Desktop review of the Powys Nature Recovey Action Plan

Description

Background The Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan (PNRAP), developed by the Powys Nature Partnership (PNP), was published in 2022. The plan describes the actions needed to facilitate nature recovery in Powys for different habitats and species groups. There are 125 actions within the PNRAP, which are split across a General Action Plan, 7 Habitat Action Plans and 2 Species Action Plans. The PNP would like to review progress against the PNRAP, highlight gaps, and plan projects that would address gaps. Welsh Government are encouraging all Local Nature Partnerships to start integrating 30 by 30 into NRAPs. This is the global target for 30% of land and waters to be protected and effectively managed for conservation by 2030. Previously, the PNP commissioned work to identify the baseline for Powys. Roughly, 11% of land is currently protected for nature (e.g., SACs, SPAs, SSSIs, LWS) but the condition of many of these sites is unknown. The PNP is looking to develop targets for achieving 30 by 30 and building a narrative to build public support and input. On behalf of the Powys Local Nature Partnership, Powys County Council has awarded a contract for a desk-based review of delivery against the PNRAP. This review will propose indicators, assess delivery by members of the PNP, and suggest future priorities of the PNP. Requirements The key outputs of the review are: • A set of indicators to assess delivery of actions of the PNRAP to be used to review progress every 2 years. • An overview of current and recent projects that are delivering against the actions of the Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan. • A matrix, mapping this activity against the individual actions in the plan. • Analysis of key themes in the plan where activity is currently limited, and any foreseeable risks around areas that are being delivered. • A business case for at least one, and up to three projects to address themes where activity is currently limited, with staff and other resource requirements to deliver them. This should identify potentially suitable funder(s) for each project, outlining any partnership working and the case for support for this. There could be a focus on the Local Places for Nature funding and how best to utilise this funding to deliver goals of the PNRAP. • Recommendations as to the ways in which the Powys Local Nature Partnership can add value to delivery against the Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan and bring in funding to support its delivery. • Recommendations as to the ways in which the Powys Local Nature Partnership can monitor ongoing progress towards delivery of the Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan. The timescale for completion of the work is the end of February 2024. Final invoices must be submitted for payment before the end of February 2024. Payment is on completion of the work. Expected sources of information around current and recent activity are (but not limited to) the following: • The Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan: Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan - Powys County Council. • Discussion with the members of the Local Nature Partnership and information from member websites. • Review of project information available on Welsh Government website around Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS) and Enabling Natural Resources and Wellbeing (ENRaW) funded initiatives. • Information held by the Council around projects being delivered through Local Places for Nature funding and as part of its duties under section 6 of the Environment (Wales) 2016. • Local Nature Partnership Cymru project mapping of projects. • Communication with other organisations e.g., Town and Community Councils. • Biological Information Service (BIS) mapping to identify suitable projects to address any geographic gaps in delivery. • Glastir and Sustainable Management Scheme projects. It is assumed that this will be a desk-based review, with no travel required. Meetings with Council staff and Local Nature Partnership members will be virtual via Teams.