Purpose

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).

Decision

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.