Current Work
Every year the Solent Forum Steering Group agree the annual work programme for the Solent Forum Officers. The work undertaken is dependent upon both staff time and financial resources. There is currently one full time Solent Forum Manager and two part time Solent Forum Officers who share the project workload. From time to time we also take on student placements who assist us with specific deliverables.
The Forum's work programme consists of core services and their development and project work when funding allows. Progress made is reported in the Forum's Annual report which is produced in March each year. This sets out what has been achieved in the last financial year and the work programme for the forthcoming year.
The table below illustrates our proposed 11/12 project programme. Contact the Forum Office for further details on these projects.
2011/12 Project Work |
|
|---|---|
| State of the Solent |
To monitor trends on all aspects of the Solent. The indicator dataset is currently beng updated. Data sheets will be uploaded to the Forum’s website during 2011, forming the new online version of State of the Solent. |
| Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS) Review | The Solent European Marine Sites scheme of management is now undergoing its six year review. The review will recommend a continuing system on how activities in the Solent can continue to be managed without adversely affecting SEMS.The final report is expected summer 2011. |
| Solent Disturbance and Mitigation Project |
This work is led by the Natural Environment Group and will assess the impact of activities and development on Solent European Habitats. Phase 1 desk research is complete. Phase 2 primary research is on-going and is expected to be complete in Summer 2011. Phase 3, Mitigation and Avoidance plan will commence. |
| Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy |
This work, led by the Natural Environment Group, provides a strategy that aims to secure the long-term availability of high-water feeding sites for Brent Geese and roosting sites for Waders in the Solent. The datasets informing the Strategy relate to over 1000 survey sites across the Solent. Surveys were undertaken by over 100 surveyors, mostly volunteers, over the three winters 2006-2009. The Strategy uses an analysis of this survey data to set out recommendations for planning policy makers, site owners and those involved in managing land within the Solent area in order to protect the integrity of this network of important sites. The report updates the Brent Goose Strategy of July 2002. |
| CCATCH the Solent | This is part of a successful EU bid led by the Environment Agency called "Coastal Communities 2150 and beyond". Hampshire County Council are one of five European partners and their project "CCATCH the Solent" comprises a three year Community Engagment Campaign using Solent Forum as its delivery arm, on the need to adapt to climate change. It is hoped the project will commence in January 2011 once the project team has signed up local partners. |
| Marine Consents Guide Review |
The Forum reviewed its popular Marine Consents Guide over 2011/12 to reflect changes introduced to marine licensing in the Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009. |
