The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee met on Thursday, 23 October 2025, to discuss the review of the National Landscape Management Plan, financial estimates, and partner updates. Key decisions included the approval of the constitution, membership, and terms of reference for the upcoming year, and the noting of revised financial estimates for 2025/26 and the budget for 2026/27.

National Landscape Management Plan Review

The committee was updated on the ongoing review of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management Plan, which is scheduled for adoption by December 2025. This review is being influenced by new legislation, including the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) 2023, and updated guidance from Natural England. The review process is divided into three phases: scoping and preparation, undertaking the review, and publishing and adopting the revised plan. The LURA 2023 introduces new duties for 'relevant authorities' to seek to further the statutory purposes of Protected Landscapes and to support the production and implementation of management plans. Guidance documents from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the National Landscapes Association were circulated to members for their organisations. The committee noted the report and the timetable for the review, and agreed to circulate the guidance papers.

Revised Estimates and Budget

The committee reviewed the revised estimates for 2025/26 and the budget for 2026/27. The core budget is funded by seven constituent local authorities and grant income from Defra, supplemented by a contribution from United Utilities. For 2025/26, the core funding from Defra is £259,075.25, with contributions from local authorities totalling £71,400. The revised estimates show a slight decrease in staff costs due to a contingency for pay awards not being used, and changes in the categorisation of some office and partnership running costs. The estimated National Landscape 'Projects' programme for 2025/26 is £57,687. The committee noted that additional funding from various sources, amounting to £3,097,242, is anticipated to support the delivery of the National Landscape Management Plan. For 2026/27, the proposed total expenditure is £443,691, with estimated income from Defra, local authorities, and United Utilities. The committee noted the absence of any increase in revenue funding despite rising staffing and other costs, and approved the proposed 2026/27 Revenue Budget.

Partner Updates

Brief updates were provided by various partners. The Ramblers Association reported on a footpath submission. Champion Bowland highlighted the publication of consumer newsletters and the redesign of their badge. The RSPB shared updates on their work supporting breeding farmland waders, the curlew chick radio-tagging project, and bird of prey monitoring, noting good numbers of hen harriers overwintering in Bowland. The Moorland Association requested an update on the consultation with Dr Sakthi Karunanithi regarding the tick situation and Lyme disease, which is ongoing. An update on the lesser black-backed gulls situation from Natural England was deferred to the October 2025 meeting. The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is participating in the Be Tick Aware Campaign 2025.

Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Project (HARP)

An update on the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) was provided, noting that United Utilities had sent their apologies as a contractor had not yet been appointed. It was suggested that an extraordinary meeting of interested parties be convened once a sufficient update is available, with both the contractor and United Utilities in attendance. The committee resolved to request such a meeting and that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport would feedback concerns.

National Landscape Unit Activity Report

The National Landscape Unit Activity Report for October 2024 to April 2025 was presented, covering a range of topics including the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme, peatland restoration, and various projects and initiatives aimed at connecting people with nature and promoting the Discover Bowland initiative. The report was noted by the committee.

Peatland Restoration

An overview of peatland restoration efforts in Bowland was given, highlighting that over 1400 hectares of restoration work have been undertaken. The committee noted the ongoing work, including projects funded by Natural England's Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, and the gathering of peat depth and vegetation data.

The Lancashire Nature Recovery Strategy

An update was provided on the Lancashire Nature Recovery Strategy, including information on target species such as the Hen Harrier, Large Heath, and Bilberry Bumblebee. The committee noted that the analysis of consultation responses was ongoing and expected to be completed within three months.

Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference

The committee approved the constitution, membership, and Terms of Reference for the Joint Advisory Committee for 2025/26. This included representatives from Lancashire County Council, North Yorkshire Council, Lancaster City Council, Pendle Borough Council, Preston City Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council, Wyre Borough Council, Lancashire Association of Local Councils, Yorkshire Local Councils Association, United Utilities, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the RSPB, the Bowland Land Managers' Forum, the Ramblers Association, Champion Bowland, Friends of Bowland, and the Moorland Association.