Dorset AONB Partnership Hosted by

County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ

tel: 01305 228239 email: [email protected] web: www.dorsetaonb.org.uk twitter: @DorsetAONB

May 2016

Dear Board Member

Dorset AONB Partnership Board Meeting, 10.00am, Thurs 26th May

Dorchester Cricket Pavilion, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester The cricket pavilion is located off Weymouth Avenue to the south of Dorchester’s town centre. There is limited parking on-site, but it is a short walk from Dorchester South Railway station and close to Dorchester Park & Ride (parking £1 all day) https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/roads-and-driving/parking/park-and-ride-services/dorchester- park-and-ride

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 Short updates from Board Members re AONB opportunities/issues

3 Delivering the AONB Management Plan [information]

4 Dorset Local Authorities’ governance review [verbal update]

5 National Grid Visual Impact Provision [information] Presentation by a member of the National Grid team.

6 Dorset’s Environmental Economy Study [information]

7 Proposed dates of next meetings: 24th November 2016

1 © Crown Copyright 201 6 OS licence number: 100019790.

2 ITEM 1: Minutes of the Partnership Board meeting (26 th Nov 2015, Weymouth Ave Pavilion, Dorchester)

Present : Jim White (Dorset LNP & Partnership Chairman), Cllr Audrey Burch, Kevin Morris & Cllr Deirdre Skipwith (North Dorset District Council), Cllr Matthew Hall (West Dorset District Council), Cllr Peter Webb & Alison Turnock (Purbeck District Council), Hilary Jordan (WDDC, WPBC & NDDC), Helen Mann (The National Trust), Matt Low (Natural England), Ben Rayner (Environment Agency), Janet Page (Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils), Brian Bleese (Purbeck Heritage Network), Roderick Knight (Dorset Cultural Partnership),

Team: Tom Munro (Manager), Sue Mitchell (Transport & Recreation Officer), Ian Rees (Countryside Officer), Julie Turner (AONB Project Officer), Katharine Wright (Dorset Food & Drink Coordinator), Sue Dampney (Communications Officer), Richard Brown (Landscape Planning Officer)

Apologies: Cllr Hilary Cox, Phil Sterling (Dorset County Council), Rupert Best (CLA), Sally King (Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site), Alison Moore (Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership), Bridget Downton (Purbeck District Council), Rupert Best (CLA) and from the AONB team Jill Hearing (South Dorset Ridgeway Support Officer), Marie McLeish (South Dorset Ridgeway Learning Officer), James Sharpe (SDR Manager),

ITEM 1: Welcome & minutes of the last Partnership Board meeting Minutes of the last meeting all agreed as correct, with matters arising covered on the agenda. Welcomes were extended to new members representing North Dorset DC (Cllr Audrey Burch), West Dorset DC (Matthew Hall), Purbeck DC (Cllr Peter Webb) and the Purbeck Heritage Network (Brian Bleese).

ITEM 2: Board member ambassadorship & AONB opportunities The Chairman introduced the new emphasis to this item. NE : Working up Area Delivery Plans to express 5-year priority work areas. WDDC & WPBC : Joint Local Plan for WDDC & WPBC adopted. EA : and Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan signed off although there remains a struggle to locate land suitable for creating compensatory habitats, for which a contract has been let. Also working on a Water Framework Directive delivery plan. Cultural Partnership : European bid developing for c£1M to support arts and culture developments; spring notification. Arts & Culture services of the County Council have been transferred to a 3 rd sector delivery model in the Arts Development Community Interest Company. Culture Partnership future is unknown having completed the strategy 2016-2021 (to be launched in Feb). Cultural Tourism Action Plan has been agreed and a contract is being let for its delivery. PDC: Planners appreciate the maintained good relations with the Dorset AONB Team. Swanage Local Plan to be submitted early next year. Purbeck Heritage Network : Considering how to build on the past strategy. Expressed gratitude to Prof May for his service to both Purbeck Heritage and the Dorset AONB. ACTION: TM/JW to write to Vince on behalf of the AONB Board NDDC : Local plan nearing fruition. Keeping watching brief on Neighbourhood Plans emerging. The full staff structure following partnership with WDDC & WPBC is being put in place. DAPTC : Much training of new councillors following May’s elections. Many Neighbourhood Plans coming through, particularly in the West. NT : Leading on a landscape-scale initiative in Purbeck. 2015’s Coast Festival, celebrating 50 years of the Neptune Fund is nearing completion; Shifting Shores has been re-launched alongside: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/living-with-change-our-shifting-shores Also working with DAONB on hill forts project development and Hardy Country.

3 Dorset Local Nature Partnership : Developing a shadow growth plan to add weight to the LEP’s growth plan, reinforcing the importance of Natural Capital, helping ensure greater sustainability in developments.

ITEM 3: Delivery of the AONB Management Plan TM gave a short presentation covering: South Dorset Ridgeway LPS: a wide array of delivery engaging significant numbers of people in conservation and celebration activity, as well as reaching many more through the education programme. Wild Purbeck: Developing future projects with a view to S106 funding or alternative sources. West Dorset Rivers and Coastal Streams: An appraisal has been done and it’s building up community development and engagement. Environmental Economy: Defining and describing the environmental benefits and comparing with other natural areas. Report to be circulated by AONB team. Members were given an opportunity to find out more about Woodlink, Dorset Food & Drink and Fingerposts from the officers involved. Stepping into Nature: Julie Turner gave the board an oversight and introduction to the new project that the Dorset AONB are developing and currently looking for external funds to take it beyond the developmental stage. The Board approved and noted the progress made towards delivering the AONB

ITEM 4: Dorset Local Authorities’ governance review Hilary Jordan gave an explanation of discussions and developments regarding the organisation of local government in Dorset. All the councils in Dorset (the County Council, six districts and the two unitary councils – and Poole) have been exploring new ways of working together to promote economic growth. In November 2014 the Department of Communities and Local Government awarded Dorset councils £755,000 from the Transformation Challenge Award Fund to enable the councils to jointly assess the best way of delivering economic development across Dorset. Officers from the councils agreed a report that all Dorset councils are currently considering setting out the findings of the assessment work. The report concludes that the formation of a Dorset Combined Authority offers the greatest benefits in delivering strategic economic development and transport infrastructure planning across Dorset. If set up, a Dorset Combined Authority would be a new organisation in addition to the existing councils. Each council would be represented on the Combined Authority by its Leader. A Growth Unit would provide the staff resource to support the Combined Authority. If all the Councils in Dorset agree to the proposal, a case for the Combined Authority will be submitted to the Secretary of State. Not all councils have yet considered the report. Those that have considered it so far have either supported it or asked for further information. In addition, and quite separate to the discussions about the Combined Authority, four councils in the East of the area recently announced their intention to consider setting up a unitary authority. The Councils are two districts - East Dorset and Christchurch and the two unitaries - Poole and Bournemouth. If this proposal goes ahead, these four councils would be replaced by one council. Following this surprise announcement, the leaders of all of the nine councils in Dorset have now agreed that they need to explore 3 options which are: 1. do nothing – stay as the current 9 councils; 2. form two unitary councils to replace the existing nine councils; 3. or form one unitary council to replace the existing nine councils. Clearly there is still some work that needs to be done before any conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime it is business as usual for all of us and there are currently no implications for the management of the AONB. If that changes, we will, of course, let partners know. In addition to the above considerations, a possibility for devolution exists following the Government’s Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill. This would involve the statutory granting of powers and resources from central government to local government (whatever shape that takes in Dorset), so that powers ordinarily delivered from on high would be devolved to a local level. Bids would be required from a partnership of authorities working together to the same aims. Difficult to know whether that is possible in Dorset at the moment, but it is certainly an opportunity we should consider.

4 AONB Board Chairman JW mentioned the Dorset & East Devon National Park proposal which, as National Park Authorities have some of the responsibilities and functions of local planning authorities, is another factor in these deliberations.

ITEM 5: 2014-2015 Annual Review Board members commended the publication and accepted the recommendation to promote its messages and recommend any wider recipients to the AONB Team.

ITEM 6: National Grid Visual Impact Provision Richard Brown gave a short presentation on • The National Grid VIP project in all • Progress of the undergrounding proposal for the Corton- stretch, and • An introduction to the Landscape Enhancement Initiative which is a £25M grant fund for improving landscape condition and people’s experiences of areas of protected landscapes affected by all stretches of National Grid high voltage transmission lines. The board thanked Richard for the presentation and accepted the recommendation

ITEM 7: Outline Budget 2015-2016 TM gave an update on the outline budget in light of the previous day’s announcements. On 25 th November, the Chancellor in outlining Her Majesty’s Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review stated that the Defra budget for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be protected for this spending period. This surprisingly good news means that the shrinkage/re-structure options will not have to be pursued and is testament to the effective lobbying by National Association for AONB staff on our behalves. Despite the relative comfort, the AONB Team continues to work on drawing additional external funding to support AONB Management. KM reiterated that the LA’s need to continue their support financially which is a vital part of the leverage of Defra grant, and reminded all of the good value that the AONB and its team brings to the area. JW reiterated the great work and value of the Dorset AONB and its team and asked the board to spread the word. The board accepted the recommendation to approve the proposed budget and funding priorities for next financial year

ITEM 2: Short updates from Board Members re AONB issues/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 of Partnership Board members that you feed back to the Board: a. How you have fed back AONB issues / news to your organisation b. How you have helped promote awareness of the AONB in your organisation / wider afield c. Any opportunities for resourcing delivery of the AONB Management Plan (or greater efficiency in delivery)

5 ITEM 3: 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. 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

6

3.2. AONB Core team a. Sue Mitchell retired in early April after 14 years as AONB Access, Recreation and Transport Officer. One of the team’s original officers, Sue was a strong advocate for the designation, a firm campaigner for its sensitive management and always had the team’s morale and best interests in mind. b. The AONB Steering Group agreed an approach to re-staff this post after a few months’ hiatus, potentially in partnership with the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Partnership. c. This approach would also enable recruitment of a part-time support officer to the team.

3.3. Providing landscape-related planning advice via the Planning Protocol: 146 individual consultation requests were handled from 1 April 2015 – 21 March 2016, including a number of projects requiring significant input. Topics of consultation include a. Full applications for 5 large scale solar arrays within and close to the AONB b. 50 consultations relating to housing c. The partial Review of the Purbeck Local Plan d. Review of six Neighbourhood Plans e. The Dorset Waste and Minerals Site Plans Other significant events during this period include the refusal of Slyers Lane Wind Farm and Sadborow Solar Farm, which were both within the setting of the AONB.

3.4. Accessing resources / project development (individual AONB projects covered in greater detail at ITEM 6.5) a. The AONB Team has steering input to the following strategic organisations which we anticipate could be a 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 b. National Grid will shortly be launching their Landscape Enhancement Initiative. What we know so far: • 75% intervention rate; max bid: £200,00; up to 3 live projects per year per AONB; focus on the 3km buffer from the power line • Volunteer, in-kind and cash match eligible (method of calculation TBC) • Must do something to reduce visual impact. Opportunities may also be exploited to enhance biodiversity and historic features • Written consent from landowners required; need to be able to demonstrate wider support (i.e. partnership working) • Also keen for AONBs to play a facilitation role in project identification: • promoting the scheme and assisting in the identification of possible projects • liaising with communities or others to develop proposals and assist in preparing applications • overseeing the implementation and on-going maintenance/management of approved projects to ensure that money is well spent, objectives are met and quality is maintained • monitoring and evaluating the benefits of the funded projects over time. • working with the VIP team to publicise projects at a local (and potentially national) level to demonstrate partnership working and promote best practice and lessons learned. • Application window opens on 3 May 2016 & closes on 31 May 2016.

3.5. National Association for AONBs / Protected Landscapes collaboration

7 a. This year’s NAAONB Annual Conference is near Telford (28 th -30 th June) at which the AONB team will be represented. Any member of the Partnership Board is welcome to attend; bookings can be made via http://www.landscapesforlife.org.uk/events/l4l-conference.html b. Dorset AONB team is working with local arts partner Activate on a project spanning Dorset, Cranborne Chase, North Wessex Downs, Chilterns and North Norfolk AONBs. Activate are leading bid development targeting the Arts Council’s Ambition for Excellence award to run a series of interactive landscape-based events celebrating the areas’ special qualities. It is also intended to raise the bar in terms of engagement between the AONB Family and performing arts practitioners; an area in which Dorset is known to lead. c. Communications Officers from 25 AONBs met for an annual Face to Face meeting to review the Communication Strategy for the AONB Family and to agree priorities for joint action. Dorset AONB are part of a working group developing Case Studies to support the themes in the So Much More Than the View publication.

3.6. Promotion of the AONB : Publications a. The new Explore, West Dorset Pedal and Drawing Inspiration leaflets, offering a variety of walks rides and place to relax across the AONB made their debut at the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival in May and will be available at TICs and promoted at events and displays through the summer.

b. Dorset AONB Annual Review 2015-16, which is aimed at local authority councillors and other decision-makers, will be available in June 2016.

3.7. Promotion of the AONB : Website & social media a. Regular newsletters continue to be circulated to 2400 members of the public and local organisations, with news of events, training, activities and project updates. b. Website content updates are planned April - July to tie in with new explore leaflets, our work reporting and e-news schedule; website has had 18, 079 visits since the last PB meeting. c. Dorset AONB now has a Facebook page which is being used to promote Dorset AONB events (283 followers). d. Twitter following • 4,434 followers @DorsetAONB

8 • 19,138 followers @DorsetFoodDrink; 678 followers on DF&D Facebook page • 742 followers @LandBoneStone e. SDRLP 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.

3.8. Promotion of the AONB : events a. The Dorset AONB Team will be attending 20 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.

3.9. Monitoring AONB condition: Monitoring AONB condition: Continued progress has been made with landscape monitoring work, particularly the use of gigapan equipment to undertake high definition panoramic photography. Following the completion of photography in Purbeck the Landscape Planning Officer has extended the work into West Dorset. The 56 panoramic monitoring images undertaken to date can be viewed online at http://gigapan.com/profiles/Dorset_AONB

DORSET AONB PROJECTS

3.10. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Conserving and restoring significant monuments in the South Dorset Ridgeway’s ancient ceremonial landscape a. 11 volunteers have cleared scrub from 2 barrows on Conygar Hill and 3 on Bronkham Hill thereby restoring them to good condition; b. The 21 volunteers trained to survey and record the condition of monuments at risk have completed surveys of 175 barrows to date; they also attended a ‘behind-the-scenes’ workshop exploring the archives at Dorset County Museum and Dorset History Centre. c. 3.11. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Conserving and restoring priority habitats, species and other natural heritage a. 13 volunteer work parties have been held (representing 124 volunteer days) clearing scrub from c15ha of priority habitat across 6 chalk grassland sites and 1 woodland (Black Down) b. Legal agreement for grazing on Black Down still in progress: delay due to redrafting of DCC standard Farm Business Tenancy and complications regarding designation of site for leisure use, but issues being resolved. c. 3 ‘have-a-go’ at hedgelaying events have been held introducing 12 participants to this traditional craft. d. Following the cutting and re-seeding of all 8 roadside verges in Spring 2015, 5 verges received an additional cut in November 2015 to create optimal conditions for re-growth of newly sown wild flowers this spring.

3.12. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Increasing participation in local heritage - management and celebration a. The ‘Rooting Around the Ridgeway’ project, led by ArtsReach, culminated in a Symposium at Broadmayne village hall attended by 130 people (the event proved so popular a change of venue was necessary). The event was well received and included readings from the creative writing group and song from the Ridgeway Choir. Images of the event can be seen on the Land of Bone & Stone Flickr gallery.

3.13. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Improving access to the South Dorset Ridgeway heritage a. An easy access trail (3km) on Black Down is almost complete. b. 4 guided walks led by heritage experts have been attended by 60 participants.

9 c. Artists for the welcome & orientation point at Black Down and SDR wide interpretation work have been ‘first stage’ shortlisted, attended site visits and are working up their final proposals. The final selection of the two artists to deliver the project will take place on 23 rd May. Over 40 artists applied. Artwork will be completed during 2016. d. Routes for 10 promoted circular walks are agreed and condition survey underway prior to investment of over £100k to improve footpaths & bridleways. a. Occupation of car park site on Black Down by Travellers has slowed progress of landscaping & ground works there but we are still on track to open new car park (for over 30 cars) on Black Down by end summer 2016. A contractor has been appointed to undertake major landscaping works at a former council depot, in preparation for the area being used as a new public car park. This work will be undertaken in July/August 2016.

3.14. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Increasing understanding of the SDR heritage through formal and informal learning opportunities: a. Learning projects in schools continues to go well. We have now worked with 27 school settings, reaching 5,278 school children as well as an estimated 23,176 adults from the extended school community, family and carers. Many of the schools have embedded the outdoor learning opportunities of SDR into the heart of their curriculum. b. South Dorset Ridgeway team were invited again to take part in the Thomas Hardye Schools Science Day on Thursday 28 April 2016. We ran a Science behind Archaeology session and reached 200 secondary school children during that day. Feedback has been very good c. 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 d. Project partners and experts attended the Landscapes of the South Dorset Ridgeway workshop in February 2016 aimed at raising awareness of this special landscape. Experts then integrate this learning into their work with schools. e. ArtsReach launched their final project for the SDR LP, Field Days is a touring exhibition presenting the work of specially commissioned local and national artists who have responded to the SDR landscape. The exhibition went to the first of four venues (three more in June & July). The exhibited work is supported by a workshop programme, eight workshops running between April – July.

3.15. South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership: Developing skills in heritage management: a. 17 volunteers were trained to record and survey woodland flora, making a total of 43 volunteers trained to date to survey the natural environment (including chalk grassland flora, arable weeds and butterflies). b. Our two new Countryside Apprentices (3&4 of 8) are progressing very well and starting to develop their own work programmes. c. 12 volunteer work parties, representing 159 volunteer days, have restored 60m of dry stone wall at 2 prominent locations, Corton Down and Goulds Hill, both abutting the National Trail. d. Our first of three 20 week part-time courses, ‘Understanding the South Dorset Ridgeway’, run by Kingston Maurward, is well underway and has been well received by participants.

3.16. Wild Purbeck Nature Improvement Area a. A meeting of the Wild Purbeck partnership took place on 21st January at Currendon Farm. A presentation was given by Andy Byfield from Plantlife on the “Back from the Brink” HLF project which comprises 7 projects led by different organisations across the country, each focusing on different habitats. Plantlife is leading on a Dorset heaths project. The bid will be worked up this year for submission in the autumn. The Dorset project will be of the order of £400,000, the HLF bid totalling around £5 million. This could be used as match for a LIFE bid for 2017 submission, with delivery from 2017-19. The Dorset proposal includes two elements: • Element 1: To undertake an extensive programme of on-site works to restore, expand and create over ten microhabitats / niche types within the Dorset heaths for assemblages of

10 declining plants and animals. Work will be targeted at the sites for the rarest and most threatened species. • Element 2: To undertake a major programme promoting the culture and ecology of the heathlands, focusing particularly on the diversity of species and microhabitats, to increase people’s awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the heathlands. The detail of this is still to be worked up. b. Discussions are ongoing between the AONB and Plantlife as to the role the AONB could potentially play in terms of local co-ordination. c. We are still waiting confirmation of the Perenco section 106 agreement, which was intended to fund Wild Purbeck projects post the NIA. The wait is now over two years, but there was some encouraging news recently, so we are hoping it will soon be ratified. d. Progress is being made on the development of a heathland visitor strategy to develop a shared way forward for the management of the heathlands in Purbeck. A meeting in January of all the interested partners (NE, NT, RSPB and AONB) was followed by a site visit in March to look at proposals for rationalising the car parking in the Arne / Hartland Moor / Middlebere area. A map with draft suggestions has been drafted which was discussed at a meeting in April. There was agreement by the members of the group on the proposals, and more work will be carried out to look at potential joint signage / messages for the wider public. e. A talk was given at a meeting in May organised by Bournemouth University on “rewilding”. The talk focused on the work of the Wild Purbeck NIA, looking at “Bigger, better, more, joined”. f. The National Trust is continuing to work up a Landscape Outdoors and Nature project bid for Purbeck, and is also working on a LIFE bid. AONB assistance has been requested for this and discussions are currently under way regarding it.

3.17. Dorset Food & Drink a. Continue to support and promote all 160 members with industry information, event invitations, and support and advice. b. Continued to work with and support partners NT, DWT, White Pepper Cookery School, Hix Academy, Kingston Maurward. c. Working up a business relationship with Kingston Maurward, NFU Mutual, Porter Dodson. Great opportunities for members, as well, as DF&D d. Continue liaising with Visit Dorset & the Dorset Tourism Association -- Offering great opportunities for the members e. Shows and festivals – With the season well underway, with Fish & Ships ,Knob Fest, Shaftesbury and Springtide all already been and gone with many more on the calendar for 2016 . DF&D Continue to work in partnership with Dorset Food and Arts festival, Springtide, Wimborne, Shaftesbury, Church Knowle and more. f. We are continuing the members networking events. Three held to date this year, with 4 others planned with White Pepper Cookery School, who are running some in partnership with us. g. New opportunities this year - DF&D marquee at the Dorset Seafood Festival and DF&D area at Kingston Maurward Show, working with Creative Dorset, and joining up the hospitality trade and the local food and drink. Great opportunity to host a meet the buyer event in September. h. New guide - The new guide is out and looking fabulous, 20,000 printed, available on line and distribution has been done by partner Lifestyle Media. i. DF&D attended the Hotel and catering show – This year is was under new management, lessons to learn , a meeting set up to discuss a better way forward for 2017 j. Working with a member ( Tracey of Ajar Of) , to produce a DF&D, women in business charity calendar, with great offers of free photography, free paper, free PR, printing at cost and free design. Charities are Welmar, and Julia's House. Should be ready for the Dorset Seafood Festival on the 9/10 July. k. Been meeting with a small dynamic local business and the possibility of working up a distribution network. Really getting local food and drink more available to trade and residents

11 l. Continue to work and sponsor the Dorset Food, Drink and Farming Awards and the Dorset Tourism Awards m. Continue to update database, members profile pages, and the general DF&D website.

3.18. Walks from bus stops a. This project was jointly developed by DAONB and the Jurassic Coast. It aims to encourage people to access the South West Coast Path National Trail (SWCP), and other Rights of Way routes including the South Dorset Ridgeway, from bus stops along the Jurassic Coaster route. b. John, our DAONB Volunteer initially researched 20 routes c. A call for volunteers to double check the routes and take photos along the way went out on the Jurassic Coast Facebook page. 14 people responded which we think is an excellent indication of willingness to volunteer for roles involving walking d. The volunteers were allocated routes to check, with a deadline of end of May. Five walks have already been returned with high quality amends and a selection of very useable photographs e. Once the routes have all been checked, they will be designed with photographs and a map and put onto the DAONB and JC websites as downloads. They have also been offered to First bus, if First agree to become JC business partners. They will also be available for the South West Coast Path Association to upload on their website. We will promote their availability through a press release, as well as social media f. The volunteers will be asked if they are happy to be put on the JC volunteer database and contacted for future work for both JC and DAONB g. Discussions with First bus continue, including influencing where possible the Jurassic Coaster service and the branding

3.19. Dorset Fingerposts a. The project has been filmed twice by the BBC, one with the local BBC news and more recently been filmed as part of the national and international shown programme ‘Escape to the Country’ this will be shown later this year. b. Recently restored and completed posts include, Moreton, Poytington, Rodden, Melcombe Horsey, Burton Bradstock and many more. To date we have approximately 400 posts being restored. c. Updated the ‘how to guide’ on the website giving much clearer guidance how to refurbish a post d. The project is going from strength to strength, with good and reliable systems in place to make the process easier and sometime quicker! e. The project is still working with the Portland YIO, which has had it’s challenges but now a good system in place. We now have on board the local community group ‘Mens Shed’ based in Dorchester f. A new database has been set up by one of our volunteers which includes 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. Woodlink – Community Woodland Network a. Community events: • Little Giant Wood: 3 x woodland volunteering days and 1 x bird box building workshop • Allington Hill: 1 x bird box building workshop and 1 x woodland family event • Transition Town Dorchester: Construction of Forest School Site, 1 x opening event, 1 x 2 day practitioner training on site b. Management Plans for Allington, Shipton Gorge, Beaminster School Woods, Little Giant Wood c. Woodland contractors for Shipton Gorge, Allington Hill, Prime Coppice and Little Giant Wood d. Programme ceased on 31 March. Programme totals: • Total cost £27,009. • Number of community woodlands actively supported • Number of events • Number of volunteer hours

12 • Area of woodland managed e. On-going support to groups provided by AONB. Promoting SDF for future events.

3.21. Woodlink – British Gas Healthy Homes Fund a. Working with the team, Magna Housing have accessed this fund to to install 5 wood burning stoves in their social housing over the coming year b. The intention is that community groups to provide fuel

3.22. Woodlink – European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) bid a. Delivery of a biomass support service for Dorset was included in the call for a Low Carbon Dorset. b. We passed the first round, the second round was submitted on 14 April and we will find out in July. c. We hope to recruit a 0.8 officer to deliver this strand. d. The call is for delivery of the Rural Development Programme for England funds (EU funding) via Department for Communities and Local Government. e. AONB is leading up the biomass support services. The programme is made up of a number of strands: • Broaden the demand for biomass through training, professional advice and de-risking investment. • Build capacity though, business incubation, opening access to advanced technology and collaboration that will add value to timber. • Advancing the market through development of a directory, marketing, promotion and the development of local woodfuel hubs. • Supporting the delivery of the strands will be a Timber Market Study and Timber Technology Fund. f. The bid is for £1 million, but will form part of a wider £5 million pound bid.

3.1. Stepping into Nature is a project in development aiming to deliver health and wellbeing benefits for older people, including those living with dementia, pre and post diagnosed and their carers. Funding was secured for a pilot year from the Inspired by Health & Wellbeing Legacy Fund, DCC's Civil Society Budget, Dorset POPP and Early Help. Stepping into Nature has been influenced by national research outlined in natural England “Greening Dementia” and “Is it nice Outside – Consulting people living with dementia and their carers about engaging with the natural environment, other National strategies and best practice. a. A stage one funding application has been submitted to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities stream for a 3 year project to deliver more activities through partner organisations and ourselves. We should receive news by the 15 th July. b. The pilot project has now been carried out and is currently under evaluation, with a report available soon. c. A Stepping into Nature – Evaluation Report on Focus Groups Findings by Bournemouth University Dementia Institute has been carried out and available for partners. d. Over the pilot period a number of events took place with surveys/consultations/ taster activities and training sessions. e. In total around 200 people were engaged in the project over the pilot, of these 97 people commented or completed questionnaires. Comprising of 15% PLWD, 19% caring for someone with dementia, 25% were volunteers or knew someone with dementia and the remaining 41% comprised of older people and representatives of organisations. f. Stepping into Nature was presented to Dorset Dementia Alliance Conference in March with over 100 people attending and will be presented to the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Advisors meeting in April. g. Through additional funding from POPPS we shall be delivering an extra 24 activity sessions, a Creating Dementia Friendly Outdoor activities training sessions and a Green Wood Club will be launched in Dorchester.

13 h. Discussions continue to take place with academic bodies such as Exeter,Plymouth, Bath and Bournemouth University around the potential research themed around “valuing landscape through Health & Wellbeing” and “what quantifiable evidence can be used to show health & wellbeing benefits” i. Input to bid by Universities of Exeter and Bath Spa to academic funding (from NERC/AHRC/ESRC) “Valuing Nature” funding programme. This bid is to investigate the potential mental health benefits, including dementia, of using cultural and “spirit of place” associations to re-kindle memories. j. The following partners have been working with us over the period of the pilot and will be partners for the three year project. • Delivery Lead Partners: Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Team (DAONB) • Site providers for activities delivered by partners and external organisations: Dorset County Council (Durlston Country Park and Thorncombe Woods) / Dorset Wildlife Trust / RSPB / National Trust / Dorset Forest Schools. • Activity providers: DAONB/Greenspace (rangers)/ Dorset Wildlife Trust/RSPB/Dorset Forest Schools/Alzheimer’s Society /Jurassic Coast World Heritage Trust/ Dorset Arts Development Trust (Broker for the provision of arts-related social, cultural nature-related activities’ • Promoters & Advisors: Partnership for Older People Programme (POPP) / Alzheimer’s Society / Dorset Dementia Action Alliance, Dorset Local Nature Partnership, Public Health Dorset, Dementia Adventure, Natural England. These organisations represent not only people living with dementia in Dorset but also older people and the natural environment.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY

3.2. Cultural Tourism Dorset AONB are on the Steering Group for Phase 1 of the Cultural Tourism Action Plan, endorsed by the DMO and funded by Arts Council England. RHP have been appointed to implement Phase 1, drawing on significant experience in cultural and sustainable tourism including with COAST and VisitEngland. A 'Cultural Canapés' event is planned for June to showcase the Dorset cultural offer to tourism businesses.

3.3. Norden Park & Ride Dorset AONB continues to engage with transport planners regarding the development of this site. Staff participated in a stakeholder workshop during February 2016, which will inform the development of a masterplan for the site.

3.4. Hardy Country Following the retirement of Sue Mitchell in March, the chair to the Hardy Country Group is now going to be led by National Trust. AONB will maintain a watching brief. The Hardy Society 22 International Conference & Festival takes place between July 23 -30. Details can be found at http://www.hardysociety.org/eventsmanager/22nd-international-conference-and-festival

3.5. Sustainable Development Fund a. 2016 final figures: • 9 projects supported • SDF grant total: £12,509 • Average grant: £1,389.89 • Cash match funding: £73,043.39 • In-kind match: £6,548.87 • Volunteer hours: 963 valued at £7,562.60. b. 2017 grant: • Available: £25,000 • Deadline: 17 May

14 c. Dorset AONB Partnership Chair Jim White and Tom Munro joined Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Patricia Miller, and the Chair of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Mark Addison at a the press launch of the Arts in Hospital project in April. Supported by the Dorset AONB SDF, the Day Lewis ward has been transformed by large scale images of the Dorset AONB by local photographer Tony Gill.

ITEM 4: Dorset Local Authorities’ governance review

Item for: Information

Report by: AONB Steering Group Local Authority Officers (Phil Sterling & Hilary Jordan)

Summary: Verbal update

15 ITEM 5: National Grid Visual Impact Provision

Item for: Information

Report by: National Grid VIP senior team member

Summary: This will be a presentation by a National Grid VIP Team member. National Grid has agreed with OFGEM a fund of £500M to address impacts of high- voltage lines on protected landscapes. The section of line crossing the South Dorset Ridgeway from Corton to Winterbourne Abbas has been selected as one of 3 to be taken forward for undergrounding; 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 along the route from Corton to Winterbourne Abbas. Approximate preferred locations for the two sealing end compounds – the points at which the lines transfer from overhead to below ground – 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.

Financial implications: Significant investment and progress is being made by National Grid towards submitting a planning application, likely to be in late 2016. Alongside the undergrounding scheme National Grid has launched the Landscape Enhancement Initiative, outlined at 3.4b.

Recommendation: 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.

16 ITEM 6: Dorset’s Environmental Economy / Habitat Accounting pilot Item for: Information

Report by: AONB Team

Summary: The AONB team worked jointly with Dorset County Council and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage team to commission a study looking into: • The environmental economy of Dorset • The environmental economy of the Dorset AONB, and the economic impact of the designation • The environmental economy of the Jurassic Coast WHS and a defined coastal corridor, and the economic impact of the designation The work was undertaken by economic consultants Ash Futures; all figures in this ITEM are taken from this study.

Financial implications: The AONB Partnership contribution to the research was £2000. The results provide a strong case for investment in natural beauty and the environment as a whole (natural capital) and provide suggestions as to how to develop and maximise economic benefits derived from environmental activity.

Recommendation: Board members endorse the report and promote its messages where relevant.

6.1. What is the ‘environmental economy’? The entirety of the economy can be said to rely on the natural environment, as economy is a human activity and the survival of humankind depends upon an environment healthy enough to sustain us. However, this is not particularly useful in seeking to understand the economic influence of the local environment, nor useful in the kinds of debates that arise when deciding between one form of investment or development and another. The study sought to define this concept locally, as there is no broadly agreed definition, and came up with 4 economically-sound bases for calculation described below.

17 6.2. Value of Dorset’s Environmental Economy Using the definitions above, a range of annual value (Gross Value Added, equivalent to ‘local GDP’) was defined between £0.2bn and £4.5bn.

The authors advise against using headline, single figures. However, a central estimate is that the natural environment contributes, on a comparable basis with many other economic statistics, about a £1.5bn of GVA per annum and supports about 30,000 jobs in the total Dorset economy. The Dorset Environmental Economy constitutes, in broad terms, about 8-10% of total annual economic output and employment, as conventionally measured. This is about the same size as the contribution made by manufacturing, although not directly comparable as the environmental economy includes elements of that sector as well as elements of others.

6.3. Economic profile of the Dorset AONB The study looked at economic activity within the land area of the AONB. It did not consider an ‘area of influence’, but we know anecdotally that some of the economic activity / productivity of south east Dorset can be attributed to the natural assets of the county as a whole including the Dorset AONB. Headline figures: • Total annual economic activity is around £1.55Bn • Approximately 30,900 people work within the Dorset AONB • While this represents 19% of the total employment in Dorset, the AONB supports 32% (about 3,800) of Dorset’s environmental economy jobs • The direct impact of the environmental economy in the Dorset AONB is worth c £182M - £189M at current prices. The subsequent indirect impact any additional, and is estimated to be ‘significant’.

6.4. Economic activity influenced by the quality of the environmental assets of the Dorset AONB For environmental assets which are largely freely accessible (ie have no ‘gate fee’) there is little proxy data from which to extrapolate. However, the researchers carried out questionnaire research targeted at the following groups: • Visitor survey – a visitor survey was undertaken focusing on visitor’s views of the Dorset AONB. The survey questioned those who responded on the influence of the environmental assets (protected landscape) on their decision to visit the area, and also interrogated their willingness- to-pay.

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Results: Motivations for visiting the Dorset AONB

Results: extent of influence of the AONB designation in decision to visit

Using this output and statistical modelling on known values of average spend, it is estimated that the Dorset AONB influences c £62M - £71M from visitor expenditure per annum .

• Residents’ survey – an online resident survey was undertaken in Dorset focusing on people’s views on the importance of the environment on their well-being, decision to live in Dorset and the monetary value they attach to accessing those environmental assets. Survey results fed into an understanding of ‘willingness to pay’ and an understanding of people’s regularity/intensity of access of the countryside.

19 • Business survey – an online business survey was undertaking focusing on business’s view on the importance of a high quality environment, and each of the designated areas (AONB and Jurassic Coast), on their development/performance. Questions also looked at whether they utilised the Dorset AONB brand in promoting their business, and whether additional visitor numbers had a positive revenue impact. Businesses were also asked about any negative impacts the Dorset AONB designation may have had on their business.

Results: the value to business of being located in or near to the Dorset AONB

Results: the positive effects on business of being located in or near the Dorset AONB

20

Results: the negative effects of being located in or near the Dorset AONB

Results: impact on annual turnover by being located in or near the Dorset AONB

Using this output and statistical modelling on known values of business turnover and value, it is estimated that the Dorset AONB influences business output by c £55M - £69M per annum .

6.5. Summary from this study Both calculations are in effect measuring largely the same things, so should not be viewed as separate. Therefore, the report concludes that the estimated influence of the Dorset AONB generates circa £65mn (the mid-point estimate using the visitor expenditure and the business turnover approaches) in additional output to the area (Dorset) on an annual basis.

6.6. Outputs Reports are available here: http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/1204-aonbcontributes65million

6.7. Communications • A press release associated with the report’s publication had good take-up locally; the Dorset Echo newsstand posters stated “Dorset’s Beauty worth £1.8 Billion a year”.

21 • The Dorset Local Nature Partnership Forum of March 2016 featured this study, and the Partnership is leading work with the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership in order to ensure investment in natural capital is embedded into its developing strategies.

6.8. Additional considerations This study did not attempt to define monetary values attached to ‘non-market’ factors; this is part of the emerging understanding of what is termed ecosystem services (see figure below, Ash Futures 2016).

A pilot study undertaken by AECOM, commissioned by Defra, looked at the Dorset AONB’s ‘ecosystem accounts’ and attempted to put monetary values on several of the area’s habitats. Currently this is a highly experimental aspect of economics albeit with growing understanding of how and where values can be derived. This included values for a range of factors such as the public health value of effects of air quality, value of harvested products and recreation. It sought to, but was unable to calculate monetary values for factors such as education, heritage or aesthetic qualities. The full results table is overleaf.

22

Asset account results for Dorset AONB in 2013 (AECOM, 2016)

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