Oxon LNP Board Minutes – 8 June 2022
In attendance
· Richard Benwell (Chair)
· Prue Addison
· David Rouane
· Jennifer Stringer
· David Knight
· David Macdonald
· Michelle Leek
· Rosie Rowe
· Giles Brockbank
· Simon Smith
· Matthew Stanton (admin support)
· Susan Harbour (South & Vale)
· Matt Whitney (incoming LNP Manager)
Apologies
· James Price
Conflicts of Interest
- No new conflicts of interest were declared.
Introduction from New Chair
- Richard Benwell introduced himself and noted, amongst other things, that (I) we need to learn from other LNPs, (ii) we need to work out a calendar of influence to take advantage of all current and future opportunities, (iii) the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) will be key going forward, and (iv) new mechanisms like BNG need to be influenced to ensure gains are genuinely permanent.
Introduction from Line Manager to LNP Manager
- Susan Harbour introduced herself and set out her position within the Oxon councils and Future Oxfordshire Partnership (FOP). FOP includes an environmental advisory sub-group.
- Susan will line manage the LNP Manager and she also line manages other partnership lead roles within FOP.
- David Rouane provided more details on FOP. FOP is about what councils can do so the membership is council representatives only. However, it does have guest speakers attending from environmental groups. Input from the LNP to FOP meetings on specific issues would be welcome.
- Rosie noted that the Oxon Infrastructure Strategy (which Rosie and Susan are involved in) has identified gaps as there is a lack of environmental schemes for funding. The LNP could engage with this process for specific outputs.
- ACTION: Prue to contact Susan and Andrew Down about who should be on the FOP Executive Officers Group (EOG).
Introduction from LNP Manager
- Matt set out his experience as LNP Manager in Gloucestershire. Nature needs to be enabler at the start rather than a blocker at the end. He is passionate about green finance.
- It was a challenge in Gloucestershire dealing with the two tier council structure and in Oxon we need to push for a county wide approach and find alignment between districts and county council.
Forum
- Prue updated the Board on results of poll to identify dates for the Forum meeting. There was not a date in July the majority could do so the board agreed to find a date in September or October.
- ACTION: Matthew will circulate a new doodlepoll.
- WildOxon could only accommodate around 50 people and the board thought a larger venue would be required so we can engage with the maximum number of people. Kings Centre is a potential venue and public transport links are essential.
- Once the board has found a date the Forum will be notified as soon as possible.
- ACTION: Matthew to ask Susan's colleague Kevin about the cost of the Kings Centre.
- ACTION: Matthew pass on King Centre details to Camilla to book the Forum event
- The board agreed the objective of the Forum meeting would be:
o Forum to meet the Board, hear proposals and discuss priorities
o Meet and greet between Forum members
o Forum to inform work of LNP
- The board discussed the draft agenda for the day.
- ACTION: Matthew to amend Forum agenda then share with the board.
- It was noted that we need to ensure there is a balance of councilors invited from all councils.
- ACTION: All to consider suitable guest speaker and discuss with Richard.
Health and Nature
- Michelle and Rosie presented their paper on health and nature (HWB subgroup DRAFT TOR 20220504_no tracks.docx)
- Other successful LNPs have Health and Nature working groups.
- The work of the group would include the following activity:
o networking to promote collaboration
o Knowledge sharing
o Informing development of Oxfordshire’s Nature Recovery Strategy
o Informing local policy, programmes and projects
o Advocating for access to nature for all
- The board discussed the use of language associated with the LNP. We agreed that competitive language (e.g., “exemplar" in old version of LNP purpose) is best avoided.
- ACTION: Matthew to place all finalised documents (e.g., LNP Board ToR, Forum ToR, Board Bios) into a new folder (eg Finalised Papers) and out of ‘working papers’, and re-share with the Board
- The board approved the creation of a Health and Nature Working Group.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy Update
- Nick Mottram (Oxfordshire County Council) provided a written update: In late March OCC received notice from Defra advising that they felt the county council would be an appropriate body to become responsible authority for the LNRS. We had a very short time window in which to reply as Defra then wished to distribute a small amount of ‘year end’ funding to RAs. We agreed on the understanding that this was a provisional, interim measure until there had been time to seek approval from our Members, district/City councils and key stakeholders. Getting that approval will require further detail about the scope, obligations and costs that go with the role and that process requires further discussion with Defra and them to issue formal guidance.
- Defra guidance on how to prepare for LNRS can be found here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use/local-nature-recovery-strategies/
- ACTION: Prue to introduce Richard and Matt (in early July) to Nick and Becky from OCC to start a conversation when they can about the LNRS
AOB
- It was noted we are still using the word exemplar in some of our documents even though it was changed in the Terms of Reference. New ToRs here: Board Terms of Reference.docx
- ACTION: Prue to set up some introductory meetings with Richard, Matt, and Matthew to pass on key information from the set up of the LNP, and give an overview of who’s who in Oxfordshire.
Summary of Actions
- ACTION: Prue to contact Susan and Andrew Down about who should be on the FOP Executive Officers Group (EOG).
- ACTION: Susan will share the FOP staff structure.
- ACTION: Matthew will circulate a new doodlepoll.
- ACTION: Susan’s colleague Kevin will find out the cost of the Kings Centre.
- ACTION: Matthew to amend Forum agenda then share with the board.
- ACTION: All to consider suitable guest speaker and discuss with Richard.
- ACTION: Matthew to email stakeholders to confirm Chair is now in place, and LNP manager recruited
- ACTION: Prue to set up some introductory meetings with Richard, Matt, and Matthew to pass on key information from the set up of the LNP, and give an overview of who’s who in Oxfordshire.
- ACTION: Prue to introduce Richard and Matt (in early July) to Nick and Becky from OCC to start a conversation when they can about the LNRS
- ACTION: Matthew to place all finalised documents (e.g., LNP Board ToR, Forum ToR, Board Bios) into a new folder (eg Finalised Papers) and out of ‘working papers’, and re-share with the Board
Next Meeting
- 21 September, 10am at Sandford Village Hall