Maintaining a Solent Indicator set (second priority) Conferences on topical subjects (second priority) Solent Forum Groups Solent European Marine Sites scheme of management Natural Environment Water Quality group Recreation Group (now ceased) Solent Forum Projects Full details by year of everything that the Solent Forum has been involved in over the last five years can be found in Appendix A. This information was used to complete the review tables set out below, there are three sections, core work , Solent Forum serviced groups and projects. The review findings are illustrated by a traffic light system where green, signifies fully achieved, amber signifies partially achieved and red signifies not yet achieved. In summary, the Solent Forum has achieved all of its core activities; members clearly indicated that these were the priority(see table 1). All of its actions under group work have also been achieved (see table 2). Regarding project work, the Forum achieved most of the actions and partially achieved the remainder (see table 3). In addition it was involved in a further five projects, two of which it project managed. Whilst solvency was not a target for the Solent Forum, the Forum covered all of its cost during the five year period, without needing to draw from reserves. Core Work Programme The core work programme is specifically tailored to each of the Forum’s five objectives. These objectives in turn meet the broad Forum aims. Table 1 shows the Solent Forum Core Work Programme, column three indicates what has been achieved over the past 5 years. . . Table 1 Work Programme 2010 – 2015 Category How to measure Progress during Business Plan Period Overarching
The Solent Forum needs to remain fit for purpose and its business develops to ensure its long term viability. Monitor and Review Work Programme, Business Plan, Finances and Terms of Reference Steering Group Meeting February of each year. Achieved in each year Review and update membership databases to ensure all details are correct Databases kept up to date Achieved in each year Provide for professional development and training of staff Professional training and development provided. in line with HCC. Achieved in each year Objective 1 - raise awareness and understanding of the members’ roles and aspirations Hold regular SF meeting to bring to members’ attention coastal management issues Three Steering Group meetings and two members meetings. Views sought and followed on. Achieved in each year Organise seminars, conferences and events to bring interested parties up to date on factors influencing the Solent Organise conferences as and when appropriate Achieved in each year. Events inc. Conference 2010 Water Quality Conference 2010 3 SDMP workshops held CCATCH conference 2014 Publish Solent News, a newsletter for the Forum and maintain the news service Solent News published monthly e-mail newsletter Achieved in each year Maintain and develop the Solent Forum website Web-site maintenance work Achieved in each year Objective 2 - improve access to the information base Maintain databases and metadatabases of information as directed by members Databases maintained including DISC Achieved in each year Objective 3 - To facilitate better communication, consultation and liaison Continue to offer and provide a mechanism for networking, communicating to and Three Steering Group meetings and two members meetings. Views sought and followed on. Achieved in each year
consulting with Solent Forum members Objective 4 - To awareness and understanding of the human and natural changes likely to materially affect the Solent Bring to members’ attention the potential changes that may affect the Solent Raised at Steering Group meetings. Members Meeting presentations and hot topics. Achieved in each year Topics varied – key ones: Marine Planning evidence and consultation MCZs Recreational Disturbance Objective 5 - To promote the national and regional importance of the Solent and contribute where appropriate to policy, development and plan making Continue to provide a structure for discussion and coordinated action to integrate coastal management in the Solent. Solent Forum meetings, presentations and projects as directed by the Steering group Achieved in each year, Also engaging in all consultations on Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management Solent Forum officers to maintain relationships with Solent and relevant regional and national organisations to foster understanding of coastal management issues Officers to continue networking with national and regional organisations. Achieved in each year, In particular attend SCOPAC/SCG, Marine East meetings, Solent LEP events, Meeting with NE, EA and HiWWT. Involved in Coastal Partnership Network and European Marine Site (EMS) network. Solent Forum Groups The Solent Forum services a number of groups which are set up by the discretion of its steering group. Some run permanently and others are set up on an ad hoc basis when needed. In summary, the Solent Forum continue to run the Solent European Marine Site scheme of management secretariat and its associated Natural Environment Group. These two proactive groups have led to many projects that the Forum has been involved in, many of which has enable the Forum to take in income to cover its costs. The Solent Forum also managed projects that came out of the Recreation Group. It also ran the Water Quality Conference that came out of the Water Quality group. All of projects and events that derived from these groups are listed in table 3 on projects. Table 2 Solent Forum Groups 2010 - 2015 Groups Key aim of groups Progress during Business Plan Period
Climate Change (AdaptSolent) Name changed to CCATCH the Solent Part of an EU project led by the EA called CC2150. Engaging vulnerable communities on climate change. Solent Forum deliver arm for HCC who were a partner. Marine Industry related projects Project list to be conformed after exploratory meetings with HEP, Marine SE and the Chamber of Commerce. Proposals to be made to SF Steering Group. Including a range of factsheets for Business, updating marine consents guide, responding to the SEEDA waterfront strategy. Core Partially achieved. An update of the Solent Forum Coastal Consents Guide was achieved. HEP discontinued and the Solent Forum has continued to work with Marine South East and the Solent LEP encouraging them to utilise the Solent Forum for projects. The Members Meetings provide a good balance of presentations on marine industry Sector Information Factsheets Using all available data from SoMaP, Recreation Group, Nature Conservation Group, State of the Solent, SF Members to produce a range of factsheets for each different sector in the Solent. These sheets win particular will highlight development pressures, how issues are being measured and addressed, trends in information etc. Core Partially achieved. The Solent Forum SG decided that factsheets could only be produced by expert groups. Factsheets and an update of the Strategic Guidance chapters was made for Water Quality, Recreation and Tourism and Nature Conservation. Update Solent Forum Strategic Guidance The last strategic guidance was produced in 1997. This guidance to be updated. The Recreation and Tourism Chapter will be updated by the Recreation Group in 2010/11. Core Partially achieved. The Solent Forum SG decided that factsheets could only be produced by expert groups. Factsheets and an update of the Strategic Guidance chapters was made for Water Quality, Recreation and Tourism and Nature Conservation.
CCATCH the Solent Continued from the previous year. The will continue to facilitate dialogue with the communities that were part of the CCATCH the Solent project. It will continue to support Southampton City Council’s Belsize Flood Resilience project. Ongoing throughout Southern Marine Planning Consultation and Evidence The aim of marine planning is to ensure a sustainable future for our coastal and offshore waters through managing and balancing the many activities, resources and assets in our marine environment. It is led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Forum worked with the MMO to assist in the gathering of evidence on behalf of Solent stakeholders to inform the marine plan. It has also responded to various consultations Southern Marine Planning Events 3rd of a suite of three consultation workshops held in the Southern Marine Planning area. The Solent Forum assisted in facilitation, and helped chair the workshop.. The Objectives workshop was held 12th February 2015. Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS) Funding review A funding review of SEMS was undertaken to make the scheme more equitable across Relevant Authorities. The process of SEMS and the relationship with the Natural Environment Group (NEG) was also reviewed The review enables a successful integration of NEG under SEMS, and a more equitable funding apportionment between Relevant Authorities Solent Fishers Project The have working with the Blue Marine Foundation to develop a project to support fishers to continue their livelihoods in the Solent. A project plan is being produced by the Blue Marine Foundation. Marine Conservation Zone consultation and workshops The Forum organises and facilitates topical workshops on behalf of its members. A pre-consultation event is was planned for summer 2014 on the proposals for Marine Conservation Zones around the Solent, however that has been put back Ongoing throughout the time period. Just heard that only one site now proposed for the Solent (Needles) and therefore a seprate workshop may now not be held Seaview Environment Agency pilot project, to look at the Solent Estuarine and Coastal Waters, as a pilot, to bring about improvements in the water environment to meet the WFD as well as other key legislation Solent Forum helped organise a workshop in October 2014. It is currently consulting on proposals that the Solent Forum host this project over the coming year Love where you sail This is an EA project to bring understand the effects of recreational boaters on the Solent water quality A collaborative project with the involvement of the Solent Forum and RYA to improve the evidence base and understanding