Solent Forum Achievements
Established in 1992, the Solent Forum is regarded as an efficient and effective voluntary partnership that is innovative and creative. It delivers many benefits and is very good value for money. Member organisations are supportive and want the Forum to continue. The partnership has made strong foundations for even greater achievement. The Solent Forum is implementing what the European Union regard as best practice in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). The latest Forum achievements can be viewed in its Annual Report (March 11).
The measurable outputs, (work done), by the Solent Forum, include:
- Development and publication of ‘Strategic Guidance for the Solent’ (1997);
- Progression of five truly integrated Flagship Projects, (Solent Information Network, Solent Environment and Access Initiative, State of the Solent, Solent Outreach, and Solent Science Conference);
- Key publications arising from the Flagship Projects including the ‘State of the Solent Report’, the proceedings of the ‘Solent Science Conference’, Solent News Newsletter, Towards Solent Marine Planning (SoMAP), and Marine Consents Guide.
- Numerous information giving events on various topical issues: bathing water quality; recreation; strategic planning; coastal management conferences.
- Twice yearly meetings with informative content and soap box section.
In addition to these outputs above, the Forum has also delivered outcomes, that deliver significant benefits to partners and our work continues to deliver and build on these benefits, highlighting them as the ‘core’ services offered by the Forum. These outcomes include:
- Greatly improved communication and liaison around the Solent, with Forum meetings, the Forum Newsletter, website, and other associated outputs from Flagship Project 4 – ‘Solent Outreach’;
- An increased understanding and awareness of partner organisations’ roles, responsibilities, activities and agendas;
- An increased understanding and awareness of the Solent’s resources and associated management issues and priorities;
- A higher profile for partner organisations, reaching a wide audience;
- Increased and improved research co-ordination;
- Provision of a network and direct line of communication between authorities and organisations, and user groups;
- Taking forward, co-ordinating and assisting in achieving tasks and projects that fulfil partners’ remits;
- Giving information and advice to enhance decision making;
- A clearer understanding of data and information availability and increased access to such data;
- Engendering the feeling of a ‘Solent Community’ amongst organisations and agencies.
