Access to Nature Application for Wild City Project Application URN 102749
WILD CITY BUSINESS PLAN
December 2009
Submitted by: Parks and Estates Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 6 2. PROJECT AIM ...... 6 3. LOCATION OF THE PROJECT...... 8 3.1 Principal Wild City Project Sites ...... 10 3.2 Wild City Network Sites:...... 14 3.3 Principal Green Corridors ...... 18 4. PROJECT NEED...... 20 4.1 Need for the Project in Relation to Deprivation...... 20 4.2 Health Indicators ...... 23 4.2.1 Natural England Policies on Health and the Natural Environment ...... 24 4.3 Under Use of Green Space in Bristol...... 25 4.4 Bristol’s Parks and Green Space Strategy February 2008 ...... 25 4.5 Identifying Project Need: Wild City Project consultation...... 28 4.6 Priority Groups...... 30 4.7 Need for the Project Identified in other Strategic Plans & Bristol City Council Policies ...... 30 4.7.1 Bristol Partnership 20:20 Plan...... 31 4.7.2 Bristol’s Community Strategy 2006-26 and Our City: The Bristol Corporate Plan 2008 – 11 ...... 31 4.7.3 Bristol Local Area Agreement Targets 2008-11 (2009 Revision) ...... 33 4.7.4 Bristol Children’s & Young People Plan 2006 (Updated 2009)...... 33 4.7.5 The Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan 2008...... 34 4.7.6 Avon Frome Strategy 2007-17 ...... 35 4.7.7 The Communities Vision for Lockleaze – An Integrated Approach to Creating a Sustainable Community (DRAFT 2009)...... 36 4.7.8 MIND – Ecotherapy Report 2007...... 37 4.7.9 Forest of Avon Plan 2002...... 38 5. WILD CITY SMART PROJECT OUTCOMES...... 39 6. WILD CITY PROJECT PLAN...... 40 6.1 Wild City Project Plan Tables...... 40 6.2 Key Project Dates ...... 41 6.3 Project Milestones...... 41 6.4 Number of People Benefiting From The Project ...... 44 6.5 Project Risk...... 45 7. WILD CITY PROJECT MANAGEMENT ...... 46 7.1 Wild City Project Officer...... 46 7.2 Partnership Working...... 46 7.3 Identifying Project Need: Involving Specific Target Beneficiaries...... 50 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION...... 52 8.1 Project Cost ...... 52 8.2 Value for Money / Justification of Project Costs ...... 52 9. EVALUATION AND MONITORING: SUSTAINING THE...... 53 BENEFITS...... 53 9.1 Evaluation and Monitoring...... 53 9.2 Project Steering Group ...... 53 9.3 Quarterly Reports...... 54 9.4 Monitoring Project Participants...... 54 9.5 Wild City: Project Sustainability ...... 54
2 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
PLANS
Plan 1: Wild City Project Area Boundary and Location of Green Spaces and Corridors
TABLES
Table 1: City of Bristol Lower Level Super Output Areas as identified in the Natural England Access to Nature Regional Targeting Statement as containing the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities.
Table 2: Wild City Project SMART Milestones
Table 3: Wild City Project Risk Register
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Wild City Project Officer Job Description
Appendix 2: Wild City Partnership Agreement
Appendix 3: Summary of Wild City Project Costs, Targets and Officer Resources
Appendix 4: Natural England Costings Summary Spreadsheet
3 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wild City is a new three year project that will deliver a range of community engagement projects using contact with the natural environment to meet the needs of deprived communities and priority groups in Bristol. The project will provide opportunities for people to experience, enjoy and access the natural environment in creative and meaningful ways. It will be co-ordinated by a dedicated project officer and have a total budget of £336,039.
The Wild City project aims are to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of deprived communities and priority groups, to engage young people in a range of projects related to the natural environment and to promote increased use of green spaces by local communities. The Wild City project will target a range of the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities in Bristol (as identified in Natural England’s Access to Nature Regional Targeting Statement). In addition, the project will help address the needs of the elderly, people with disabilities, people with physical and mental health issues, adults with learning difficulties and black and minority ethnic communities.
The need for the project to work in deprived communities and with priority groups was identified following analysis of data relating to deprivation and health indicators. The need was further justified by talking to relevant local authority and voluntary sector officers and through extensive consultation with deprived communities and priority groups as part of the Wild City project development.
Research shows that there is a clear link between health inequalities and deprivation in Bristol. In response, there is a need for projects that connect people with the natural environment to improve physical and mental wellbeing and address health inequality, especially in disadvantaged and priority groups. The Wild City project will work within such areas of health deprivation and will implement projects to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Under-use of green spaces by local communities in more deprived areas was identified in research undertaken for Bristol City Council’s Parks and Green Space Strategy and in consultation with communities to develop the Wild City project. As a result, the Wild City project has a strong focus on working with local communities, particularly in the more deprived areas, to increase community use, community involvement, local pride and sense of ownership.
The Wild City project will, over three years, engage with communities across Bristol so that 21,500 people will have enjoyed the natural environment through participating in on-site and outreach projects. Of this number, 19,000 will report that they have learned something about the natural environment. In addition, the project includes a target to involve over 50 regular volunteers, whilst over 16,000 people will benefit from improved access to the natural environment.
Wild City has formed strong partnerships that will help deliver key aspects of the Wild City project. Formal partner organisations will be Bristol Mind, CSV Environment, BTCV, Avon Wildlife Trust and Avon Frome Partnership. In addition, Wild City will be delivered with the help of a wider partnership of organisations including local
4 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 hospitals (the Care Forum), Learning Disability teams, Neighbourhood Partnerships, Disability Support Groups and Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme.
A key objective of the Wild City project is project sustainability and a legacy of lasting positive impact on local communities. Bristol City Council is committed to the on- going future management of the sites identified in this Business Plan. The Wild City project will enable community groups to share their knowledge, experience and expertise and learn from good practice on the different sites, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of sites. The project will provide people with the skills and information they need to access local green spaces and the opportunities to do so after the Wild City project is completed. The project will increase people’s confidence and understanding of green space and the environment, and hopefully continue to provide the stimulus for improved health in the future.
5 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
WILD CITY
1. INTRODUCTION
This Business Plan outlines the proposed Wild City project that has been developed by Bristol City Council’s Natural Environment Team for an application under Natural England’s ‘Access to Nature’ grant funding programme. It provides a plan for the delivery of the Wild City project and includes supplementary information to the Stage 2 Access to Nature application form.
2. PROJECT AIM
Wild City is a new three-year project that will deliver a broad range of community engagement projects using contact with the natural environment to meet the needs of deprived communities and priority groups in the City of Bristol. The project will provide opportunities for people to experience, enjoy and access the natural environment in creative and meaningful ways. It will be co-ordinated by a dedicated project officer who will implement projects and co-ordinate the input of a number of partner organisations.
Wild City will achieve the following objectives: -
• Health and Wellbeing: To improve the physical and mental wellbeing of deprived communities and priority groups.
• Young People: To engage young people in a range of projects related to the natural environment, accessibility, physical activity and learning.
• Welcoming, Safe and Accessible: To promote the increased use of green spaces by local communities through projects that encourages community involvement and develops community pride and sense of ownership. Under use of green spaces is a particular problem in the more deprived areas.
• Sustainable and Inclusive. To ensure that green spaces are managed sustainably with the inclusive involvement of diverse sections of the local community.
Wild City will work with a range of communities across Bristol with a particular focus on the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities, as identified in the South West Regional Targeting Plan. In addition it will implement projects that that help address the needs of young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, people with physical and mental health issues, adults with learning difficulties and black and minority ethnic communities.
The Wild City project will enhance community links with green spaces and green corridors within Bristol, allowing a greater number and diversity of people to experience the natural environment. The project will work with the most deprived
6 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 communities to address the needs that they have identified locally, with a particular focus on increasing community use of their key green spaces.
Wild City will include both a number of ‘overarching projects’ that reach communities and priority groups across the city, together with a number of more locally focussed projects. The latter will use outreach work to link communities with local green spaces across the City; the sites are listed in Section 3 below. Wild City will also exploit the excellent links along existing green corridors including the River Avon Valley, River Frome Valley, Bristol Bath Railway Path, Malago Greenway and Whitchurch Railway Path, linking deprived communities close to the City Centre with the wider network of green spaces within Bristol.
The Wild City project will harness and strengthen the strong community links that already exist throughout Bristol. It will forge a partnership of local communities and organisations that will oversee and deliver its many project elements and ensure that it is responding effectively to local needs. In this way it will increase sustainable community use, local pride and sense of ownership, and leave a legacy that can be built upon in the future.
The project will be managed by Bristol City Council's Natural Environment Team, with implementation co-ordinated by a dedicated project officer employed for a period of three years. The project officer will be responsible for facilitating the input of partners and the co-ordination and delivery of all project actions and outputs, on-site and outreach community engagement projects.
A steering will include representatives of partner organisations, local communities and priority groups will guide the project officer.
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3. LOCATION OF THE PROJECT
A plan to show the Wild City project area is shown overleaf (Plan 1). This includes the location of various green spaces, green corridors and Local Nature Reserves within Bristol. These green spaces and corridors will be used as the principal resource to engage communities and priority groups in the following areas:
• City Centre communities (Lawrence Hill, Barton Hill, Cabot, Ashley, St Pauls) focussed on green corridors and links to green spaces.
• Knowle & Filwood focussed on Northern Slopes
• Lockleaze, Horfield, Easton and Eastville focussed on Stoke Park and the Frome Valley corridor
• Brislington focussed on Eastwood Farm and the River Avon Corridor
• Knowle, Hengrove and Brislington focussed on Callington Road LNR
• The West of Bristol focussed on Lamplighter's Marsh and the River Avon Corridor
• Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill focussed on Avon New Cut and the River Avon Corridor
• In Knowle West, Filwood, Hengrove, Hartcliffe And Whitchurch focused on Hengrove Park Mounds & Hawkfield Meadow
The Wild City project is focused on communities and priority groups around the network of green spaces and corridors shown on the plan. The plan distinguishes between a number of ‘Key Wild City Project Sites’ and ‘Wild City Network Sites’.
Key Wild City Project Sites
The ‘Key’ sites will form a particular focus for engagement projects with communities and priority groups. These sites have been selected because they are situated in, or very close to, areas of deprivation and have good potential for including target beneficiaries. Most are also sites where little community project work has taken place to date and where consultation has identified demand for community action and involvement. These sites will require the greatest effort and concentration of resources. They also present the greatest challenges and therefore have the most to gain from the Access to Nature grant.
8 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
Plan 1: Wild City Project Area Boundary and Location of Green Spaces and Corridors
9 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
Wild City Network Sites
Wild City will also support community links with ‘Network’ sites though this will be on a ‘lighter touch’ basis. This approach has been taken for two reasons: -
1. A number of the ‘Network’ sites have benefited from previous investment and community engagement activities in recent years, with active Friends groups in place on most of the sites. Wild City will provide support to consolidate this work through the facilitation of networking and sharing good practice and management experience. Events and activities will be publicised through the newsletter, so that those participating in activities on the Key sites have the opportunities to learn about other active groups and greenspaces that they might choose to visit or engage with on their own initiative.
2. Access to Nature has awarded funding to Lawrence Weston Farm, St Werburghs City Farm and Forest of Avon who will be working with communities around Lawrence Weston Moor, Narroways Millennium Green and Badock’s Wood. There is already investment going into these areas so Wild City will avoid duplication, but will work in ways that are complimentary to these projects. For example, Wild City will be able to help promote events and activities to the wider network and facilitate the sharing of best practice.
Support for the Network Sites will be an important component of the Wild City Project and a number of projects have been included which will support these groups and communities. These are included within the ‘overarching projects’ as detailed in the Protect Tables in section 6. These include officer support for existing community groups on Network Sites, providing a point of contact and support for volunteers, networking and marketing information, providing help and co-ordination when planning events, and the sharing of best practice (see 4.5 Identifying Project Need: Wild City Project consultation below).
A description of the Key Wild City Sites and Network Sites, together with the principal green corridors is provided below.
3.1 Key Wild City Project Sites
The Northern Slopes (Knowle & Filwood)
The Northern Slopes is the collective name for several linked areas of land which are known locally by different names: Novers Common, Glyn Vale (part of which is known as Cloverdown Doorstep Green) and Wedmore Vale (also known as The Bommie). Breathtaking panoramic views of Bristol can be enjoyed from the Northern Slopes.
This extensive area of grassland, woodland and scrub covers an undulating hillside in Knowle West, providing habitats for a wide range of plants and animals, including woodpeckers, slow worms and long-tailed tits.
10 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
The local friends group is known as “The Northern Slopes Initiative”. The Glynvale and Wedmore Vale (the Bommie) sections of the Northern Slopes have recently undergone some improvement works as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal funded Parks Improvement Programme. The project worked with The Northern Slopes Initiative to outline a long-term vision for the site. Access has been improved and more seating has been added. The project also combined forces with the allotment investment programme to include improvement works on four adjoining allotment sites. The local community is actively campaigning for the site to be declared as a Local Nature Reserve
Stoke Park (Lockleaze, Horfield, Easton and Eastville)
Stoke Park is a Registered Historic Parkland in a prominent location overlooking the M32 and forming an important element in the setting and entrance to Bristol. The park was designed and developed by Thomas Wright between 1749 and 1786 for Norborne Berkeley, making the most of the topography and natural features to provide a setting for the Dower House. The main structural elements of the original scheme survive and have been restored over recent years. The diverse plantings of imported trees and shrubs, largely from America, set within glades and grassy rides within the woodland were a key feature of the scheme but have not survived the years of neglect. The imposition of the M32 has also damaged the integrity of the parkland, although today the parkland still forms an important green gateway to the city.
The land comprises grassland, currently managed by cutting for hay and mowing of the steeper slopes, scrub, a pond and settlement lagoon feature connected with the water management and several areas of woodland. Residents in Lockleaze and Stoke Park have ready access to the park both on public rights of way and through the woods and across the grassland. Motor cycling, joy riding and other instances of anti social behavior within the park still occurs and requires regular coordination with the local community police to manage. The new development of 1200 homes on the former Hewlett Packard site to the north of the woodlands will directly overlook the site and greatly increase visitor pressures and the numbers of people using the site regularly. The site also provides informal cycle access from Stapleton Road to the UWE campus.
The site is currently owened by a consortium of developers who have day to day responsibility and manage the park, and is in the process of being handed over to Bristol City Council. Stoke Park is currently managed by the Parkland Committee on behalf of the consortium.
Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve (Brislington)
Eastwood Farm LNR is a peaceful riverside haven located in the Avon Valley in Brislington, south east Bristol. Access is via Whitmore Avenue, off Broomhill Road, Brislington. The site was managed as a traditional farm up until 1971, with part of the site being used as a tip for domestic waste up until 1978. Following this period the site was landscaped and trees were planted, with full public access now possible
11 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 throughout the site. The site has good footpaths throughout, with certain areas wheelchair accessible.
Eastwood Farm is a great place to see wildlife, including herons, swans, buzzards and deer. The different types of wildlife habitat to be found on the reserve include mixed aged woodlands, water meadows, ponds and a lagoon, wildflower rich meadows, and the River Avon.
The Friends of Eastwood Farm are an active community group interested in protecting and enhancing the nature reserve, although they have been struggling in recent times.
Callington Road Local Nature Reserve (Knowle, Hengrove and Brislington)
Callington Road LNR is located in south Bristol between Knowle and Brislington West. It was established as a new nature reserve by Bristol Parks in 2003 and it is a wildlife oasis of 6.5 hectares surrounded by urban development supporting a rich mosaic of wildlife habitats including wildflower meadows, a variety of scrub types, regenerating woodland and a new sustainable dewpond replenished by rainwater.
Designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) the reserve is separated into two distinct areas by an old green lane and public right of way crossing its centre. The 'Field' area lying alongside Callington Road is a legally registered Town Green. The 'Upper slopes' a more remote and quieter refuge for wildlife on steeper ground behind the new Callington Road Hospital provides sweeping views of Bristol and countryside to the south. Visitors are often surprised by the size of the reserve which stretches as far as Talbot Road, although no access is available at this end.
Callington Road Nature Reserve is open to the public at all times. The main access from Callington Road is suitable for wheelchairs. A simple path system provides access into the 'Field' and to the dewpond. A further loop provides limited access into the more remote 'Upper Slopes'. Bristol Parks manages the site in partnership with the Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve Group.
Lamplighters Marsh (West Bristol, Shirehampton and the River Avon)
Lamplighter’s Marsh is an area of low lying ground by the River Avon, historically consisting of an area of grazing marshland, though grazing by stock finished over 30 years ago. The site is split by the Bristol – Severn Beach railway, with ownership split between the Bristol City Council and private landowners. Parts of the site have been tipped on for landfill, areas of which have been landscaped and seeded forming amenity grassland. Much of the existing marsh land (currently in private ownership) is drying out as a result of little recent management.
A number of railway sidings and associated structures were in use on the site until abandoned in the 1970’s, few traces of which now remain. A large part of the site remained unmanaged until 2003 when a programme of active conservation
12 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 management commenced, this resulting from the development of a new park and ride on part of the site, this development being extended in 2007.
The area to the south of the railway has in recent years been managed to enhance its conservation and amenity value. The area to the north east of the site (often referred to as The Daisy Field) is managed as close mown open space, together with a small area of orchard planting.
The Shirehampton Greens are a group of local people who are promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the site, and have campaigned to safeguard its future for the local community. The group run occasional events, and are very supportive of Wild City and the need to engage target groups in the west Bristol area.
Avon New Cut (Bedminster, Southville, Windmill Hill, and the River Avon Corridor)
The Avon New Cut is a tidal waterway running through the centre of Bristol. Excavated between 1803 and 1809, it was an essential part of the development of Bristol’s Floating Harbour.
The New Cut was used for navigation, with early passenger steam packets sailing to South Wales and Ireland from a jetty along the cut. The lower bridges (Vauxhall Footbridge and Ashton Road and Rail Bridge) used to open to allow shipping access to the city docks via the now redundant lock gates at Bathurst Basin. By the late 1930s very little river traffic used the New Cut. The lower bridges were fixed and a suspension bridge replaced the ferry near the old gaol.
The Cut is still vitally important to the function of the City Docks and the surrounding area for drainage. It is also notable for its flora and fauna in a location so close to the city centre. Over 30 species of birds have been seen along the Cut, including grey herons and cormorants. Both of these birds eat fish from the Cut, their presence being an indicator of the health of the waterway. Over 20 species of butterfly and moth have been recorded, as have over 120 species of flowering plants, including the rare ivy broomrape growing on grassy banks. Over 30 species of trees can be seen along the Cut, including one or two fig trees which are believed to have grown from fruits discarded by passing sailors in times gone by.
The Friends of the Avon New Cut (FrANC) is a group of local people who are promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the Cut - including its history, geology, wildlife, bridges, bankside buildings and its role in making Bristol work. The group run occasional events, organise maintenance and clean-up sessions, and have published a book about the Cut. The group is actively campaigning for the New Cut to be declared as a Local Nature Reserve.
Hengrove Park Mounds & Hawkfield Meadow (Knowle West, Filwood, Hengrove, Hartcliffe and Whitchurch)
Hengrove Park Mounds forms part of the larger 76 hectare Hengrove Park Regeneration Site within the city of Bristol. It is owned by the City Council and is
13 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 located to the South of Bristol at Hengrove Way four miles from the City Centre. A new hospital (South Bristol Community Hospital), South Bristol Skills Academy and a new leisure centre will be build next to the site. The needs of future hospital service users in a key consideration for the site
The site is a former airfield, which closed in 1957. There are now few reminders of this former use and today the local community use the site for informal recreation. At the west end of the park there is an unusual bowl-shaped area rich in wildlife. This site contains species-rich grassland on the banks, with marshy areas in the base, and trees and hedgerows linking the bowl to the road. Here there are lots of wildflowers, providing not just colourful displays in the summer but also the food source and shelter for an unexpectedly high number of animal species. For example, 204 different invertebrate species were recorded from this area in one recent survey by BRERC, 19 of which were nationally endangered. Larger mammals and birds love this area too and it is possible to spot skylark, bullfinch or even an occasional cuckoo.
Hawkfield Meadow is neutral grassland that contains species such as dyer’s greenweed, devil’s-bit scabious and pepper saxifrage. In recent years it has become heavily scrubbed over and inaccessible. It is close to a number of schools at the Bridge Campus who are keen to utilise the site as a learning resource.
3.2 Wild City Network Sites:
Lawrence Weston Moor LNR
Lawrence Weston Moor LNR is a green oasis sandwiched between the M5 motorway and housing estates of Lawrence Weston. The site is one of the few remaining fragments of the marshes that used to stretch all the way from Blaise Castle to Avonmouth in Bristol. The nature reserve is a wetland therefore access can be variable. The site is flat with no slopes or steps, although some of the meadows can become quite overgrown in summer.
The site is made up of an extensive network of wet meadows and reedbeds and it is extremely rich in wildlife. Habitats on the reserve include ditches, known as 'rhynes' which provide a fantastic home for wildlife, including dragonflies, frogs, newts and the elusive water vole. Areas of reeds and rushes are important for birds such as reed buntings and snipe. Reed and sedge warblers are also known to breed here. There are three ponds on the reserve, the largest of which has a pond-dipping platform designed for the use of the local primary school. Wildflower grasslands support a range of wet-loving plants such as ragged robin, marsh marigold, creeping forget-me- not and water mint. The site also boasts a number of reedbeds, which are very unusual in Bristol.
Lawrence Weston Moor Local Nature Reserve is managed in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust. There is currently no community group associated with Lawrence Weston Moor. The site can be accessed from the National Cycle Network.
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Narroways Millennium Green
Narroways Millennium Green consists of old railway embankments and offers wonderful views over the city. Bristol City Council bought the land at Narroways from British Rail in 1997 after local people successfully campaigned to save it from development. The council leased the site to Narroways Millennium Green Trust for 999 years from 2000.
Wildflower meadows cover the hillsides at Narroways, with unusual plants like corky fruited water dropwort and sainfoin visible amongst the more familiar ox-eye daisies and knapweed. Marbled white butterflies and common blues can be seen flitting about on warm days in summer.
Narroways is a natural sanctuary for wildlife abutted by dense housing on all sides. The site is important for wildlife because of the range of habitats. There are dense thickets of bramble and suckering fruit trees, patches of tall vegetation and developing woodland - mainly Ash, revealing continuity with more ancient woods when the area became known as Ashley Vale. There are also a few ponds dotted around on neighbouring land which help to sustain a rich amphibian life - toads, frogs and newt species.
Bird and animal life is also prolific with kestrels, sparrowhawks, jays, long-tailed tits, foxes, grey squirrels and hedgehogs having a presence.
Narroways is leased to the Narroways Millennium Green Trust which is involved in all aspects of looking after the site. The site has some steep slopes and informal paths.
Manor Woods Valley Local Nature Reserve
Manor Woods Valley LNR was once part of the estate belonging to the Manor House in Bishopsworth. The River Malago meanders through this lovely site, with ancient woodland to one side and open grassland on the other.
Manor Woods Valley is in Bishopsworth in south west Bristol. A tarmac track runs through the length of the site, offering good access for cyclists, walkers and wheelchairs. Footpaths through the woods are more informal.
The mix of woodland, grassland and river habitats provide food and shelter for a whole range of wildlife. The woodland is classed as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and is carpeted with bluebells and ramsons in springtime. The River Malago runs through the site where both kingfisher and heron have been recorded. The best grassland for wildflowers is found at the Vale Lane end of the site. This meadow is left to grow long in summer as it supports unusual wildflowers like the bizarrely named corky fruited water dropwort.
The Malago Valley Conservation Group takes an active interest in Manor Woods Valley. Garbage raids, planting days, events and talks are all organised by the group and regular meetings take place.
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Stockwood Open Space Local Nature Reserve
Stockwood Open Space LNR is located in Brislington, south east Bristol, and consists of an old area of farmland that has survived development, containing a surprising number of habitats.
With kestrels, butterflies, glow-worms and foxes, and a wealth of wildflowers, Stockwood Open Space is one of the most exciting places to see and enjoy wildlife in the city.
Stockwood Open Space supports a range of wildlife habitats including wildflower meadows which support cowslips, dyer's greenweed and black knapweed. Hedgerows provide plenty of cover for nesting birds such as little owls, whilst some woodland areas are recorded as ancient and carpeted with bluebells, wood anemones and the rare bath asparagus in spring.
On the edge of the reserve an old rubbish tip has been planted with shrubs, trees and grassland flowers and has developed into a wildlife haven. Kestrels and sparrowhawks often hunt over this area. In July half of the grassland is cut for hay and in winter some of the scrub is removed. The woodland is also coppiced to open up the wood for wildflowers and butterflies. Approximately thirty pairs of song thrushes and ninety pairs of warblers are recorded as nesting on the reserve each year. Old farm ponds are home to five out of six species of British amphibians.
Avon Wildlife Trust manages the site under a licence fron Brisol City Council. A tarmac track runs through the length of the site providing all weather access for walkers, cyclists and wheelchairs. Access to other areas of the reserve is via informal footpaths.
Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve
Troopers Hill LNR is a hillside overlooking the River Avon that has been quarried and mined in the past. The hill contains a fascinating mix of history, wild plants and animals. With heather and broom, rocky crags, spoil heaps and gullies, stunning views and two listed chimneys, Troopers Hill is one of the most spectacular wildlife spots in the city.
Troopers Hill LNR is in St George, east Bristol and a Green Flag site. The site was declared as a LNR in 1995 in recognition of the wide range of wildlife present on the hill and its importance as a unique habitat in the Bristol area due to the presence of acidic soils.
The tall chimney standing on top of Troopers Hill is a characteristic landmark of east Bristol. The nature reserve offers spectacular views across the city. The famous chimney was built to take fumes from industrial works at the bottom of the hill and may date from as early as the eighteenth century. Troopers Hill was quarried for pennant sandstone and mined for coal and fire clay at various times in its past.
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The unusual geology of Troopers Hill is the reason for the site's ecological importance. The pennant sandstone on the hill results in acidic soils which support a heathland habitat found nowhere else in Bristol. Ling and bell heather cover the hill in purple flowers in late summer, with the attractive yellow flowers of broom seen earlier in the year.
The most important habitat on Troopers Hill is the acidic grassland and heathland, this covers the central area of the site and is the core of the reserve and the reason it was created. Acid grassland is a UK priority habitat and together with other 'Species Rich Grasslands' its protection is also one of the aims of the Bristol BAP.
The Friends of Troopers Hill are a group of local residents interested in protecting and enhancing the nature reserve. They have regular meetings and organise work days and events.
A management plan for troopers Hill has been produced and can be viewed, together with background maps and other detailed information on the Friends of Troopers Hill web site at www.troopers-hill.org.uk
Royate Hill Local Nature Reserve
Royate Hill LNR is located in Eastville, north east Bristol, close to the city centre. It is a highly unusual nature reserve, being situated on top of a seven span railway viaduct. The site has a fascinating history and, with great views over the city, is a wonderful place in which to escape from city life.
Royate Hill was saved from development following a high profile public campaign in the late 1990s. The site was compulsory purchased from the developers by the former Avon County Council in 1996. Bristol Parks manages the site in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust.
The site comprises two disused railway embankments linked by a seven span brick viaduct. It was constructed in the early 1870's to form part of the Clifton Extension Railway. As a whole, the site spans a distance of some 450 metres in a shallow curve from Edward Street in the north west to Clay Bottom to the east, crossing Royate Hill and the Coombe Brook at its centre.
Wildlife on the site includes wildflowers growing on the embankments, as well as butterflies, birds and badgers. Some parts of the reserve are grazed by goats, whilst others are being allowed to develop into woodland. The habitats on the site range from limestone flora on the embankment top, to flower rich grassland, developing woodland and scrub on the embankment sides. Species such as ox-eyed daisy, mouse eared chickweed and bee orchid have been recorded at the site.
The Royate Hill Volunteers meet once a month on Sundays to carry out practical conservation tasks at Royate Hill. Royate Hill reserve is very close to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path (NCN Route 4).
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Badock’s Wood Local Nature Reserve
Badocks Wood LNR in Southmead, north west Bristol, consists of a beautiful wooded valley of the River Trym and adjacent areas of meadow and a Bronze Age burial mound. Badocks Wood was given to Bristol City Council in 1937 by Sir Stanley Badock for the enjoyment of local people. The site has great archaeological importance as a 3,500 year old burial mound can be seen there.
Badock’s Wood is ancient woodland with a minimum 400 year history. In spring it is carpeted with bluebells and ramsons. In Victorian times, parts of the wood were planted with fashionable trees of the time such as beech, Scots pine and horse chestnut.
There is also a large area of grassland on the site, created after the removal of pre- fab housing in the 1980s. A wildflower meadow has recently been sown on the site, with funding from People's Places and help from the Friends of Badocks Wood and Badocks Wood Primary school. Tarmac paths throughout the site provide very good access and are wheelchair friendly.
The Friends of Badocks Wood is a group of local residents interested in protecting and enhancing the nature reserve. The group has regular meetings and organises work days and events.
3.3 Principal Green Corridors
The River Frome, the River Avon, Bristol & Bath Railway Path, Malago Greenway, St Phillips and Whitchurch Railway Path are major green corridors that link communities with a network of greenspaces. They are also key routes for sustainable and transport and tourism that provide access from urban Bristol to the countryside and a regional network of recreational paths. They form vital green arteries for the urban communities that lie alongside them, many of which fall within the 5-10% most deprived category.
• River Avon Valley: The tidal River Avon passes through the spectacular Avon Gorge, the modern city and ancient port of Bristol forming a green corridor linking communities along its course with a network of green spaces including Eastwood Farm, Avon New Cut and Lamplighter’s Marsh.
• River Frome Valley: The River Frome, a tributary of the River Avon, flows from the Cotswold Hills, through South Gloucestershire and then southwest to the centre of Bristol. In Bristol it creates an important green corridor of parks, woodlands and waterway providing a welcome recreational space for people and a valuable environment for wildlife.
• Bristol Bath Railway Path: The Bristol & Bath Railway Path is a 13 mile off road route between the cities of Bristol and Bath. The path is open to walkers and cyclists and access is provided for disabled users. The Path is many
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things to many people - an integral commuting route, an attractive leisure path and an important wildlife corridor.
• Malago Greenway: The Malago Greenway takes its name from the River Malago, which has historic significance for the parts of South Bristol through which it flows. The Malago is formed by the various streams which drain the northern slopes of Dundry Hill, flowing through Hartcliffe before joining the River Avon in Southville. Parts of its length have been culverted but much remains open and provides a natural habitat for a wide variety of bird and plant life not normally associated with large urban areas. The Malago Greenway has an important role to play in the encouragement and enjoyment of walking and cycling as alternative means of transport.
• St. Phillips Greenway / Whitchurch Railway Path: Two cycle / walking routes link central and south Bristol. Both paths are suitable for walkers and cyclists and access is provided for disabled users. The Whitchurch Railway Path has particularly good links to the Stockwood LNR and takes users off- road south to Whitchurch and onto quiet country roads.
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4. PROJECT NEED
The Wild City project will work with communities across Bristol with a particular focus on the most 5-10% deprived urban communities and priority groups (young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, people with physical and mental health issues, adults with learning difficulties, and black and minority ethnic communities). A vital part of demonstrating the need for Wild City was an extensive consultation with these communities and priority groups to identify and establish their needs. Discussions were also held with a range of local authority and voluntary sector officers and organisations with experience and knowledge of local need. In addition a review of relevant research, strategic plans and reports was carried out to further identify and verify these needs.
4.1 Need for the Project in Relation to Deprivation
The City of Bristol contains 58 Lower Level Super Output Areas as identified in the Natural England Access to Nature Regional Targeting Statement as containing the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities. These are scheduled in Table 1 below
The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 (IMD2007) is a Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) measure of multiple deprivation. The Indices are based on the premise that multiple deprivation is made up of the following separate dimensions, or 'domains' of deprivation:
• Income Deprivation • Employment Deprivation • Health Deprivation and Disability • Education, Skills and Training Deprivation • Barriers to Housing and Services • Crime • Living Environment Deprivation
Lower Layer Super Output Areas are relatively small areas, each with an average population of 1,500 residents, and make the comparison of like sized areas across the country possible. In Bristol there are a total of 252 LSOAs. This geography enables the identification of pockets of deprivation that are a feature of urban areas - pockets that can be overlooked if only looking at data at ward level.
The most recent Deprivation results for Bristol come from Deprivation in Bristol (2007). A copy is included in the attached CD of background information. The report highlights: -
• Bristol has deprivation ‘hot spots’ which are amongst some of the most deprived areas in the country yet are adjacent to some of the least deprived areas in the country;
• Bristol has 39 LSOAs in the most deprived 10% nationally for multiple deprivation
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(compared to 35 for 2004), of which there are 14 LSOAs in the most deprived 3% (18 in 2004) and 4 LSOAs in most deprived 1% (5 in 2004);
• There are more LSOAs in the most deprived 10% in 2007 than in 2004 for both the ‘Health Deprivation and Disability’ domain and the ‘Barriers to Housing and Services’ domain. In all other domains the number of LSOAs in the most deprived 10% has fallen since 2004. Although this cannot be used to show change over time, it does describe how deprivation in Bristol LSOAs compares relative to other areas of England;
• The number of people living in the most deprived 10% of LSOAs is just over 65,000 people, which is 16% of all residents living in Bristol;
• 15 LSOAs rank position for Multiple Deprivation has got worse since 2004, of which 11 are in South Bristol including 4 in Filwood Ward;
• Only Lower Montpelier in Ashley has moved out of the most deprived 10% and is now in the most deprived 20%, and
• New areas moving into the most deprived 10% of LSOAs nationally are: Lockleaze North and Lockleaze South (Lockleaze ward), Gill Avenue (Frome Vale ward) Wharnecliffe Gardens (Hengrove ward) and Withywood (Hartcliffe ward).
Table 1: City of Bristol Lower Level Super Output Areas as identified in the Natural England Access to Nature Regional Targeting Statement as containing the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities.
LSOA code Local name ONS name Ward E01014486 St Agnes Bristol 023B Ashley E01014490 St Pauls Bristol 023E Ashley E01014497 Lawrence Weston West Bristol 003A Avonmouth E01014516 Four Acres Bristol 050B Bishopsworth E01014517 Sherrin Way Bristol 050C Bishopsworth E01014541 St James Barton Bristol 025B Cabot E01014564 Chelsea Park Bristol 024A Easton E01014568 St Marks Road Bristol 024B Easton E01014569 Robertson Road Bristol 024C Easton E01014574 Greenbank Bristol 024E Eastville E01014578 Wedmore Vale Bristol 044A Filwood E01014580 Inns Court Bristol 045B Filwood E01014581 Filwood Broadway Bristol 045C Filwood E01014582 Leinster Avenue Bristol 045D Filwood E01014583 Throgmorton Road Bristol 044B Filwood E01014584 Glyn Vale Bristol 045E Filwood E01014585 Ilminster Avenue West Bristol 044C Filwood
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E01014589 Gill Avenue Bristol 013B Frome Vale E01014593 Fulford Road North Bristol 051A Hartcliffe E01014594 Whitchurch Lane Bristol 048A Hartcliffe E01014595 Withywood Bristol 051B Hartcliffe E01014596 Fair Furlong Bristol 051C Hartcliffe E01014597 Bishport Avenue West Bristol 051D Hartcliffe E01014602 Henbury Bristol 001B Henbury E01014605 Crow Lane Bristol 001E Henbury E01014610 Wharnecliffe Gardens Bristol 047D Hengrove E01014625 Hillfields East Bristol 018B Hillfields E01014630 Sheridan Road Bristol 005A Horfield E01014636 Horfield Common Bristol 004D Horfield E01014638 Lawrence Weston Parade Bristol 003C Kingsweston E01014639 Lawrence Weston South Bristol 003D Kingsweston E01014640 Lawrence Weston East Bristol 003E Kingsweston E01014647 Ilminster Avenue East Bristol 044D Knowle E01014652 Redcliffe Bristol 031A Lawrence Hill E01014653 Easton Road Bristol 024F Lawrence Hill E01014654 St Judes Bristol 031B Lawrence Hill E01014655 Stapleton Road Bristol 024G Lawrence Hill E01014656 Old Market and the Dings Bristol 031C Lawrence Hill E01014657 Barton Hill Road Bristol 031D Lawrence Hill E01014658 St Philips Bristol 031E Lawrence Hill E01014659 Filton Avenue North Bristol 005C Lockleaze E01014660 Lockleaze North Bristol 014A Lockleaze E01014661 Filton Avenue South Bristol 005D Lockleaze E01014663 Lockleaze South Bristol 014B Lockleaze E01014688 Trymside Bristol 002A Southmead E01014689 Southmead Central Bristol 002B Southmead E01014690 Southmead East Bristol 002C Southmead E01014692 Fonthill Bristol 002E Southmead E01014697 Bedminster Bristol 039D Southville E01014703 Burnbush Hill Bristol 049B Stockwood E01014724 Fulford Road South Bristol 053A Whitchurch Park E01014726 Hareclive Bristol 053B Whitchurch Park E01014727 Bishport Avenue East Bristol 053C Whitchurch Park E01014728 Whitchurch Park Bristol 053D Whitchurch Park E01014729 Marksbury Road Bristol 040A Windmill Hill 01014730 Lower Totterdown Bristol 037A Windmill Hill E01014736 St Johns Lane Bristol 040D Windmill Hill
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There is therefore a demonstrable need for the project based on deprivation statistics. The Wild City project will implement projects specifically to work with 5-10% most deprived communities in the following areas: Lawrence Hill, Barton Hill, Cabot, Ashley, St Pauls, Knowle, Filwood, Lockleaze, Horfield, Easton, Hengrove, Hartcliffe Bishopsworth and Whitchurch. It will also deliver a number of ‘overarching’ projects that will reach right across the City and will include communities at Southmead and Kingsweston.
4.2 Health Indicators
The link between health inequalities and deprivation is very clear, and these are most pronounced in the most deprived SOAs. The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) assesses the health Indicators for the City of Bristol. This is an ongoing process that identifies current and future health and wellbeing needs of the population of Bristol. Bristol’s JSNA baseline report was published in October 2008, produced jointly by Bristol City Council and Bristol Primary Care Trust. This report showed some of the key health and wellbeing issues present in the population and it looked into the future to predict how these might change. It also highlighted a number of key findings in terms of current health inequalities and some new and emerging challenges. The baseline report is available online at www.bristol.gov.uk/JSNA. A copy of the report is also included in the attached CD.
The top 12 key findings of this report are: -
1. Bristol's population is increasing and life expectancy is improving, but there is a nine-year difference in average life expectancy between the highest and lowest Bristol wards; 2. As life expectancy improves, the number of children and adults with disabilities and limiting long-term illness and mental health problems is rising and these conditions are more common in deprived areas; 3. Levels of obesity are increasing in children and adults; 4. There is a link between healthy lifestyle risk factors (such as poor diet, obesity, smoking, substance misuse and teenage pregnancy) with deprivation, poor education attainment, poor emotional health and community safety; 5. The number of people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers is projected to increase as obesity rates rise, the population ages and as treatments and survival rates improve; 6. People with dementia will increase by about 33% in the next 20 years due to our ageing population; 7. There are close links between poor housing and health, and housing requirements are changing due to more people with disabilities and limiting long-term illness and smaller household units; 8. A poor built environment, urban congestion and traffic pollution all impact on physical and mental wellbeing; 9. Admissions to hospital are high in the older and younger age groups (e.g. through falls, accidents, urgent management of their condition/disability); 10. Almost 40,000 people across the city are providing unpaid care for another person, and many are ageing themselves, and may not be in good health;
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11. Bristol is a multicultural city and some minority groups experience a higher prevalence of specific illnesses but are less likely to access some services or services may also not be appropriate, and 12. There are a number of information gaps, particularly around carers and people with learning difficulties, physical impairments, mental health and ethnicity recording.
Other relevant key points from the report were as follows: -
• Meeting the health needs of the growing and increasingly diverse population in already congested inner city areas (e.g. Cabot and Lawrence Hill) will be a major challenge for service providers as this growth is occurring in areas where there is already pressure on services and significant health inequalities;
• In Bristol, like other core cities, there are many close links between deprivation, poor housing and healthy outcomes;
• There are also close links between the environment (traffic congestion, pollution, lack of space, community safety) and physical and mental wellbeing. Poor urban planning that promotes car use, congestion and fear of crime can limit opportunities for physical exercise, recreation and community interaction;
• Another emerging theme is the link between poor educational attainment and skills and unhealthy lifestyles (substance misuse, smoking, teenage pregnancy, diet), common mental health problems and low self esteem), and
• Not surprisingly lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, obesity/poor diet and lack of physical activity all contribute to poorer health outcomes (cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other long term conditions) especially in groups experiencing deprivation, where ability to make healthier choices is often limited by poor socio-economic conditions (poor knowledge of cooking skills and nutrition, lack of access to shops selling healthy food, lack of access to safe open spaces for activity etc.)
There is therefore a demonstrable need for projects that use contact with the natural environment to improve physical and mental wellbeing and help to address health inequality issues in the more deprived communities and amongst certain priority groups. The Wild City project will deliver a suite of projects to improve health and wellbeing, including projects that reach across the city and those that tackle identified needs at a more local level.
4.2.1 Natural England Policies on Health and the Natural Environment
Natural England recognises that access to the natural environment helps improve health and wellbeing, prevents disease and helps people recover from illness -see http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/health/default.aspx
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Natural England’s website highlights the ways in which the natural environment can offer benefits for health and wellbeing, these are: -
• It reduces stress levels; • It encourages people to be more active, which is very good for health; • It helps people avoid getting ill; • It helps people keep stable once they have got an illness, and • People live longer if they live near areas of green space.
Natural England sets out its health related aims in its Health Position Statement (Copy included in attached supporting documents CD). This states that better health and wellbeing are two of the major social and economic benefits we can secure through good management of the natural environment in both rural and urban settings. It also calls for Government departments and Local Authorities to use contact with the natural environment to deliver their own social, economic and environmental priorities.
Getting more people out walking, green exercise and getting patients outdoors are some of the ways being promoted by Natural England to link health and wellbeing with the natural environment. The Wild City project includes walking and green exercise projects and a project working with the occupational therapy unit of a hospital.
4.3 Under Use of Green Space in Bristol
The Access to Nature Regional Targeting Plan for the South West identifies Bristol as an area with accessible green space but the lowest health indicators. It states that “there may be potential to work in partnership to make better use of the existing green space for health benefits, where it is currently worst” (p12). Bristol’s Parks and Green Space Strategy (February 2008) also recognises this and it contains a number of policies to increase community use of green space across the city, including in areas of high deprivation and health need.
Under use of green spaces by local communities, particularly in the more deprived areas, was also an issue that was discovered by the Wild City consultation (see section 4.5 and Wild City Consultation Report). As a result of this the Wild City project has a strong focus on working with local communities, particularly in the more deprived areas, to increase community use, health benefits, community involvement, local pride and sense of ownership.
4.4 Bristol’s Parks and Green Space Strategy February 2008
Bristol’s Parks and Green Space Strategy is informed by a wide ranging consultation and detailed research work; over 5,500 Bristol people contributed their ideas through surveys, on-line discussion forums and focus groups. It discovered that a long-term lack of funding and investment has led to a decline in green space, in a way that had
25 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 become progressively apparent to green space users. It found that “within the city boundary there are 1500 hectares of accessible green space, but this is unevenly distributed. In addition, there is a significant variation in quality and facilities available. Certain areas of the city have large amounts of low quality green space”. The Strategy states that “significant improvements are needed to provide residents across Bristol with good access to good quality parks and green spaces” (p2).
The Strategy sets out a vision for green space in Bristol; this is
A City with good quality, attractive, enjoyable and accessible green spaces which meet the diverse needs of all Bristol citizens and visitors.
The objectives of the Strategy are to: -
1. Raise the quality of parks and green spaces; 2. Encourage greater use and enjoyment of Bristol’s parks and green spaces by all sectors of the community; 3. Contribute to the wider planning of the urban fabric of the city by providing a range of good quality parks and green spaces, which play a significant role in meeting the needs of balanced and sustainable communities and enhancing the urban landscape, to help make Bristol a green and sustainable city; 4. Protect needed green space from development; 5. Rectify shortage in particular types of green space across the city to ensure all residents have access to formal, informal, natural, sports and children & young people’s spaces; 6. Provide a clear basis for beneficial investment in green spaces - identifying those areas of Bristol where investment and improvements in green space are most needed - helping the council ‘spend better’; 7. Encourage active and healthy life-styles and promote social inclusion, and 8. Encourage community participation in the improvement and management of greenspaces.
The Strategy defines policies for many types of green space in the City, including children and young people’s space, formal green space, informal green space, natural green space and active sports space. The areas that the Wild City project will focus on are largely defined as natural green space – “sites providing people with access to, and experience of nature. It includes woodland, grassland, scrub, hedgerows and wetland” (p6).
The Strategy recognises that natural green space in Bristol is immensely varied reflecting the differing scale, location and character of such sites. Research undertaken by the Strategy found that “natural green space is one of the most valued spaces, but also raises issues about their accessibility on a practical level. Whilst there are a number of well-managed sites in the city such as Troopers Hill and The Downs, many natural green spaces are neglected, damaging their value for nature conservation and making them threatening and unattractive. The Council intends to make substantial improvements to these spaces through more active intervention including the improvement of footpaths by making them more open, free from overhanging vegetation, and clearing scrub to make sites feel more open and
26 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 welcoming, at the same time as maintaining and enhancing their wildlife interest.” (p21).
The Strategy sets out the following policies for natural green space
• NG1: Establish a network of 16 Local Nature Reserves providing access to high quality sites for wildlife and a focus for supporting community involvement.
• NG2: Improve maintenance and management regimes ensuring optimum conditions for wildlife alongside attractive, welcoming and easily accessible places for people to enjoy.
• NG3: Safeguard and enhance rich and diverse habitats and species within parks and green spaces through a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Bristol.
• NG4: Achieve favourable conservation status on all publicly accessible Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) controlled by Bristol City Council by 2020.
• NG5: Create new habitats for wildlife to remedy shortfalls in natural green space.
• LM2 : Create a major new park at Hengrove, offering traditional park features • but also new and exciting leisure opportunities.
• LM12: Improve the quality of green corridors, riverside routes and cycle/walkways through the city for recreation, biodiversity and commuting.
The Strategy investigated the quality of green spaces and it found that there was a link between this and deprivation. It aims to tackle this issue through the following policy: -
• ST1: Raise the quality of all parks and green spaces to a minimum quality level of good (3) within the next years, with a particular focus on the most deprived areas of the city, which often have the lowest quality green space.
The Strategy also recognises that green spaces are about people and that they provide a focal point for the community and many cultural activities. Involving local people in the management of their parks and encouraging them to use them more often are important objectives of the strategy. The Strategy suggests a number of ways of achieving this: -
• Boosting Participation and Increasing Use; • Consultation and involvement; • Developing and supporting community groups; • Education and outreach; • Health and exercise; • Good communication and information planning, and
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• Events and Festivals.
It sets out two polices to achieve this: -
• D1: Support participation and involvement in parks and green spaces through consultation, participation in active management of spaces, volunteering, education and outreach activities.
• D2: Increase use and enjoyment of spaces through a range of activities including providing health and exercise related opportunities, events, festivals and improved information provision.
Wild City will contribute to achieving the aims and objectives of the Parks and Green Space Strategy for natural green space. The project will seek to increase community use, encourage people to volunteer in the management, planning and care of their natural green spaces, take part in celebration, interpretation and learning projects, participate in health and wellbeing projects, improve the accessibility of green spaces and involve communities and priority groups in a sustainable and inclusive way. It will also seek involve communities in the designation of three new LNRs, and increase local pride and ownership of sites.
4.5 Identifying Project Need: Wild City Project consultation
Wild City has sought to identify the needs of communities and groups in the City by talking to a wide range of community and voluntary organisations, professionals with experience of working with target beneficiaries, and people in the communities and groups that will benefit from the project. A comprehensive and detailed consultation was carried out throughout October and November 2009. Over 130 community and volunteer groups, officers and individuals were contacted, with over 35 face to face meetings completed. The aims, method, contacts, feedback and results of the consultation are detailed in a separate report entitled ‘Wild City Project Consultation: Establishing the Need & Project Development’ (Nov 2009). A copy of this is included as a separate document.
The consultation revealed strong support for the Wild City project and a high degree of enthusiasm for future involvement in the proposed projects. Analysis of the feedback from the consultation revealed a number of overarching project-needs. These are set out below.
Wild City Overarching Project Needs
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• Health and Wellbeing: Communities across the city wished to see natural environment related projects that help to improve mental and physical wellbeing;
• Young People: All communities highlighted the need to engage young people in a range of projects related to the natural environment, accessibility, physical activity and learning;
• Welcoming, Safe and Accessible: Under use of green spaces by local communities was a re-occurring issue. There is a need to develop projects to work with local communities, particularly in the more deprived areas, to increase community use, community involvement, local pride and sense of ownership, and
• Sustainable and Inclusive: A need for sites to be managed in a sustainable way with inclusive involvement of diverse sections of the local community and support for local groups. The consultation revealed a strong need to use contact with the natural environment to support people recovering from mental health problems. It also revealed a need to support a range of priority groups including people with disabilities, people with physical health issues, black and minority ethnic communities and the elderly.
In addition to the overarching needs, communities in different parts of the City also identified more local needs. These are set out in the attached consultation report and not repeated here.
As part of the consultation process, local communities were also asked to suggest project ideas that would help to address the needs (overarching and local) that they had identified. Community and priority groups put forward a vast range of project ideas as can be seen from the consultation feedback (See Table 2 of Wild City: Project Consultation Report), To help with the project scoping process local communities were asked to prioritise the projects on the basis of being of high, medium or low priority, together with considering whether the potential projects met community needs. The four Wild City overarching needs were used as a benchmark with the requirement that project ideas should meet at least one overarching need before a project could be considered for inclusion in Wild City. This is in addition to being required to meet the Access to Nature programme outcomes and targets.
Evidence of how the projects were assessed against Wild City overarching needs is included in the Project Plan spreadsheets at Section 6 below with columns included to indicate which of the four overarching needs are being addressed by each individual project.
Wild City Network Sites form an important component of the Wild City project. A round table meeting with representatives from Friends Groups linked to these sites identified a need for support through the Wild City Project. The groups wished to see the Wild City officer as a point of contact to help network information, share best practice, market events, and provide help and co-ordination for their activities. The Friends Groups understood that Wild City would not be able to focus new project work on their sites; however it would support existing community action and activities.
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As a result of this a number of ‘overarching projects’ are included in the Project Tables in section 6 that will benefit Network Sites, these include Wild City Walk to Health, Wild City Marketing, Wild City Network Groups Support and Neighbourhood Nature.
As part of the consultation process organisations that have received Access to Nature funding or were currently developing phase 2 applications were contacted. This was to explore the opportunities for complimentary and joint working and to see how projects could add value to each other. Details are included in the separate consultation report.
4.6 Priority Groups
The Wild City project consulted with a variety of individuals, professionals, and voluntary sector / local government organisations to identify the needs of a range of priority groups. Details of the groups consulted are contained in Tables 1 and 2 of the Wild City Consultation Report. The consultation revealed the need to develop projects that would use contact with the natural environment to support and meet the needs of people in the following priority groups: -
• Elderly people; • People recovering from mental health problems; • Young people; • People wishing to improve physical wellbeing; • People with disabilities; • Black and Minority Ethnic communities, and • Adults with learning difficulties.
These groups have often been excluded or under-represented in terms of their contact with the natural environment. Wild City will involve these groups in all aspects of the project (scoping, planning and delivery) to ensure that their needs are met and appropriate support is given.
4.7 Need for the Project Identified in other Strategic Plans & Bristol City Council Policies
There are a number of other strategic plans that identify the needs and priorities for the communities within the Wild City project area. Bristol City Council and various other partnerships developed these plans following wide-ranging consultations. The main needs identified are to invest in children and young people, to improve health, to promote safer and stronger communities and to value the environment (including conserving and enhancing biodiversity). The principal plans and priorities that have guided the development of the Wild City project are as follows: -
• Bristol Partnership 20:20 Plan • Bristol’s Community Strategy 2006-26 • Our City: The Bristol Corporate Plan 2008 – 11 • Bristol Local Area Agreement Targets 2008-11 (2009 Revision)
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• Bristol Children’s & Young People Plan 2006 (Updated 2009) • The Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 • Avon Frome Strategy 2007-17 • The Communities Vision for Lockleaze – An Integrated Approach to Creating a Sustainable Community (DRAFT 2009) • MIND – Ecotherapy Report 2007 • Forest of Avon Plan 2002
A summary of the needs and priorities identified in each Strategy is given below, along with a description of how Wild City will help address them.
4.7.1 Bristol Partnership 20:20 Plan
The Bristol Partnership is the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) for Bristol. It is a group of agencies or organisations from business, the public sector, community, voluntary sector, higher and further education, working together to make Bristol a successful city in Europe. The partnership has set out its vision for Bristol in its ‘20:20 Plan – Our Vision for Bristol’. This is currently only available in word format at http://www.bristolpartnership.org/vision-for-bristol however the plan will not be formally launched until next year. Bristol City Council has been adopted the plan.
The 20:20 Plan sets out four primary objectives: -
• Reducing Health and Wealth Inequality; • Raising the aspiration and achievement of young people and families; • Make our prosperity sustainable, and • Build stronger and safe communities.
The Wild City project will deliver projects that improve community health and wellbeing, engage young people, promote the sustainable management of green spaces and involve people in activities that will help to build stronger and more cohesive communities.
4.7.2 Bristol’s Community Strategy 2006-26 and Our City: The Bristol Corporate Plan 2008 – 11
The Bristol Partnership developed the Bristol Community Strategy (2006-26), which sets out a twenty-year vision for the area. This was developed as a central plan to influence and guide the work and activities of partner organisations. The Community Strategy sets out five aims: a thriving economy; learning and achievement; health and wellbeing; a high quality environment and balanced and sustainable communities. These aims provide a long-term framework for the work of the Council.
The ‘Our City: The Bristol Corporate Plan 2008 – 11’ sets out how the Council will deliver the aspirations of the Community Strategy. It has various priorities and aims that have been designed to meet the needs identified in the Community Strategy. It has four ‘Our City’ themes; these are ambitious together, making a difference, safer
31 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 and healthier and better neighbourhoods. The Wild City project will contribute to achieving the following priorities in The Corporate Plan: -
Our City: Ambitious Together
2.5 Our city: together: Bristol has a changing, diverse population. New and growing communities are settling in the city, bringing many advantages as well as new challenges around cohesion and integration. Our aim is for residents to have a shared sense of ownership and belonging and for cross-community benefit from better services. In the next three years we will deliver this priority by building cohesion within our communities.
2.6 Our green city. We all recognise the importance of Bristol’s quality of life, for both residents and investors. It is vital that we deliver sustainable growth within environmental limits
Our City: Making A Difference
3.2 For children and young people. We will work with our partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for Bristol’s children, young people and families.
3.3 For older people and disabled people. Our vision is to develop flexible, quality services for older people, disabled people and vulnerable adults, to match individual needs and meet the needs of a changing population.
Our City: Safer and Healthier
4.2 Healthy lifestyles: healthy communities. Improving the health and wellbeing of all the city’s population is a priority for us all. The way we plan our environment, the transport we use and the houses we live in, all contribute to the health of our communities, as well as the lifestyle choices that each of us make. Over the next three years we will deliver this priority by: Increasing the physical activity level of all Bristol’s residents.
Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. We will develop cultural and leisure services that offer new opportunities and build the confidence of members of all Bristol’s communities.
Our City: Better Neighbourhoods
Improving parks and open spaces:- We will improve the quality of open space accessible to all Bristol residents.
A copy of the Community Strategy is available at: - http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/council-and-democracy/councillors-- democracy-and-elections/partnerships/
A copy of the Corporate Plan 2008-11 is available at: -
32 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/Democracy- Elections/corporate-plan.en
The Wild City project will engage young people in a wide range of exciting projects that will enable them to enjoy, achieve and make a positive contribution to their community. It will promote safer and healthier communities by engaging with people with sedentary lifestyles (offering opportunities for people to be more physically active) and with groups with disabilities, learning difficulties, and recovering from mental health problems to enable them to get closer to nature and feel that they are also making a positive contribution. It will promote stronger communities and community cohesion by enabling people to actively take part in decisions and projects that determine how their local green spaces are managed and provide opportunities to learn about and value their local environment.
4.7.3 Bristol Local Area Agreement Targets 2008-11 (2009 Revision)
Bristol City Council Local Area Agreement targets that are relevant to the Wild City project area are as follows: -
NI 5. Overall/general satisfaction with local area
NI 77. Quality of 10 identified parks in Neighbourhood Renewal priority areas expressed as a percentage (as measured by Bristol Parks Quality System)
The Wild City project will encourage people to volunteer in the management and care of their local green spaces, take part in celebration, learning and activity projects that will improve the general satisfaction with the area and encourage active management of sites to improve local biodiversity.
A copy of the Local Area Agreement is available at: - http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/council-and-democracy/councillors-- democracy-and-elections/partnerships/
4.7.4 Bristol Children’s & Young People Plan 2006 (Updated 2009)
This is the single, overarching strategic plan for all those services in Bristol, which affect the lives of children and young people. The plan sets out the outcomes expected for the 95,000 children and young people in Bristol, where all children and young people have the best possible start in life and are involved in shaping their future across the five Every Child Matters outcomes.
The Plan explains how services to children and young people in Bristol aged 0-19 are going to change and improve over the next three years. In particular it describes the challenges facing Bristol, responses to the challenges and what outcomes will be achieved as a result. The Plan is based on a comprehensive analysis of need resulting from extensive consultation with children, young people, their families and carers, and organisations across the city. It also reflects government legislation and
33 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 guidance, other major city-wide plans and the recommendations from recent reviews e.g. Joint Area Review.
The two strategic objectives of the plan that are most relevant to Wild City are: -
Improve the positive engagement of children, young people and families Children and young people feel self-confident and have high self-esteem. They know that their opinions are valued, that they influence decision-making, and that their achievements and contributions to their community are celebrated. Children and young people have places to go and positive things to do. They are satisfied with access and enjoy leisure and recreational facilities in their area. Young people engage in law-abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school and enjoy positive relationships with adults. They have the information, advice and guidance they need to make informed life choices, and
Reduce health inequalities All children, no matter what their background or level of deprivation, are achieving the best possible health outcomes. Children and young people live healthy lifestyles and are physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually healthy. Children and young people choose not take illegal drugs & alcohol, and their parents, carers and families have the confidence and information to promote healthy choices.
A copy of the 2009 update is available at: - http://www.bristol-cyps.org.uk/policies/cyps-plan.html
The Wild City project will implement a range of projects that involve children, young people and their families via community events and a range of healthy and fun activities that appeal to young people.
4.7.5 The Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan 2008
The Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has been developed by the Bristol Biodiversity Partnership which was set up in 2005. The partnership consists of nature conservation organisations, Bristol-wide projects representatives, local wildlife and friends groups, and members of the public. The Bristol BAP identifies a number of priority habitats and species that will form a focus for nature conservation work in Bristol.
The Wild City project will contribute towards achieving some of the habitat and species action plans set out in the plan. The project will work with communities on a wide range of green spaces and nature conservation areas that contain the following habitats: -
• Species rich grassland • Woodland • Ponds and Open Water • Reedbeds and sedgebeds • Estuarine habitats • Scrub
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• Open Mosaic habitats on previously developed land • Rivers and rhynes
4.7.6 Avon Frome Strategy 2007-17
The purpose of the Avon Frome Strategy is to present guiding principles to develop and manage the Avon and Frome river corridors and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path (BBRP) for the next 10 years. The strategy was developed from a wide ranging public consultation. The Wild City project area contains stretches of the River Avon Trail, Frome Valley Walkway and Bristol Bath Railway Path. These are important long distance routes linking with wildlife rich green spaces and nature reserves. The vision of the Avon Frome Strategy is:
‘To inspire the diverse communities of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset to access the historic and natural environment through a network of green corridors’.
The Wild City project will contribute towards achieving this vision by contributing to the delivery of strategic actions as set out in the Avon Frome Strategy. The project will work with communities on a wide range of green spaces and nature conservation areas implementing project proposals that contribute to the following Avon Frome Strategy actions: -
Events, Education and Interpretation • To develop walks and events linked to existing Health Walks Programmes; • Develop a programme of cycle rides to encourage the exploration of the local area and improve health; • Work with partners to deliver a programme of waterways activities for young people;
Regional Trails Network • Assess the quality and accessibility of gateway sites; • Promote the green corridors and their links to other routes, communities and places of interest;
Sustainable Management • Survey invasive non-native plant species and develop a prioritised action plan to reduce their impact; • Support and work with landowners and communities to carry out the habitat management works identified by audits to improve/maintain the conservation status of sites; • Provide training to enable community groups to participate in ecological survey monitoring and reduce non-native plant species where appropriate; • Involve community groups with practical habitat management tasks, and • Work with local authority partners to develop and deliver the education strands of the local and Avon Biodiversity Action Plans.
35 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749
4.7.7 The Communities Vision for Lockleaze – An Integrated Approach to Creating a Sustainable Community (DRAFT 2009)
This plan sets out a vision for Lockleaze. It has been developed to represent the views of the residents of Lockleaze and highlights the changes that the community wants for a cleaner, safer, more accessible and friendly neighbourhood. Bristol City Council worked in partnership with local residents to develop the plan. Lockleaze is one of the 10% most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the UK. Life expectancy in Lockleaze has fallen dramatically and it now has the second lowest life expectancy in the city. A copy of the plan can be found on the attached CD of background material.
One of the vision statements developed as part of the Lockleaze vision was that in 20 years time residents wished to see
“An attractive area with plenty of nature, mix of open space, playing fields, art and communal space to meet”.
The Community Vision for Lockleaze contains a chapter on open spaces; this is one of the key themes of the vision. It was developed by the resident-led Open Spaces Action group and worked closely with the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy produced by Bristol City Council. The document sets out an Open spaces Action Plan with the following main objectives
• Create a mix of types and functions of green space • Increase use, safety and perceptions of safety • Improve the quality of the green spaces • Ensure opens space can be maintained and is sustainable
The plan recognises that although Lockleaze has the third highest amount of green space of all the wards in Bristol it comes 22nd out of 35 in terms of the 5 of residents satisfied with the amount of parks and green spaces. The focus is therefore on improving the quality of the spaces so that they become better used and rather than increased provision of green space.
There are a number of projects in the Open Space Action Plan that are relevant to the Access to Nature programme; these are
• Establish how to get more local people using Lockleaze’s under used areas of natural beauty without increased access spoiling these natural qualities; • Partnership working to discourage tipping, scrambling, littering and other anti- social behaviour; • Improve quality of all open space across Lockleaze to good, as identified in BCC’s Parks and Green Space Strategy; • Encourage Stoke Park, the Duchesses and Put Down to be seen as a city wide asset and visitor attraction. Improve paths to a well maintained network, accessibility, signage, interpretation, trails, dials, plinths to signpost landmarks and ,viewpoints; • Seek funding for feasibility study for a visitor centre – to interpret history, folklore, gun emplacements, communications, nature and wildlife, and
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• Involve young people in the design process and all changes outlined in the access plan, so that young people help protect open space.
The Community Vision for Lockleaze also addressed the issue of health and identified three key objectives including increasing participation in physical activity. The Walking the Health initiative is seen as a key organisation to do this by providing walk leaders to take groups of residents on regular walks.
Wild City consulted with a wide range of community organisations in the Lockleaze area and it includes a number of projects that will contribute towards achieving the aspirations of the plan.
4.7.8 MIND – Ecotherapy Report 2007
Mind is the leading mental health charity for England and Wales. It campaigns to create a society that promotes and protects good mental health. Mind has long campaigned for people to have access to alternative treatments and strongly advocates for the therapeutic and social benefits of physical activities.
Mind's Ecotherapy report, released in May 2007, showed that people experiencing mental distress frequently use physical activities such as walking, gardening and exercise to help lift their mood, reduce stress, provide purpose and meaning, and reduce vulnerability to depression. These simple activities can develop motivation and raise self-esteem, while contact with other people can reduce isolation, provide support and help improve social skills. Good food and nutrition also positively impact on mental as well as physical health. A greener, more active lifestyle aids positive changes to our mental health. Go to the MIND website for more details at: http://www.mind.org.uk/help/ecominds/ecominds/mental_health_and_the_environme nt
The Ecotherapy report confirms that participating in green exercise activities provides substantial benefits for health and wellbeing. The Wild City consultation revealed a strong need to use contact with the natural environment to support people recovering from mental health problems. As a result the project contains a number of initiatives that have specifically been designed to use contact with the natural environment to support people recovering from mental health problems. The project will work in partnership with Walk to Health, Bristol Mind and CSV Environment to deliver the following:
• Wild City MIND Conservation Group: Conservation Work Groups for people recovering from mental health problems. Programme of regular workdays (1 day per month) to be co-ordinated by Bristol MIND & CSV Environment supporting people recovering from mental health problems, and
• Wild City Mental Health Walking Group: - Support to BCC Walk to Health Team to set up regular Walk to Health groups targeted at people recovering from mental health problems. Bristol MIND to provide project information/support through web site and office support / offer point of contact for participants.
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4.7.9 Forest of Avon Plan 2002
The aim of the national programme of Community Forests is to achieve major environmental improvements around towns and cities, creating areas rich in wildlife, with associated provision for access, leisure, and education, making them more attractive places in which to live, do business and enjoy leisure time. The Forest of Avon Plan has multiple objectives related to community, landscape, woodlands and forestry, informal leisure and recreation, countryside sport and outdoor recreation, education and arts and culture. The Wild City project will help to achieve many of these objectives within the project area and the Forest of Avon team has been consulted, and support the Wild City project as a vehicle for helping to achieve FOA objectives.
The Forest of Avon Plan is available on line at: - http://www.forestofavon.org.uk/about/resources/the-forest-plan
Please note that The Forest of Avon has recently been succeeded the Forest of Avon Trust.
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5. WILD CITY SMART PROJECT OUTCOMES
As part of the process to develop the Natural England Access to Nature application, Wild City has developed five key SMART project outcomes. These project outcomes describe what difference the project will make and include numerical targets. The outcomes will be used to monitor delivery of the project.
1. Over the 3 year life of the project people from the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities and priority groups within the City of Bristol will report that they have enjoyed the natural environment through participating in a broad range of on-site and outreach community engagement projects. A target of 21,500 will participate in project activities.
2. Over the 3 year life of the project people from the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities and priority groups within the City of Bristol will report that they have learned something about the natural environment through participation in Wild City learning projects. A target of 19,000 will benefit from learning activities.
3. Over the 3 year life of the project access to two natural places by people with a range of inclusion, access and health needs will be improved, and their confidence will also be improved to make independent, repeat visits. A target of 16,110 people will benefit from improved access including those from priority groups within the City of Bristol. Access audits will be carried out in consultation with local disability groups for four natural places to identify recommendations for future site access improvements.
4. Over the 3 year life of the project the biodiversity and accessibility value of seven natural places will be maintained and enhanced to meet local needs and for wildlife benefits, with a target of 50 people regularly participating in the care of their natural places.
5. Over the 3 year life of the project, local people, including those from the 5 - 10% most deprived urban communities and priority groups will be involved in the on going sustainable management of Wild City sites.
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6. WILD CITY PROJECT PLAN
The Wild City project will deliver upon the five agreed SMART project outcomes by implementing a wide range of inclusive and innovative projects. These will include a number or ‘overarching’ projects that will target the 5 - 10% most deprived communities and priority groups across the City, and more geographically focussed projects in seven areas that will address needs locally.
The projects have been grouped under the following headings
• Overarching Projects – that reach across the City targeting the 5 - 10% most deprived communities and priority groups (including for example. Lawrence Hill, Barton Hill, Cabot, Ashley, St Pauls) focussed on Wild City key sites and network sites, green corridors and links to green spaces. • Projects In Knowle & Filwood Focussed On Northern Slopes • Projects In Lockleaze, Horfield, Easton And Eastville focussed on Stoke Park and the Frome Valley corridor • Projects In Brislington Focussed On Eastwood Farm and the River Avon Corridor • Projects In Knowle, Hengrove And Brislington Focussed On Callington Road LNR • Projects In the West Of Bristol Focussed On Lamplighter's Marsh and the River Avon Corridor • Projects In Bedminster, Southville And Windmill Hill Focussed on Avon New Cut and the River Avon Corridor • Projects In In Knowle West, Filwood, Hengrove, Hartcliffe And Whitchurch Focussed On Hengrove Park Mounds & Hawkfield Meadow
6.1 Wild City Project Plan Tables
The project tables are not included in this document
A series of Project Plan tables is presented in the tables below. There is one table for the overarching projects and one each of the locally focussed areas (the tables are also attached to the application in spreadsheet form – click on the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to access individual tables). Each individual project has a Wild City project needs checklist and ‘measure of success’ along with the target number of participants (categorised by the five Access to Nature outcome targets). The tables also include an estimate of time for the dedicated project officer to deliver each project, along with project costs. The summary of total project costs is presented in Appendix 4, together with an estimate of resources that are necessary to implement the Wild City project. These tables form the detailed project plan for Wild City.
Allowing for annual leave, bank holidays and an allowance for sickness, the project officer has 222 working days per year, or 666 days over three years to deliver the project. It is estimated that project delivery will take 202 days per year, with an additional contingency of 20 days per year for administering the project (steering group meetings, project reports, monitoring and evaluation etc) and unforeseen circumstances. From our experience of delivering high profile projects in the past we
40 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 believe this to be a realistic estimate and that the delivery of the projects within the three year time frame is achievable. If problems are encountered other officers within the Bristol Natural Environment Team will host, support and manage the project officer to deliver projects on time and to budget.
In addition to Project Officer time, Wild City will work closely with a number of partner organisations that will deliver a significant proportion of Wild City projects. Please see section 7.2 below for details of what the various partners will deliver.
6.2 Key Project Dates
Proposed Project start date: Sept 2010 Project completion: August 2013
6.3 Project Milestones
The project milestones listed below will be used to monitor project delivery. All milestones cross reference to the Measures of Success outputs listed in the project plan tables above for all Wild City project elements
Table 2: Wild City Project SMART Milestones
Details of SMART milestones Estimated completion
To deliver programme of tandem bike rides for priority groups, involving Sept 2013 336 people.
To deliver 36 conservation workdays with Bristol Mind and CSV Environment Sept 2013 for people recovering from mental health problems, involving 60 people
To produce 6 Wild City newsletters (two per year) March 2013
To deliver 15 Wild City Outdoor Learning sessions (5 per year), together with provision of teacher support through 15 support mentoring sessions, July 2013 involving 1800 young people and teachers
To engage 10 people in Neighbourhood Nature Open University lifelong July 2013 learning placements over 3 years
To provide a pool of transport available to priority groups across the City to Sept 2013 participate in Wild City activities, to a value of £7500
To declare three new LNRs . Sept 2103
To establish a healthy walking route at the Northern Slopes, with measured Sept 2011 mile and leaflet.
To establish an ecoteering course at the Northern Slopes, working with Sept 2011
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young people.
To deliver three foraging, cooking and eating sessions and 1 wild food walks Feb 2012 for communities at Knowle West, involving 65 people
To engage young people in annual bushcraft activities at three sites, August 2013 involving 108 young people
To deliver a Knowle West Community Woodland Festival, with a target of September 2012 800 people to attend the event.
To erect one Owl Box, and to deliver 3 Owl Prowl events at Northern Nov 2012 Slopes, with a target of 35 people attending each owl prowl.
To deliver one Knowle West Autumn Festival of Light event based on the Northern Slopes site. To target 60 school children to participate in site Nov 2012 outreach work, with a target of 400 people to attend the final festival event.
To deliver one Knowle West Discovering the Slopes Media Project. To target 10 people through the Knowle West Media Centre to be involved with Aug 2013 development of media, with a target of 250 people to benefit from event to celebrate / publicise the work.
To deliver a Stoke Park Community Festival Day, with a target of 800 Sept 2011 people to attend the festival.
To deliver a target of 8 themed walks/events per year at Stoke Park with a Aug 2013 target of 800 people attending over three years
To establish a healthy walking route at Stoke Park with measured mile and Sept 2012 leaflet
Deliver one new leaflet for Stoke Park, with a target of 5 people to work with consultant and PO to develop the leaflet. Produce 2000 leaflets, with Sept 2011 a target of 300 people visiting site resulting from distribution of leaflets.
To set up new website for Stoke Park, with local community Sept 2011
To complete disability access audits at 5 sites, involving disability groups in Sept 2013 carrying out audits
To deliver one Ecoteering course at Stoke Park, with a target of 10 young August 2013 people to help develop the course and 250 people to use course each year.
To deliver an Eastwood Farm Riverside Community Festival, with a target of Sept 2012 600 people to attend the event.
To deliver a Signing and Interpretation Plan for Eastwood Farm, with a Sept 2011 target of 10 people to work with consultants to develop plan.
To deliver one seating project at Eastwood Farm, with a target of 10 young Aug 2013 people to be involved in project.
Deliver one boat trip in year 3, with a target of up to 80 people attending, Aug 2013
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of which all will be from priority groups in the Brislington area.
Deliver one new leaflet for Callington Road LNR, with a target of 5 people to work with consultant to develop the leaflet. Produce 2000 leaflets, with Sept 2012 a target of 300 people visiting site resulting from distribution of leaflets.
To deliver four new interpretation panels for Callington Rd LNR, with a target of working with 10 volunteers to produce the panels, and a target of Sept 2011 1000 to access / read the panels throughout project period.
To deliver one Green Wood Working Community based project, with a target of 5 people from Callington Road Hospital / local community to work Sept 2013 with consultants on the project (design and construction).
To produce one Nature Journal for the Callington Road LNR site, with a target of 5 people to work on development of nature journal. Target of 60 Sept 2013 pupils to take part in outreach project in years two and three
To deliver 4 themed walks per year at Lamplighter's Marsh with a target of Aug 2013 25 people attending per event.
Development of Community Input Management Plans at lamplighters Marsh, Sept 2013 Avon new Cut and Hengrove Park Mounds / Hawkfield Meadow
To deliver a Lamplighter's Marsh Community Festival Day, with a target of Sept 2013 500 people to attend the festival.
BTCV to deliver 10 site conservation workdays per year at lamplighter's August 2013 Marsh wih a target of involving 10 people per session
Following the disabled access audit, and full consultation with local site users / priority groups, to implement a programme of site access and Sept 2013 interpretation improvements at Lamplighter's Marsh. Target of 5000 people per year will use the site and benefit from the access improvements.
To deliver an Avon New Cut Wild Waters event, with a target of 800 people July 2013 to attend the festival.
To deliver one new interpretation panel for the Avon New Cut, with a target of working with 5 volunteers to produce panel, and a target of 1500 Sept 2011 to access / read panel through project period.
Target of 5 local community group members to volunteer to receive training on leading walks / working with communities / working with school groups Sept 2011 in relation to the Avon New Cut.
Deliver one boat trip per year in vicinity of Avon New Cut, with a target of up to 80 people attending, of which 25 people will be from priority July 2013 communities to take part per year.
To deliver one Hengrove Park Mounds Festival event, with a target of 600 Sept 2011 people to attend the festival.
To deliver one planning for real exercise to cover both the Sept 2011 Hengrove/Hawkfield sites, with a target of 100 people participating in the
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planning for real programme, to include schools, communities, priority groups and hospital service users.
Deliver one Gateways to the Mound Project, with a target of involving 10 young people from priority groups / local education program at the Bridge Jul 2013 Learning Campus (eg. Pupil Referral Unit).
To improve access at Hengrove park Mounds / Hawkfield Meadows to implement a programme of site access and interpretation improvements, Sept 2013 with an estimated target that 5000 people per year will use the site and benefit from the access improvements.
To deliver 3 themed walks per year at Hengrove Park Mounds / Hawkfield August 2013 Meadows with a target of 25 people attending per event
BTCV to deliver 6 site conservation workdays per year at Hengrove Park August 2013 Mounds, and Hawkfield Meadow with target of 10 people per session.
To deliver one Wild City Project Launch Event. October 2010
To work with Bristol City Council Walks to Health team to deliver 12 Health September 2013 walks per year for each year of the project.
6.4 Number of People Benefiting From The Project
Based on the five SMART project outcomes, the Wild City Project has identified the following targets for the number of people actively benefiting from the project, these figures are taken from the project tables in section 6 which provide a detailed breakdown of the target number of people to benefit from each individual project.
21,662 people in total will benefit from actively experiencing and enjoying the natural environment.
19,307 people will have a new learning opportunity related to the natural environment by 2013.
10 volunteers will have a new opportunity to actively participate in training and development programmes, gaining new skills.
2 natural places identified within Wild City will have investment in access links and associated networks.
16,110 people will experience better links with the natural environment by 2013.
Wild City will invest in the quality of 7 natural places to better meet the needs of local people and wildlife.
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57 people will regularly participate in the care of Wild City natural places over the lifetime of the project.
6.5 Project Risk
The main purpose in this section is to consider what the main risks to the Wild City project are. A risk register is presented below; this identifies the main risks and how they will be managed if they materialise. The risks are ranked in the final column to highlight which are the most important.
Table 3: Wild City Project Risk Register
Impact Probability Response to the risk How to mitigate the risk Risk Description of the risk of the of the risk happening from happening rating risk happening Low levels of participation High Medium Liaise with Neighbourhood Include the duty of liaising 1 from 5-10% communities Partnerships to re-plan with communities and methods of engaging groups in job description. communities Steering group meetings and evaluation to monitor success of engagement. Low levels of participation High Medium Liaise with organisations and Include the duty of liaising 2 from priority groups support workers to re-plan and work with priority methods of engaging priority groups in job description. groups. Steering group meetings and evaluation to monitor success of engagement.
Low uptake of volunteering Medium Medium Increase the awareness of Include the opportunities 3 opportunities within the volunteering opportunities for volunteering in publicity, project through promotion at work with RSVP to community festivals and signpost volunteers to the events, and through press project. released and publicity. Partner organisation Medium Low Seek and additional partner Ensure partner 5 withdrawing, or not delivering who can deliver similar organisations fully involved project elements project elements, or and committed through commission contractors / steering group. consultants Project officer leaving Medium Medium Employ a new project officer, BCC will consult personal 6 if late on in project advertise and performance as short term contract. development operations with officer to help ensure job satisfaction and prevent officer from becoming overloaded. Other members of Parks Team to help out at pinch points etc Project milestones not being High Medium Ensure additional support by Regular 1:1s and 4 met on time – falling behind management and other performance development with project delivery. officers to improve delivery review to monitor workloads and project delivery. Match funding not High Low Identify other sources of Funding already ring 7 materialising match funding fenced and set aside, so risk is very low.
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7. WILD CITY PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Bristol City Council can demonstrate extensive experience of successfully running community based green space, interpretation, heritage and wildlife projects over a number of years. The Council has an excellent track record of delivering large scale community based projects both on time and within budget. Examples include:
Wildspaces. This was an £83,000 project focussed on LNR declarations and community engagement, funded by English Nature with lottery funding. • Nature in the City. This was a £100,000 project with funding from Your Heritage and Neighbourhood Renewal. This project was similar to the Wildspace project in that it focussed on working with new communities associated with wildlife sites, some of which were LNRs and others candidate LNRs. • A number of HLF projects (total value £15.2 million) to restore important parks at and open spaces at Ashton Court, Blaise Castle, Eastville Park, Queen’s Square and Arnos Vale Cemetery (£0.5m provided by English Heritage) • ‘Green Spaces for People’ Big Lottery/Changing Places award to invest £1m in improving three parks and green spaces in St Pauls.
7.1 Wild City Project Officer
Wild City will be managed by a dedicated project for the three-year duration of the project. The Project Officer will be line managed by Bristol City Council’s Natural Environment Manager and will be based within the Parks and Estates section. A job description for the Wild City project officer role is included at Appendix 1.
The Wild City project will be guided by a project steering group that will meet quarterly. The steering group will be formed from project partners and representatives from community and priority groups.
In addition, the Council employs specialists in a number of areas who will advise and contribute towards the delivery of the Wild City project including ecologists, park managers, landscape architects and professional officers in youth and play services.
From our previous experience of delivering major projects we believe that the Wild City project can be delivered to time and cost.
7.2 Partnership Working
The main partners who will help shape and deliver the Wild City project are Avon Wildlife Trust, BTCV, Avon Frome Partnership, Bristol Mind and CSV Environment. A partnership agreement is attached in Appendix 2; all partners have agreed that they will sign this if the Wild City bid is successful.
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The role of the partners will be to sit on the Steering Group to help guide the management of the project and also deliver specific project elements. These are as follows: - Bristol Mind
Bristol Mind raises awareness about emotional and mental health issues and help to reduce the stigma faced by individuals who have experienced mental health problems, and their family and friends. It provides or supports a range of services that give people a voice and that promote emotional well being.
The role of Bristol Mind will be to support the co-ordination and delivery of the Wild City MIND Conservation Group, which will be targeted at people recovering from mental health and emotional problems. The programme of regular workdays (1 day per month over three years) will be co-ordinated by Bristol MIND & CSV Environment. Activities to be delivered by Bristol MIND include project co-ordination and planning support, and a point of contact for volunteers who wish to participate in the project. Bristol MIND will also offer the use of its web pages (www.bristolmind.org.uk) and office resources to provide project information and signpost volunteers.
CSV Environment
Founded in 1962, CSV is the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity. Every year, CSV involves over 150,000 volunteers in high quality opportunities that enrich lives and tackle real need.
CSV Environment provides a range of volunteering opportunities on a number of environmental projects. These include work with schools, play organisations, community groups and local residents. They also offer green space improvements and landscape work delivered by their team of trainees and volunteers. They run a wide variety of site based activities form outdoor education work to 'health and herb' walks, community consultations, landscape and gardening projects. CSV Environment involves people with little or no environmental experience in improving the areas where they live and work
The role of CSV Environment will be to deliver a regular programme of conservation workdays for people recovering from mental health problems. Work days will focus on Wild City priority communities as identified in the Business Plan. CSV Environment will deliver 12 workdays per year, including provision of tools, training and transport.
Avon Wildlife Trust
Avon Wildlife Trust is the largest local charity working to protect wildlife in the Avon area. With the support of over 17,500 members they look after 38 nature reserves, campaign on issues which threaten wildlife and encourage everyone to be more concerned about our natural environment. AWT has a dedicated education team based at Willsbridge Mill, the Trust's main education and visitor centre. It provides
47 December 2009 Bristol City Council – Access to Nature Application for Wild City URN 102749 practical environmental education for all ages and training for teachers. It has the capacity and expertise to supply a wide range of outreach activities for outdoor learning.
As a partner to Wild City the AWT Education Team will deliver an Autumn Festival of Light event At Northern Slopes and an outreach project with one local school from a 5-10% deprived community to promote community learning and the use of a nature journal for Callington Road LNR. Full details are included in the Wild City partnership agreement which is appended to the application.
BTCV
BTCV is a conservation charity set up in 1959, and has a successful history of environmental conservation volunteering throughout the UK and around the world. They have a 'hands-on' approach to conservation activities.
As a partner to Wild City BTCV will support regular programme of conservation workdays for communities and priority groups based in the West of Bristol focussed on Lamplighters Marsh. It will also support a regular programme of conservation workdays for communities and priority groups from Knowle West, Filwood, Hengrove, Hartcliffe and Whitchurch focused on Hengrove Park Mounds & Hawkfield Meadow. Full details are included in the Wild City partnership agreement, which is appended to the application.
Avon Frome Partnership
The Avon Frome Partnership works with local communities and organisations to enhance and increase enjoyment of the Avon and Frome river corridors in terms of their wildlife, heritage, recreation and accessibility. The Partnership is funded by South Gloucestershire, Bristol City and Bath and North East Somerset Councils and is co-ordinated by a steering group that also includes the Environment Agency and BTCV.
As a partner to Wild City the Avon Frome partnership will help deliver three riverside community festivals at Eastwood Farm, Avon New Cut and Lamplighters Marsh. Full details are included in the Wild City partnership agreement, which is appended to the application
The project will in addition work in partnership with a number of voluntary and community groups and other Bristol City Council departments on various aspects of the project. These include:
• Life Cycle UK: Life Cycle UK will deliver a programme of Wild City Priority Group focused Tandem rides for visually impaired, mental health and physical disability groups, linking with Wild City sites and green corridors.
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• Bristol Parks Forum: The forum will help co-ordinate circulation of Wild City project information and activities to parks volunteer groups throughout Bristol and help engage local communities.
• Bristol City Council: Youth & Play Services – engaging young people in deprived communities, engaging young people with disabilities and young people from BME communities. Neighbourhood Partnerships – work with partnerships to publicise initiatives to local communities and ensure that projects are meeting local needs. Walk to Health Team – Co-ordinate mental health walking groups and support walking related activities and projects in green spaces.
• Disability Support Groups Wild City will work with a range of disability organisations and support groups to engage disabled people in activities and disability access audits.
• Positive Futures A sports and social activity based social inclusion programme based at The Park in Knowle West working with young people from the community and the wider area. The aims are to build confidence, self esteem and to engage young people in formal and informal learning processes. This project will engage young people in Wild City projects in the Knowle and Filwood area.
• Age Concern Working with New Beginnings, an Age Concern support centre for older people in South Bristol. Wild City will work with the project to ensure that the needs of elderly people are catered for.
• RSVP The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme for the West of England. RSVP will signpost older volunteers to the Wild City project.
• Knowle West Health Assoc The Health Association will help to engage people in the Wild City walking and physical activity projects.
• Knowle West Media Centre The media centre will deliver a media related project to promote greater community use of the Northern Slopes.
• Learning Disability Team Bristol Learning Disability teams will work with Wild City to ensure that adults with learning disabilities can participate in activities.
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• Primary Health Care Trust Representatives from Bristol Primary Health Care Trust will have an advisory role to ensure that Wild City can achieve its health and wellbeing targets effectively.
• Local Hospitals Wild City will work with Occupational Health at Callington Road Hospital to ensure that service users can benefit effectively from the adjacent LNR. It will also work with the Care Forum to ensure the needs of service users at the forthcoming South Bristol Community Hospital will be built into projects in the South of the City.
• Schools Wild City will work with a schools in deprived areas to engage young people in a range of activity and outdoor learning projects.
• Community Groups Wild City will work in partnership with a large range of Friends Groups and community groups to ensure that local communities needs are reflected in the projects that are delivered.
The names and addresses of these organisations are in the key contacts list included in the separate Wild City Consultation Report. Many of these organisations and groups have been involved in the development of project ideas for Wild City and representatives will be actively engaged in partnership working by representation on the steering group or in the development of individual projects.
7.3 Identifying Project Need: Involving Specific Target Beneficiaries
Target beneficiaries have been involved throughout the development of the Wild City project. There have been consultations with a wide range of voluntary organisations that support the needs of priority groups, including young people, the elderly, people with sedentary lifestyle, people recovering from mental health problems, people with physical disabilities, adults with learning difficulties and BME communities. See Table 1 of the Wild City Consultation Report for the list of organisations and individuals consulted.
The Wild City projects will involve priority groups and target beneficiaries in a number of ways:
• Project Officer will work with community groups (including those linked to Wild City key and network sites) and the Bristol Parks Forum to promote projects and initiatives via press releases, posters and the Council’s publications and website;
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• It will engage with people in 5-10% deprived communities by working with Neighbourhood Partnerships to ensure that projects are inclusive and well targeted. It will also attend community events and festivals to publicise the opportunities available;
• It will work with a variety of schools in 5-10% deprived communities to ensure that young people are engaged in learning projects and connected with their local green spaces;
• The project will work with existing community groups and friends groups to ensure that they are fully involved in projects;
• Wild City will work with Bristol Youth and Play Services and Positive Futures to engage with and involve younger people, including young people from BME communities and young people with disabilities;
• Wild City will work with a variety of organisations to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are fully integrated into projects and will work with disabled people to carry out disability access audits;
• Wild City will work with existing ‘Walk to Health’ programmes to engage with people with sedentary lifestyles and provide the opportunity to use the natural environment to become more active. It will also work with members of the local PCT to ensure that health and wellbeing targets are being met;
• Wild City will work with Learning Disability teams to ensure that adults with learning difficulties are included in projects in ways that help to meet their needs;
• Wild City will work with Age Concern and RSVP to ensure that the needs of elderly people are catered for and that elderly volunteers have the opportunity to support projects;
• Wild City will work with voluntary sector organisations and the Walk to Health programme to engage with people recovering from mental health problems, using the natural environment as a therapeutic resource to aid their recovery, and
• Wild City will enable target beneficiaries to shape the development of individual projects by working with the beneficiaries themselves, and those who support and care for them. In this way the various projects will be able to accommodate the interests and needs of the beneficiaries. Target beneficiaries will be included on the project steering group so that they can influence and monitor the overall progress and shape of the Wild City project.
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8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.1 Project Cost
The total cost of the Wild City over three years is £336,039. The total project cost can be broken down into the following main elements:
Summary of Project Costs Project Officer 3 years £96,749 PO. Recruitment (Year 1 only) £1,000 PO Travel/expenses/training £7500 Project budget over 3 years £230,790 Total Project Cost £336,039
A table presenting a breakdown of all project costs is presented in Appendix 3. A copy of the Natural England project costings summary spreadsheet is included in Appendix 4.
Bristol City Council is requesting a £250,000 grant from Access to Nature. The Council will contribute the balance of £86,039 from its own budgets, over the three years.
8.2 Value for Money / Justification of Project Costs
Bristol City Council will have financial control of the project budget. Both the appointment of the Project Officer and subsequent project works / outputs will be undertaken under the direction of Council standing orders to ensure all financial decisions are efficient, transparent, accountable and offer best value.
The overall project budget will be managed by the Wild City project officer, working under the supervision of Bristol City Council’s Natural Environment Manager. Regular project budget meetings will be held with the project steering group to ensure project works / outputs are delivered both on time and to budget.
All project elements and project outputs are presented in the spreadsheets contained in section 6. The comments column in these spreadsheets contains a justification for the cost elements. The costs are obtained from a mixture of quotes and agreements with partners, and from the knowledge and experience of the Parks Team. In preparing the Wild City application, officers have consulted with all relevant areas of expertise / design / contractors in confirming project costs.
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9. EVALUATION AND MONITORING: SUSTAINING THE BENEFITS
Project sustainability and a positive legacy for the local community is a key objective of Wild City. Bristol City Council is committed to the on-going future management of the green spaces and Local Nature Reserves in the Wild City project and recognises that it needs to support local communities to take an active role in decisions on how sites are managed. One of the key aims of the Wild City project is to increase community use and involvement in the management of green spaces, and it is important that this is sustained in the long term.
The Wild City project will enable existing community groups to share their knowledge, experience and expertise and learn from good practice on each site, thereby ensuring the long term viability of sites. The project will provide people with the confidence, skills and information they need to access local green spaces, and this will continue after the Wild City project is completed. Access, health and wellbeing initiatives will encourage people to become more active and provide a stimulus for people to make long term changes to their activity levels.
The Council is committed to developing and strengthening formal and informal links between community groups, volunteers and organisations that take part in the Wild City project to ensure partnership working continues after Access to Nature funding ends. The Council’s Parks & Estates will continue to support groups and build on the legacy of the project by continuing to work with the target beneficiaries and partner organisations, and seek new funding opportunities.
During the consultation phase of the Wild City project new links have been developed with various voluntary organisations such as Bristol Mind, Age Concern, local hospitals and the Learning Disability team. This is a new area of work for Parks & Estates and the experience of delivering projects in partnership with these organisations will strengthen our capacity to provide services for disadvantaged and socially excluded groups in the future, after the funding has ended.
9.1 Evaluation and Monitoring
Monitoring and evaluation is a very important component of delivering a project of this complexity and scale. A number of measures will be put in place to monitor and evaluate the progress and success of the project; these are as follows:
9.2 Project Steering Group
There will be quarterly meeting of the project steering group responsible for monitoring project progress against the milestones and targets set out in the project plan. The project officer will report to this Steering Group and discuss project development and solutions to problems and issues that arise.
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9.3 Quarterly Reports
The project officer will prepare and submit quarterly reports to the Steering Group and Natural England that will monitor and evaluate the project, against milestones, targets and project objectives.
9.4 Monitoring Project Participants
A record of the number of participants taking part in community events, surveys, workdays, activities and outdoor learning will be kept by the project officer and partners who are delivering projects. Customer satisfaction cards / checklists will be distributed at events to enable people to feedback on the quality of their experience and make suggestions for improvements. These will also include postcodes so that it is possible to check the number of people attending events or taking part in projects who are from target areas.
Diversity surveys will be carried out at a sample of events/activities to monitor the number of people taking part in events and projects in respect of Wild City target groups, including people from BME groups, people with disabilities, age and gender.
The data collected will be fed to the Steering Group and in project reports to Natural England. The information will be analysed to see which parts of the project are doing well and which parts may need to be improved or changed to ensure that targets are being met.
The project officer will monitor budgets with quarterly reports to the steering group and natural England.
9.5 Wild City: Project Sustainability
In the last six months of the project the Wild City project officer will fully assess the project, its successes, best practice, and lessons that can be built into other areas of the Council's work for the future. A short report will be prepared detailing how volunteers and specific projects can be sustained after the Wild City project has finished. Parks and Estates will continue to provide support and seek resources to sustain volunteers and successful projects in the future. The team will continue to monitor the legacy of the Wild City project and apply the best practices and lessons learnt in supporting communities and the priority groups.
The Project Officer will ensure all site based community groups are aware of arrangements for continuing support from Bristol Parks, and will ensure all schools who have participated in outdoor learning project elements are best set to continue the provision of outdoor learning beyond the life span of Wild City.
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Access to Nature Application for Wild City Project Application URN 102749
APPENDIX 1: Wild City Officer Job Description
(please note this is not included here)
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Access to Nature Application for Wild City Project Application URN 102749
APPENDIX 2:
Wild City Partnership Agreement
BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL WILD CITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.
This document represents a formal partnership agreement between Bristol City Council, Avon Wildlife Trust, BTCV, Avon Frome Partnership, Bristol Mind and CSV Environment to deliver ‘Wild City’, a three year project funded by Natural England through their Access to Nature Lottery Fund.
1. Parties subject to the agreement
The following parties are subject to this agreement:
Bristol City Council: Neighbourhoods Team, Parks and Estates Colston 33, Colston Avenue, BS1 4UA.
Avon Wildlife Trust. Avon Wildlife Trust, 32 Jacob's Wells Road, Bristol BS8 1DR.
BTCV. Create Centre Smeaton Road Bristol BS1 6XN
Avon Frome Partnership: Bristol Parks, Neighbourhoods, Bristol City Council, Colston 33, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4UA.
Bristol Mind. 35 Old Market St, Bristol, BS2 0EZ.
CSV Environment. Queen's Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 8LF.
2. Purpose of the agreement.
Wild City is a new three year project that will provide opportunities for communities and priority groups within the City of Bristol to experience and access the natural environment in innovative and enjoyable ways. It will develop community skills and learning, create more sustainably managed sites and open spaces, and meet the needs of local communities. Wild
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City will be delivered by a dedicated project officer who will implement a broad range of on- site and outreach community engagement projects providing a mix of both one-off experiences and more in-depth project involvement for individuals and groups.
The project will be delivered by the partners listed in section 1, in accordance with the appended project application which is attached as a schedule to this agreement. Natural England’s standard terms and conditions of grant are also attached as a schedule to this agreement. These terms and conditions take precedence over the terms and conditions of this partnership agreement in the event of any conflict that cannot be resolved.
The 3 year project will be started ………….. 2010 and completed by the end of ……..2013.
3. Roles and responsibilities under the agreement
Neighbourhoods Division, Parks & Estates Team, Bristol City Council.
The Neighbourhoods Team of Bristol City Council will be the lead partner, responsible for the recruitment and employment of the dedicated project officer. The Neighbourhoods team will be responsible for overall project management, financial control, monitoring and evaluation and progress reporting. It will also be responsible for establishing a project Steering Group; this group will be formed from project partners and representatives from target communities and beneficiary groups.
Avon Wildlife Trust
Avon Wildlife Trust will deliver the following project elements: -
Autumn Festival of Light event lantern trail: This will be linked to Halloween or Diwali, working with communities in Knowle West and Filwood. It will involve an illuminated lantern trail with outreach work with local school to create lanterns and artwork to hang in trees. It will involve a shadow puppet theatre event, as part of a wider celebratory event on the evening of the illuminated trail, involving young people and their families. The purpose of the event is encourage greater community use and appreciation of the Northern Slopes green space. The project will have a target of involving 60 school children in outreach work, with a target of 400 people to attend the final festival event. The budget for delivering the event is £3500, including materials. To be delivered in 2012/13.
Callington Road LNR Nature Journal Project: To deliver an outreach project working with a local school to promote use of a nature journal and the future sustainable use of the LNR as an educational resource by local schools. Outreach project with one local school from a 5- 10% deprived community taking 2 classes on 4 visits, in different seasons of the year. The project will have a target of involving 60 children in seasonal visits, and one training session for teachers from 6 local schools. In addition it will produce a CD of educational resources for use by local schools. AWT education team will undertake outreach work and teacher training sessions for a budget of £2400. To be delivered in 2010/11.
Avon Frome Partnership
Avon Frome Partnership will deliver the following project elements :-
Avon Frome Development Officer to help deliver a Riverside Community Festival / Event at Eastwood farm. Festival to encourage greater use of the site by local people and re-launch friends group. This will take place at the same time and link up with South Gloucestershire
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Wild City Riverside Festival and will involve young people, local schools and priority groups and link in with Beeses Tea Gardens. Budget £3000, to be delivered in 2011/12
Avon Frome Development Officer to help deliver a Wild Waters Avon New Cut Riverside Festival. A riverside festival to celebrate the river and the Avon New Cut. This high profile community celebration will be organised with Friends of Avon New Cut and integrate the best elements of their work. It will also reach out to disadvantaged groups and priority groups, particularly along the Bedminster Bridge to Temple Meads section of the Cut, and seek to engage with refugee communities that live in the area. The festival may be a larger one day event, or take the form of several smaller events on three or four weekends during one month. Budget £3500, to be delivered in year 2012/13
Avon Frome Development Officer to help deliver a Lamplighter's Marsh Riverside / Site Community Festival: The project will be a river festival to celebrate the river, its marsh habitats, its wildlife and the surrounding river valley landscape. This high profile community celebration event will communicate the value of the river and its wildlife within the local landscape. It will involve an arts project with priority groups (people with mobility difficulties or learning disabilities) to design and build a willow sculpture (or other feature), interpreting the river and natural environment, for display at the River Festival. The festival may be a larger one day event, or take the form of several smaller events on three or four weekends during one month, or link with other Wild City site events as planned.. Budget £3500, to be delivered in 2012/13
BTCV
BTCV will deliver the following project elements:-
BTCV to support regular programme of conservation workdays for communities and priority groups based in the West of Bristol focussed on Lamplighters Marsh, following prescriptions of community led management plan. 10 workdays per year at a cost of £230 per day. Total budget will be £6,900 over three years with a target of involving 10 people per session.
BTCV to support regular programme of conservation workdays for communities and priority groups from Knowle West, Filwood, Hengrove, Hartcliffe And Whitchurch focused On Hengrove Park Mounds & Hawkfield Meadow. Works to follow prescriptions of community led management plan. 6 workdays per year at a cost of £230 per day. Total budget will be £4140 over three years, with a target of involving 10 people per session.
Bristol MIND
Bristol MIND will assist in the delivery of the following project element:-
Bristol Mind will support the co-ordination and delivery of the Wild City MIND Conservation Group for people with or recovering from mental health and emotional problems. The programme of regular workdays (1 day per month) will be co-ordinated by Bristol MIND & CSV Environment. Activities to be delivered by Bristol MIND include project co-ordination and planning support, and in providing a point of contact for volunteers who wish to participate in the project. Bristol MIND will also offer the use of its web pages (www.bristolmind.org.uk) and office resources to provide project information and details of how to volunteer. Wild City will work in partnership with Bristol MIND and CSV Bristol to deliver 12 volunteer site work days per year, with a target of 5 volunteers per work session (1 day per month). Target of 3 people to volunteer/participate regularly per year.
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Bristol MIND will also work with Wild City to provide information on other project activities that target people with mental health or emotional support needs.
CSV Environment (Bristol)
CSV Environment will deliver the following project elements:-
CSV Environment will deliver a regular programme of conservation workdays for people with or recovering from mental health problems. Work days will focus on Wild City priority communities as identified in the Project Business Plan. The programme of regular workdays will be co-ordinated by Bristol MIND, CSV Environment and Wild City. CSV Environment will deliver 12 workdays per year at a cost of £3500 per year. The total budget will be £10,500 over three years with a target of involving 5 volunteers per work session (1 day per month). Target of 3 people to volunteer/participate regularly per year.
4. Financial contributions
Bristol City Council, as the lead organisation, is responsible for all funds received and it will not be liable to make payments to a partner until it has received grant payments.
Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT) will not be making any financial contributions to the Wild City project. AWT can claim expenditure associated with the delivery of projects on a rolling basis, as those projects are delivered and the Council has received grant payments.
Avon Frome Partnership (AFP) will not be making any financial contributions to the Wild City project. AFP can claim expenditure associated with the delivery of projects on a rolling basis, as those projects are delivered and the Council has received grant payments.
BTCV will not be making any financial contributions to the Wild City project. BTCV can claim expenditure associated with the delivery of projects on a rolling basis, as those projects are delivered and the Council has received grant payments.
Bristol MIND will not be making any financial contributions to the Wild City project, it’s main role being to help co-ordinate Wild City project outputs where targeting people with or recovering from mental health and emotional problems, and therefore will not be claiming grant payments.
CSV Environment will not be making any financial contributions to the Wild City project. CSV Environment can claim expenditure associated with the delivery of projects on a rolling basis, as those projects are delivered and the Council has received grant payments.
5. Branding and Publicity
All branding and publicity will need to be in line with the Natural England grant terms and conditions for the Wild City project. Branding and publicity will be agreed with the Wild City Project Officer for all project elements.
6. Communications
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Bristol City Council will be responsible for promoting the Wild City project through the media and will handle all such inquiries. Project plans for each of the individual elements of the Wild City project will be discussed at Steering Group meetings and agreed between the Wild City Project Officer and partners.
7. Dispute resolution
The Wild City project Officer will seek to resolve any disputes with partners through discussion. If disputes cannot be resolved in this way the dispute will be taken to the next meeting of the project Steering Group for discussion and resolution.
8. Record Keeping / monitoring and evaluation / progress reports
Bristol City Council will be responsible for record keeping, monitoring and evaluation and the provision of progress reports to Natural England. Partner organisations will be required to keep records for the project elements that they deliver, including financial expenditure, copies of invoices, numbers of people attending events, photographic evidence and provide a report of each individual event. These should be submitted to the Wild City Project Officer as and when required for progress reports to Natural England.
9. Policies and procedures
Partner organisations will be responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out for all projects that they deliver and that all elements required by law are in place for the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
10. Duration of the Agreement
This agreement will last until the end of …… 2013. It can be terminated or extended by giving at least three months notice in writing.
11. Declaration – Signatures of partners
Bristol City Council, Parks and Estates Team, Neighbourhoods, Colston 33, Colston Avenue, BS1 4UA.
Richard Ennion: Date:
Avon Wildlife Trust. Avon Wildlife Trust, 32 Jacob's Wells Road, Bristol BS8 1DR.
Steve Micklewright: Date:
Avon Frome Partnership: Bristol Parks, Neighbourhoods, Bristol City Council, Colston 33, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4UA.
Paula Spiers: Date:
BTCV. Create Centre Smeaton Road Bristol BS1 6XN
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Paul Humphreys: Date:
Bristol Mind. 35 Old Market St, Bristol, BS2 0EZ.
Suzanne Pearson: Date:
CSV Environment. Queen's Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 8LF.
Ken Kennedy: Date:
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Access to Nature Application for Wild City Project Application URN 102749
APPENDIX 3: Summary of Wild City Project Costs, Targets and Officer Resources
Not included here
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Access to Nature Application for Wild City Project Application URN 102749
APPENDIX 4: Natural England Costings Summary Spreadsheet
Not included here
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