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NAAONB Review 2008/09 *** Mike Taylor, NAAONB CEO. Role of the NAAONB Late 1990s. Local Authorities responsible for AONBs recognise need for national voice. NAAONB combines officer based organisation with elected member based organisation.
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NAAONB Review 2008/09 *** Mike Taylor, NAAONB CEO
Role of the NAAONB • Late 1990s. Local Authorities responsible for AONBs recognise need for national voice. • NAAONB combines officer based organisation with elected member based organisation. • NAAONB is a membership body but also a Company Limited by Guarantee • Main resource is its members.
Major Policy Changes • Climate Change • Changes to Planning Systems • Changes to Agricultural Support • Marine Legislation • Organisational Changes
Climate Change • Dominates most policy discussions. • Challenge is to ensure interests of AONBs are fully appreciated in any decision making. • AONB Partnerships trying to anticipate impact on their AONB. • NAAONB has been pressing for better information at a working scale to help guide Management Plan actions.
Climate Change • AONBs have used their SDF money to very good effect to encourage community level initiatives. • Starting to get better information on predictions of change which will affect both farming practices and wildlife. • Challenge is to convert this into sensible management policies.
Climate Change • Windfarms still high on agenda for AONBs. • Positive response and recognition of importance both from HMG and Industry. • Big issue is how to deal with developments outside but close to AONB boundaries.
Planning System • Major changes with the creation of the National Planning Commission. • The number of consultations is a major challenge to small organisations like NAAONB. • Some modest success in getting Conservation Boards recognised as Statutory Consultees. • Role of AONB Management Plans in local development plans is still confused/variable.
Planning • NAAONB has agreed to work with the CAA and others (NE, CPRE etc) to improve methodology to assess impact of air traffic control strategies on tranquillity and enjoyment of AONBs. • This reflects new environmental remit for CAA which was subject to lobbying by NAAONB and Chilterns AONB
Agriculture • NAAONB is working in a wide partnership to set out stall for 2013 RDP and proposals for 2020. • Challenge is to ensure farmers in AONBs get support for delivering environmental benefits which support the AONB designationdesignation. • Move towards single schemes as proposed in Wales with Glastir presents challenge to make sure AONBs are primary targets.
Agriculture • Main thrust has been to ensure the new arrangements for hill farming in England support AONB farming. Some success. • Commons still an issue. • Introduction of Commons legislation important for some AONBs if Registers become primary evidence to support applications for RDP funds. • Challenge is to make sure AONBs are primary targets.
Marine Legislation • Marine Bill – NAAONB working with Europarc and other partners. Some success in getting importance of sea and coastal landscapes recognised. • No clause in the Bill but promises that Policy Statements and Guidance will draw attention to need to consider concept of “seascapes” and impacts on coastal designated areas.
Marine Legislation • Challenge will be to ensure the Whitehall departments & devolved legislations incorporate the promise into their legislation and guidance. • This will need a strong presence from AONBs and any support or volunteers to help the Europarc Working Group would be very welcome. • Latest update on the Bill at Conference registration desk.
Future Thinking • NAAONB is involved with number organisations raising questions about future of designated landscapes/designated areas. • Much blue skies thinking but important to be in at the beginning if we want to influence the outcomes. Some timescales very long and need stamina!
Internal organisational work • Completed major review of internal organisation and how best to develop the NAAONB. • New Communications Strategy development progressing well. Branding proposals soon to be finalised. • Major challenge will be to ensure high profile for AONBs at time of major reductions in public expenditure.
New developments and partnerships • NAAONB has agreed with NE a new basis for partnership between NE and AONBs in England. • Working with National Parks in Wales (WANPA) to strengthen links between AONBs and NPs • Growing public interest in new AONBs in both England and Wales. However there seems to be little appetite for new designations from central government and its agencies.
