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Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Tom Hunt Association of Local Environmental Records Centres – National Coordinator [email protected] @ALERC_NC Support the delivery of data and information for decision making A local perspective • What are the data needs of local users? • What is currently provided to meet those needs? • What needs to be provided to meet the future needs of local users? Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Some facts and figures • • • • 55 LRCs in the UK & Channel Isles 44 of which are ALERC members With an average of 3.1FTE staff each Population densities in counties can range from 72/Km sq to > 5000/Km sq (in England) • Covering 443 local authorities • Estimated number of planning decisions to be made in 2013-14 is c. 520 0001 1Estimate based on figures from gov.uk, scotland.gov.uk, wales.gov.uk & apps.planningni.gov.uk Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Uses for biodiversity data at a local level • • • • • • • • • • Development control Local plans Informing species action plans INNS – Local Action Groups Site management LWS decisions Informing future surveys Suitability mapping Green infrastructure Ecosystem services Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Types of data needed • Species records • Site information • Boundaries • Designations • Citations • Management information • Information on recorders • Habitat data Currently, the NBN Gateway is an enabler for some of the data collected nationally to be used by LRCs at a local level. Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Key data users On top of 443 local authorities other users include • Consultants and • Other charities developers • LNPs • Landowners • Recorders • Utilities companies • Public bodies • Wildlife trusts Combinations of data users in each area makes each locality individual, with a unique set of requirements. Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Future challenges Local requirements will still be unique • New ways of interpreting data • Models • Opportunity maps • Citizen science • New policies • Biodiversity offsetting • European invasive species directive • New technologies • Getting the most from online recording • Papers to be placed on the ALERC website ALERC is currently investigating all of these areas to assess the potential for LRCs to help deliver them locally. Support the delivery of data and information for decision making Next steps • In order to produce an effective strategy for decision support at a local level, we need more information on what information is needed by who and when. • Therefore, ALERC is launching a consultation, due to be completed by the end of March to find out what the needs are of LRCs and their partners.