RECOMMENDATION 16: RECOGNITION & RESOURCING OF A CENTRAL HUB FOR THE UK

The NBN Trust should be given special status as the Lead Governance Body for the biological recording infrastructure in Scotland.

This would facilitate access to funding in perpetuity towards the costs of the development and operation of the NBN Atlas and the supporting network of National and Regional Hubs in Scotland. The NBN Trust should be resourced to provide the following functions: User & Partner Services (covering NBN Atlas product ownership, partner account management and data and list curation), Central Services (covering governance, public relations and human resources) and Technical Services (covering system support, system development and digital content management).

During any implementation phase, a small Programme Office (covering programme and project management, business analysis and communications) should also be maintained.

The National Hub for Scotland should be resourced to cover partner liaison, GIS and data analytics and education.

Regional Hubs should be resourced to cover engagement with Recorders and the general public and to support the use of biological records in local and regional decision-making.