Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

Minutes:

Resolved:  County Councillor Albert Atkinson and County Councillor Mrs Susie Charles were appointed Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

 

2.

Welcome, Introductions and Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

All were welcomed to the meeting, introductions made, and apologies presented on behalf of the Committee members and officers as detailed previously.

 

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests.

 

4.

Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 32 KB

The JointAdvisory Committeeis askedto approvethe attached constitution,membership andterms of reference for2020/2021.

 

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager, Lancashire County Council, informed the Committee that membership for Lancaster City Council should be Councillor J Pritchard not Councillor J Parkinson and that this would be amended accordingly.

 

A request was made to Elliott Lorimer to contact the Moorland Association to identify representation for this Committee.

 

The Committee was also informed that a request had been made from Barry Tyrer, who was a volunteer, with regards to possibly have a member with archaeological interests on the membership.  As detailed in the Management Plan, it is recommended that the membership is regularly reviewed to ensure the right representation is appointed to the Committee.

 

Resolved:  i)  The Committee approved the Constitution, Membership and Terms of     Reference for 2020/2021 following the amendment as detailed.

ii)  That Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager   contact Barry Tyrer and the Moorland Association with regards to   representation, as well as reviewing the membership as a whole to   ensure the right representation is on the Committee.

 

5.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 October 2019 pdf icon PDF 230 KB

The Committeeis askedto approvethe minutes ofthe meetingsheld on31 October 2019.

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019 were agreed as a     correct record.

 

In terms of the Haweswater Aqueduct project, Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager, Lancashire County Council, provided the Committee with an update following a meeting that had taken place with colleagues from United Utilities and from the Consultants, Jacobs, who are working on the project. 

 

The Committee noted that some consultations mentioned at previous meetings did go ahead, however, some were curtailed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic as they were due to take place in Spring.  Since then, there have been over 6,000 responses to an online consultation.  Elliott Lorimer, along with a Senior Landscape Architect and Senior Ecologist from Lancashire County Council have been consulting with Jacobs and United Utilities on pre-applications prior to submission of the planning applications for proposals, and discussions have focussed mainly on the compounds for the launch and reception sites and also surplus materials from the tunnelling work.  Currently the preferred option for the removal of surplus materials is to look at whether there is some restoration remediation that can take place at Waddington Fell Quarry, rather than being moved through to the A59.

 

Planning applications are expected to be submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council and Lancaster City Council for sections of the tunnel, alongside an application to Lancashire County Council in relation to the amendments for agreements for restoration and remediation at the quarry.

 

Matt Upton, United Utilities had been in contact with the Project Team prior to this meeting and agreed to circulate a presentation giving further details of the updates below of where the project was up to:

 

i)  Face to face exhibitions took place in March

ii)  A virtual exhibition is online at www.harpconsultation.co.uk

iii)  Ongoing meetings with stakeholders will continue around the planning elements.

iv)  From a design development perspective, there has been some refinement.  Originally there was seven shafts proposed in the AONB, which has now been reduced to four.

v)  The construction access routes are also being defined.

vi)  There is also further field survey work ongoing which will ultimately inform the Environment Impact Assessment and subsequent grounds inspection works.

vii)  Opportunities in Bowland to benefit from bio-diversity net gain.

viii)  Hodder Water Treatment Works project started in Spring and the main construction work is due to complete in 2022, with reinstatement following in 2023.

 

It was confirmed that there is some spoil from Wray and there is an intention to look at that and potentially put some of that spoil close to the reception site near Lower Houses Barn.

 

6.

Partner Updates

Minutes:

Wyre Borough Council

 

Alison Boden, Wyre Borough Council provided an update on the planned programme for Festival Bowland, conservation activity and access works.  The Star Gazing event was very successful with over 30 people attending in February.  Following the commencement of lockdown, events had to be postponed including the Garstang Walking Festival.  From August, all activities that have been run are following the rule of six people, including the health walks.  These walks have been welcomed, particularly with those people who feel isolated.  Volunteering also had to stop due to COVID-19 and was able to restart it mid-July (again to the rule of six) and work continued with the River Wyre Catchment Partnership on flood management. 

 

Work is also continuing on access improvements on the Wyre Way Upper Catchment and redoing the way marking.  It was noted that all contacts with the Rangers and Countryside Services are booked in and registered for Track and Trace and everything is fully planned in advance.

 

The Ranger Service has also carried out a food hub delivery service and continues to provide this service throughout the Borough including Scorton and Bleasdale and volunteers also helped provide this service as well.  Signs and notices were also erected in response to the guidance given by Government and the Service responded to people's non-compliance and members of the public's concerns.

 

The biggest impact has been the Staycation which has had an increase on visitors to the sites and litter has caused issues and has been removed by staff, volunteers and the Local Authorities as well as other issues, ie fires and people getting lost.

 

Planning work continues for activities going forward into 2021/2022 in whatever format that may be due to the ongoing pandemic and understanding the limitations and learning from each other about good practice.  A huge thank you was noted to the Forest of Bowland Team for their Zoom sessions and delivering great activities.

 

North Yorkshire County Council

 

Hugh Clear Hill from North Yorkshire County Council updated the Committee on the Local Government Reorganisation that was taking place in North Yorkshire and that the formal invitation had now been issued by the Secretary of State to the Local Authorities to put forward proposals for a change to Unitary status.  There are two models, the County Council's preferred model is the single unitary and the districts are proposing an East/West split.  The change could potentially be in place in April 2022.  It was noted that the White Paper had been delayed.

 

RSPB

 

Jeremy Sutton from RSPB gave an update on Hen Harriers in Bowland.  There were eight nests in Bowland this year, seven on the United Utilities Estate and one on the Duchy Estate.  Five of the nests in Bowland were successful and produced only six chicks, which possibly was due to the inclement weather at the end of May/early June.  A grant application had been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Green Recovery Grant for capital works for Curlew in Bowland.  If successful  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Revised Estimates 2020/21 and Revenue Budget 2021/2022 pdf icon PDF 136 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager, presented the report as set out in the agenda papers, on the revised estimates 2020/2021 and revenue budget 2021/2022.

 

i)  Revised Estimates 2020/2021

 

The Revised Estimates took account of the changes in comparison (see Appendix A, column 3) with the Original Estimates in column 2.  The principal revision related to an estimated reduction in travel and subsistence costs for the AONB Unit staff due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The net effect of this change allowed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 'Projects' programme totalling £68,879 to be delivered in 2021/2022.

 

In addition, it is anticipated that the AONB Unit will be in receipt of £720,000 in additional funding as detailed in the report, to support delivery of the AONB Management Plan.

 

ii)  Revenue Budget 2021/2022

 

Details of the costs associated with the Partnership's projects and management service in 2021/2022, including estimated pay and price levels were also detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

 

It is assumed that the Defra grant for 2020/2021 will continue to be a single grant offer to be used in ways which the AONB Partnership considers will deliver the best performance in terms of achieving delivery of the Management Plan, without significant restrictions placed on the percentage of grant to each area of supported activity.  Details of the Defra funding was expected before the end of 2020.

 

The Committee were drawn to the summary contained within the report on:

 

i)  Expenditure

ii)  Income

iii)  Additional Resources

 

Resolved:  That the Committee:

 

i)  Noted the 2020/2021 Revised Estimates

ii)  Approved the 2021/2022 Revenue Budget as set out in the report.

iii)  Subject to approval of (ii) above, requested the funding authorities to make appropriate provision in their Revenue Budgets for 2021/2022.

 

8.

Landscapes Review Report - Update pdf icon PDF 273 KB

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager, Lancashire County Council, updated the Committee on the progress on the implementation proposals outlined in the Landscapes Review Report attached to the agenda.

 

The Committee noted that the Government had not formally responded to the report or commented on the proposals it contained.  It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Government business since March 2020 and the response has been delayed.  It was now expected before the end of 2020.

 

Not-withstanding the delay, AONB Partnerships and the National Park Authorities have been working closely over the last six months with the Defra, Natural England and other stakeholders to identify how the report's proposals could begin to be implemented.  Further details of this can be found in the report, alongside the progress update on other areas of work that has been carried out.

 

Ginny Hinton from Natural England updated the Board in terms of activity that has been going on in the background from Natural England on the Glover Review.  A lot of the focus is bringing together the protected landscapes work with the new nature recovery networks area of activity under a Government policy paper which was produced on 21 October 2020 on nature recovery networks.

 

Resolved:  That the AONB Joint Advisory Committee noted the update report.

 

9.

AONB Tree, Woodland and Forestry Strategy

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager provided an update on behalf of Robin Gray, Planning and Environment, Lancashire County Council on work he has been carrying out on the Trees, Woodland and Forestry Strategy.  The National Forest Inventory indicates that an area of 67km² (approximately 8% of the AONB) is woodland largely fragmented except for the Forestry England estates at Knots Wood, Gisburn and the Dunsop valley and privately owned woodland on Grindleton Fell and Longridge Fell, which are predominantly conifer plantations.  Sections of the strategy will cover the following:

 

·  Woodland and nature recovery.

·  Woodland and carbon.

·  Woodland and landscape.

·  Woodland and water.

·  Woodland and cultural heritage.

·  Sustainable woodland management. 

 

Mapping work has been done on identifying where woodland creation may be possible, and this is in conjunction with colleagues in Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Northumberland on the constraints mapping.  This is still largely dependant on landowners bringing forward sites for woodland planting.

 

The Committee were shown the English National Park Authorities definition of "Right Tree in the Right Place" which was:

 

  In English National Parks, when identifying or assessing the suitability of sites for tree planting/restocking and considering the appropriateness of species to be planted, the nature of their planting and their ongoing management needs, there is a presumption in favour of schemes that will conserve and/or enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park in question, as expressed in the relevant National Park Management Plan.

  There is similarly a presumption against schemes that overall do harm to the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of National Parks as expressed in their respective National Park Management Plans.

  In meeting these requirements, schemes that also provide for public access and thereby provide opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of the National Parks are likely to be seen more favourably.

  In assessing the wider effects of any planting scheme, the potential social and economic benefits to the local community will also be taken into consideration, but this will not override the presumptions identified above since these benefits have already been factored into the Management Plans.

 

An example of what the AONB Unit working on identifying where woodland creation is possible was outlined, namely the Quermore and Conder Valley.  Proposals were put forward to the National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initiative of which the outcome is still awaited in terms of approval of funding.  In addition, for Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership there are a number of new woodlands that will be created as part of that landscape partnership scheme and some that have already been created or planted in partnership with the River Ribble Trust. 

 

There are a series of principles for encouraging the creation of woodland schemes which are:

 

  Clough Woodland: opportunities for new woodland.

  Encourage protection and management of farm-scale woodland.

  Trees outside woodland: returning and conserving our 'landmark trees'.

  Ancient replanted woodland is restored to a semi-natural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

AONB Unit Activity Report (April - Oct 2020) pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Sandra Silk, AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council outlined the AONB Team Report to the Committee for April 2020 to October 2020 that was detailed in the agenda pack.  Further details on the following areas can be found in the report:

 

An outstanding landscape of natural and cultural heritage

 

·  Peatland Restoration.

·  Bowland Hay Time.

·  Farming and Wildlife Advice.

·  Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

·  'High Nature Value Farming in the Northern Upland AONBs' – A Defra Environmental Land Management Test.

·  Undergrounding for Visual Amenity Programme (RIIO-EDI).

 

Resilient and Sustainable Rural Communities

 

·  Discover Bowland website.

·  Sense of Place Toolkit.

·  Dark Sky Friendly Business Workshop.

·  Planning and Development.

 

 

A Strong Connexion between People and the Landscape

 

·  Champion Bowland.

·  Festival Bowland goes Virtual.

·  Days to Remember.

·  Promoted Route Volunteers.

·  Promoted Route and Countryside Access.

·  Parish Lengthsman.

·  Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership Scheme.

·  National Association for AONBs.

·  COVID-19.

 

Resolved:  That the Committee noted the update.

 

11.

Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership - Update pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manger, Lancashire County Council presented the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership Quarterly Progress reports April – June 2020 (Quarter 1) and July-September (Quarter 2), which was attached in detail to the agenda and circulated prior to the meeting.

 

It was noted that the work of the Partnership had been significantly impacted by COVID-19.  Fortunately, they have managed to adapt and create online events including the John Muir awards online for families, albeit on a smaller scale.

 

Key activities that has been able to continue throughout the pandemic has been:

 

·  Peatland restoration and footpath works in partnership with the River Ribble Trust above Mearley Clough.

·  Completion of the concessionary bridleway between Chatburn and Downham.

·  The information centre in Downham village has been refurbished.

 

Discussions have taken place with the Heritage Fund since the start of COVID19 restrictions update them on where projects are up to and to discussa potential extension of the programme beyond March 2022.  A detailed proposal will be worked up in spring 2021.

 

Sarah Robinson, AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council updated the Committee on the farming and wildlife projects within the Pendle Hill Project and following the flooding and storms in February 2020, damage was discovered to the peat dams and the revegetation work on bare peat as part of the Summit project.  The dams had been washed out and the brash had been completely washed away.  An application was made to the contingency fund for £20,000, which was successful and in response to that event and projections that those type of events are going to become more common place, techniques are being changed and more timber dams, coir logs and geo textile are being used to slow water flow and stabilise the peat.

 

Sarah also reported on the delivery of the Bowland Haytime project to deliver hay meadow restoration.  15 hectares in all were restored using green hay, harvested seed, plug plants and purchased seed.

 

Sarah also provided further updates on various other projects that she had delivered as part of the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership including:

 

·  A waxcap survey at Worsaw Hill.

·  Carried out training for the Friends Group at Clarion House on scythes and kits were provided.

·  Boundary project – another wall commences in March 2021 and 5 lengths of hedges (over 1km) due to be restored in the winter season.

·  The Farmers Network have met three times via Zoom and discussing farm carbon.

 

The Committee were asked to note that County Councillor Eddie Pope had been appointed as Lancashire County Council's Mental Health Champion and has a £10,000 grant available.  For further information please contact County Councillor Eddie Pope, Mental Health Champion, email eddie.pope@lancashire.gov.uk.

 

Resolved:  That the Committee noted the update.

 

12.

Plotting the road to recovery - Post COVID-19 priorities for the AONB

Minutes:

Elliott Lorimer, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Manager, Lancashire County Council gave a presentation on "Plotting the Road to Recovery".

 

Elliott detailed to the Committee, what had changed:

 

·  Public awareness and the desire to take action locally on climate change and biodiversity emergencies which are becoming more evident and the AONB will be focusing on this area of work.

·  COVID-19 has brought to the fore the importance of health and wellbeing and access to the outdoors and delivering projects online.

·  Nationally and locally, communities, economies and public services have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and support have been given to those businesses.

 

The Committee noted that the Agriculture Bill and the Environment Bill are being passed through Government and will have a significant effect on how the AONBs are managed and the environmental regulation is delivered as the years progress.

 

The strategic context is as follows and is likely to have a significant effect on the AONB in the short and long term:

 

·  AONB Management Plan 2019-2024.

·  The Landscapes (Glover) Review Report.

·  Nature Recovery Network.

·  The Government's 25 year Environment Plan.

·  Environment Bill.

·  Agriculture Bill.

·  Planning White Paper and 'Project Speed'.

·  Green Recovery.

 

The Committee were informed that the future priorities for the AONB were detailed as follows:

 

·  Nature recovery at a landscape-scale:

 

Ø  AONB Nature Recovery Plan.

Ø  Peatland habitat restoration.

Ø  Species-rich grassland habitat restoration and enhancement.

Ø  Woodland regeneration creation and management.

Ø  Riparian (or river) habitat restoration, including wetland creation.

Ø  Making space in the landscape for natural processes to take the lead.

Ø  National and local species recovery plans.

Ø  Species re-introductions.

 

·  A green recovery for communities and the local economy.:

 

Ø  Advice and support for land management sector as agricultural support moves to the "public money for public goods" Environmental Land Management System.

Ø  Support and promotion for local visitor economy via the Bowland Sustainable Tourism Network and 'Discover Bowland' website.

Ø  Apprenticeships and job creation, particularly within environmental, land management, heritage and creative sectors.

Ø  Volunteering opportunities to work in the AONB via Countryside Services, Friends Groups, Rivers Trusts and Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership.

Ø  Collaborative working with Champion Bowland CIO to raise funds to support community-based projects.

Ø  Managing sustainable (and low carbon?) growth within designated landscape.

Ø  Landscape-sensitive super/hyper fast broadband and mobile.

 

·  Landscapes for everyone:

 

Ø  Outdoor learning for children, young people and families.

Ø  Widening access to nature and landscape to a more diverse range of people.

Ø  Improving people's health and wellbeing through engagement with nature and the landscape.

Ø  Online face-to-face events activities and training.

 

Both local and national partnerships offer opportunities to secure resources and support for delivery of the AONB Management Plan.

 

At a national level:

 

·  National Association for AONBs and National Parks England.

·  Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership.

·  'Great North Bog'.

·  'Magnificent Meadows'.

 

 

 

At a local level:

 

·  Champion Bowland.

·  Farmer and land management groups.

·  Local Authorities.

·  River Catchment Partnerships (Rivers Trusts).

·  The Wildlife Trusts.

·  Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

·  RSPB.

 

The following were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Urgent Business

An item of Urgent Business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the minutes, the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Members' intention to raise a matter under this heading.

Minutes:

There were no matters of urgent business received.

 

14.

Date of Next Meeting

The proposed dates and provisional locations ofthe Committee meetings (COVID-19 permitting) to beheld in 2021are:

 

Thursday, 22 April 2021 in Craven, venue tbc

Thursday, 21 October 2021 in Ribble Valley, venue tbc

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted that the next meetings would be held on:

 

Thursday, 22 April 2021 format to be confirmed.

Thursday, 21 October 2021 format to be confirmed.