FORUM FEEDBACK

The community's desire for increased education and community involvement in addressing the challenges facing the Menai Strait was a common theme in the forum feedback. This sentiment was reflected in the development of the Menai Strait Partnership Forum, which aims to bring together stakeholders to find innovative solutions to the issues facing the Strait.

Among the solutions suggested by the community were initiatives to: tackle agriculture pollution in the surrounding catchment.

CSO and sewage discharges. Litter clean-ups.

Additionally, there was interest in exploring innovative approaches such as pilot studies to improve water quality and tackle climate related flooding and drought.

The FEEDBACK DEMONSTRaTED THAT THE TOP KEY OBJECTIVES FOR THE FORUM MOVING FORWARD WERE:

1) MORE EDUCATION ON THE ISSUES FACING THE MENAI STRAIT FOR THE WIDER COMMUNITY.

2) mORE cOMMUNITY iNVOLVEMENT IN BUILDING SOLUTIONS INCLUDING COMMUNITIES ALONG THE 13 RIVERS.

3) MORE NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR FLOOD MANAGEMENT

4) MORE INTERVENTIONS TO TACKLE WATER QUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM POLLUTERS.

Post Forum Questionaire

The post-forum feedback questionnaire revealed that the community's primary focus was on the environment and community, with a desire for greater power to inform and influence government legislation on the key issues affecting the Menai Strait Notably, the forum had a significant impact on the community's awareness and understanding of the issues at hand.

Regarding the post-forum survey results, sewage and water quality remained the top concern at 42 9% However, there was a noticeable increase in the proportion of the community expressing concern about climate-related issues such as flooding and drought, which rose to 19%. Additionally, the concern for agriculture and land use practices saw a considerable increase from 0% before the conference up to 14.3%. Litter remained in the top four key issues with a concern of 14 3%

100%

The post-forum questionnaire revealed that people in the catchment area are increasingly concerned about the impact of land use and agricultural practices on the Menai Strait. Water quality, particularly with regards to sewage spills, remained the top concern. The keynote speeches highlighted the impact of flooding and drought on water quality, wildlife, and businesses, and it was clear that this was recognised as a significant risk for participants. Litter also remained a concern, with Plastic Free Anglesey campaigner Sian Sykes explaining the impact of flytipping on the Strait

Voices of the People: A Community-Led Perspective on the Issues and Opportunities.

The community forum members were clear in their feedback about the direction they would like to see the Menai Strait Partnership Forum develop:-

45.8% OF THE COMMUNITY WANT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS focused on improving THE water quality FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND RECREATION.

29.2% WANT TO SEE THE FORUM ENGAGE WITH POLITICIANS,COUNCILS AND POLICY MAKERS TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE LEGISLATION FOR THE MENAI STRAIT ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION AND TOURISM

95.2% WANT TO SEE continued COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING AND MOVING THE FORUM FORWARD through collaborative solutions.

WHERE NEXT?

Here's our roadmap to success:

APRIL '23

Assemble a top-notch advisory team to represent all key areas and establish a rock-solid partnership agreement.

JUNE '23

Rally the community to join our cause and host an exciting event to brainstorm creative solutions that safeguard the Menai Strait.

JUNE '23

Seek targeted grants and funds to turn THE MENAI STRAIT PARTNERSHIP FORUMS vision into reality

MAY '23

Develop plans under three core pillars.

3 Core Pillars

Our plan to protect the Menai Strait revolves around three key pillars: Economy, Environment, and Recreation