Monmouthshire GreenWeb

Transition Monmouth has been talking to the County Council about RECS (Renewable Energy Community Schemes with flood prevention + other benefits) and appointed Atkins as their consultants. They are now to hold their first workshop to find out where there is flooding and what you think should be done and where. The study covers Monmouth and the surrounding area to include Skenfrith, Dingestow, Newcastle and Trellech.

This is a drop in session (+ tea/coffee/biscuits) with Atkins staff on hand at the Shire Hall on Friday, 8 September from 1.30 to 4.00pm. You can also email information to vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk and Andy.Gill@atkinsglobal.com.

In 2016/17 Monmouthshire recycled 69% of its household waste, almost reaching the national target for eight years time of 70%.  Only Ceredigion has reached that target.  Blaenau Gwent managed only 57% but this was the biggest improvement during the year, followed by Monmouthshire.  Welsh Government is now consulting on plans to halve food waste by 2025.

New duties for Natural Resources Wales placed upon them under The Environment Act and the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act call for new ways of working which support a more collaborative and, in some cases, a co- produced approach. NRW hope their new funding approach, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, will support them to meet these duties. Work is now underway to begin developing the Commissioning Plans.

Funding will be available in the region of £3 million per year – subject to any reductions in NRW’s Grant In Aid.  Partners will be able to apply for up to 3 years funding from 2018 – helping longer term planning.  NRW will have a two stage process – inviting initial expressions of interest, followed by invitation to make a full application.  An open call for projects to come forward with approaches to these challenges is currently envisaged to open by Spring 2018. It is likely that NRW will be able to provide interested parties with more detail about how expressions of interest may be submitted by October 2017.

Keep an eye on https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/funding/?lang=en

Future Landscapes, the Welsh Government commissioned report on National Parks and AONBs, has provoked an influential body to warn that international recognition of these areas as protected areas could be withdrawn if the priority of nature conservation is reduced.  Concern centres on whether economic development will be given undue policy emphasis.  See www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-national-parks-could-lose-13400448.

The Wye Valley AONB is promoting the two-year Youth Ranger Programme as part of the Foresters’ Forest Initiative. Sixty young people have taken part to date and enhanced their knowledge, experience and skills in all matters that fall within the countryside management sector; drystone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing, wildlife survey, farm visits, recreation, rural craft skills & heritage knowledge to name but a few. More information at http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/youth-rangers/. Register your interest today – there are free taster sessions in September. Young people who have taken part in Youth Rangers have found it useful in adding to their CV’s and when making personal statements for university applications.