Working Groups
In October 2004 the Partnership agreed to form a number of Working Groups to advise on and oversee implementation of the AONB Management Plan in certain topic areas.
Click below for information on the working groups:
Recreation, Tourism & Products Development Group
Farming Working Group
Long Mynd - Stiperstones Group
Historic Environment Discussion Group
Wrekin Forest Partnership
Recreation, Tourism & Products Development Group
The primary role of the Working Group will be to support the purposes of the AONB and the implementation of the Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan in relation to recreation, tourism and products.
In particular the Group will :
• Examine issues relating to recreation, tourism and local products affecting the Shropshire Hills and guide AONB Partnership’s strategic approach on these issues.
• Help to define actions required of partners, the AONB Partnership and other parties to achieve the aims of the AONB Management Plan, and help to implement or steer projects as appropriate.
• Receive updates and exchange information on relevant activity to monitor delivery of the AONB Management Plan.
• Provide a forum for discussion of issues related to recreation, tourism and products in the AONB, to aid co-ordination of work by range of organisations and build mutual understanding.
Click below to read minutes from previous meetings :
9th March 2010 - Europarc Charter for Sustainable Tourism presentation
9th March 2010 - Offa's Country presentation
9th March 2010 - Rea Valley Trail Feasibility Study presentation
14th October 2009 - Minutes of Sustainable Products Working Group
1st February 2008 - Minutes of Sustainable Products Working Group
Farming Working Group
The primary role of the Working Group will be to support the purposes of the AONB and the implementation of the Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan in relation to farming matters.
The Group aims to:
• Examine farming issues affecting the landscape of the Shropshire Hills (in particular the Single Farm Payment, Environmental Stewardship scheme and relevant market trends), and guide AONB Partnership’s strategic approach on farming issues.
• Help to define actions required of partners, the AONB Partnership and other parties to achieve the aims of the AONB Management Plan, and help to implement or steer projects as appropriate.
• Receive updates and exchange information on relevant activity to monitor delivery of the AONB Management Plan.
• Provide a forum for discussion of issues related to farming and conservation in the AONB, to aid co-ordination of work by range of organisations and build mutual understanding.
Click below to read minutes from previous meetings:
Long Mynd - Stiperstones Group
The primary role of the Working Group will be to support the purposes of the AONB and the implementation of the Shropshire Hills AONB Management Plan in relation to matters affecting the Long Mynd - Stiperstones area.
The Group aims to:
• Help to develop and deliver a sustainable future for the Long Mynd -Stiperstones area as a key part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Help to define actions required of partners, the AONB Partnership and other parties to achieve the aims of the AONB Management Plan, and help to implement or steer local projects as appropriate.
• Provide a forum, with good community and landowner representation, for discussion of conservation issues related to the area.
• Aid co-ordination of conservation-related work by a range of organisations.
• Advise the AONB Partnership on issues affecting the area.
Click below to read minutes from previous meetings:
Historic Environment Discussion Group
The purpose of the Group is to provide a forum for the exchange of news and information for communiyt groups working in the Shropshire Hills AONB. Practical support will also be given in the form of professional help and networking, advice, access to the AONB's library and mapping facilities.
In particular, the Group will:
• Provide feedback on current and future work;
• Identify research opportunites within the AONB;
• Pursue funding opportunities for work to promote the historic environment in the AONB and work with the AONB team to secure funding as is available;
• Promote increased public awareness and understanding of historic environment issues and provide opportunities for public involvement.
Wrekin Forest Partnership
The Wrekin Forest Partnership aims to bring together relevant partners to work together for the sustainable natural, cultural and economic future of the "Wrekin Forest", centred on the Wrekin Hill, but also including surrounding land outside the AONB. The Wrekin Forest has its own Landscape Conservation Management Plan, linked to the AONB Management Plan. Implementation is led by the Wrekin Forest Project Officer, Pete Lambert, employed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The Wrekin Forest Partnership is formally a Working Group of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, but is essentially a devolved structure retaining a strong link to the AONB, and fulfilling some of its co-ordinating roles at a local level.
Click here to see the full Terms of Reference for the Wrekin Forest Partnership.
Click here to see the Wrekin Forest Landscape Conservation Management Plan.
Click here to see the Brief for the Wrekin Forest Sustainable Access & Transport Study
Click here to see the Wrekin Forest Visitor Centre Feasibility Study findings.
Click here to see the Wrekin Visitor Survey 2005-6 Report
Click here to see the Wrekin Archaeology Report 2005
Click here to visit the Shropshire Wildlife Trust website to find out about their work on the Wrekin Forest Project.
Click below to read minutes from previous meetings: