Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Committee noted that Michael Leah had replaced Liz Small, North Yorkshire Council.

Alternates for this meeting were:

Timothy Johns for Michael Leah, North Yorkshire Council

Sonja Ludwig for Robin Horner, RSPB

Resolved:  County Councillor Shaun Turner and County Councillor Matthew Maxwell-Scott were appointed Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year.

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.

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

The Joint Advisory Committee is asked to approve the constitution, membership and Terms of Reference for 2023/24 as set out at Appendix 'A'.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council presented the constitution, membership and terms of reference.

It was suggested that the Ribble Rivers Trust be approached to join the Committee and Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council approach the Trust with regards to appointing a representative as well as to invite them to present at a future meeting the work they are currently involved with and future projects in Lancashire.

Resolved:    i)  That the Committee approved the constitution, membership and terms of reference for 2023/24.

ii)  That Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council approach the Ribble Rivers Trust to discuss representation on the Committee and also invite them to provide an update on the work they are currently undertaking and have planned for the future.

The Committee is asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 April 2023.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council provided a brief update on the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme's (HARP) current position.  A request had been made by MP Nigel Evans to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to call-in the two decisions made by Ribble Valley Borough Council in July 2023; however, it was not called-in and the position is currently that the local authorities are progressing with drawing up a Section 106 agreement. 

Elliott Lorimer has been in discussion with United Utilities with regards to timescales and now that works have been consented, United Utilities agreed to consider a Planning Performance Agreement in order that the AONB can manage the burden and that will be progressed by Elliott Lorimer with the Local Planning Authorities.

United Utilities are in the process of procuring the design and build contractor for the project and is expected to conclude late 2024 and then following, the discharge in conditions will commence.  It is envisaged that commencement of works will be towards the end of 2025.

Resolved:  i)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

ii)  That the update on the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme be noted.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Sonja Ludwig, RSPB provided the following update:

Support for breeding farmland waders

·  Annual report for breeding waders being written up, will be shared with partners before Christmas. 

·  2023 Breeding season Results

Ø  69 farms monitored, with 6% increase in survey area from 2022.

Ø  Estimated numbers (to be finalised) are:

Ø  Curlew 322 pairs, Lapwing 216 pairs, Oystercatcher 135 pairs, Redshank 28 pair, Snipe 56 pairs.

Ø  Better breeding season generally in 2023, after low point in 2022. Likely down to more favourable weather, possibly survey effort, and possible benefits of positive habitat management.

Ø  Nest monitoring and protection: 28 nests monitored (18 Curlew, four Oystercatcher, one Redshank, one Snipe). 19 hatched successfully. Causes of nest failure include predation by fox, carrion crow, rat, stoat and trampling by livestock. Nine nests fenced with electrified predator exclusion fencing, six of these hatched, two predated by carrion crow, one abandoned before fencing.  

·  Other work includes funding applications through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) and Natural England (NE) for habitat improvement work and further monitoring of nests and curlew chicks. Also, ongoing advice for farmers on Countryside Stewardship (CS), Capital Grant, Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) applications. Ongoing advice with partners on suitability of woodland creation. 

Bird of prey monitoring

Upland breeding raptors had been monitored on the United Utilities estate in partnership with United Utilities and their tenants. Hen harriers had another successful breeding season; breeding numbers were lower compared to the record-breaking season in 2022 but chick survival was higher. Nine nesting attempts had been recorded by eight females, of which seven were successful and fledged a total of 32 young. For the fourth year in a row, hen harriers also nested successfully on private estates (two nesting attempts, one of which fledged two chicks). However, both nests were located outside the Bowland Fells SPA, which has dropped again below the number of breeding pairs that it was designated for (12 pairs).

2023 was also a good year for merlin (seven pairs, four successful fledging 11 young) and short-eared owls (six pairs). However, none of the three territorial peregrine pairs was successful, which is only the second time in over 30 years that no peregrine chicks fledged from the United Utilities estate.

In addition, RSPB staff and volunteers helped to collate records for the breeding bird atlas of the Lancashire and District Bird Watching Society in Tetrads on the United Utilities Estate. This survey will continue in 2024.

Environment Agency (EA)

Helen Dix, Environment Agency (EA) reported that there is currently a fund of £25 million that has been announced by DEFRA and managed through the EA for natural flood risk management and is inviting bids. There are no specific thresholds however, they are expecting single site projects in the order of around £250,000 with a catchment approach of up to £2.5 million. It is foreseen that all three  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council presented the AONB Management Plan Review report as the 2019-2024 plan is now due for review.  The report provided the context for the Review and an outlined methodology and timetable for consideration by the Committee.  It is intended that the final draft plan will be completed by the end of March 2025.  Further details on the following can be found in the report, which was attached to the agenda:

·  Introduction

·  National Guidance on AONB Management Plan Reviews

·  The Forest of Bowland AONB Management Plan

·  Outline Methodology Timetable

James Cooper, Natural England commented that draft Management Plan review guidance had been issued approximately six weeks ago and was launched at the National AONB's conference at the beginning of September 2023.  Since then, there has been further discussions made and the guidance is being reviewed based on the positive feedback that has been received.  There are also national targets that the Secretary of State is poised to sign off on and are to be incorporated into the Management Plan as well as a reform to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Resolved:  That the Committee reviewed the report, offered comments and approved the initial methodology and timetable outlined.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council alluded to the Ministerial Statement that had been tabled on 13 September 2023 by the Defra Secretary of State which set out a package of measures to support nature recovery on Protected Landscapes.  The plans were also announced in the Lords by Lord Benyon.  The Committee received a report which was attached to the agenda and provided a briefing on the Statement and further information on:

·  Background

·  Roundtable

·  Third Reading of Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill – where the government's amendment to the Bill was to enhance AONB and National Park Management Plans was passed.

Resolved:  That the Committee received the briefing and offered comments, particularly considering the potential implications for partner local authorities represented on the Joint Advisory Committee.

Elliott Lorimer and Hetty Byrne, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council provided a report which set out the final stages of a national initiative to rebrand AONBs as National Landscapes, including the anticipated outcomes from the rebrand and the implementation of the new name and visual identity.  Further information in the report that was attached to the agenda can be found on:

·  Background

·  Anticipated Outcomes from Rebranding

·  Implementing the Rebrand

A decision has been taken by Defra and the National Association for AONBs to launch the rebrand nationally and locally on 22 November 2023. All AONB Partnerships will also be involved in this launch at their local level, with the national launch coordinated by the National Association for AONBs (which will be renamed the National Landscapes Association at the same time).

The Forest of Bowland AONB team will be working with local partner organisations in advance of the November launch to make them aware of the change. There will be local media news releases about “Forest of Bowland National Landscape” for the launch day and there will also be a change to online presence (website, social media, etc.) to reflect the new visual identity. The launch will be used to set out very positive messages about the Forest of Bowland’s landscape, wildlife, heritage and people.

Resolved:  That the Committee received and offered comments and advice on the best way to share the new name with both local people and visitors; on how to make the most of these opportunities; and on any risks and how best to manage them.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council presented the report as set out in the agenda papers.

The report outlines the core budget provision for the Forest of Bowland AONB Joint Advisory Committee which is funded by seven constituent local authority partners and grant income from Defra, which is also enhanced by additional contribution from United Utilities.

The Committee were informed that a core team is established from this budget provision to assist in the delivery of the statutory AONB Management Plan on behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee and the local authorities.

In terms of the Revenue Budget for 2024/25, it was proposed that there be a modest increase (equivalent to approximately 5%) in contributions from funding authorities and in addition the estimates also include a similar increase in the contribution from United Utilities, matching the level requested of district/borough councils.  The increase is proposed to partially address the inflationary pressures the AONB Partnership has been experiencing over recent years.

Resolved:  That the Committee:

(i)  Noted the 2023/24 Revised Estimates.

(ii)  Approved the proposed 2024/25 Revenue Budget as set out in the report, noting the proposed request for a modest increase in local authority and other partner contributions.

(iii)  Subject to approval of (ii) above, the AONB Manager requests the funding authorities make appropriate provision in their revenue budgets for financial year ending 2024/25.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council presented the AONB Team Report that had been tabled and would be circulated to members after the meeting.

The Committee were requested to contact officers as detailed in the report, if they had any questions/comments, requests for more information, outside of the meeting.

Resolved:  That the report noted.

The Committee is asked to appoint the FiPL Local Assessment Panel Members for 2023/24.

Sarah Robinson, Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), Forest of Bowland AONB Unit, Lancashire County Council provided an update on the programme which has been running from July 2021 and will end in March 2025 and forms part of the Defra post-Brexit Agricultural Transition Plan.  The Committee received a detailed presentation which would be circulated following the meeting and contained further information on the following:

·  The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme

·  Funding allocation

·  Enquiries, applications, and agreements

·  Projects underway

Ø  Bracken management at Croasdale

Ø  Access for All

Ø  Lawkland Hall Farm reed bed

Ø  Pasture for Life

Ø  The Country Trust

Ø  Wader monitoring equipment

·  FiPL Programme Team

The Committee noted the increase in the project delivery budget for 2024/25 to £1,557,240.  In 2023/24 it was £1,050,235 of which 97% was allocated for the current year.

In terms of enquiring, applications, and agreements the Committee were informed that there had been:

·  251 enquiries

·  228 farms contacted

·  115 applications received

·  106 agreements in place

·  25 projects completed

The Committee was asked to appoint the FiPL Local Assessment Panel members for 2023/24.

Resolved:  (i)  That the Committee noted the update.

(ii)  That the Committee appointed the current members of the FiPL Local Assessment Panel to continue as members for 2023/24 and the Chair and Deputy Chair will be appointed at the next Panel Meeting.

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.

There were no items of urgent business received.

The proposed dates and provisional locations for the Committee meetings to be held in 2024 are:

18 April 2024 in Preston district, venue to be confirmed

10 October 2024 in North Yorkshire, venue to be confirmed

18 April 2024, Preston district, venue to be confirmed.

10 October 2024, North Yorkshire, venue to be confirmed.