In February, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, made a statement to Parliament on the Energy White Paper. She announced that the four new goals for energy policy are:

• to cut greenhouse gas emissions;
• to secure reliable energy supplies;
• to maintain competitive energy markets in the UK and beyond;
• and to ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

New policy measures proposed include:

Energy Efficiency:

• to consult on an expansion of the energy efficiency commitment to run from 2005 until at least 2008, at possibly twice its current level of activity
  
  
• to work with energy suppliers and Ofgem to create an effective market in energy services; to bring forward to 2005 the revision of building regulations, with higher standards for efficiency both in new buildings and in refurbishments
  
  
• to work within Europe to agree higher standards for consumer and industrial appliances
  
  
• to improve energy efficiency in Government buildings and procurement

Renewable energy:

• an aspiration to double renewables' share of electricity from our 2010 target by 2020
  
  
• �60 million in new money for renewable energy projects, bringing total funding to �348 million over four years
  
  
• to simplify and streamline the planning system for renewable energy projects
  
  
• to work with Ofgem to improve access by renewable generators to the electricity network
  
  
• to set out a new strategic framework for offshore wind

Coal:

• to develop mechanisms for carbon capture and storage
  
  
• an investment aid scheme to help existing pits to develop new coal reserves, when economically viable, to safeguard jobs

Nuclear:

the White Paper neither includes proposals for new nuclear power stations nor rules out the possibility of future nuclear build to fulfil carbon targets. Subsequent decisions to build new nuclear installations will be preceded by full public consultation and publication of a further White Paper.

Source: Wales Environment Link

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires that, before a listed building can lawfully be altered, special approval known as listed building consent must be obtained, usually from the local planning authority. Except in the case of works affecting the interior of Grade II (unstarred) listed buildings, where local planning authorities have determined to grant consent they must refer the papers to Cadw so that the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), within which Cadw operates, can decide whether the case requires further consideration.

In 2001, a consultation document proposed in that authorities should decide, without reference to Cadw, most applications affecting Grade II (unstarred) listed buildings not involving demolition, provided they could satisfy the Assembly Government through management statements that they had the necessary processes and expertise to do so in the best interests of the historic environment. Some 90% of the listed building consent applications involve Grade II (unstarred) listed buildings. The arrangements for applications involving Grade I and Grade II* buildings to be notified to the Assembly Government will remain unchanged.

Monmouthshire County Council has become the first planning authority in Wales to receive the right to decide most applications for Grade II (unstarred) listed buildings without having to refer them to the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

Several Branches have noted that it seems that more and more planning decisions are being delegated to officers rather than being decided by committee. Apparently each Council adopts its own scheme of delegation within the regulations set by the National Assembly and it would be interesting if branch secretaries could ask each local authority for a copy of their scheme and send to Head Office so that comparisons can be made. We will report further in future branch bulletins.

For the first time, the Environment Agency has published pollution risk scores for landfill sites in Wales and England.

The scores provide an indication of the potential environmental hazards of a site and how well these are being managed. They provide a new source of information for the public on how well landfill sites in their local area are being managed in relation to their potential environmental risks.

The scoring system, known as OPRA (Operator Pollution Risk Appraisal), was developed to enable the Environment Agency to target its inspection and compliance assessment resources in the most effective way.

Over 2,264 landfills have been assessed and assigned scores. Currently, 44% of operators fully comply with their waste management licence conditions, and nearly 86% are very close to being fully compliant.

OPRA scores, which are to be reassessed every three months, have been published on the EA's mapping website What's in Your Backyard? At www.environment-agency.gov.uk under 'Your Environment'.

Environment Agency Wales scientists have found one of the cleanest rivers flowing through the village of Llangyndeyrn in Carmarthenshire.

Each year as part of a general survey, biologists collect samples of invertebrates to assess the quality of rivers throughout Wales and England. Invertibrates such as freshwater shrimps, mayflies, stoneflies and caddis lie on the river bed amongst the gravel, stones and plants. Many of them are sensitive to pollution and can tell us a lot about the quality of our rivers.

A sample collected from the River Gwendraeth Fach at Llangyndeyrn had a total of forty-three different groups of invertebrates, described by an Agency scientist as "..an amazing number. This is the highest ever recorded by the Agency in South West Wales and is one of the highest reported anywhere in Wales and England. Such remarkable bio-diversity indicates a good standard of water quality and a variety of natural habitats within the river catchment."

Environment Agency Wales and its partners have secured �5.2 million to give fishing activities a massive boost over the next three years.

The Welsh European Funding Office has announced that a total of �2.4 million has been awarded to the Fishing Wales project from the European Union's Objective 1 Rural Development Fund. The remainder of the money is being provided in match funding by partner organisations including the Welsh Assembly Government.

The project will target its efforts on tackling some deep-seated problems which have reduced fish numbers and biodiversity. Such problems include: the construction of weirs which impede the migration of fish to their historic spawning areas; erosion of river banks and vegetation loss caused by cattle grazing and the effects of conifer forests on water and habitat quality.

A key aim is to attract more angling visitors to rural Wales to generate much needed revenue in local communities. Objective 1 areas in Wales cover most of rural North and West Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

Apart from Environment Agency Wales, other organisations supporting the project include the Countryside Council for Wales, the Forestry Commission, Wales Tourist Board and the National Trust. Various fishing and conservation organisations, such as the wildlife trusts, river trusts and associations, together with the angling governing bodies have also pledged their support.

Key areas of work for the project are:

Habitat Improvements and Fish Passes:

Work will be carried out on habitat improvements covering a minimum of 178 km of river, primarily spawning tributaries. A number of major fish passes will be constructed along with other work to enable fish to regain access to about 80 km of suitable habitats.

Fishing Infrastructure:

Working with angling clubs and fishery owners, the Fishing Wales Project will target its efforts at providing high quality information, access and fishing facilities for anglers visiting Wales.

Marketing:

The project is seeking to attract an additional 1,000 river game anglers each year to Objective 1 areas in addition to coarse, sea and still-water game anglers. Emphasis will be placed upon drawing conservation-minded anglers who will practise 'catch and release'.

For more information about the Fishing Wales project: Email sfp@environment-agency.gov.uk using the word 'Information' in the subject field.

CPRW joined with 13 other organisations in sending a strong letter, drafted by the Ramblers' Association, to the Director General of Ordnance Survey expressing deep concern at the proposal to remove National Park and local council boundaries from the Explorer series of maps. The letter expressed disagreement with the rationale that, because the boundaries are not topographical features, there is no need for them to be retained on these maps.

The letter continues:

"These boundaries are essential for access and rights of way, for planning recreational and cultural activities, and for geographical and historical research. The proposals will certainly undermine the increasingly important administrative functions that both National Parks and parish/community councils play in providing and managing access. Public rights of way are, in the main, recorded on a parish and community basis, with the Explorer map a key source of information for those seeking to identify, manage and improve the path network. The outdoor enthusiast rightly expects greater access opportunities within the National Parks, and with their existing and new remits for open access management, the boundaries assist the user in planning those activities and reporting access problems to the correct authorities. ..."

The Countryside Council for Wales is seeking project ideas for its Transport Advisory Service (TAS). The Service offers local studies to explore practical ways of creating and promoting environmentally sustainable access to the countryside.

CCW is concerned about the impact of recreational traffic on the rural environment and its effect on landscape, wildlife and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside. The TAS gives guidance to Local Authorities, National Parks, local communities and CCW on environmentally sensitive options for recreational transport in rural areas.

The TAS aims to stimulate sustainable solutions to recreational travel in the countryside. Although centred on addressing the environmental impact of transport, the TAS also seeks to build in social and economic benefits. In past studies this has meant considering the benefits to local communities of improved transport or traffic calming, and looking at opportunities to maximise tourist income to local businesses.

The Service will focus on:

• Countryside traffic management strategies that benefit walkers, cyclists and horse riders, e.g. Quiet Lanes initiatives, and park and ride schemes
  
  
• Improving access into the countryside by the provision or promotion of cycle routes and footpaths
  
  
• Integrating opportunities for cycling and walking with public transport for access to more distant countryside, by promoting opportunities on existing services, e.g. Rail walks leaflets, or investigating the potential for innovative services, e.g. bus cycle trailers

The TAS cannot fund development of private sector initiatives such as cycle hire businesses.

The report resulting from any study will aim to:

• Consider views and needs of local communities involved;
  
  
• Include advice on how proposals should be explored with communities in ways that enhance understanding and appreciation of a scheme's aims and objectives;
  
  
• Include recommendations for how to implement monitoring to gauge the success, cost effectiveness and public perception of specific measures;
  
  
• Demonstrate that practical options have been examined in the process of determining recommended options;
  
  
• Advise on the scope for taking forward any recommendations on a partnership basis where appropriate, and for promoting collaboration between key players.
  
  
• Include outline costings on specific measures and take account of financial and other resources available to potential implementers.

The TAS has a fixed budget, which is enough for 4 or 5 studies. For further details, contact Russell Elliott, Sustainable Development Policy Officer, on 01248 385466 Email: R.Elliott@ccw.gov.uk

Tir Gofal offers payments to farmers who carry out work to conserve wildlife and habitats, create new habitats, protect landscapes including historical features, and promote new access opportunities for people to enjoy the Welsh countryside. To date, 1,200 farms have joined the scheme, which is run by the Countryside Council for Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The formally signed agreements up to January 2003 have brought over 112,000 hectares of land into environmental protection. This includes:

• Some 6,300 hectares of broad-leaved woodland;
  
  
• 4,000 hectares of blanket bog;
  
  
• 3,400 hectares of fens, marsh and swamp;
  
  
• 16,500 hectares of unimproved acid grassland;
  
  
• 121 hectares of streamside corridors;
  
  
• over 1,057 kilometres of hedges are scheduled to be restored;
  
  
• 140 kilometres of dry stone walls are scheduled to be restored.

New applications for this agri-environment scheme are being invited by the Countryside Council for Wales. Application packs will be available from the end of March, from CCW's enquiry unit, Maes y Ffynnon, Bangor Tel. 01248 385448

Did you know that all agricultural employers are required to provide training in the safe use of chainsaws, abrasive wheels, lift trucks and tractors, to name but a few? That pesticides can only be applied by employees with adequate training? Or that anyone who passed their driving test after 1996 needs to do a separate test so they can legally tow a trailer?

All the above are required by law - but training can be costly. However, farming families from across Wales can now make sure they meet these important legislative requirements for half the cost thanks to funding available through Farming Connect.

The innovative all-Wales scheme, managed by the Welsh Assembly and Welsh Development Agency offers farming families in Wales up to four days of expert consultancy and advice, a customised business development plan and access to a range of capital grants for training.

Legislative courses subsidised by the Farming Connect scheme include: towing a trailer, the safe use of lift trucks/telescopic trucks; chainsaws; abrasive wheels, ATVs, tractors and 4x4s; first aid at work; manual handling; vermin control; and pesticides.

For more information Tel. 02476 858436 or Email louise.mccarthy@lantra.co.uk or see www.wales.gov.uk/farmingconnect

For details of other non-agricultural training (such as toy making, textile processing, homeopathy, hospitality and catering), available, farming families should contact: Lantra Wales on 01982 552646

The North American/UK Countryside Exchange is recruiting for 2003. Successful applicants will spend up to ten days in the UK, or USA, working with and learning from fellow specialists as they grapple with real issues faced by rural and urban fringe communities.

Since 1989 more than three hundred British rural and urban fringe professionals and volunteers have joined equal numbers of colleagues from across the Atlantic in teams of eight to work in selected locations. Teams require skills and experience in a wide variety of disciplines including, among others, countryside and land management, planning, conservation, rural economic development, agriculture, tourism, rural service provision and community development.

In 2003 the organisers are expecting to recruit teams for the UK and North America. Some case studies will happen this Spring, with the remainder in the Autumn. The teams are selected according to the needs of each place. Each works to a programme developed locally. The challenge teams members face is to make the best use of their combined skills and experience in exploring and understanding the local factors, concerns and opportunities, to prepare practical proposals and to present these to a local audience.

Anybody interested in making a real contribution to a local community and at the same time developing their own skills should contact CEI Associates Ltd Tel. 0161 975 6140 or Email cei@cei-associates.org

NFU Countryside have launched their 2003 Countryside Awards which will highlight the many innovative organisations, schemes and ideas that are helping to sustain and enhance the British countryside.

The 11 Award categories include Countryperson of the Year, Village School of the Year, Rural Tourist Attraction of the Year, Rural Pub of the Year etc.

NFU Countryside said in a recent press release:

"Anyone can enter the Awards, regardless of whether or not they are NFU Countryside members. People can nominate anyone whom they feel should be recognised for the contribution they make to the rural way of life, no matter what role they play within the rural landscape, and we are sure that we will be inundated with nominations for people who form the backbone of rural British life."

Nominations close on 14th April. For more information, a full list of categories or to obtain an entry form, please call 0870 840 2030 or visit www.nfucountryside.org.uk

These Awards are designed to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community - particularly those whose efforts have added value to the causes they support, whether it's raising funds for a charity or providing help and assistance to others.

There are four categories:

Young people under the age of 18 as individual and as groups and adults as individuals or groups.

Nominations received will be considered and all-Wales finalists in each category will be selected. For an explanatory leaflet and entry form, please contact Jenny Smith at CPRW Head Office. Entries close on 30th April.

Between April and June the Mammals Trust UK are asking for volunteers to record the animals they see in the green spaces around them including parks, allotments, churchyards and gardens so that they can find out how to help the species in trouble and monitor what happens to them.

To take part send your name and address to MTUK 15 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BG and ask for a survey pack. To find out more Tel. 020 7498 5262 or Email lwm@mtuk.org or visit www.mtuk.org

Whilst you are out counting the foxes, why not also take part in Plantlife's survey to find out where the UK's bluebells grow?

A survey form was included with the Spring edition of CPRW's journal, Rural Wales/Cymru Wledig but further copies are available from

Butterfly Guardians is a Butterfly Conservation initiative to promote volunteer involvement in the conservation of Welsh butterflies, moths and their habitats. Training events are open to anyone keen to help monitor or safeguard sites and habitats in their local area or join in with projects for the conservation of threatened species.

Butterfly Guardian volunteers are encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of the key butterflies and moths of their locality. To this end, training workshops will be held as follows:

Butterfly recording and identification:

• April 12th The Foresters Oaks, Wentwood, Gwent 10am - 4pm

• April 26th Preston Montford Field Centre, Shrewsbury

Hunting for rare moths - Buttoned Snout and Double Line:

• July 8th Llysdinam Field Centre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Powys 12pm - 12am
• July 19th The Foresters Oaks, Wentwood, Gwnt 12pm - 12am

 Welsh Clearwing and other scarse months of Montgomeryshire:

• July11th Visitor's Centre, RSPB Reserve, Lake Vyrnwy 10am - 5pm
  

These events are free but booking is essential. Contact Nichola Davies Tel. 01792 642972 Email ndavies.bcw@btclick.com

CCW Council meetings will be held on:

Members of the public are welcome to attend and the meetings are expected to last just over 2 hours. After the close of each meeting and following a short break, the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior Officers will be available to answer questions on agenda items discussed.

Copies of the agenda are available a week before each scheduled meeting and can be obtained from CCW Head Office on 01248 385629, Fax 01248 385506 e-mail b.roberts@ccw.gov.uk . You can request papers from selected agenda items in advance on the condition that they are kept confidential until the meeting. Please let CCW know if you will be attending in order that they may make the necessary seating arrangements and have an adequate supply of the papers.

Tanya Christensen, CPRW's Sustainable Development Officer in the Brecon Beacons National Park, is leaving CPRW at the end of March after three years of sterling work of promoting such things as solar energy, composting and real nappies. She will be sorely missed.

Tanya is moving back to the north of England where she will be promoting solar energy across five local authority areas. We wish her well.

The formula for calculating the dates of Executive Committee meetings is as follows: Meetings of Executive Committee take place on the 2nd Thursdays in February, May and September and the 1st Thursday in November.

Normally, meetings of Council take place on the 2nd Saturday in March, the 4th Saturday in June (same day as the AGM) and the 3rd Saturday in November but the March 2003 meeting has been postponed and will now take place on Saturday 12th April

Therefore the remaining meeting dates for 2003 will be:

At the AGM on 28th June, Michael Griffith CBE DL will be formally elected President.

The Council of CPRW is made up as follows:

* The twelve individual members shall serve on the Council for a period of three years before being required to stand for re-election. One third of such members shall retire annually.

There will be four 3-year terms and two 2-year terms vacant at the AGM. Shirley van der Bijl, who is due to retire this year, is eligible to stand for re-election.

Please send any nominations (to include the name of candidate, proposer and seconder) for election to these vacancies to Head Office by 23rd May. It is up to the proposer to ensure that the candidate is willing to stand.

Would Branch Secretaries please send to Head Office a signed copy of their Constitutions so that we have copies on file. Many thanks

Would you prefer to receive the Bulletin by e-mail? If so, then please send us a message (if you have not already done so).

CPRW, T Gwyn,
31 High Street,
Welshpool,
Powys,
SY21 7YD

Tel: 01938 552525/556212 Fax: 01938 871552
E mail: www.cprw.org.uk web site: www.cprw.org.uk