An Auditor for Bringing the Bure back to LIFE Project.

Tender description

Background to BureLIFE Project The project is being delivered over the period September 2015 - November 2020 and is led by Natural England (as coordinating beneficiary). A grant agreement with the European Commission outlines the activities and deliverables the project will develop. The project is also partially funded by the UK Heritage Lottery Fund. The project's objectives are: 1. Improve the ecological condition of the Naturally Eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition feature (H3150) within Hoveton Great Broad and Hudson's Bay, moving them into 'Unfavourable Recovering' condition by 2020 (thus contributing to Biodiversity 2020 targets). This will involve: a) Sediment removal from both water-bodies b) Biomanipulation of both lakes to achieve clear-water conditions, leading to an aquatic macrophytedominated state. 2. Beneficial re-use of sediment to create new areas of fen vegetation corresponding to the previous extent of marginal lake edge habitats, including Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus habitat (H7210*) and to help restore eroded river banks. 3. Monitor the recovery process and disseminate best practice guidance associated with the restoration techniques to managers of similar habitats both within the SAC and elsewhere in the UK and Europe. 4. Raise awareness of anthropogenic impacts, improve physical and intellectual access and increase appreciation of biodiversity amongst local communities, visitors, land managers and range of other target audiences The site is located in Norfolk in the East of England. A requirement of the funding from the European Commission is to appoint an Auditor for the project by June 2018 who will undertake a Financial Audit of the project in the financial year 2020/21. The audit will cover the expenditure of the project for the period September 2015 to November 2020. The audit report will be submitted to the European Commission, along with the project's final report and statement of expenditure and income, at the end of January 2021.