Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership Annual Review 2019-20
Contents
2. About the Shropshire Hills AONB 9. Planning for a sustainable economy and communities 3. Foreword by the Chair of the AONB Partnership 10 - 11. People enjoying and caring about the landscape 4. AONB Management Plan progress 12. Shropshire Hills AONB Trust and AONB Partnership joint work 5. The evolving context for our work 13. Wider networks 6 - 8. Land management supporting landscape and natural beauty 14. 2019-20 Financial Summary 15. Map
About the Shropshire Hills AONB
The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding The AONB designation recognises this Natural Beauty (AONB) covers almost a landscape as nationally important, but most of quarter of Shropshire. The Long Mynd, the it is privately owned and managed. Wrekin, Stiperstones, Clee Hills and others are With the designation there come legal duties treasured by residents and visitors alike. on local authorities, and a Management Plan setting out policies and actions. A broad Partnership structure supports all this and makes sure that local people and organisations are involved and have a sense of ownership. The Partnership encourages collaboration and mutual understanding among different interest groups. A small staff team of 8 people support the work of the Partnership, both through taking action and delivering projects directly, and through influencing, advising, supporting and facilitating. The Shropshire Hills have evolved through the Alongside the Partnership and staff team is a interaction of people and nature over a long charity, the Shropshire Hills AONB Trust, which time. Some activities enhance the landscape, raises and distributes money in support of while others can harm it. conserving and enhancing the AONB. Special places give us a sense of belonging, and The Annual Review gives an update on this contact with nature is good for our health. An range of activity over 2019-20. outstanding landscape is good for our The main purpose of the designation is to wellbeing and quality of life, provides a sense of conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the identity, and attracts business investment. The Shropshire Hills landscape. A legal duty to fulfil landscape underpins the economy - food this rests with Shropshire Council and Telford & production needs soils and water, while our hills Wrekin Council. and woods help to manage flood risk. The AONB also has protection in planning To do all this, it needs careful looking after by policy, and a statutory Management Plan for the both land managers and those who use and area is reviewed every five years, led by the enjoy it, paying particular attention to the AONB Partnership. The Partnership is a local qualities that make it special. This means authority joint advisory committee of 36 sharing ideas and knowledge, and working members. together.
Foreword by Chair of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership
This review covers the 2019-20 year up to the Whilst all this is going on at a national level the • We have ongoing projects to improve the water end of March 2020, when for all of us life team in the Shropshire Hills having been doing quality in the River Clun and are active in suddenly changed. Only a few of the impacts of some really good things and I would like to pick increasing the number of trees being planted in Covid-19 are detailed in the review, as its focus up on a few of them - the area through several grants for the is the ‘normal’ year which led up to the start of • The 2nd stage bid for the “Our Common Woodland Trust. restrictions. Cause: Our Upland Commons” project has got • We have also been very active in the area of The pandemic has made the Government realise the go ahead from the National Lottery sustainable tourism – a subject which will be the importance of our countryside and in Heritage Fund. This project will work in important going forward. particular the National Landscapes, with regard Dartmoor, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks, and the Shropshire Hills. to the physical and mental health and wellbeing Finally I would like to mention the very dedicated of the population, and we are now hoping that • We were also awarded NLHF funds for our and hardworking staff team for achieving so the recommendations in the 2019 Glover Review Young Rangers project, which will do much to much, and give a thanks to those who for an increase in funding from Defra will be increase awareness amongst the less volunteered at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown implemented in the upcoming Government privileged youngsters in the county to to work in the Council’s Community Reassurance Spending Review. experience the wonderful countryside and Team and in the team processing business grants In my introduction to last year’s review I opportunities it provides them right on their – they did this alongside carrying on their work mentioned some of the recommendation from doorstep. within the AONB. the Glover Review – we are still waiting for these • The team is actively involved in the Shropshire to be implemented but we do know much work Climate Emergency activities and as James Williamson is being undertaken on this matter within Defra mentioned last year are developing a plan for Chair and individual member of the AONB and there is an expectation that some of the nature recovery within the area – we see Partnership recommendations will be actioned in the next nature recovery as an integral part of the 12 to 36 months. Climate emergency activities.
AONB Management Plan progress The Plan sets out actions for the area by many partners under three priorities. Some highlights of progress in 2019-20 are shown here:
Land Management Supporting Planning for a Sustainable Economy People Enjoying and Caring About Landscape and Natural Beauty and Communities the Landscape
• Defra tests/trials for Environmental Land • Environment & Climate Emergency - AONB • Young Rangers project bid successful Management (ELM) scheme Partnership recommendations to Councils, and two community events attended by 100+ people. • Destination Partnership and AONB team input into • ‘Our Common Cause’ project - visions for 3 new Marches Visitor Economy Strategy commons and development phase completed • Better engagement of local authorities following Management Plan approval • Europarc Charter for Sustainable Tourism adding • Stepping Stones project - work with farmer group weight to AONB sustainable tourism activity and support for community groups • Specialist landscape support contracted for AONB Partnership input to Ironbridge power station site • Shropshire Hills Shuttles bus service ongoing • Clun Catchment - habitat and water projects redevelopment proposals • Better promotion of local walking opportunities • New Peatlands initiative scoping • Landscape Guidance document in draft • ‘Fix the Fort’ appeal raising funds for Caer Caradoc • Water Environment Grant (WEG) projects • Better AONB Partnership liaison with Planning providing advice to farmers • New members and raised income from Friends of Committee members and officers - through the Shropshire Hills AONB • Increase in tree establishment - landowners, local briefing session and casework • Successful new Sustainable Tourism Expo event groups, MOREWoods scheme, events • Church Stretton Community Led Plan in progress • Road verge biodiversity projects • Support to Duke of Edinburgh Award and John • Monitoring and mapping in progress of planning Muir Award providers • Wildlife survey and monitoring by a variety of applications in the AONB groups • Scoping diversity and health work with partners Priority next steps: Priority next steps: Priority next steps: Complete AONB Nature Recovery Plan Identify and support activities leading to net zero Public information to encourage dispersal of visitors Collaborative work on ELM development Pursue AONB-specific planning policy Greater connection of businesses to the AONB Disseminate guidance on tree establishment Consult on and publish Landscape Guidance landscape and its value Expand work on Natural Flood Management Seek greater planning controls over motorsports Support to businesses on sustainability Showcase activity on regenerative farming More capacity within AONB team for planning Enhanced investment in walking and cycling work Progress social forestry activity infrastructure Evidence to demonstrate value of the landscape to the economy
The evolving context for our work A selection of Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership
Key Performance Indicator returns for 2019-20: Environment & Climate Emergency • 14.4 hectares of habitat conserved or enhanced The urgency of concerted action to reduce for biodiversity greenhouse gas emissions to net zero has • 1,700m of overhead power line undergrounded become a top issue globally. The connected issues of ecological and nature decline receive • 161 volunteers engaged rather less political attention. • £16,500 worth of volunteer time generated Natural beauty is about functioning ecosystems • 815 attendances and events convened as well as pretty views. These issues are central • 88 young people engaged in activities to the purpose of the AONB, and protected • 269 farmers and land managers engaged landscape areas worldwide have a major contribution to play in tackling global heating • 29 partnerships where the AONB Team is part of and nature decline. the project/team/ steering group lead • 55 partnerships as a supporting partner The National Association for AONBs launched in July the Colchester Declaration. This Glover Review report • 17 strategies and plans appraised acknowledges that nature has intrinsic value and The review of England’s National Landscapes • 31 land management schemes appraised huge value to people, that nature recovery was published in October 2019 and will shape needs to be given a higher priority alongside our work for years to come. The report AONB Partnership team roles climate change, and that the network of AONBs, acknowledges that AONB organisations achieve their teams, partnerships, authorities and much with their limited resources, but also The rest of this Review focuses on activity of the stakeholders are a valuable tool for tackling challenges us to do more. Priorities include AONB Partnership and its staff team, but virtually environmental challenges. more attention to: all of this work is carried out with our partners - • nature recovery, thank you to all of them! The Colchester declaration pledges that we will: • working with land managers and Our work falls into these connected areas: • support more opportunities for people to communities, connect with nature, • actively involving broader sections of society, TAKING ACTION - on the ground and in our communities - to conserve and enhance natural • prepare a Nature Recovery Plan for the AONB, • better national co-ordination. beauty and to promote enjoyment and • embed an ecosystems services approach into Lezley Picton Shropshire Council Cabinet understanding. our plans, member for culture, leisure, waste and INFLUENCING OTHERS - lead and champion the communications, said: • work with our partners towards Net Zero delivery of public benefits from the AONB, working “We are hugely proud of the Shropshire Hills carbon emissions by 2030, strategically and collaboratively from policy to AONB and it is wonderful to see people grassroots level. • ensure favourable condition of more wildlife celebrating this. The Glover Review recognises the habitats and create new woodland. importance of what we have here in the county MANAGING OUR BUSINESS - develop a robust, and sets out a path for how the landscape can become even better and deliver even more effective and financially sustainable AONB Click here to view the Colchester Declaration. benefits to people.” organisation.
Land management supporting landscape & natural beauty
Nature Recovery Plan Stepping Stones project
Initial research and scoping was undertaken for We are a key partner in this major landscape scale the AONB Nature Recovery Plan and some initiative led by the National Trust. The project overall principles formulated: area centres on the Long Mynd and Stiperstones, • managing core habitat areas optimally, and aims to restore a resilient ecological network, • better habitats on the margins of rougher hill alongside thriving farming and public enjoyment. land, including mosaics of ‘ffridd’ and scrub, We have taken a lead role in engagement with • re-wetting catchment headwaters, including farmers and with local community groups, as our shallow and pockety peatlands, detailed on later pages. • expanding tree and woodland cover,
Our Common Cause: Our Upland • re-naturalising river and stream corridors, Our AONB Partnership Tour on 11th June 2019 • re-creating wildflower meadows and species- Commons focussed on public goods and benefits from rich grasslands, The 1½ year development phase was completed the landscape. We looked at the natural • regenerative farming, restoring soil health, and capital assets of the Shropshire Hills (soils, with the Stage 2 bid to NLHF in November. • managing invasive non-native species. rivers, farmland, woods, biodiversity etc) and Visions for the Long Mynd, Stiperstones and Clee Liberty commons were developed with We have chosen a range of emblematic species, how these deliver services such as food, stakeholders. Projects were prepared under the whose ecological needs timber, water supplies and flood regulation, four main themes of Collaboration, Resilience, each help to illustrate carbon storage, pollination, inspiration and Commons for All and Commons for Tomorrow. the changes needed wellbeing. across our landscape for We would like nature recovery. to thank all those who took part in the development phase. The project is led by the Foundation for Common Land, with support from the National Trust.
Land management supporting landscape & natural beauty
‘Unmuddying the Waters’ project Clun Crayfish Project Water Environment Grant Teme - Onny - Clun Project We have continued to work farmers and The River Clun is home to a regionally landowners in the Clun catchment, to progress important population of white-clawed crayfish, We received a two-year grant award (2019-2021) practical projects on several holdings. These all which are an important component of the from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural contribute to reducing impacts on water quality functioning ecology of the river. Development to deliver Defra’s Water Environment and improving the conservation status of the With further Natural Grant (WEG) in the Teme Catchment. River Clun Special Area of Conservation (SAC). England funding we This is a partnership project with the Severn Rivers The main focus in 2019 was two major projects: have continued to Trust, and employs 3 Advisors - for the Upper the installation of a bridge across Clunton Brook engage volunteer Teme, Onny and Clun Catchments. They make and the diversion of a highway drain at surveyors and to farm visits and develop Farm Water Environment Broadward, adjacent to the Clun SAC. Due to employ a licenced Plans supported with erosion risk mapping to prolonged periods of rain and repeated flooding specialist to lead the address water quality issues affecting the status of through the winter, ground conditions for surveys. protected waters (River Teme SSSI and Clun SAC). working and access to sites were problematic. We now have a The plans will help farmers engaged in the project comprehensive to secure agri-environment support now and/or in understanding of the the future. status of crayfish in Farm visits are also supported by soil assessments. the catchment with Across the farm soil pits are dug in representative previously unrecorded crayfish streams fields and assessments of soil structure, earthworm identified. Some streams known to support counts, and subsequent analysis by UKAS crayfish showed declines, the cause of which is accredited laboratory of soil carbon, phosphate, not known, but none of the invasive signal potassium and magnesium are undertaken. crayfish were recorded in the waters surveyed. The farm plans are supported by a series of best An ark site has also been identified which will practice events for farmers focusing on the water • 0.75ha mixed broadleaved woodland created act as a refuge in the event of an outbreak of environment. • 0.2ha wetland protected crayfish plague or should signal crayfish find • 2.7km fencing along the river their way to Clun waters. The Environment Agency are taking the lead and are hoping • 0.45ha riparian woodland created under licence to translocate a number of Clun • 1,720 trees planted along the river bank crayfish to the ark site.
Click here to read the Project Activity Report
Land management supporting landscape and natural beauty
Tree planting in the AONB Partnerships and Steering Groups We continue to work in partnership with the The Clun Catchment Partnership includes Woodland Trust to deliver the MOREwoods and farmers, statutory agencies, environmental bodies MOREhedges schemes in the Shropshire Hills. and volunteers. It meets three times a year and acts as a forum for discussion of relevant topics, We are referred applications made to the Trust to co-ordinate project delivery, and inform and also receive enquiries directly via our active partners of activity, funding opportunities, etc. promotion of the schemes.
We make site visits to assess the proposals and The Clun Freshwater Pearl Mussel Technical/ make recommendations where appropriate. 24 Steering Group works at a strategic level to schemes were assessed during the year and Helping to shape future farming in implement initiatives and the latest science from where considered suitable, forwarded to the Shropshire Hills statutory bodies and national leads. The group Woodland Trust for processing. also works to develop/influence policy related to We have supported the Stepping Stones Test & pearl mussel e.g. conservation strategies. Trial for the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). Five farmers from the Upper Onny Farmers Group participated in The Clun Field Officers Group shares good the trial to integrate environmental and business practice and coordinates on the ground activity in advice within Whole Farm Plans. The Phase 1 the Clun Catchment. Membership of the group report was submitted to Defra in April 2020. has recently expanded to include Shropshire Wildlife Trust who are delivering Natural Flood We also convened a meeting between hill Management activity and Severn Rivers Trust who farmers and Dr Nigel Stone from the Uplands are partners in the TOC project (see page 7). Alliance & Defra representatives. 11 farmers shared their views on how best to adapt their We also represent the AONB Partnership on the businesses to the changes as we leave the EU. • Teme Partnership This was one of a series of regional meetings to help the Uplands Alliance and its partner • Corve Catchment Partnership organisations develop understanding of the risks • Teme - Onny - Clun WEG Steering Group and opportunities for upland farming businesses to influence future policy and help create a • Marches Crayfish Partnership brighter future for England's uplands.
Planning for a sustainable economy and communities
Environment & Climate Emergency Planning Following the October Partnership meeting, We made a detailed response to the the AONB Partnership made a series of applications for proposed redevelopment of the recommendations to the two Councils to give Ironbridge Power Station site, with the support priority to nature recovery alongside climate of specialist landscape advice commissioned change. from Carly Tinkler. An event for community groups on the We also commented on planning appeals for Environment and Climate Emergency was held pheasant rearing operation at Newcastle Court in February 2020 attended by around 100 and motocross at Thornacre. people. 11 community groups presented on We have undertaken monitoring and mapping their work, followed by 7 presentations and 5 of planning applications in the AONB. On 5th workshops. March, we gave a detailed AONB briefing for Click here to see resources from the event. Planning Committee members and officers.
Other strategic work We provided input to the following strategies, plans and documents: • Marches Visitor Economy Strategy • SC Outdoor Recreation survey • Harworth Ironbridge Masterplan • SC Local Transport Plan • SC Active Travel Plan • SC Cultural Strategy • SC Cultural Peer Review • Environment Audit Committee Sustainable Tourism Inquiry • SC Green Infrastructure strategy development • SC Climate Emergency declaration • SC Strategic Sites allocation • NAAONB Induction presentation • NAAONB Art in the Landscape proposal • Trees & Woodland expansion in the AONB • Marches Nature Partnership Environment Strategy (SC = Shropshire Council)
People enjoying and caring about the landscape
“Absolutely fantastic service on the Shuttle buses Visitor Economy Study We worked with from Church Stretton. Great stops at Stiperstones Visit Shropshire etc – knowledgeable and friendly drivers. Well With sustainable tourism expert Alison Caffyn, Hills to set up The done!!! A very happy day for us.” we researched farm tourism in the Stepping Great Shropshire Stones area on behalf of the National Trust. Passenger feedback, 2019 Hills Cream Tea The study involved face to face and phone Trail promoting Shropshire Hills Shuttles 2019 interviews with farmers and landowners who local food, tea have diversified into tourism. rooms and cafes. We ran a successful service with passenger numbers consistent with previous years. In the The study made recommendations on the The trail promoted 13 businesses all offering an last five years the Shuttle buses have carried development of farm tourism which benefits the authentic Shropshire Hills Cream Tea, i.e. that thousands of passengers helping to maintain the wildlife and landscape of the Stepping Stones included Shropshire Damson Jam on a fresh air quality, reduce congestion by providing a area, whilst benefiting farm incomes. home-baked scone. green alternative to exploring the Long Mynd The Trail was launched at the 2019 Shropshire and Stiperstones area by car. Hills Tourism Expo and sponsored by Ludlow At the request of business owners in the village Farm Shop. we included a link to the Bottle & Glass pub in Over 350 visitors voted online for their favourite Picklescott. Unfortunately this was not as cream tea, and the title of best cream tea in the successful as we had hoped. Shropshire Hills went to Jemima’s Kitchen in The Shuttle bus however currently services a Church Stretton. number of other pubs and many more businesses including the Bog Visitor Centre. Shropshire Hills Expo 2020 Looking ahead, it is likely that the service will We spent the first part of 2020 working with Visit have to change to accommodate increased Shropshire Hills to arrange the Tourism Expo to running costs and reduced budgets. be held in April at Ludlow Castle. Unfortunately Marches Visitor Economy Strategy the event was cancelled due to Covid-19. We worked closely with Destination Ludlow However, the systems developed by Abigail Dakin Partnership and Visit Shropshire Hills to ensure of Dakin Events, on behalf of the Visit Shropshire that the wider area visitor economy strategy had Hills will significantly benefit future event a strong focus on sustainable tourism organisation. development. We are hoping to hold a mid-season event once The strategy, launched in February 2020, will restrictions have been lifted, to help support local provide access to future investment in the area tourism businesses. through the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. Click here to see the Strategy.
A better understanding of commons
We continued to engage young people through the John Muir Award, supporting over 50 children and teachers from the Shropshire Hills People enjoying and caring about the landscape Federation to make four visits to the Long Mynd common. These trips involved farm visits to Stepping Stones community A national moment for AONBs meet the commoners, footpath repair, and learning more about the wildlife, archaeology consultation Over 100 people gathered in Cardingmill Valley st and visitor pressures on the common. We held a series of public meetings at on 21 September to form a choir and perform Pontesbury, Norbury and Church Stretton to songs written about the Shropshire Hills. A “What a fantastic day years 4, 5 and 6 from all three introduce Stepping Stones and see how they can symbolic heart was created to highlight the schools had yesterday on The Long Mynd. We were be involved. 160 people attended these events, value of AONBs as our ‘natural health service’. so lucky to have the opportunity to work with a professional archaeologist and then we worked with helping to shape the project. The meetings This event celebrated the 70th anniversary of the the National Trust to repair a very muddy path at generated much enthusiasm around verge 1949 National Parks and Access to the Boiling Well. We had so many positive comments restoration, meadow creation, hedgerow Countryside Act, which paved the way for the about children’s efforts and behaviour, from walkers as they passed by; I was a very proud headteacher! management and species recording. designation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Thank you to all our children.” A number of field trips were planned in the Beauty. Les Ball, Headteacher. spring to help people explore the Stepping Similar events happened in AONBs across the Stones area, but only one of these was able to country and were shared on social media. In Spring / Summer 2019 we organised a series go ahead. On the same day, the Glover Review report was of walks, talks and training activities to help Click here to read the Consultation Report published, recommending the need to recapture people understand more about the heritage of the zeal and vision which created our national upland commons, the wildlife they support and landscapes 70 years ago (see page 5). the practice of commoning. Around 200 people took part in butterfly walks, plant identification and scything sessions. www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk has been restructured and the content refreshed to create an inspiring and informative website, which is responsive on all devices. E-newsletters and social media posts help us to share news and stories from the Shropshire Hills with a wide audience.
Photograph by Ben Osborne
Shropshire Hills AONB Trust and AONB Partnership joint work
Through £15,158 of grants from its Conservation Fund, the Shropshire Friends subscriptions go Hills AONB Trust supported 11 projects in 2019-20 to deliver practical entirely into the Conservation conservation and awareness raising activities in the Shropshire Hills. Fund. In 2019-20, this amounted to over £5,000. The Friends Brynmawr Farm Summer Club A taste for adventure South scheme is run jointly with the AONB Trust. Antonia Pettitt, £1,490. An Shropshire Youth Forum, £1,500. environmental summer club for young Project to deliver six sessions for ten people on Brynmawr Organic Farm. young people referred onto the Capacity Building
programme by Church Stretton A two year Capacity Building Project funded by Sowing the Seed of God’s Acre Secondary School. the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Resilient Caring for God’s Acre, £1,500. Heritage programme has supported the AONB Surveying burial grounds in the AONB People and Plants Upper Onny Trust and AONB Partnership to develop where little is known about the flora Wildlife Group, £500. Eight training collaborative working to help us meet the and fauna. Grassland management sessions (walks, surveys & workshops) challenges faced by our special landscape. training to share best practice. for people interested in plants. The
aim was to encourage new people to Activities included preparation of Business Hills Stories 2019 Nick Fogg & Mike get involved in active conservation. Plans, training and development for key staff Smart, £1,500. Offering young people and volunteers, and a programme of income- the chance to explore and engage Whinchat conservation on the generation activities and project development with the landscape, wildlife, and Long Mynd National Trust, £2,500. through new staffing capacity, supported by heritage using digital technology. A pilot project to find a sample of communications work. whinchat nests (which are wholly Upper Onny Balsam Bashing Upper restricted to bracken habitats), The project also enabled us to work with Onny Wildlife Group, £1,500. Continuing monitor them with trail cameras, and professional fundraisers, Tarnside Consulting, to surveys along the river and clearing colour-ring the chicks. make applications for additional funding for the the Himalayan balsam with help from Conservation Fund. This has been completed volunteer work parties. Youth in Woods Lightfoot, £1,500. alongside development of our visitor-giving
Introducing pupils from Bishop’s scheme for ‘Fix the Fort’ Caer Caradoc. Shropshire Favourite Bird Sites Castle Community College to the diversity of woodlands, demonstrating The Fix the Fort charity booklet RSPB South Shropshire Group appeal raised £2,500 how they can be managed for £500 . A new guide for beginners towards the cost of highlighting local wildlife sites which enjoyment, wildlife and wood-fuel. repairing Caer Caradoc’s are good for bird watching. eroded ramparts and
Shropshire Barytes Industry footpaths. Halfway House on the Wrekin Shropshire Caving & Mining Club, We have been working with Jenny Joy, £1,283. Project to create a £1,000. Practical work at Cothercott Shropshire Council, pollinator garden at the café on the and the Bog Mine to discover more Shropshire Wildlife Trust Wrekin, and run a series of awareness about the historic local barytes and National Trust to plan industry. raising events. the first repair works.
Wider networks
Links with other AONBs National Association for AONBs In October through our lottery funded We play an active role in the NAAONB in a Capacity Building project, the whole team number of different ways. Phil and James made an overnight visit to the Dorset AONB. attended the Chairs’ Conference in London in We met most of the Dorset AONB team and November and Phil attended the Lead Officers talked through many topics in common. meeting in Birmingham in February. In January we held a team development day Team members regularly contribute to jointly with the Wye Valley AONB team. discussions on the on-line forum threads, and NAAONB staff guided us through use of the James our Chair sits on the NAAONB Board. Lumina Spark profiling tool, which people Phil took part in the year long ‘Taking the found interesting and helpful. Lead’ programme of development and collaboration, which was completed with a final event in November. The Staff Europarc Federation Development Topic Working Group within this We hosted a study visit from a representative programme prepared a and launched a of the Lithuanian state conservation service as national induction pack for new AONB staff part of the Alfred Toepfer scholarship scheme. and committee members and volunteers. Phil presented the new Sustainable Tourism Charter business awards in December as chair of the judging panel.
Financial summary 2019-20
Expenditure Staff costs - Core staff £234,140 Project implementation £201,328 Office costs and support services £27,520 Staff costs - Project staff £31,243 Core activities (strategy, partnership, promotion) £18,593
Total £512,824
Income Defra AONB Single Pot £196,202 Natural England £114,889 Environment Agency £75,000 Earned income £62,032 Shropshire Council (net of support services charge) £33,040 Shuttles ticket and concessions income £8,969 Brought forward £8,767 Woodland Trust £5,000 National Trust £5,000 Telford & Wrekin Council £2,694 Other donations £1,231
Total £512,824
The Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership is hosted by Shropshire Council, and funded in addition by Defra, Telford & Wrekin Council and project funders We work to help conserve and enhance the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 01743 254740 / [email protected] / www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk