Local Nature Partnership to be formed

A range of organisations are working together to develop a bid to secure funding to form a Local Nature Partnership (LNP) to oversee the natural environment in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. 

The partnership aims to secure a functioning, sustainable and resilient natural environment to improve the health, well-being and livelihoods of people in the county. 

Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council are leading the development of the LNP.  It is one of 47 other such partnerships being developed across the country.

The latest stage in the development focussed on an event at Grays Hotel, Telford attended by business representatives, health officials, senior planners, politicians and environmental experts. 

The event identified the financial value of the natural environment to the local economy and the services provided to people such as food, clean water and air, recreation and flood prevention – many of which are under threat. 

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for rural affairs, carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“The Building a Local Nature Partnership workshop gave us the opportunity to really drive home the message that managing and enhancing our natural environment is integral to meeting Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin’s social, economic and environmental challenges. 

“We have started to develop a vision and objectives for the Partnership that recognises the true value of the natural environment to everyone’s lives.” 

LNPs were introduced by the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper published in July last year to encourage a wider range of people to be involved in how decisions are made about the natural environment in their local area. 

Hilda Rhodes, Telford and Wrekin Council’s cabinet member, said:

“The natural environment is one of our greatest assets, and how we harness it is crucial to the well-being of residents in both Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire.  

“It was wonderful to be involved with the workshop on Tuesday, and I sincerely hope the Local Nature Partnership achieves its objectives.  Telford and Wrekin Council is a co-operative council, so partnership working is at the heart of our activities.” 

LNPs will provide an innovative way of improving the natural environment by working with local businesses and the health sector as well as the environment sector.  

LNPs have been tasked with working alongside the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to help grow a green and low carbon economy.  

Over the next two months the shadow LNP board will be applying to Defra to become formally recognised as a Local Nature Partnership, and should know the result by early autumn 2012. 

For more information about Shropshire’s Local Nature Partnership call 01743 252543, email naturalenvironment@shropshire.gov.uk or visit our website at shropshire.gov.uk

Further information

The aim of the Local Nature Partnership to:

• Co-ordinate and streamline existing activities
• Ensure local groups are working towards a common goal
• Raise awareness about the natural environment and its health benefits
• Raise awareness about the value of the natural environment to communities and the local economy.