Partnerships
Much of what we do as an organisation depends
on us working in partnership with a variety of other organisations
and individuals.
CCW has a statutory responsibility to work with some
organisations:
Working within Government
CCW is funded through the Department of Environment and
Sustainability of the Welsh Government, though our work brings us
in contact with many other parts. We work closely with the Welsh
Government in providing information and briefings for Ministers,
for responses to correspondence from Members of the Welsh, UK and
European Parliaments on natural heritage and access issues, and we
provide advice on our key areas of work that help the development
of Welsh Government policies and guidance. We interact too, on some
issues, with the UK Government or the European Union.
The Welsh Assembly is now responsible for passing legislation
directly related to the natural environment of Wales. CCW will
input into this process by making advice and expertise available at
the appropriate stage, ensuring the development of the best
possible legislation. We also offer evidence to Parliamentary
Committee's and provide background information to help the Welsh
Government prepare responses to Parliamentary questions.
Working with other agencies in the UK through the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the statutory
adviser to the Government on UK and international nature
conservation. JNCC delivers the UK and international
responsibilities of the four country nature conservation
agencies:
Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (Northern
Ireland)
Countryside Council for Wales
Natural England
Scottish Natural Heritage.
The JNCC's work contributes to maintaining and enriching
biological diversity, conserving geological features and sustaining
natural systems. The functions that arise from these
responsibilities are principally to:
- Advise Government on the development and implementation of
policies for, or affecting, nature conservation in the UK and
internationally;
- Provide advice and disseminate knowledge on nature conservation
issues affecting the UK and internationally;
- Establish common standards throughout the UK for nature
conservation, including monitoring, research, and the analysis of
results;
- Commission or support research which it deems relevant to these
functions.
The CCW Chairman and one other Board Member represent CCW as
members of the JNCC.
Working with National Parks
CCW works closely with the three Welsh National Parks to support
the successful establishment and operation of National Parks
We also support the Parks by providing grants that promote the
care, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural
heritage within National Parks.
Working with AONBs
CCW is responsible for designating AONBs and advising Government
and other on how they should be managed. There are local AONB
partnerships in all AONBs led by the local authorities and include
a wide range of organisations. These partnerships are dedicated to
the conservation of these nationally important areas.
Working with Local Government
Local Authorities are responsible for a wide range of local
services, including planning and development management, education,
local transport and non-trunk roads, leisure and recreation
facilities, social services, flood protection and certain emergency
services. CCW acts as a grant provide and an adviser to local
authorities on natural heritage issues, for example on:
- planning and development management (where our role is based on
statutory requirements)
- management of natural heritage resources
- local biodiversity action plans
- local nature reserves
- access provision, core path networks, and long-distance
paths
- greenspace development
- country and regional parks
- environmental education
Working with the European Union
The European Union has a powerful influence on environmental
policy and regulation, with around 80% of environmental legislation
being derived from EU law. CCW contributes to the development of
environmental legislation through the European Commission, or via
the Welsh Assembly or UK Government, ensuring it is relevant to
Wales. Many environmental issues, such as climate change and
invasive alien species, transcend national boundaries and require
coordinated international action.