The Shropshire Hills National Landscape Partnership met to discuss the modernisation of partnership working, receive an update on river project work, and review the management plan. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Craven Arms Community Centre.

Modernising Partnership Working

The partnership was scheduled to discuss proposed changes to its structure and terms of reference. According to the report pack, these changes are intended to bring about closer collaboration with key delivery partners, especially those with a strengthened legal duty, and to broaden engagement more generally.

The report pack states that the reasons for the proposed changes are:

• To modernise ways of partnership working, allowing a greater breadth and diversity of representation, and strengthening the pathways for greater involvement by organisations and individuals.
• To allow the Team more time to work with key delivery partners (including relevant authorities).
• To renew strong relationships with the two Councils and a secure structure.
• To align with national directions for National Landscape governance and partnership working.

The report pack included a summary of the proposed changes:

• The Partnership to become a broader and more inclusive group, working through more informal meetings, twice a year, similar in form to the current Summer Forum.
• A new Advisory Committee to be formed, with status as a Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) to the two Councils, taking on the current roles of the Strategy & Performance Committee, plus some current functions of the Partnership in advising the local authorities more generally regarding the National Landscape designated area.
• Stronger links between key delivery partners and with the National Landscape team.

The draft Terms of Reference for the new Shropshire Hills National Landscape Advisory Committee state that the purpose of the Committee is:

to provide advisory oversight and scrutiny of the work of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team, and of the local delivery system for the National Landscape designation more generally.

The draft Terms of Reference for the revised Shropshire Hills National Landscape Partnership state that the purpose of the Partnership is:

to provide a vehicle for broad and inclusive engagement and a forum for exploring topics and solutions for the Shropshire Hills National Landscape.

The Partnership was recommended to endorse the draft Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee to go forward for formal approval by the two Councils.

River Project Work

Matthew Lawrence of the Environment Agency was scheduled to provide a verbal update on recent river project work.

Management Plan Review

The Partnership was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the consultation and an opportunity for further discussion, including a workshop session, on the Management Plan Review.

Date of Next Meeting

The Partnership was scheduled to note that the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 13 November 2025.