Agenda item

The Committee is asked to consider approving the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2015.

The minutes were agreed as accurate following the addition of Cllr John Browne's apologies that were not recorded previously.

David Porter, Lancaster City Council

An update was given regarding the results of the consultation on Lancashire City Council's planning document entitled 'People, Homes and Jobs' outlining potential sites for future development in the district.  800 representations were made, with a significant number of these relating to proposals affecting Dolphinholme and Bolton-le-Sands.  The City Council is briefing its' members at the Planning, Policy and Liaison Group on 27 January 2016 on the next part of the plan for the Summer.

Elliott Lorimer stated that a response outlining the two significant development sites proposed that could affect the AONB had been sent, highlighting some concerns about the likely impact on the landscape.

Michael Helm had visited Dolphinholme recently with regards the recent flooding.

Networks 4 Nectar

Elliott outlined that the LEF application to support 'Wildflowers for the Meadows' a further phase of project work to support hay meadow restoration by growing specific species to enhance nectar patches and meadows had been successful and will run from April 2016 to the end of March 2017.  There will be a different focus looking at community involvement on meadow sites and propagating certain species of plants which have been difficult to restore to sites using methods such as spreading green hay or seed sowing.

A match-funding issue has arisen with the Coronation Meadows project (BIFFA) and work is currently on-going to replace this funding to ensure this project can go ahead in March 2016.

Hen Harriers in the Forest of Bowland

The Hen harrier Joint Action Plan has received Government approval and was launched on 14 January 2016 with all partners signing up to it, including the RSPB following minor changes to the plan.  This can now move forward at a local level following the six point plan as follows:

·  Monitoring of hen harrier populations in England and UK

·  Diversionary feeding

·  Work with Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group to analyse monitoring information and develop intelligence picture

·  Nest and winter roost protection

·  Southern re-introduction

·  Trialling a brood management scheme

Michael Helm queried as to whether trans-location was being looked at, and Elliott replied that it was, and was covered by the 5^th action of the plan.  However, the FoB (and other Protected Landscapes) had expressed a view that the conservation and protection of hen harriers in Northern England still remained the priority.

Cllr Starkie reminded the Committee about the plan to replace and refurbish AONB boundary signs with the hen harrier logo.  He expressed concern about the slow progress that is being made with regards to replacing a sign near Roughlee, though he did add that Dave Padley had been trying to progress the issue with LCC Highways.  Elliott also explained that an audit of the condition of the existing signs was being made and that the number of signs had now been identified for refurbishment and a local craftperson (contact supplied by Cllr Starkie) had been contracted to carry out this work.