Standing Conference on Severnside Local Authorities

(SCOSLA)

Background

In 1982, the Local Authorities formed a Standing Conference consisting of seven Counties and ten Districts to co-ordinate a response and assist in research on the

Seven Barrage Project (the Bondi Committee as it was then).

It was seen that in such a vast and diverse area as the Severn, there was a need for an estuary-wide, Local Authority network in order to provide the Estuary with a collective voice. Over the years, the Standing Conference has been able to bring a holistic dimension to the sustainable management of the estuary and respond to development proposals and other issues in a co-operative nature.

Aims and Objectives

SCOSLA aims to bring together constituent Local Authorities on both sides of the Severn Estuary in a spirit of mutual support and co-operation, in order to:

• Co-ordinate discussion and action in relation to proposals within and adjacent to the Estuary in relation to their strategic estuarial impact;
• Continue co-ordination of responses to proposals for the creation of a Severn Barrage, and all economic engineering, environmental and other issues arising from such proposals;
• Act as a monitoring organisation in the preparation of management plans for the Severn Estuary;
• Co-ordinate and make appropriate responses to statutory and non-governmental organisations, agencies and interest groups; and

• Provide the framework for effective representation to appropriate European and international bodies dealing with Estuary matters.

Membership

• Newport County Borough Council
• Bridgend County Borough Council
• Bristol City Council
• Cardiff County Council
• The City and County of Swansea
• Forest of Dean District Council
• Gloucestershire County Council
• Monmouthshire County Council
• Newport City Council
• North Somerset Council
• Sedgemoor District Council
• Somerset County Council
• South Gloucester Council
• Stroud District Council
• Vale of Glamorgan Council
• Associated British Ports
• The Bristol Port Company
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Energy Technology Support Unit
• English Nature
• Gloucester Harbour Trustees
• STPG - Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons Ltd
• SEBRI
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency

Les Esturiales Network

Les Estuariales is a European partnership of municipal and regional Authorities with responsibility for the sustainable management of several European Estuaries. It was formed in 1990 and has been continuously expanding its programme of joint studies and exchange of experience.

The Esturiales Charter recognises the unique environmental and economic characteristics of Estuaries, and is focused on promoting a sustainable and holistic approach to their future management and development through co-operative activities, including exchanges of experience, lobbying and technical projects.

The importance of this network has been recognised by Local Authorities around the Severn Estuary. It is through the SCOSLA network that the Severn has become a member of Les Esturiales with key Authorities contributing financially to this initiative.

Contact

For further information on the work of SCOSLA or Les Esturiales, please contact the project Secretariat:

Severn Estuary Partnership
c/o School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences,
Cardiff University,
Main Building,
Park Place,
Cardiff
CF10 3YE
Tel: 029 2087 4713
Fax: 029 2087 4326
Email: [email protected]

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