Agenda item

Report attached.

Lancashire County Council

Fiona Cruchley gave the Committee an update on project activity since the last meeting and re-iterated that as in 2013/14, Lancashire County Council activity in the West Pennine Moors continues to be limited, but mainly extends to a ranger post which covers Healey Nab as part of overall duties, complemented by the work of a dedicated team of volunteer rangers, who patrol the site on Sundays, carry out site checks and help interpret the site to visitors.

Fiona reported that maintenance of the public rights of way network is ongoing as part of the statutory responsibilities of the County Council (often carried out in partnership with United Utilities' ranger team)

However, she also advised that a project had been developed, which pays nominal fees to Parish Councils and community groups to undertake routine maintenance on Rights of Way on behalf of the County Council.  If anyone is interested in finding out more, they should contact Fiona Cruchley.

Clarification was sought on whether the task and finish group was still meeting and it was confirmed that proposals for management of the Moors Area considered by the task and finish group were still being explored and that an update would be provided later in the meeting under Agenda Item 6.

Members paid compliment to the standard and condition of signage within the WPM and the standard of bridge repairs that had been carried out.

United Utilities

Neville Kidd gave the Committee an update on activity since the last meeting and included:

·  Clearing back, thinning out and mowing at Jumbles

·  Work at Crookfield Road Car Park

·  Drainage work in Rivington at Anglezarke and near Rivington and Blackrod High School

·  Footpath extension at Spitlers Edge

·  Japanese Knotweed Control

·  Path and Step Refurbishment

·  Replacing Fencing at Bradshaw Valley

·  Lever Park tree surveys

Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Updates were given to the Committee in respect of:

·  New Grasslands Project, in its first year, but with the possibility of a presentation to the next meeting of the AMC

·  Biodiverse Society, a Heritage Lottery funded project, which supports people by providing training courses, mentoring and engaging with school children in respect of biodiversity.

·  Blanket Bogs in the WPM – a life bid had been submitted, although funding had not yet been confirmed.  It was hoped to be able to provide a positive report to the next meeting.

Neville Kidd reported to the Committee the SCAMP project, delivered over the last five years, and which had aimed to re-wet Moors, and re-create Bogs that were degrading, was due to come to an end.

Councillor Jean Rigby advised that there was a poaching problem at Entwistle; Neville Kidd was aware that there were issues with poachers setting up on the river bank; Ian Harper, the Wildlife Warden and the Police were getting involved.

Councillor Snape reported that Chorley Council had given £5,000 to Friends of Healey Nab, to be included in their joint bid for funding with LCC.

Councillor Essex reported that the LWT was undertaking a programme of Japanese Knotweed eradication on the River Ogden; to which Rossendale BC had made a financial contribution.  A suggestion was made that this might be included on the agenda for next time.

Neville Kidd added that the problem of invasive species was growing; to bring it under control would be a massive undertaking, and involve a 3 to 5 year programme of works.

Local Advisory Groups (LAGs)

Michael Counter, representing the Local Advisory Groups within the WPM advised that in future issues raised in the minutes of the LAGs would feed into AMC meetings, so that these could be brought to their attention.

The Chair thanked partners for the updates provided and it was resolved that the update reports be noted.