On April 11, 2025, the Surrey Nature Partnership (SyNP) Board met online. Chair Richard Murphy extended a warm welcome to all attendees, expressed his gratitude to Lisa Creaye-Griffin, the board members, and Sophie Holt for their exceptional efforts in making the recent conference a resounding success. Richard also thanked everyone for their valuable suggestions for the meeting agenda.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes and Matters Arising: The minutes from the previous meeting held on January 24, 2025, were reviewed and approved without any amendments. The board discussed strategies to boost new board member recruitment, including reissuing the recruitment information and approaching younger members from organizations and universities.
Director’s Update: Lisa Creaye-Griffin presented her Director’s Report, which had been circulated in advance. The report emphasized the need to engage younger people, particularly from universities and Surrey County Council’s youth initiatives. Several actions were proposed, including reviewing attendees from the LNRS Youth Workshop, reaching out to potential trustees via Surrey Wildlife Trust, and resending information about becoming a SyNP Board Member to the group. A workshop will be planned in September 2025 to integrate new board members later in the year.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) between SWT and SyNP: The board discussed the nearly complete SLA between Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) and SyNP. The agreement, currently annual, was proposed to be extended to a three-year term for greater stability. The format would include both cash and in-kind contributions. The board acknowledged the need for additional funding to remain solvent and considered various delivery services.
Biodiversity and Planning Conference Debrief: Highlights from the recent Biodiversity and Planning conference were presented, with the online stream now available for purchase. Rob Fairbanks commended the conference’s success. He suggested alternative venues such as universities, Surrey County Council HQ, West Horsley Place, and Horton Epsom to reduce costs. The board discussed the value and cost of videography and the potential for raising SyNP’s brand profile and promoting next year’s conference.
SyNP Structure and All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Setup: Richard Benwell, Chairman of Wildlife & Countryside Link, led the setup of an APPG to raise the profile of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and Local Nature Partnership’s role in delivering them. The board considered hosting an event at Westminster in the autumn, with the possibility of all Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) having stands to attract local MPs.
Land Use Framework for Surrey: The board discussed preparing a Surrey Nature Partnership response to the Land Use Consultation. Surrey Wildlife Trust was also submitting a response. A consultation event, run by Ipsos for DEFRA, was scheduled for April 16 with several Board members due to attend. The board anticipated a push for local variations in the consultation.
Surrey Nature Recovery Update: Adam Brown provided an update on the Surrey Nature Recovery project, including the database and map for projects delivering nature recovery. The LNRS final draft had been sent to the steering group. The Responsible Authorities (RA’s) have a 28-day period for objections starting in mid-May. The public consultation is planned for mid-June to end of July, pending approval from Natural England. The mapping process is ongoing, with a focus on equitable forest/tree cover across the county and better woodland management.
Beaver Management Group: The board discussed the need to create a home for the Beaver Management Group, with suggestions for potential collaborations or natural fit. Surrey Wildlife Trust have an expression of Interest and campaign due. The action was taken by Surrey Nature Partnership to pick up with Surrey Wildlife Trust and The Catchment Management Partnerships.
Love Dogs, Love Nature Campaign: Rob Fairbanks updated the board on the Love Dogs, Love Nature campaign, led by Surrey Hills National Landscape which empowers responsible dog ownership to enjoy our outstanding countryside whilst safeguarding farming and sensitive habitats. A workshop at Denbies Wine Estate highlighted issues with dog owner behaviour, including dogs running through vines and disengagement of owners. The board discussed the implications of these behaviours and the need for better communication, Surrey Nature Partnership are supporting the project.
Surrey Hills Management Plan: Rob Fairbanks provided a link to the Surrey Hills Management Plan consultation, with targets for wildlife habitats, trees outside woodland, hedgerows, and protected sites. The board discussed the realism of these targets and the need for funding to achieve them. Concerns were raised about the accuracy of survey data and the potential for updating SSSI reports.
Link to complete the Management Plan Consultation: Surrey Hills Management Plan 2025-2030 – Surrey Hills National Landscape
Biodiversity Working Group: Mike Waite updated the board on the Surrey Old Grassland Inventory, with the first product due in early May. The inventory aimed to influence local planning policy and conserve rare plants. The board discussed promoting the update to the local planning system and the need for strategic planning.
Surrey Local Sites Partnership: Vivienne Greenough provided updates on the Surrey Local Sites Partnership, including the status of Sites of Nature Conservation interest (SNCi) sites and the conservation verges programme. The board discussed the need for updated habitat condition surveys and the potential for combining conservation verges with SNCi’s.
Round Table Updates: Board members provided updates on various topics, including wildfires in Surrey, the Landscape Connections Bid by SHNL, and the Deer Management Group’s concerns over woodland and crop damage. LNRS includes specific measures to tackle the deer population and discussion in future of the potential for a one-stop shop for information sharing and best practices.