Issue - decisions

Wye Valley National Landscapes - acceptance of grant funding

01/08/2025 - Wye Valley National Landscapes - acceptance of grant funding

That:

 

a) The council accepts the National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI) project grants for 2025-2031 as detailed below, and to deliver the projects as set out in this report across Llangarron; Ross East; Ross West & Kerne Bridge Wards in the Wye Valley National Landscape:-

a. the ‘Magnificent Meadows, Tremendous Trees and Wonderful Wetlands’ award of £296,426

b. the ‘Marstow and Pencraig Landscape Connections’ award for £248,722

c. The ‘Whitchurch to Howle Hill Landscape Enhancements’ award for £246,769

 

b) The council accepts the anticipated funding offer(s) from DEFRA for 2025-26 and 2026-27 for a total of up to £1,663,710 as detailed below, to deliver the work programme agreed by the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) as outlined in this report across the Herefordshire part and other counties in the Wye Valley National Landscape, ;

a. Wye Valley National Landscape Core funding of up to £303,710 (£151,855pa)

b. Access for All funding allocation of up to £240,000 (£120,000pa)

c. Additional Core Capital funding of up to £320,000 (£160,000pa).

d. Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) allocation of up to £800,000 (£400,000pa)

 

c) The council accepts the funding offer(s) from Welsh Government for the 2025-27 for a total of up to £988,000, as detailed below, to deliver the work programme agreed by the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) as outlined in this report across the Monmouthshire part of Wye Valley National Landscape;

a. Core Revenue funding of £103,000 (£51,500pa)

b. Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) allocation of £190,000 (£95,000pa)

c. Sustainable Landscape Sustainable Places (SLSP) allocation of up to £234,000 (£117,000pa)

d. General Capital Funding of £156,000 (£78,000pa)

e. Ffermio Bro funding of up to £305,000 (£120,000 in 2025/6 & £185,000 in 2026/7).

 

d) The council accepts the funding offer from Natural Resources Wales for 2025-2027 for a total of £98,000 (£49,000pa) Strategic Allocated Funding (SAF) to deliver the projects as set out in this report across the Monmouthshire part of Wye Valley National Landscape.

 

e) The council accepts the funding bid to the Environment Agency for a total of £45,000 in 2025-2026 from the Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) to complement delivery of the National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI) project as set out in this report.

 

f) The council continues to support the Wye Valley National Landscape through a Memorandum of Understanding with the other constituent local authorities, namely Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Monmouthshire County Council. OFFICIAL

 

g) The council delegates the review and preparation of the next Wye Valley National Landscape Management Plan to the Wye Valley National Landscape Team.

 

h) The council accepts any additional funding, or variations in the above funding, in seeking to further the purpose of the National Landscape designation in 2025-6 and 2026-7.

 

i) The Chief Operating Officer (Resident Services) is authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the schemes.