with all VIP projects, has been and will continue to be driven by stakeholders. It is Dorset’s project and the outcome will have a positive impact on the Dorset landscape for future generations to enjoy. From the outset, National Grid has sought input and buy-in from stakeholders nationally and locally and the successful delivery of all four projects depends on ongoing national and local support. National Grid believe that the approach adopted by the project to working
17 with stakeholders in a totally collaborative partnership way sets a benchmark for other projects and development that is worthy of note for the future. The Dorset AONB Partnership has been central to the creation and development of this innovative, effective and fruitful way of working.
4.19. However, although the majority of local support – from both technical stakeholders and the local community – has been very strong, it is inevitable that in a major engineering project such as this there will be objections from some quarters and potentially an unwillingness to see the project progress. While National Grid will do all that it can to allay concerns, to compensate for any loss and to mitigate environmental impacts, there may be outstanding concerns for some. As a result, National Grid is requesting that the AONB Partnership board formally endorses the project in principle and offers its ongoing support, recognising the overall benefit for the AONB and the area.
Local Carbon Dorset (ESIF) programme Item for: Information
Report by: DCC’s Community Energy Team & AONB Team
Summary: The AONB Countryside Officer has been working with the Dorset Energy Partnership to develop the woodfuel-related aspects of a £5.9M project proposal for funding from the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF). This woodfuel element is largely to drive the demand for woody biomass for generating heat and/or electricity. The proposal is being re-shaped to meet DCLG recommendations in order to meet fund requirements before a contract can be issued.
Financial implications: The proposal will fund a full-time Biomass Officer within the Dorset AONB Team and provide some income towards the Countryside Officer’s salary costs.
Recommendation: Board members acknowledge the efforts being made to secure this investment and seek to advertise the opportunity amongst their networks.
5.1. Summary The Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole Renewable Energy Strategy to 2020 and complementary Energy Efficiency Strategy, developed by the Dorset Energy Partnership, set stretching targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 % and increase energy supply from renewable sources 15% in Dorset by 2020. Both strategies highlight the significant economic benefit of achieving these targets to the area and in particular the opportunity to grow Dorset’s Low Carbon Economy through the use of low carbon technologies. These strategies highlight the four key sectors where support is needed, namely: Community Energy Business sector Public sector Biomass The Dorset Local Enterprise ESIF strategy also recognises the need to grow the Dorset low carbon economy, the benefits this could bring and highlights the need to support and grow Dorset’s green knowledge economy and stimulate innovation in low carbon technology. The Dorset Low Carbon Economy Programme aims to utilise European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding in order to stimulate a step change in the growth of Dorset’s low carbon economy and in particular to de-risk and accelerate deployment of low carbon projects and demonstrate low carbon technologies. The programme will be led by Dorset County Council and will be delivered in partnership with the Dorset AONB. Wider strategic partners will be involved in helping to steer the project through the Dorset Energy Partnership.
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5.2. Process The programme will establish and manage a ‘Low Carbon Economy Fund’; a grant process to support activities that will deliver a shift to a Low Carbon Economy in line with ERDF guidance. A Programme Team will manage the fund and coordinate the overall programme of activity. A Delivery Team will also be established consisting of three specialist technical officers to support beneficiaries in priority sectors and to facilitate the use of Dorset Low Carbon Economy Fund to deliver Low carbon projects. The objective of the programme is to support low carbon project development from design through to implementation via a staged grant process for feasibility studies and detailed design through to installation. Through this fund beneficiaries will be able to access ERDF grants for revenue and capital expenditure for up to 40% for eligible costs. Beneficiaries will be required to provide the balance as match funding for any grant application. The total available through the ‘Low Carbon Economy Fund’ is £2.2M, with nominal allocations of £120k for Community Energy, £750k for Business Sector plus £180k for clean technology development, £800k for Public Sector and £304k for Biomass.
5.3. Biomass This strand of the Dorset Low Carbon Economy Programme aims to support SMEs and public sector organisations to stimulate the installation of biomass boilers and district heating systems and support innovation in uses of biomass technologies and materials. Grants and support from a dedicated technical officer will be available to help develop and implement successful projects and to support innovation and collaboration. A Biomass Officer, hosted by the Dorset AONB will provide free ‘hand holding’ support and guidance to participants applying to the Low Carbon Economy Fund to help develop and deliver their projects. In addition the Officer will deliver a structured programme of activities aimed at supporting growth in the biomass sector, which will be available to eligible organisations. These will include: • An online and print directory that outlines existing businesses and biomass / timber opportunities, for example; woodland available for management, equipment for hire, biomass availability, timber products etc. This will be available to both those within the sector and wider consumers. • A promotional campaign on the benefits of using locally sourced, high quality biomass to the sector and consumers. This would include delivery of trade shows that would bring together supply, processing and installation sectors, along with national examples of best practice. • Delivery of a free advisory service to public and private sector enterprises that outlines the potential economic benefits of investment in biomass heating systems. Advice worth £600 will be offered free of charge to eligible organisations. Through this strand, we wish to see the biomass market develop within Dorset as well as development of innovation in uses of biomass technologies and materials. The types of project we would like to support include: • Development and installation of biomass heating projects, particularly those elements not covered by the Renewable Heat Incentive payments, such as the heat network of a district heating scheme. • Collaboration that supports research and development and builds links with leaders in the field to develop new products, services and methods of working. • Delivery of a timber testing and technology facility in Dorset that provides research and development opportunities for innovative enterprises to develop new uses for Dorset's timber. This could include structural testing rigs and advanced digital machinery for businesses to develop cost-effective products and solutions. • Projects to support development of the Biomass supply chain in Dorset, such as new processes and techniques for biomass fuel production.
19 5.4. Timescale The application is currently being negotiated with the Department for Communities and Local Government. It has taken some time to get to this stage, with numerous changes in the guidance and the implications of Brexit.
The call was published in July 2015, with an outline bid submitted in September 2015, which was approved in December 2015. New guidance was published in January 2016 which contradicted elements in the original call so the project had to be re-designed for submission in March 2016. Further revisions were required through to May 2016 as more new guidance appeared. The bid was approved by the LEP board in July 2016 and pre-conditions were issued for completion by November 2016. Further new guidance was made available in October 2016, so the bid has been re-designed and submitted again. We are awaiting the outcome of the assessment on this re-submitted application.
Should the application be given the green light in November, the following are the significant milestones: • Mid-December 16: Sign grant agreement • Jan 17 - July 17: Staff recruitment & programme development • July 17: Start of three year delivery window • July 17 – June 20: Delivery of ‘Low Carbon Economy Fund’
20 Outline budget 2017-2018
Item for: Decision
Report by: AONB Manager
Financial implications: This item covers all AONB finance for 2017-18
Summary: In the 2015 Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced protected budgets for AONBs & National Parks. Defra’s commitment to the Dorset AONB for 2017-2018 is £235,840. Defra funds up to 75% core budget costs; additional Defra funds contributing to the Partnership’s projects and Sustainable Development Fund. This item outlines the proposed allocation of these funds and those associated with
Recommendation: The Board approves the proposed budget and funding priorities for next financial year
6.1. HM Treasury 2015 Autumn Statement The then Chancellor, George Osborne, announced budget protection for AONBs and National Parks. Defra’s interpretation of this is protection in real terms, with a commitment to providing Dorset AONB £235,840 in ’17-’18, £239,896 in ’18-’19 and £244,022 in ’19-’20.
6.2. AONB Budget structure & Defra guidance The AONB budget is split into 3 areas: core, the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) and Projects. Funds from Defra, our majority funding partner, are provided according to the ‘single pot guidance’ as set out below. CORE: Core Functions are critical to the successful operation of AONB Partnerships. Within core functions it is to be expected that staffing and associated overheads should merit particular protection. As set out in the Defra grant offer letter the grant offer includes a maximum contribution to core funding of 75% and is conditional on AONB Partnerships securing match funding of a further 25% of core funding from other sources. It is hoped and expected that Local Authority partner contributions to all Core Functions continue at a minimum of 25%, or even at the same levels that have previously been invested. Contributions from bodies other than local authority partners and/or earned income can be used to support core functions; this would release Defra-origin funds for other activity. Core Functions are defined in the Defra MoA and as such provide guidance on minimum standards to allow successful operation of an AONB unit and the delivery of the AONB Management Plan. SDF: The SDF was established as a Ministerial initiative and has political support. Defra believes the previous success of SDF will ensure its continuation in a meaningful way without the need to impose minimum levels of spending, which would go against the ethos of an interdependent and trusting relationship with AONB Partnerships. Individual SDF initiatives will be identified as part of an AONB’s programme of work. SDF will remain as a visible funding stream in the AONB family and should continue to be recorded and good practice registered to inform Defra and key partners. There are opportunities to use SDF to add value by encouraging greater uptake of innovative, often community-based, projects. The SDF programme has associated guidance prepared by Natural England which steers the kinds of projects to be developed. This guidance was revised in 2009 to place greater emphasis on encouraging innovation and risk-taking, as well as meeting AONB Management Plan objectives. These risk and innovation elements help clarify the distinction between SDF and other funding streams. Innovative SDF projects should be assessed from local, regional and national perspectives. We make SDF available to projects through a competitive process.
21 PROJECTS: AONB Partnerships are free to determine how they use resources to deliver projects. If 100% AONB project funding is the only way to achieve the desired outcome, this is for the Partnerships to decide in developing their programme. Defra believes that delivery of AONB Management Plan objectives is generally greater and more sustainable if undertaken in partnership, particularly for large scale or landscape scale projects. It therefore encourages all AONB Partnerships to use their project funding to help lever in additional resources. The ability and willingness of partners to contribute to projects will be variable from partner to partner and from year to year. It is recognised staffing costs can be met by project funding.
6.3. INCOME FORECAST The Dorset AONB’s Local Authorities are intending to maintain their contributions through a new ‘statement of intent’ (abbreviated to SoI in the table below). Total “single pot” income via the Local Authorities & Defra: Source 2017-2018 Defra TOTAL£ 235,840 Local Authorities through SoI£ 54,490 Earned income£ 5,000 TOTAL£ 295,330
6.4. COSTS Efforts continue to ‘projectise’ a reasonable proportion of the team’s overheads depending on any restrictions imposed by the funding body: all projects make a contribution towards accommodation at a minimum. Maximum core costs are 4 times the non-Defra income: £237,961; our projected costs are less. Cost heading 2016-2017 Core staff, travel & training £ 221,184 Accommodation & office equipment £ 7,000 Partnership running costs £ 3,000 Communication, outreach etc, inc forum £ 4,000 Monitoring research & guidance £ 2,000 CORE TOTAL£ 237,184
6.5. CORE STAFF rearrangements Following the retirement of Sue Mitchell, we have been in negotiations with the Jurassic Coast Trust and Dorset County Council to combine the AONB Access, Recreation and Transport Officer post with that of the Jurassic Coast Visitor Manager. It is anticipated that half of the salary of this post is to come from the local authorities’ grant to the Jurassic Coast Partnership. This combination sees an efficiency saving for both partnerships, although the total volume of work output will be reduced by combining two full- time positions into one. This has enabled sufficient reduction in core salary for the team to be able to create a new post for a part-time support officer to backfill the position vacated by Katharine Wright’s promotion to DF&D Project Officer, whose costs are transferred to projects.
6.6. PROJECTS & SDF The difference between the projected core costs and total single pot income is £58,000. Keeping SDF at around £20,000, the remaining £36k to be invested in the following projects: South Dorset Ridgeway LPS Stepping Into Nature Woodlink Wild Purbeck Dorset Food & Drink Dorset Fingerposts / Rural Roads
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