Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Joint Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the proceedings of the previous meeting of the Werneth Low Country Park Joint Management Committee held on 13 February 2017 to be approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Werneth Low Country Park Joint Management Committee held on 13 February 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Tameside MBC

Councillors Bell, Bowden, Buglass, Cooper, J Fitzpatrick, Kinsey and Robinson.

Hyde War Memorial Trust

Messrs Ainger, Cooper, Galvin, Gradwell and Hodkinson.

It was reported that the following representatives had been appointed to serve on the Joint Management Committee for the Municipal Year 2017/18:-

Representing Tameside MBC –

Councillors Bell, Bowden, Buglass, Cooper, J Fitzpatrick, Kinsey and Robinson.

Hyde War Memorial Trust –

            Messrs Ainger, Cooper, Galvin, Gradwell and Hodkinson.

In accordance with the decision taken at the meeting of the Joint Management Committee held on 5 August 1986, the offices of Chair and Deputy Chair are held in rotation by a member of each of the constituent bodies.  The Committee should in respect of this Municipal Year 2017/18, select the Chair from Tameside MBC and the Deputy Chair from Hyde War Memorial Trust.

RESOLVED:

(i)           That Councillor Robinson, Tameside MBC, be appointed Chair of the Joint Management Committee for 2017/18.

(ii)          That Mr Gradwell, Hyde War Memorial Trust, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Joint Management Committee for 2017/18.

To consider the report of the Greenspace Development Officer.

The Greenspace Development Officer submitted a report informing Members of the activities undertaken within the Country Park since the last meeting of the Joint Management Committee held on 13 February 2017.

The report outlined the following:-

• Maintenance of sites;
• Environmental Stewardship – Higher Level Agreement 2010-2020 Update;
• Public Events;
• Werneth Low Country Park Greenspace Volunteer Service;
• Visitor Monitoring; and,
• Wildlife Nature Conservation.

It was reported that the installation of 38 metres of new steps at Higham Cottages had now been completed and drainage repair work had been carried out in the visitor’s centre car park at Lower Higham.  A list of works that had been undertaken around the Country Park was detailed in the report and included the installation of paths, gates, stiles and fencing.

Attendance at public events for the 2016/2017 winter/spring programme were highlighted and details of the Country Park’s summer 2017 programme were provided.  Visitor monitoring data for 2017 was also provided.

Alder Community High School participated in its 11^th charity cross country run around the Country Park on 2 May 2017 in aid of The Christie Hospital and on 4 June 2017 the second ‘The Tour de Manchester’ cycled through Werneth Low.  A Peace Day Service of Remembrance was held at the cenotaph on 25 June 2017, which was well attended and commemorated the signing of the Treaty of Versailles 1919.

The Greenspace Volunteers had worked on a multitude of projects, including the control of non-native invasive flowers such as Himalayan Balsam and Ragwort, which if left unchecked would choke out the native wildflowers, such as Southern Marsh Orchids, which for the first time had been found at Hackingknife Meadow.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Greenspace Development Officer.

The Greenspace Development Officer presented the Werneth Low Country Park Annual Report, which highlighted activities undertaken during 2016/17 within the Country Park.  Arrangements would be made to share the report with interested parties and a wider audience via publication on the Council’s website. 

A history of Werneth Low, site information and the vision for the Country Park were detailed in the report alongside the management of the park, involving the community and conserving habitats and wildlife.

The highlights of 2016/17 were provided and included:-

·         3,519 visitors were welcomed to the Lower Higham Visitor Centre;

·         The Country Park Greenspace Volunteers completed a total of 4,101 work hours;

·         Using electronic counters the number of visitors recorded on the footpath from Lower Higham to the Cenotaph was 57,328 and the total recorded on the footpath near Quarry Car Park was 53,286;

·         The Greenspace Development Officer had organised 11 events, which 284 people attended.

Members of the Joint Management Committee congratulated the Greenspace Development Officer for a comprehensive report and another successful year and asked for their thanks to be extended to all volunteers.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To approve the dates of future meetings of the Joint Management Committee as follows:-

20 November 2017               Lower Higham Visitor Centre

19 February 2018                 Lower Higham Visitor Centre

RESOLVED:

That the Joint Committee meets as follows:-

To consider any additional items the Chair is of the opinion shall be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.