Sperrins Future Search 9Th October 2018 To
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Sperrins Future Search 9th October 2018 To: The Leisure and Development Committee For Decision Linkage to Council Strategy (2015-19) Strategic Theme Protecting and Enhancing Our Environments and Assets Outcome All environments in the area will benefit from pro-active decision making which protects the natural features, characteristics and integrity of the Borough Lead Officer Director of Leisure and Development Head of Tourism and Recreation Cost: (If applicable) 18/19 - £6,937 19/20 - £ 16,273 The purpose of this report is to provide Members with information on the Sperrins Future Search process and seek approval for a contribution by Council for additional staffing requirements. Background The Sperrin Mountains were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1968. They are the largest and least explored mountain range in Northern Ireland covering an area of 1181km2 across four Council boundaries, which is broken down as follows: • Derry City and Strabane District Council – 447km2 (38%) • Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – 301km2 (25%) • Mid Ulster District Council – 256km2 (22%) • Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council – 117km2 (15%) A map showing the Council boundaries can be seen at Annex A. Future Search Conference The recent reform of local government provided an opportunity for the new councils to lead discussions with stakeholders with a view to realising the potential of the Sperrins whilst protecting and enhancing the natural heritage of the region. To this end ‘The Sperrins Future Search’ Conference was initiated by the four councils which brought together a group of key stakeholders to make an action plan for the future of the Sperrins AONB. The conference took place over three days in September 2017 involving 60 participants from a wide range of stakeholder groups: community, land owners/farmers, government departments & statutory agencies, tourism, heritage & environment, outdoor recreation, business & industry, elected representatives and young people. The conference consisted of 5 sessions, Past, Present, Future, Common Ground and Action and the product was a number of ‘common ground statements’ and an action plan. Full details of the Future Search process and outcomes of the conference can be seen at Annex B. Future Search Page 1 of 2 181009 Work to Date Five thematic groups were created to develop and deliver the action plans and each of these groups are Council led. 1. Environment & Heritage - Mid Ulster District Council 2. Infrastructure - Fermanagh & Omagh District Council 3. Brand & Tourism - Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council 4. Community - Derry & Strabane District Council 5. Management Structures - Mid Ulster District Council All groups have now met and agreed their short and long term action plans. One of the short term actions is to appoint a Project Co-ordinating Officer and 2.5 day administration support to oversee the project and carry out administration duties for the Thematic Working Groups and Management Board. The estimated costs for the proposed posts in 2018/19 is £27,745.75 which is divided equally between the four Councils with each council contributing £6,937. The estimated costs for 2019/20 are £65,089.50 with each council contributing £16,273. A full breakdown of costs can be found at Annex C. Recommendation Members are asked to consider the following options for approval; 1. Making a contribution of £6,937 for the 18/19 period towards the proposed staffing of Future Search. 2. Making a contribution of £16,273 for the 19/20 period towards the proposed staffing of Future Search. A review of the Future Search process and any further contributions will occur at the 31st March 2020. Future Search Page 2 of 2 181009 TheTitle Sperrins: ReachingTitle New Heights, Realising Our Potential Title Future Search Conference Report 02 Contents SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Summary 5 Key messages 7 Next steps 8 CONFERENCE NARRATIVE Introduction 1.Background 8 2.What is Future Search? 9 3.Opening and introductions 11 Focus on the past 4.The story of who we are 12 Focus on the present 5.Trends affecting the Sperrins 14 6.How trends affect what we do 16 7.‘Prouds’ and ‘Sorries’ 20 Focus on the Future 8.Desired Future Scenarios 22 9.Discovering Common Ground 25 10.Creating Common Ground Statements 26 11.Action Planning 28 ANNEXES A. Facilitators’ biographies 43 B. Map of the Sperrins 44 C. The Sperrins 2030 - Poem 46 D. Glossary 47 03 04 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Summary The Sperrins Future Search conference brought & statutory agencies, tourism, heritage & together a group of key stakeholders to make environment, outdoor recreation, business & an action plan for the future of the Sperrins industry, elected representatives and young Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) people. summed up in the words ‘reaching new heights, realising our potential’. The conference embarked upon a collective journey that developed over five sessions The event was initiated by the four local labelled Past, Present, Future, Common councils responsible for the area and with a Ground, and Action. Each involved gathering view to enabling participants to agree a information, sharing understandings in small common mission, to take responsibility for groups, reports to the whole, and large group action and to develop commitment to dialogues. Each session built on the previous implementation. It took place over three days one and the product was a number of and involved 60 participants drawn from a common ground statements’ and an action wide range of stakeholder groups: community, plan. land owners/farmers, government departments 05 Five Common Example Actions Ground Statements (Full action plans are in section 11) 1. Environment and Heritage: Review and feedback to Community Plan, Local The spirit, environment and heritage of Development Plan and other statutory plans. the Sperrins is conserved, enhanced Audit of existing Heritage and Environment and responsibly managed so that those resource. who live, work and visit can enjoy, celebrate and respect. Sperrins Day/Weekend: ‘Spring in the Sperrins’. Annual event. 2. Infrastructure: Audit of infrastructure to establish baseline. We provide safe and interesting Define potential: greenways, routeways, access to networks for recreation that transport. complement the environment. We are linked into the wider tourism offering Implement full marketing plan. in Ireland. We provide modern communications for the Sperrins. 3. Brand and Tourism: Definition: the area, essence, product. The Sperrins, spurs of rock, is a great Research: Essence of the Sperrins: - What is it? - natural, undiscovered and unspoilt Where is it? - What is the USP? - Why would destination that is recognised and people visit? cherished by others as it is by those who live and work here, and is steeped in history, rich in culture and with majestic views. 4. Community: Four councils community planning and We are a community of people of community services teams to meet and varying needs and aspirations, fuelled coordinate. by our passion to ensure a strong, Gather community development groups together vibrant, happy community with equal to enable networking, to discuss the way forward access to social, health, educational, and to further develop. cultural, economic and creative opportunities. We are the custodians who have lived loved and worked the land for generations, past, present and future. The beauty of the Sperrins is reflected in the beauty of its people. 5. Management Structures: Examine models of best practice of delivery/ We are creating a management structural mechanisms based on what works structure fit for purpose with the elsewhere. necessary resources, authority and Examine models of best practice of delivery/ expertise, taking forward our shared structural mechanisms based on what works vision for the Sperrins to enhance an elsewhere. area of beauty we can live and work in. 06 Key messages Emerging from the three days of Participation: There is an expectation that the discussion that crafted these five Common participants in the Future Search event will be Ground Statements and the associated involved in developments that flow from it and Action Plans are a number of key that there will also be wider stakeholder and messages that help inform what the next community participation. steps should be. Joined up: The importance of links with Definition: There is uncertainty as to what is Community Plans, Local Development Plans meant by ‘the Sperrins’ in terms of and the draft Programme for Government, as geographical area and therefore the scope of well as existing policies and programmes was the conference. The discussions that took place emphasised. suggest that there is a probable consensus around treating the AONB as the core while Audit: Participants want a clear picture of embracing the critical relationships between existing physical infrastructure and resources, communities in the AONB and neighbouring community infrastructure, programmes, policy larger settlements. and governance. Place: Participants feel a very strong sense of Research: Most of the working groups ‘place’, of being connected to where they live identified the need for research ahead of and extending to a great love of that place. implementing actions. Their sense of identity is not necessarily embodied in the Sperrins as a whole but rather Connection: Sperrin communities have much in their particular part of it. At the same time in common with each other and there is a there is pride and enthusiasm for the