About the forum

The Forum Management Board is responsible for setting the overall direction for the work of the Forum, taking decisions about the work programme, priorities, progress, challenges and opportunities.

The Board is composed of a number of partners with a wide range of interests along the coast, from tourism to nature conservation. It has an independent chair who is elected on a biennial basis by members of the Board.

The Chair for the 2 years March 2007 to March 2009, elected in February 2007, is Sue Kidd. Sue is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civic Design at University of Liverpool and is a Chartered Town Planner. She has extensive experience, both personal and professional, of the North West coast and was a key part of the team which produed 'Research into Integrated Coastal Planning in the North West Region', DETR 2000, which was influential in the formation of the North West Coastal Forum.

On being appointed as Chairman, Sue said

"I have acquired a deep appreciation of the countless assets of the North West coast, its changing fortunes, future challenges and potential. It is therefore not surprising that I have relished the opportunity to contribute, where I can, to strategic thinking about its future and to support related action on the ground.

The achievements of the North West Coastal Forum since it was established have been impressive. Complementing the work of PISCES, the Forum has been successful in bringing together key regional stakeholders, strengthening and broadening their understanding of the many issues facing the North West coast and establishing a wide ranging agenda for action which has a measure of regional support.

The recent publication of the Forum's first Business Plan and the findings of the Making the Most of the North West Coast research project are indicators of the Forum's growing maturity. It is now moving beyond the early problem definition and direction setting phases of partnership working, to a stage where implementation issues must feature more prominently in its activities. This will be a key test of the added value that the Forum can bring to integrated coastal zone management activities in the North West. Success in this area, will, I believe, be important to securing the continuing commitment of partners to the Forum and extending its influence.

The terms of reference and working principles for the management board can be

viewed here

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Schedule and locations of future meetings: