1

Application to Defra for formal recognition

Name of proposed LNP: The Berkshire Local Nature Partnership

Capacity building reference: LNPR1 - 29

Contacts Primary Additional

Name Jeremy Davy

Chairman

Nick Forster

Acting Co-ordinator

Organisation Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum

Telephone 01635 519682 01865 775476

Email jdavy@westberks.gov.uk nickforster@bbowt.org.uk

2

Contents

Section A Description of the Berkshire LNP 3

Section B A summary of the vision and plan for the Berkshire LNP 4

Section C Preparations and plans for becoming an effective Berkshire LNP 7

Appendix 1 List of partners 13

Appendix 2 Berkshire’s natural environment 15

Appendix 3 Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum 16

Appendix 4 Draft Communications Plan 17

Appendix 5 Map of Berkshire LNP area showing overlap with AONB and 23

neighbouring proposed LNPs

3

Section A: A description of the proposed LNP

A.1 The geographical location and boundary of the proposed LNP.

The proposed LNP will cover the Royal County of Berkshire (see Figure 1) an area of 1,264km2

with a

population of over 812,000. This area is covered by six unitary authorities: Slough Borough; Royal

Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead; Bracknell Forest; Reading Borough; Wokingham Borough and West

Berkshire. Berkshire has a strong identity to those who live and work in the county.

Fig 1 (Detailed map at Appendix 5)

1. West Berkshire

2. Reading

3. Wokingham

4. Bracknell Forest

5. Windsor & Maidenhead

6. Slough

A.2 The Partnership’s current membership and structure, including the level of involvement of the

different members

This proposal has been put together on behalf of the proposed Partnership by the Berkshire Nature

Conservation Forum (BNCF). See Appendix 3 for an outline of the Forum and its work to date. The BNCF

recognises that the agenda for the Local Nature Partnership would encompass a wider vision than simply

the conservation of biodiversity in the county. The Forum sees this wider vision as crucial to achieving

sustainable, strategic benefits for habitats and species in Berkshire. Therefore the Forum has been keen

to play a key role in the development phase but would become one of the members of the Partnership

once established.

An LNP Executive Group was formed to direct the initial development comprising:

• Andrew Cameron of Crex Consulting representing the commercial sector;

• Janet Maxwell - Director of Public Health – NHS Berkshire West; and,

• Kate Dent, Head of Conservation and Education for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and

Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, representing the nature conservation sector.

From the outset, the development of the Partnership has taken a cross-sectoral approach and this will

continue, initially through these three individuals’ involvement but developing and deepening as the

Partnership develops. The Thames Valley Berkshire Local Economic Partnership has been actively

4

targeted during the development phase and has responded positively throughout. The local NHS has

engaged very positively in the development phase.

All six unitary local authorities have been engaged in the development process, primarily at officer level,

but also with some member engagement in the consultation process.

A list of partners is included at Appendix 1, showing which have been actively engaged to date and which

are targeted for future engagement.

Section B: A summary of the vision and plans for the Berkshire LNP

B.1 A summary of what the LNP could mean for Berkshire at a strategic level and how this will be

achieved

The Berkshire LNP will involve key stakeholders across Berkshire providing access to expert knowledge

and cross-sector input and co-ordinating efforts in order to maximise gains and efficiencies. The LNP will

work towards achieving agreed objectives that will deliver positive, strategic benefits for Berkshire’s

community, businesses and the natural environment.

B.2 Contributing to sustainable land use and management:

B.2.1 Identifying and embedding local ecological networks

Berkshire is a relatively highly-urbanised county where wildlife habitats have become fragmented.

However, it retains a significant resource of important habitats, including large areas of lowland heath,

and local partners are enthusiastic about developing a resilient and coherent ecological network across

the county and into neighbouring counties, which would be important at a national and international

level. The Berkshire LNP will actively engage with Local Planning Authorities, landowners, agencies and

funders in the development of this network, utilising the existing Biodiversity Opportunity Areas along

with statutory and non-statutory wildlife sites to focus restoration efforts and the creation of ecological

stepping stones and corridors.

As identified in the England Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and the Natural Environment White Paper, well-

designed ecological networks will provide multiple benefits for people.

B.2.2 Helping to achieve a better range of outcomes through sustainable land management

The Berkshire LNP will work with a range of groups, including statutory agencies, major landowners and

NGOs to develop opportunities to achieve multiple benefits from the good management of land. The LNP

would seek to explore and develop opportunities for ‘payments for ecosystem services’ approaches and

to enhance the effectiveness of existing agri-environment schemes, working at a strategic level with

Natural England.

B.2.3 Maintaining and enhancing green infrastructure

The Berkshire LNP will support local authorities to develop, improve and deliver Green Infrastructure

plans. Particular emphasis will be given to drawing out linkages between unitary authority areas and

neighbouring LNP areas in order to develop infrastructure that is coherent across the county and beyond.

5

Close links will be forged with Greenspace SouthEast to ensure that best practice is made available to the

unitary authorities.

B.2.4 Helping to maintain the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside:

The Partnership would seek to learn from the successes of the North Wessex Downs AONB and to work

across boundary of the AONB in terms of both ecosystems and the services they provide. The LNP will

promote the key characteristics of the four National Character Areas which make up the county:

• Berkshire and Marlborough Downs NCA

• Thames Basin Heaths NCA

• Thames Valley NCA

• Chilterns NCA

B.2.5 Working with other local initiatives and plans on flooding and water quality

The Berkshire LNP will work closely with the Environment Agency and take Local Catchment Flood

Management Plans into account when developing visions.

B.2.6 Contribute to efforts to protect and improve public access to the countryside, nature and green

space

The Berkshire LNP will work with the Local Access Forums and other access stakeholders and groups to

explore local access priorities and integrate them into the Partnership’s vision. This issue will be of

critical importance in a county with a significant urban population. See also B.2.3.

B.2.7 Helping to promote interest in, and uptake of, biodiversity offsetting

The Partnership will engage with and influence local authorities to promote the concept of biodiversity

offsetting and its incorporation into planning processes in Berkshire. The LNP will work closely with

landowners, land managers and TVERC, who will be developing their work to identify opportunities for

areas of potential for opportunity to restore or re-create habitats across Berkshire through biodiversity

offsetting. These areas will be informed by existing strategies, such as those for Green Infrastructure,

and Biodiversity Opportunity Areas. The key role for the Partnership will be to ensure that biodiversity

offsetting produces benefits which are well-targeted and maximised.

B.2.9 Contributing to green economic growth:

The Berkshire LNP will do this by:

• Working collaboratively with the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

• Engaging with local businesses directly on issues such as payments for ecosystem services,

biodiversity offsetting and community engagement.

• Engaging with other partnerships in Berkshire to offer a strategic view of the natural environment

challenges and opportunities in their area and seeking to align funding with LNP priorities.

6

B.2.10 Contributing to quality of life and local health and wellbeing:

The Berkshire LNP will work closely with Health and Wellbeing Boards to:

• Raise awareness of the value of public access to the natural environment and green spaces in the

prevention and treatment of mental and physical health problems

• Contribute to shaping the priorities in ‘joint health and wellbeing strategies’

• Incorporate the value of the natural environment to people’s health and wellbeing in ‘joint strategic

needs assessments’.

• Contribute to local delivery of Public Health Outcomes Frameworks

B.2.11 Working with other environmental initiatives and partnerships

The Berkshire LNP will develop a good overview of the range of activity and identify how they can add

value in a collaborative way and avoid duplication of effort. Some of the key local initiatives and

partnerships that work will be developed with will include:

Local Access Forums - Bracknell Forest Local Access Forum, Mid & West Berks Local Access Forum, Slough

Local Access Forum, RB Windsor & Maidenhead Local Access Forum

Biodiversity offsetting – see B.2.7.

Climate Change Partnerships – The LNP will work in partnership with Climate Berkshire (the Climate

Change Partnership for Berkshire) and The Reading Climate Change Partnership.

Water Framework Directive – WFD has an enormous relevance to the quality of the freshwater

environment and links to a number of themes including enhancing biodiversity, landscape-scale

approaches, green infrastructure and ecosystem services. It is also one of the main drivers of EA action

and EA funding sources for new projects including habitat restoration and land management (re.

addressing diffuse pollution problems, etc.) and therefore will be a major consideration in terms of how

EA interacts with the LNP process. The WFD therefore represents an important initiative that the LNP

partnership can help to deliver, making the most effective use of the current Catchment Restoration

Fund, which exists to support NGOs to implement environmental improvements.

7

B.3 A high level summary of the key actions planned to be undertaken in the first 6 months if

Berkshire becomes a Government-recognised LNP

Month 1 2 3 4 5 6

Establish formal constitution for the LNP1 x

Undertake partnership development work 2

Develop a Funding Strategy to sustain the LNP3 x

Develop a Communications Strategy for the LNP4 x

Set up first programme of events to engage with a wider constituency5 x

Hold at least two formal meetings of the Steering Group x x

Develop first workplan for the LNP x

Recruit part-time administrator x

Notes

1 To include development of steering group processes and membership.

2 To widen the partnership to include all appropriate organisations and to recruit specific key

organisations and individuals as core members and to specific roles.

3 The development of a funding strategy was included as part of the capacity building funding

application. This has not proved possible or appropriate.

4 Draft included at Appendix 4

5 These would be developed from priorities identified during development of the first workplan but

could include, for example, breakfast events for local business to promote the benefits of local

environment quality, workshops for local health professionals on Health Walks.

Section C: Preparations and plans for becoming an effective Berkshire LNP

C.1 Progress made towards developing, and how it is planned to further develop, a strategic vision

for Berkshire and how this vision will inform work and priorities.

Three workshops have been held: one on health and the natural environment and; one on engaging

communities in conservation; and one for existing members of the Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum.

The format of each workshop involved introductory presentations followed by a series of group

discussions to explore participants’ views on what the LNP should be (the utopian vision) and what would

need to be done to achieve this vision. Ideas were gathered of what services attendees would like to gain

from an LNP, and what they would be able to contribute to the partnership. The presentations and

outputs of the workshops were circulated and are being used to inform the development of the new LNP.

8

The two workshops on health and community engagement highlighted the overlapping potential work

areas for the environmental sector and the health and community sectors, respectively: with

improvements to the natural environment leading to benefits for people. Integration of these sector

interests will clearly be important for the LNP and the Partnership will be crucial in identifying how

resources can be effectively pooled.

The workshops also proved useful first steps in developing understanding and common language in these

areas of mutual interest. However, they also highlighted the need to bridge gaps in information (e.g. the

concept of ecosystem services) and the need to draw more representatives for the business sector into

the Partnership.

The workshops drew new organisations into the development of the Partnership (see Appendix 1.) and

gathered information on what people and organisations wanted the LNP to deliver in Berkshire.

In addition, the Nature Partnership Co-ordinator met with various representatives from a range of public,

commercial and not-for-profit organisations and forums to discuss working together in forming a new

Local Nature Partnership for Berkshire. These included meetings with the Chair of the Thames Valley

Local Economic Partnership (LEP), the Director of Public Health for NHS Berkshire West, the Facilities

Manager at Oracle Ltd, Berkshire Local Authority Ecologists, Head of Strategic Programmes at Reading

University, and a Community Planning Officer. In addition the Co-ordinator has attended events

including Wokingham Community Conference and Climate Berkshire to explore ways of working together

in an integrated way. The unitary local authorities have been informed at the highest level of the process

of development of the Partnership. It is clear that this sector will need to be represented on the LNP

Steering Group at CEO level.

The process has brought representatives of the various organisations together to identify ways they can

work in partnership to achieve their own and joint objectives and to improve the quality of the natural

environment across Berkshire. There is still work to do to identify the structure and function of the

Partnership, but progress and feedback has been very positive.

C.2 How the individuals and organisations in the current membership reflect the range of skills,

expertise, interests and level of authority needed to become an effective LNP and how any gaps

will be addressed.

The Partnership has gained executive level support from the Business Sector in the county, both through

the Local Economic Partnership and from individual blue-chip employers (see Appendix 1). This will be

formalised through appointment of a senior level representative to the Steering Group for the

Partnership. The Partnership will develop wide ranging links with the Business Sector, not restricted to

only larger employers.

The Partnership has engaged with the Health Sector at executive level within the County. The

Partnership will continue to work with this sector through the development of Health & Wellbeing Boards

to ensure engagement at the highest level.

9

The engagement with the Local Government sector within the county is made relatively complex by the

absence of a county-wide government structure. To date the Partnership has engaged with all of the six

unitary authorities and will continue to do so. However, thought will have to be given to how the sector

can effectively engage with the Partnership without making steering and other functions unwieldy or

unbalanced. Engagement has been excellent to date with officers responsible for ecological matters

within councils; this engagement will continue but be expanded to incorporate other relevant functions

such as economic development, education, planning control, recreation and social services.

The engagement of NGOs focused on nature conservation has been strong. While this engagement will

continue, the Partnership will actively seek to expand the engagement of the wider NGO sector,

including, amongst others, NGOs targeting health, poverty, recreation and education.

The first Workplan for the LNP will include a skills analysis, identifying those needed, gaps and how these

will be addressed. This process will continue to be driven by the Executive Group until the LNP Steering

Group is established, which will, in turn, oversee the development of the LNP Board.

C.3 Involvement and engagement work delivered, and plans to involve and engage, wider interests

who may not be represented in the current membership in the Berkshire LNP.

Since November positive steps have been made in establishing a new Local Nature Partnership (LNP) for

Berkshire. To date, around 100 individuals, groups, and organisations have engaged with the LNP

development work; either through attendance at a workshop or other meetings and forums, or through

survey completion.

At the start of the development phase a meeting was held with existing Berkshire Nature Conservation

Forum (BNCF) members to explain the process for development of a new potential LNP for Berkshire. An

Executive Group was set up (with representatives from the public, private and non-governmental sectors)

to help steer the LNP development process and a project plan was produced for the development phase.

10

Appendix 1 details groups engaged to date and identified for future engagement with the Partnership.

C.4 Progress made towards establishing the Partnership’s credibility in Berkshire, and plans to

further enhance this, and ensuring that it has the ability to effectively engage and collaborate

with a range of local senior decision makers.

At this developmental stage, it is extremely early to claim any establishment of credibility. The

Partnership is clearly seeking to involve individuals and organisations with a high degree of credibility and

this will provide an initial ability to engage and collaborate with senior level decision makers. The

partnership will need to ensure that it makes decisions and identifies priorities based on robust evidence.

The sustained ability to do this and the development of collective credibility will be established only by

delivering tangible outcomes: adding value to existing activities in the county and creating a strategic

vision which will deliver real benefits.

Executive

Group

Creating momentum

Fig 2

Diagram showing hierarchy of LNP

and how Executive Group will provide

formative drive

11

C.5 Progress made towards ensuring the Berkshire LNP has effective and accountable governance

and decision making processes and further work planned to enhance these.

The process of development to date has been one based on consultation. Through three themed

workshops, over 100 groups and individuals have been able to express their views on the priorities for a

Berkshire LNP.

The challenge for the Partnership moving forwards will be to maintain this inclusive approach and

ensuring accountability, while remaining a dynamic, “light-on-its-feet” character that will be essential if it

is going to effectively influence to achieve its vision for the natural environment in Berkshire. The

Partnership’s processes will be designed to encourage the widest partnership membership possible and

to bring those partners along with it. Events to engage the whole Partnership will be held at least

annually and will provide the opportunity to call the Steering Group to account for its actions and to

ensure that future planning is supported by the membership. The Partnership will develop a website and

use this to make information such as minutes and reports available.

A formal constitution will be developed in the first six months covering the structures, reporting and

member engagement processes that will be put in place. This will also specify the arrangements for

appointment of the Steering Group and other sub-groups as deemed appropriate.

C.6 Planned work to embed the value of the natural environment into the strategic planning and

decision making of other in Berkshire, particularly the economic and health and wellbeing

sectors.

The LNP will become sufficiently influential and knowledgeable to be able to raise awareness of the social

and economic value of the natural environment and the range of services it provides with local decision

makers. To ensure that this is underpinned by best possible data, the LNP will call on sources of

appropriate data and analysis within the county (such as TVERC and highly-regarded academic partners

such as the University of Reading) and external, such as statutory agencies and resources such as UKCCIP.

The Partnership will champion what is great about Berkshire: making local people and employers in all

sectors proud of their environment and able to recognise its value.

The LNP will develop an unparalleled overview of the range of activities and partnerships concerned with

the sustainable management of the natural environment in Berkshire and work collaboratively to build

on what’s working well and co-ordinate action to deliver integrated outcomes for priority issues.

The business and health and wellbeing sectors will be represented at the core of the Partnership. The

Partnership will seek to attain reciprocal arrangements, enabling key LNP representatives to attend

meeting of the LEP and H&WB, for example.

12

C.7 How the Berkshire LNP will add value to the range of other local projects and initiatives

concerned with the sustainable management of the natural environment in Berkshire.

One of the key strengths of a countywide LNP in Berkshire will be the bringing together of all the unitary

authority areas to gain co-ordinated, county-wide perspectives and action, which will be very unlikely to

be developed in the absence of a Berkshire LNP.

The LNP will provide a strategic vision which will encompass and guide local projects and initiatives to

ensure that sustainable management of the natural environment is delivered in a co-ordinated and

effective manner. The LNP will bring together the broad spectrum of groups and agencies concerned

with the natural environment and signpost opportunities for and facilitate joined-up working. The

intention is that representatives from other local projects and initiatives become actively involved in the

LNP, so that knowledge and information can be shared and strategic objectives aligned. Ultimately we

want to help create a common language that all parties and sectors understand and with which they are

comfortable. The LNP will increase opportunities for groups to access the resources necessary to

undertake practical action through improving their effectiveness and profile and through championing

the benefits to all sectors and individuals of improvements to the natural environment of Berkshire.

The proposed LNP would build upon the well-established work of the Berkshire Nature Conservation

Forum: broadening its focus; enhancing its effectiveness; establishing formal links with the business and

health sectors.

C.8 Funding the Berkshire LNP.

The proposed model for the Berkshire LNP will initially not require significant financial resources.

Members of the Partnership will represent the most significant contribution of resources through the

time they contribute and the leadership they provide to the process. Partners have already made

commitments to provide free meeting space (Oracle) and staff input (Crex and NHS, for example).

It is envisaged that a secretariat function will be required from the outset to organise and minute

meetings, book venues for meetings and events and carry out administration. This might equate to no

more than 0.2 of a full-time equivalent, costing around £8,000 per annum including Full Cost Recovery.

Opportunities for secondment of officer time from the business sector will be explored, as this may be a

relatively attractive proposition in the current economic downturn.

As the Partnership develops funds required may be significantly more as plans begin to encompass

programmes of workshops, conferences, printed materials, a website, etc.

A funding strategy is still being discussed but in the current economic climate initial conversations with

businesses and Local Authorities suggest that the usual sources of funding are not going to be available

until the economy recovers. In the meantime people are willing to give up their time and incur limited

expense but the LNP will be constrained in it activities until funding can be secured. Business partners

have already indicated a deal of interest in developing employee benefits, such as team building events

13

and volunteering opportunities, linked to the environment in Berkshire and have recognised that they

would need to make a financial contribution to realise these opportunities.

Funds held by the Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum will be available to cover some of the initial costs

during the first year. This demonstrates the Forum’s belief that the LNP is critical to developing and

sustaining the natural environment of Berkshire.

A funding strategy for the LNP will be a priority for development in the first six months.

C.9 Rationale for the geography of the Berkshire LNP and how it would work effectively with

neighbouring LNPs.

The geography of the LNP matches that of the Local Economic Partnership, which is viewed as a partner

crucial to the success of the LNP.

See map at Appendix 5 for Berkshire LNP area in context with the AONB and neighbouring proposed

LNPs.

Despite the abolition of the county in 1998, people who live and work in Berkshire still have a strong

association with the historic county. Many organisations still operate on a county basis and the six

unitaries work in a co-ordinated way on many issues, including nature conservation through the

Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum. There is overlap with the North Wessex Downs AONB which

covers about 521km2 of Berkshire and the AONB will be part of the LNP.

Berkshire, along with Oxfordshire is served by the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre, which

will provide valuable data to monitor and evaluate impacts of the Partnership and assist links between

these LNPs. Links have already been made with partners engaged in the development of LNPs in

Hampshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire. It is recognised that cross-boundary working is needed because

ecosystems clearly do not respect administrative boundaries. National Character Areas and Catchment

Management Plans are striving to adopt an ecosystem approach and these will be used to guide the work

of the LNP.

C.10 Monitoring and evaluation of the work of the Berkshire LNP.

The LNP Steering Group will develop a workplan for the LNP (and the LNP Officer) and will be responsible

for monitoring this on a quarterly basis. The workplan will be based on SMART targets.

The Steering Group will provide an annual report, which will include:

• Progress made on development and delivery of a strategic ecological network across the county

that effectively secures ecosystem and biodiversity benefits;

• Links created between the health, business, community and environment sectors;

• Key policy changes that have been influenced into plans throughout the county;

• Progress on expanding and strengthening the LNP;

• A report on the resources secured to underpin the work of the LNP

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Appendix 1

List of partners

Italic indicates target group yet to be engaged

New indicates group which have come on-board during the LNP development process (N) or would be

new to process when engaged (N)

Business sector and landowners/ managers New Main contact

Local Economic Partnership N Steve Lamb

Centrica N Tawny Lord

Climate Berkshire N Steve Lamb

Crex Consulting N Andrew Cameron

Greenham Business Park

Oracle Corporation Cliff Hilton

Reading Climate Change Partnership N

Southern Energy N

Thames Water Cathy Purse

TV Energy N

NFU

Little Hidden Farm Bill Acworth

Sheepdrove Organic Farm Neil Rowntree

Environmental NGOs, civil society organisations

BBOWT Kate Dent

BTCV Paul Forrest-Jameson

CPRE Berkshire Gloria Keene

Greenspace SouthEast N Michelle Parker

National Trust

RSPB

Berkshire Community Foundation N

Community Council for Berkshire N Sarah Ward

Groundwork

Farming & Countryside Education N Louise Devismes

Waterways/Canals and Rivers Trust N

Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Camilla Burrows

River Thames Society N

Thames Rivers Restoration Trust N

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust N

Butterfly Conservation (Upper Thames) Grahame Hawker

Local Government/ Parish Councils/ Government Agencies

Bracknell Forest Marlies Boydell

Reading Borough Giles Sutton

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Jason Mills

15

Slough Borough Kathryn Horsepool

West Berkshire Sarah McWilliam

Wokingham Borough Andy Glencross

Earley Town Council Grahame Hawker

Frilsham Parish Council N Dorcas Ward

Inkpen Parish Council N Peter Wilford

Environment Agency Graham Scholey

Forestry Commission Jonathan Rau

Natural England Martin Gilchrist

English Heritage N

National Parks/AONBs

North Wessex Downs AONB Oliver Cripps

Health (and Wellbeing Boards)

NHS Primary Care Trust N Janet Maxwell

Thrive N Susan Tabor

Academic/Education sector

BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture) N

University of Reading N Kendra Gittus

County-wide specialist groups

Berkshire County Riding Club N

Berkshire Mammal Group Melanie Orros

Berkshire Geoconservation Group Lesley Dunlop

Berkshire Ornithological Club John Lerpiniere

CVS/Voluntary Action Groups

Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action N

Reading Voluntary Action N

Slough CVS N

Voluntary Action Wokingham N

Windsor & Maidenhead Voluntary Action N

Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People N

Local interest groups

5 A Day Market Garden N Pam Marriot

Bracknell Forest Local Access Forum N

Friends of Ruscombe Wood N Stephen Loyd

Mid & West Berks Local Access Forum N

Newbury District Ornithological Group

Ramblers West Berkshire N

Reading & District Natural History Society N

RB Windsor & Maidenhead Local Access Forum N

Slough Local Access Forum N

Theale Area Bird Conservation Group Maryanne Thomas

West Berks Countryside Society Dick Greenaway

West Berks Green Exchange N Tessa Hall

16

Appendix 2 Berkshire’s Natural Environment

The Royal County of Berkshire is home to many areas rich in wildlife and includes sites of both

international and national importance. Biodiversity is an important asset to the communities of

Berkshire for several reasons:

• Access to natural green space can improve the quality of life of Berkshire’s residents by

contributing towards better physical and mental health;

• Biodiversity can bring money into the local economy by harvesting natural products, such as

wood, and through tourism;

• Healthy ecosystems can reduce the impacts of pollution and climate change. For example, green

spaces can reduce the likelihood of flooding by allowing water to disperse through the ground or

can act as flood storage areas where water can collect in temporary ponds to protect built up

areas.

However, biodiversity in the county is under continuous pressure from human activities. This pressure is

set to increase with future developments. 61,180 new homes and associated infrastructure are expected

to be built in Berkshire by 2026 according to the South East Plan 2009. There is no doubt that

development on such a large scale will have some negative impacts on wildlife and on the benefits to

local people deriving from the environment, so it is more crucial than ever that partners work together to

minimise these impacts and, wherever possible, deliver gains for people and biodiversity.

Thames Valley Environmental Record Centre data shows that the majority of UK Biodiversity Action Plan

(BAP) habitats have continued to decline in Berkshire (based on comparison with the 1960s). However

some habitats, such as heath land, have shown an increase over the same time period, and whilst

improved mapping techniques play a part, some of this increase can be put down to the success of

conservation efforts. The contribution of the open heath landscapes is extremely important within

Berkshire, providing leisure, and cultural benefits and contributing to the conservation of essential and

historical landscape character. This shows that through targeted effort benefits for people and gains to

wildlife habitats can be made and by working together in partnership even more is possible.

17

Appendix 3 Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum

The Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum (BNCF) is a partnership made up of wildlife charities, local and

national authorities and businesses working together to maintain and enhance Berkshire's natural and

historic heritage through co-ordinated action, community involvement and influencing key decision

makers.

The partnership has an agreed Business Plan, Terms of Reference, Communication Plan, Fundraising

Strategy and Work Plan (see useful files). The Work Plan is updated at each partnership meeting, three

times a year.

The co-ordination of this work is possible thanks to funding from the following: Natural England, The

Environment Agency, West Berkshire Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council, The

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council.

Current BNCF membership

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)

Berkshire Ornithological Club

Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames branch

Bracknell Forest Council

BTO representatives

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)

Country Land & Business Association

Crown Estate

Earley Town Council

Environment Agency

Forestry Commission

National Trust

Natural England

NFU

Reading Borough Council

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

RSPB

Slough Borough Council

Reading Museum

Thames Valley Environmental Record Centre (TVERC)

Thames Water

West Berkshire Council

Wokingham Borough Council

18

BERKSHIRE LOCAL NATURE PARTNERSHIP

DRAFT Communications Plan (2012-2015)

Introduction

Berkshire Local Nature Partnership (BLNP) is the partnership working at a strategic scale to improve the

range of benefits and services we get from a healthy natural environment. The Partnership’s aim is to

improve the multiple benefits we receive from the good management of the land covering the six Unitary

Authorities of the Royal County of Berkshire.

The aim of this communication strategy is to ensure on-going support for the BLNP and to engage a wide

variety of stakeholders in meeting its aims.

Aims of the Communication Plan

• Provide the BLNP with a framework that details the communication tools and mechanisms for

appropriately communicating the vision of the LNP and its subsequent implementation to its

target audiences.

• Provide a mechanism for seeking and acting on feedback to encourage the involvement of, and

assist in 'selling' the project to target audiences.

• Identify the actions required to successfully implement the plan.

Key Messages

The following are key messages that the BLNP Steering Group will aim to communicate as part of the

successful implementation of a strategy:

• A joint commitment to the Berkshire’s natural environment is required if the range of benefits

and services we get from a healthy natural environment are to be fully achieved.

• While the focus of the BLNP will be at a strategic level, the achievement of its vision will require

action at a local, regional and national scale.

• Everyone can take steps to ensure the county has a healthy natural environment in which to live

and work.

19

DRAFT Communications Plan

Audiences

Key Messages Tools and Approaches Action Plan Priority

Progress reports at LNP

meetings

Ensure that effective presentations on progress are

made at all appropriate meetings.

H

Representation at other

appropriate Forum

meetings in Berkshire

Ensure representation at meetings and events organized

by BNCF, LEP, H&WB, etc.

H

Website Develop and maintain a website meeting the needs of

the Partnership.

H

Annual newsletter Produce and distribute an annual LNP News (electronic). H

LNP Conference Consider holding an LNP conference H

Visual identity/ branding Develop an LNP logo and branding M

Monitoring and evaluation Ensure that data demonstrating progress is effective and

robust.

H

Berkshire Local

Nature

Partnership

wider

membership

• Progress is being made on

delivery of the LNP Vision

• Contributions from Partnership

members are making a positive

difference

• The Partnership is achieving co-

ordination and synergies.

E-mails Send out regular emails to wider membership regarding

issues relevant to the work of the LNP

H

20

Local

Authorities

Planning

Departments

• To ensure that there is

recognition that the LNP has an

important contribution to make

to strategic planning matters

within their area. This will

include informing and working

collaboratively with Local

Planning Authorities, and along

with Local Enterprise

Partnerships, on cross-

boundary strategic issues.

Regular meetings.

Sharing best practice

Meetings held with Planners, members and the AONB.

Convening events, sharing information and creating

discussion mechanisms.

H

H

Community

Strategy

Officers

• The natural environment can

assist in delivering targets

related to health, education,

social cohesion, employment

and economic development

Engagement with

Community Strategy

structures and processes

Seek opportunities to be involved with Community

Strategy structures and processes.

L

Other Public

Bodies

• All public bodies now have a

statutory duty to have regard to

biodiversity conservation and

enhancement

• There are practical ways to

incorporate the natural

environment into daily

operations

Awareness-raising events Investigate opportunities to organise at least one

awareness raising event, for organisations outside the

wider partnership (e.g. Thames Valley police, Royal

Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, etc.).

M

Regional and

National LNP

Partnerships

• The BLNP partnership is making

a contribution to the

implementation of a national

Regional co-ordination

Contribute to Regional events and link particularly

closely with neighbouring LNPs: Oxon, Hants, Surrey,

Bucks.

H

21

UK LNP communications –

as developed

Contribute articles about particularly important

Berkshire achievements.

H vision, as outlined in the

Natural Environment White

Paper

National LNP workshops

and conferences

Represent the Berkshire LNP at national events H

Promotion work with

landowners regarding

delivery of habitat targets

within Conservation

Target Areas

Co-ordinated communications with landowners and

managers.

Develop close links with representative local bodies, e.g.

NFU, CLA, major estates and key landowners.

Work closely with Agencies and NGOs providing

landowner liaison work.

M

M

H

Liaison with agri-

environment and

woodland grant schemes

Liaise with Natural England and Forestry Commission H

Landowners

and managers

• The understanding and co-

operation of land managers is

critical in achieving an

integrated, landscape-scale

approach to managing the

natural environment.

Website Include information for farmers and landowners; provide

links to useful organisations

M

Events and conferences Organise events aimed at local business sector. H

Targeted approaches to

companies

Identify likely companies for specific roles and projects. M

Businesses • A well-managed local

environment is good for

business.

Funding Strategy Act as a broker between business sector and delivery

partners to develop opportunities.

M

22

Website Include information for business sector; provide links to

useful organisations

M

Links with education

advisors

Work with LEAs to deliver effective influence on the

school, FE and lifelong learning sectors.

M

Links with Universities and

Colleges

Seek opportunities to engage with universities and

colleges.

M

Education

sector

• The education sector is an

important player in its impact

on Berkshire’s environment.

• The work of the LNP can deliver

innovative learning experiences.

Website Include information for the education sector; provide

links to useful organisations

M

Annual newsletter Produce and circulate BLNP News annually (electronic) H

Special events Support and promote wildlife events for the public L

General public

• Berkshire Local Nature

Partnership (BLNP) is the

partnership working at a

strategic scale to improve the

range of benefits and services

we get from a healthy natural

environment.

• Individuals can play their part in

creating a healthy environment,

as well as benefitting from it.

Media

Seek to place articles about the BLNP’s work in local

authority publications

Encourage members of the Partnership to include

articles about the LNP in their own publications

Work with local writers to publicise the LNP in

publications

Develop links and explore possibilities for radio,

newspaper and television coverage

Issue media releases about significant BLNP

achievements

M

M

L

M

M

23

Website Accessible information for the general public.

Links to websites signposting ways to get involved.

M

M

Glossary

LNP Local Nature Partnership H&WB Health and Wellbeing Board

BLNP Berkshire Local Nature Partnership LEP Local Economic Partnership

BNCF Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum NFU National Farmers Union

CLA Country Land & Business Association

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Appendix 5 Map showing Berkshire LNP area in context

25