Business & Communication Plan
In North Merseyside, Corn Buntings could benefit from the inclusion of ‘farmland birds’ as a priority in the business plan.In 2005 new funding from Defra/English Nature, Environment Agency and the Local Biodiversity Steering Groups enabled England and the regions to take a more strategic approach to local delivery of biodiversity targets. Through this funding, a North West Regional Biodiversity Manager and five Local Biodiversity Managers covering Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and North Merseyside were appointed.
Under the guidance of the biodiversity managers, each of the five areas in the North West has produced a plan to focus the delivery of biodiversity targets for the period March 2006 – March 2009
Under the guidance of the biodiversity managers, each of the five areas in the North West has produced a plan to focus the delivery of biodiversity targets for the period March 2006 – March 2009. These plans are known as Business and Communication Plans but they should be seen as an integral part of the Biodiversity Action Plans; much in the same way as individual Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans are. The purpose of the Business and Communication plan is to focus on a specific subset of the Biodiversity Action Plan targets for implementation between 2006 and 2009.
The business plans are tools for concentrating resources for a finite period in order maximise progress towards biodiversity targets. Ongoing actions towards BAP targets that are not specifically included in the Business and Communication Plan are unaffected
The business plans are tools for concentrating resources for a finite period in order maximise progress towards biodiversity targets. Ongoing actions towards BAP targets that are not specifically included in the Business and Communication Plan are unaffected.
Seven core services are deliverable by local biodiversity partnerships under the terms of the new funding.
- Establishing and maintaining a broad partnership. As far as possible, ensure that all relevant sectors are engaged in the local biodiversity partnership.
- Delivering the Biodiversity Action Plan locally. Where they do not already do so, ensure that local biodiversity objectives include SMART targets for the delivery of habitats and species, taking into account national targets. To work with the partnership to agree a range of projects to deliver the local biodiversity objectives.
- Fundraising for BAP delivery. Develop and implement a funding strategy to obtain national and local sources of external funding in support of projects and to obtain funding for the Local Biodiversity Service in the long term. Work with the regional biodiversity partnership in the development of funding for collaborative projects.
- Reporting and monitoring. Use the national Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) to report on the implementation and delivery of actions initiated locally.
- Integrating BAP into policy (local or regional). Proactively support local authorities, so they are better able to develop innovative ways of delivering biodiversity locally. Actively promote the inclusion of biodiversity objectives into Community Strategies and other local plans. Promote best practice in the planning system, providing support and advice to local planning authorities to avoid loss of features through development, and make the most of opportunities for planning gain.
- Promoting BAP. Develop and implement a communications plan to raise awareness in support of BAP, working with partners and any established public awareness working group. Increase the engagement of local businesses and communities in the BAP process.
- Representation. Ensure the LBAP partnership is represented on the regional biodiversity forum and other relevant regional and national meetings. Respond to consultation from partners at regional and national levels of the BAP process.
The North Merseyside Business and Communications Plan is a living document that is regularly reviewed and updated. Targets can be changed, and new ones added, in response to the reality of changing conditions on the ground
The North Merseyside Business and Communications Plan is a living document that is regularly reviewed and updated. Targets can be changed, and new ones added, in response to the reality of changing conditions on the ground. In this way, the Business and Communications Plan is kept relevant and useful to the ongoing process of conserving biodiversity in North Merseyside.
You can view the plan by using the two links in the left margin. The two documents together constitute the Business and Communications Plan. The ‘delivery matrix’ contains specific targets, actions to meet them and timescales.