The delivery of a stronger, more resilient, more joined-up GBI network in Ceredigion will require collaboration between a range of new and existing partners. The ambitious projects outlined in the Town Action Plans cannot be delivered by the Council alone. They will require a holistic, partnership-based approach.

Delivering such a GBI network goes beyond the delivery of “hard” measures – such as new landscaping or planting. It became clear through engaging with passionate local stakeholders in Ceredigion that success will not be possible without the implementation of the necessary “soft” supporting measures. These provide the “glue” that enables the identified projects to be effectively delivered and maintained. They will also provide a key resource for the continued strategic planning of Ceredigion’s GBI network into the future.

With this in mind, this section identifies two Delivery Mechanisms for the delivery of the six GBI Action Plans set out in this Strategy. They take the form of recommendations which should be taken forward as a crucial support pillar for the projects.

Mechanism 1: Strategic delivery partnership

Purpose

To connect major delivery partners for GBI in Ceredigion. Town councils and other local groups are often rich in ideas, but do not have the skills or time to identify funding streams, write bids for funding, fill in forms or contact delivery partners.

Description

Despite their passion for GBI and environmental causes, local partners in Ceredigion often refer to “volunteer fatigue”. There are also significant concerns over capacity and resource constraints for the ongoing maintenance of existing and new GBI assets. This was a key theme in conversations with local stakeholders during the development of this Strategy.

Actions to implement this type of partnership could include:

• The funding and creation of new positions within Ceredigion Council to lead the partnership. These individuals would maintain a directory of ongoing GBI projects across the County – including those at the “idea” stage. They would be responsible for creating and maintaining links with partners in target towns and major delivery partners. They would also be responsible for strategic direction – in line with the priorities highlighted in this Strategy. They would collate evidence and identify “pots” of money and avenues for funding projects. This role would be important in connecting the various actors engaged in the GBI network and taking on some of the significant administrative load in bringing projects to fruition.
• Town ‘walkabouts’ and knowledge sharing sessions organised between actors from different areas of the County. This would allow partners to share lessons learned and resources required for delivering projects. This would help to minimise the duplication of work and support skill-building.

In Ceredigion, key partners to engage as part of this initiative (not an exhaustive list) would be:

• National partners: Nature Resources Wales (NRW), Welsh Government, the Wildlife Trust, Sustrans, Welsh Water.
• Local partners: Ceredigion County Council, universities in Aberystwyth and Lampeter, existing partnerships (including Ceredigion LNP and Ceredigion Outdoor Learning Network), Town and Community Councils and local community groups.

Case study: Gwent Green Grid partnership

 

The Gwent Green Grid Partnership in Monmouthshire is an innovative partnership project aiming to improve and develop green infrastructure and provide green job opportunities within the local area.

Monmouthshire County Council is working with a number of other partners – including town councils, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Forest Research and the Severn Wye Energy Agency. These organisations aim to work together to ensure that the area’s natural resources are healthy, resilient and better able to provide vital health and well-being benefits for current and future generations.

In terms of governance – a Partnership Board is in place to track progress, identify opportunities for added value and ensure a long-term approach to project delivery. A Regional Health and Wellbeing Coordinator promotes initiatives for the wellbeing of residents across Gwent – including healthy prescribing, community growing enterprises and environmental groups.

Another key piece of work is the development of a series of strategic Green Corridors across Monmouthshire – identifying missing links in the access network and supporting best practice across the region.

The team is led by a Collaboration Lead and supported by a number of Project Officers and Trainee Rangers.

The work is funded through the Welsh Government’s Rural Development (ENRaW) programme.

Mechanism 2: Lifetime maintenance, skills and training scheme

Purpose

To train local people in the implementation and maintenance of GBI projects. This will help to address the skills and resourcing gap, which makes it hard to award contracts for long term maintenance of GBI projects in Ceredigion. It also plays an important role in building interest and skills in the green economy, addressing challenges of “volunteer fatigue” and supporting the wider green agenda.

Description

This scheme should form part of the Councils’ wider skills agenda – with a focus on the green economy. It would support local people to build the skills needed to participate in the maintenance of green and blue infrastructure. It could be integrated with parallel initiatives, such as the National Nature Service for Wales, NHS Green Social Prescribing or New to Nature (Groundwork).  The focus of such a scheme should be based on evidence regarding the skills landscape in Ceredigion and targeted at areas of existing socio-economic deprivations. It offers the opportunity to help to stem the out-migration of young people from Ceredigion.

Tangibly, the scheme could incorporate the use of community ‘touch down hubs’ embedded within communities. These hubs could be used to share tools, plan maintenance and link up different groups of volunteers. They would also be a valuable opportunity for building community networks, encouraging volunteering and addressing social isolation.

Case study: Plymouth’s natural grid

 

The Plymouth Natural Grid project is a partnership project between Plymouth City Council, The National Trust and social enterprise Real Ideas.

The project secured £1.2m from the UK Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund to deliver a habitat enhancement and restoration project over 19 months (2021-2023). Its primary goals are to create jobs for young people, engage local communities and enhance biodiversity. This will work towards improving access to nature spaces, climate proofing, and employment in the green sector.

There is also a significant emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, with activities targeted at more deprived urban areas of Plymouth. Key aims are:

• Improving land through habitat enhancement and nature conservation.
• Creating new jobs, including apprenticeships and ‘kickstart’ placements for young people.
• Short-term accredited learning opportunities.
• Connecting people with nature and raising awareness of biodiversity.

The team is made up of Plymouth City Council officers, National Trust urban rangers and Real Ideas programme leaders. It also includes 15 project assistants (“Kickstarters”, 18-24 years old).