Severn Estuary Partnership Update 2013/14 Gwilym Owen / Rhoda Ballinger Severn@cardiff.ac.uk

1. Severn Estuary Partnership Update 2013/14 Gwilym Owen / Rhoda Ballinger Severn@cardiff.ac.uk www.severnestuary.net/sep Severn Estuary Partnership, Joint Advisory Committee 14th May 2013

2. Timetable Meeting Schedule Key Priorities Key Activities

6. Membership and involvement • Organisational Status • Key Roles • Encouragement of delivery of estuary principles • Promoting and Publicising the Estuary • Adding value and filling gaps • Ensuring Effective Communications • Selling the service • Resources and operations

7. Membership • 5/1: Encourage members of ASERA, SCOSLA, SECG & NDCSG to join SEP as the coordinating body for the estuary • 5/3: Actively support WCMP (replacement), the Welsh Group of European Marine Sites and the Wales MCZ Stakeholder focus group • 5/7: Continue to publicise SEP & explore opportunities for joint working, while encouraging new members to join • 5/10: Develop a sponsorship scheme & list of potential sponsors for SEP events and core outputs (e.g. Forum and Severn Tidings). • 5/11: Continue to encourage current funding partners to contribute & new partners to join by developing a benefits paper and writing to LA chief executives

8. Encouraging delivery of estuary principles • 7/2: Continued development & annual updating of agreed State of the Severn Estuary Report themes • 7/4: Respond to consultations • 7/6: Encourage the Welsh Assembly Government and UK Government to work in a cross-border manner in the Severn Estuary • 7/8: Encourage MMO & WG to jointly plan any Marine Plan covering the estuary • 7/8a: Work with the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Welsh Government (WCMP) to update the ‘Wales Coastal Directory’ • 7/9: Engage, where appropriate the Finding Sanctuary (and MCZ Project Wales) • 7/12:  Continue to develop and strengthen the Joint Estuary Groups Initiative Secretariat and run Secretariat services for BCSEG, SECG & ASERA • 7/13 : Provide support and coordination for the Bristol Channel Standing Environment Group • 7/15: Facilitate discussions (neutral perspective) for options for tidal power

9. Promoting and Publicising the Estuary • 8/1: Continue to develop and expand Severn Estuary Gateway and SEP websites • 8/11: Produce a community focused Severn Tidings Newsletter twice a year to develop the voice of communities around the estuary

10. Adding value and filling gaps • 9/1: Continue support SMP2 and FRMS delivery – offer SEP services as appropriate • 9/2: Possibility of additional FRMS public consultation coordination • 9/3: Co-ordinate production of Management Scheme for Severn Estuary European Marine Site through secretariat services for ASERA • 9/7: Contribute to the DeltaNET project via attendance at workshops completion of theme workplans and organisation of final meeting (funded)

11. Ensuring Effective communications • 10/1: Organise quarterly meetings of the SEP Management Group • 10/2: Organise annual meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee • 10/3: Organise the Severn Estuary Forum, alternating between England and Wales • 11/1: Explore how SEP can more effectively assist the work of partner organisations • 11/2: Develop the website to include pages on what SEP can deliver both for individual organisations and the region

12. SEP Staffing & work plan • Paul Parker (EA) • Gwilym Owen • New SEP/ASERA post • Student placements

13. Key Activities

14. SEP Website Development

15. SEP Web Development

16. Monthly E-News

19. State of the Severn Estuary Reporting • Merging updated report card content (2011) with original SOSER 2010 report & preparing for website update (Summer launch) • Bathing Waters, • Population & Development, • Maintenance Dredging, • Marine Aggregates, • Sea Defence & Shoreline Management, • The Water Environment, • Climate Change • Ports & Shipping • Development of Indicator Sets / Process • Birds, Fish & Habitats • Draft annual reporting process matrix • See handouts

20. Publication of Final Newsletter • Development of the following themes and associated work programmes: • Theme 3 – Healthy Delta Environment • Theme 4 – Delta Awareness • Theme 5 – Coordinated Delta Policy • Final meeting: Cardiff, January 2013 (Site visits: Cardiff Bay; Gwent Wetlands Reserve) • Further information • http://www.deltanet-project.eu/

21. DELTANET Recommendations • Stimulate an overall vision for each delta/estuary • Develop an integrated vision/plan for each area • Ensure wide participation and wide stakeholder involvement • Stimulate the formation of a common platform/partnership/working groups for a balanced approach • Ensure political commitment is maintained • Have central coordinator/organisation to ensure strategy and plans are implemented & continuous stakeholder involvement • Endeavour to achieve balanced implementation of EC directives • Use an innovative and simple communication process

22. Projects for Welsh Government and the Marine Management Organisation: • CPN Project • WCMP / Welsh Government Project