Support the delivery of data and information for decision making

Tom Hunt

Association of Local Environmental Records Centres – National Coordinator

tom.hunt@alerc.org.uk@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

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

Combinations of data users in each area makes each locality individual, with a

unique set of requirements.

On top of 443 local authorities other users include

Support the delivery of data and information for decision making

Future challengesLocal 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.