This report seeks approval to accept a three year funding allocation from Natural Resources Wales and additional two year funding from DEFRA for the Wye Valley National Landscape (previously known as the Wye Valley AONB).

That:

A) The council accepts the additional funding offers from DEFRA for a total of up to £767,437 as detailed below, and to deliver the projects as set out in this report across Herefordshire and the rest of the Wye Valley National Landscape;

a. Wye Valley National Landscape Access for All funding allocation of £126,288 for the period 2023-2025, added to the existing core funding agreement

b. Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) increased allocation of £501,209 for the period 2023-2025, separated from the existing core funding agreement

c. Additional Capital funding of up to £140,000 (to be confirmed) for 2024/25.

B) The council accepts the funding offers from Natural Resources Wales for a total of £147,000 as detailed below, and to deliver the projects as set out in this report across Herefordshire and the rest of the AONB;

a. Strategic Allocated Funding (SAF) for Wye Valley AONB of £147,000 for the period 2024-27

C) The council acknowledges the rebranding of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as National Landscapes; and

D) The Service Director Environment and Highways s authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the schemes.

1. Not to accept the grant funding- this is not recommended as the council is the accountable body for the Wye Valley National Landscape, has statutory responsibly to seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty, and will otherwise need to allocate revenue and capital funding to meet these duties.

2. Part accept the grant funding

a. Core funding - This is not recommended at this time as the core funding allocations are required to maintain the existing services and contribute to deliver the council’s duties to further the conservation and enhancement of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

b. Project funding – this is not recommended as this would result in a significant loss of investment in the National Landscape and is not in line with either the Council’s strong Climate and Ecological emergency commitments or the delivery of the joint statutory AONB Management Plan.