An Introduction to the Severn Estuary Partnership: Collaboration and Joint Approaches Paul Parker Severn Estuary Partnership Engagement Officer Monday 21 st June 2010

UK Estuary & Coastal Partnerships Began to form in the early 1990s Encouragement by Government conservation bodies (e.g. SNH, EN, CCW) Specific local need identified by a number of organisations A more general recognition of a need to cooperate on the management of a water body by a variety of organisations A number of local coastal and estuarine fora (LCF) established No legislation for ICZM in Great Britain

Set up in 1995 Independent, Estuary-wide NON- statutory initiative Led by Local Authorities & Statutory Agencies Involves all those interested in the future of the estuary Strategy document 2001 Strategic Business Plan in 2010 ‘A vibrant and prosperous community, working in partnership for a clean and pleasant environment, valued and protected for generations to come.’ History

Establish and embed a set of ‘common principles’ for sustainable estuary use via Partners’ strategies, policies and action plans Act as a co-ordinating body to assist the effective and efficient delivery of agreed estuary-wide actions Promote and publicise the estuary at local, national and international level Add value and fill gaps in effective estuary management, providing extra capacity when required Facilitate effective communication across and between organisations and individuals Aims of the Severn Estuary Partnership:

Need for Integrated Management of the Severn Estuary Wind and Tidal Energy proposals Nuclear energy Energy from waste power plant Management Scheme for the European Marine Site Shoreline Management Plans Flood Risk Management Plans Regional Pollution Plans Marine & Coastal Access Act Marine Spatial Plans Marine Conservation Zones **Cross border issues**

… and achieve this using an integrated approach! The Severn Estuary Partnership provides a unique neutral role linking people and organisations for the future of the estuary.

How Do We Do This? Joint Advisory Committee Management Group SEP Staff Team -1 manager (P/T) -1scientific officer -1 engagement officer -1 communications / web officer Information Provision: –Contacts Database (>2000); –Web-based ‘Who Does What’ Guide Secretariat: SECG, ASERA, Bristol Channel Strategic Environment Group Publications: -SEP website (ASERA, SECG, SE Flood Risk Management Strategy, information, maps, images, who’s-who, links) -Severn Tidings newsletter -Monthly E-Newsletters -Information leaflets -State of the Severn report and report cards Projects: - COREPOINT (IIIB): promoting ICZM and LIS with spatial planners - IMCORE (IVB): Climate change adaptation and scenarios in Europe - DeltaNET: sharing estuary best practice in Europe - Beacons: climate change adaptation outreach in Wales and England Severn Estuary Forum Facilitate Public Consultation Processes: Eg. SMP2, Marine Planning Attend meetings and events, respond to consultations and emphasize need for co- ordination and joint working Joint Estuary Day

Drivers –English/Welsh ICZM Strategies –Key local champions –Continuing need for ‘estuary-wide’ view –SEP increased management ‘professionalism’ Challenges –Lack of legal status of ICZM ASERA - EMS limited resources –Limited involvement of business /industrial sectors –Diverging agenda of English & Welsh administrations –Severn Estuary Tidal Power proposals –Marine Bill (opportunity & Challenges)?

Progress over the last year: Input to Severn Tidal Power SEA Revised Management Scheme for European Marine Site SEP Strategic Business and Financial Plans to identify where SEP needs to be in 5 years time ( ) Review of Severn Estuary Strategy document Investigating the options for a ‘State of the Estuary’ report (data management) Involvement with European projects e.g. COREPOINT, IMCORE, local engagement projects – Beacons. Providing support for the Severn Estuary Coastal Group (Shoreline Management Plan), Bristol Channel Standing Environment Group (Pollution Response), Severn Estuary Climate Change Research Advisory Group… Creation of new Severn Estuary Gateway website and associated sites, including RSS feeds

Paul Parker, Severn Estuary Partnership Officer