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Local Authorities and Sustainable Peatland Management: Current Opportunities and Future Possibilities for Local Approaches
Providing resilient ecological networks is a complex notion and practical, strategic approaches to this are still under development. Concentrating on a particular habitat such as peatlands could provide a clear focus for action. This would also be significant in contributing to NRW’s obligation to ensure that Area Statements facilitate the implementation of the National Natural Resources Policy. Given this specific focus on developing nature based solutions to climate change adaptation and mitigation. At the same time, this approach could provide an important steer for local authorities aiming to support the development of resilient ecological networks through the operation of their own functions.
Local Nature Partnerships
Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) have no statutory foundation but emerged from action over many years in response to the mandate to halt biodiversity provided by the UNCBD. LNPs aim to engage communities, businesses and other local actors, including the local authority, in strategic and practical action in support of nature. SPM can play an important role in supporting biodiversity and especially ecosystems resilience at the local level. There is potential for these partnerships to provide expert advice on peatland habitats; help identify areas for better management and restoration of peatlands; assist local authorities in engaging with communities to support SPM; and respond to funding opportunities in this regard. Note : Public Service Boards, Area Statements and Local Nature Partnerships may all support SPM. However, all three have considerable resource implications for local authorities and other organisations. This is a wider but important consideration in considering how partnership organisations might support SPM.
Corporate Joint Committees and other Regional Organisations
Peatlands cover wide areas that may often transcend local authority or PSB boundaries. For example, the significant area of deep peatland that straddles the borders of Neath Port Talbot Borough Council (NPTBC) and Rhondda Cynon Taff Borough Council (RCTBC) (see Figure 6 above). This highlights the need for cross-boundary working between local authorities. This may be carried out on a voluntary basis in response to funding calls as demonstrated by the Lost Peatlands project (see below). However, it might, in future be supported by other regional organisations given the multiple ecosystem benefits of SPM. These include Regional Partnership Boards (health boards, local authorities and third sector), Regional Skills Partnerships and other arrangements supporting regional economic development, such as the Valleys Task Force. Of particular note, are Corporate Joint Committees (CJC) which are the most recent statutory mechanism that has been developed to support joint working between local authorities. CJCs will have a role in regional land use planning, as well as regional transport planning and promoting the economic well-being of their area. Given the significance of land use planning to SPM the land use planning role of CJCs will be particularly relevant.
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