Coastnet Iczm Flier Wales

Supporting local authorities in integrating coastal and marine issues into local planning and decision making A project funded by CCW and CoastNet

WHY ARE WE DOING IT? The ‘Making the most of Wales Coast’ ICZM strategy for Wales, identifies Local Authorities as having an important management role in the coastal zone. The project will contribute to delivery of two of the Wales ICZM Strategy actions1, namely: •

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Work with Local Government to develop appropriate guidance on the integration of coastal and marine issues within their plans and strategies, in particular community strategies and local development plans; Investigate ways of better disseminating information on the condition of the Welsh coastal environment and making this more accessible to coastal decision makers and the communities affected by those decisions.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT? We recognise that competing demands and statutory duties can be barriers to integrated working. We aim to help Local Authorities to overcome these barriers with guidance, and with networks for information sharing. In this way we aim to enable Local Authorities to contribute to delivery of integrated management. WHO IS IT FOR? The project outcomes will be principally for local authorities in Wales. However, we expect that others will also find the project and guidance useful.

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Pages 27 & 28, Section 6, The ICZM Strategy for Wales;

HOW WILL WE DO IT? We will work with officers from local authorities to identify their needs and to develop appropriate guidance, over a period of two years. Through CoastNets’s ongoing programme of communications and events in the UK we will support professional development and information sharing for local authority officers and others from Wales. Phase I project objectives: • Identify what guidance Local Authorities want and need • Identify what Local Authorities can deliver for ICZM • Consider how Local Authorities can best make their contribution to ICZM, as the basis for guidance • Identify principle gaps in knowledge and understanding (for ICZM delivery) Phase 2 will focus on production and delivery of the guidance. WHAT RESULTS WILL YOU SEE? • Guidance on the integration of coastal and marine issues within local plans and strategies, particularly community strategies and local development plans. • Recommendations for improved dissemination of information (data and knowledge) on the coastal environment so that it is more accessible to coastal decision-makers and the communities affected by those decisions.

In addition the CCW grant will support CoastNet to deliver in the UK activities that are of benefit to coastal practitioners from Wales: • Run events (workshops; conferences) around the UK (including Wales) to bring together coastal decision-makers, managers etc around relevant topics • Publish a quarterly magazine ‘the Edge’ to coastal practitioners throughout the UK • Run the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coastal and Marine Issues, as a forum for policy debate.

3. We influence policy through multidisciplinary research, to better understand coastal issues and to generate sustainable development solutions. 4. We develop and implement practical projects that promote sustainable development. The steering group for this project comprises representatives from: • • • • •

WHO ARE WE? CoastNet is an independent charity, established in 1996. We work throughout the UK and beyond to promote sustainable development in coastal regions. To implement this mission: 1. We work with individuals and communities, to promote a just society and to encourage personal responsibility in caring for coastal communities and environments 2. We provide practical knowledge, to promote excellence amongst those working in coastal policy and practice

Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Wales Coastal and Maritime Partnership (WCMP) Wales Local Government Association (WLGA) Environment Agency Wales.

HOW CAN YOU CONTACT US? CoastNet The Gatehouse Rowhedge Wharf High Street Rowhedge Colchester CO5 7ET www.coastnet.org.uk Tel. 01206 728644 Email: [email protected] Wales Coastal and Maritime Partnership Tel: 0292 0825 579 Email: [email protected] Countryside Council for Wales [email protected] 01248 387294

The Wales Coastal and Maritime Partnership (WCMP) was launched with the active involvement and support of the Welsh Assembly Government in 2002. The Partnership aims to: "Provide advice to the Welsh Assembly Government on sustainable development issues affecting the coast and seas of Wales as well as facilitating the exchange of information and dissemination of good practice". The Partnership, which is actively involved in advising on the development and implementation of marine and coastal policy in Wales, comprises of 30 representatives of organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. There are four local authority representatives on WCMP, nominated by the WLGA.

Questionnaire for Local Authorities Our goal in this project is to produce guidance that is useful to local authority staff and politicians. To do that we need your help to focus our efforts where it can have most impact. Please complete the following table:

Your organisation…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Your position………………………………………………………………………………………………………… What guidance would be useful? In need to know what ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) is I need to know how to implement an integrated approach I need to know how an integrated approach would benefit my work I need to know what plans and strategies would benefit from an integrated approach I need to know how ICZM is related to AONB management I need to know what mechanisms and tools there are for integration I need to know how ICZM is related to local development plans I need to know how ICZM is related to community strategies I need to know in what ways the water framework directive is related to local authority planning and decision making in coastal areas In need to know in what ways the Habitats Directive is related to ICZM local authority planning and decision making in coastal areas In need to know how marine planning (if introduced) will be relevant to ICZM I need to know which organisations do ICZM

Please return to the Registration Desk or by post to: Alex Midlen CoastNet Rowhedge Wharf High Street Rowhedge Colchester CO5 7ET

Rate 1 to 5 (five being high importance)