Funding

Monday 28th June 2021

The Cotswolds is beautiful (view from Leckhampton Hill pictured) and the Cotswolds AONB | The Cotswolds | Cotswold | Cotswolds is tasked with preserving its landscape. We met with Andy Parsons (CEO) today and he took us through how the organisation works and in particular where the funding comes from and what they do with it.

The Landscapes Review DEFRA - Landscapes Review - Final Report 2019 (publishing.service.gov.uk) by Julian Glover published in 2019 showed how underfunded the AONBs are, and listening to Andy it became really clear what an issue this is.

The good news is that there are changes happening, one of them is the recent Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme Funding for farmers in protected landscapes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) allowing National Parks and AONBs to take a lead in the nature recovery initiative and providing quite significant funding for it. It is allowing Andy to recruit a few more staff and gives an opportunity to show how the CNL can really contribute if it is given a chance.

Andy also talked with us about what he looks for when he is recruiting (so that we can make sure we get jobs when we finish our qualifications!). While knowledge and experience are good, the most important thing he is looking for is attitude - a passion for what needs to be done and a willingness to learn.

Quick update - a deer just walked through my garden - I do love it here in Cirencester!