Welcome to Link’s first e-bulletin of 2012. Please follow the links under Policy News on the left for updates from each of our working groups. If you would like to subscribe to our e-bulletin or submit news items, please contact Louise.

The Link secretariat team hit the ground running after the Christmas break, with a packed timetable of meetings and consultations requiring a Link response. At the same time, we said goodbye to Sam Bickerstaff, our Information and Office Coordinator, and welcomed her successor, Louise Hartley.

Words on the Water White Paper

On 12 January, Link’s Blueprint for Water Coalition met with the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP, to discuss the Water White Paper (WWP) published in December 2011.

The meeting was very productive and provided an opportunity for the coalition to express that while the WWP has good vision, it is lacking in practical measures. This is based on the long timescales for the water abstraction regime reform, the uncertainty surrounding the Periodic Review of Water Pricing in 2014 (PR14), lack of encouragement for metering uptake and the complacency on point source pollution. The coalition also highlighted that water efficiency and the chemical status of water bodies were left largely untouched in the WWP.

The Minister welcomed closer working with the coalition, particularly on abstraction reform and the wise-use/river campaign which Defra intends to launch shortly. The Minister acknowledged that the WWP is just that, a paper, and it is the implementation that will be judged.

Habitats and Birds Regulations

In December 2011 Link set up a new Task and Finish group to respond to the review of the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives. The group are in the process of compiling a response for Defra. Link has also successfully secured a place on the on the wider stakeholder forum.

The group involves 19 Link members and is chaired by Kate Jennings (RSPB), and vice-chaired by Carol Day (WWF-UK).

Link gives oral evidence on the NEWP

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscapes at The Wildlife Trusts, gave oral evidence on behalf of Link to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee regarding the implementation of the Natural Environment White Paper.

The evidence session took place on 18 January and was chaired by Anne McIntosh MP. Also giving evidence were Ben Stafford (Campaign to Protect Rural England), Simon Pryor (National Trust) and Rodney Whittaker (The Ramblers).

The focus of the session was on the over-emphasis of Government payments for ecosystem services and the fact that there is no obvious funding strategy or timetable. There is a clear funding gap between what is set out in the White Paper and the funding available to make it a reality.

In terms of implementation, concern was raised over a lack of an integrated delivery plan due to the cross-departmental nature of the White Paper. One positive step which was noted has been the launch of the Nature Improvement Areas competition.

Watch the full session here.

Meeting of Link Policy Directors

The Policy Directors’ group brings together senior staff from across Link’s membership to provide high-level strategic advice to Link. The next meeting will take place from 11am-1.30pm on Thursday 9 February, at Rethink, 15^th Floor of 89, Albert Embankment. An agenda will be circulated to attendees in advance. If you would like to attend and have not yet confirmed your place, please contact Louise by Monday 6 February.

Linking up

In autumn 2012 the four Sister Link organisations will once again be coming together to hold the biennial Joint Links Seminar. A questionnaire will be circulated shortly to find out members' preferences on theme and location.

Our last seminar, which took place in Chester in 2010, saw members from across all four Links come together, share knowledge and discuss the changing political landscape and ongoing effects of the recession. The seminar also provided a platform for our Task Forces and Working Groups to share experience and identify topics for future joint work.

We would like to thank the WWF who have continued to help fund the majority of the costs of the Joint Links Seminar series.

To register your interest in this event or ask any questions please email Louise.

New Link baby!

Congratulations to Link’s Director, Jodie Bettis and her husband Greg, who welcomed their new baby boy, Elliott James Cooper, into the world on 20 January. We look forward to meeting the new arrival soon!

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