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.

Public Health Wales have to dispose of surplus office furniture, including desks, chairs, filing cabinets, bookcases and white goods, by the end of August.  Some is at Mamhilad House, Pontypool.  Free of charge to third sector if you collect and transport.  Contact Bethan.Downes@wales.nhs.uk or 02920 104334.

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

The Black Mountains Land Use Partnership has secured a grant of £1m from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for its Sustainable Management Scheme project funded through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. This will ensure that the partnership can move forward in its aim to promote continued improvement, restoration and sustainable management of the natural resources of the Black Mountains.  The pioneering partnership brings together key stakeholders in the area, including graziers from the Black Mountains Graziers Association and private land owners, along with public land owning bodies and support from the Young Farmers Club. Working together the partners aim to improve the viability and quality of the traditional farming practices that contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources. These will include bracken management, heather regeneration, improvement of grazing land and the protection of peat resources. Local communities will be involved through developing a rural skills programme, engagement with schools and the creation of employment opportunities including two partnership ranger posts.