Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest submitted from members of the Joint Management Committee.

Tameside MBC

Councillors Bell, Bowden, Cooper, J Fitzpatrick, R Miah, Peet, Robinson and White.

Hyde War Memorial Trust

Mrs Eddowes and Messrs Ainger, Errington, Galvin and Gradwell.

It was reported that the following representatives had been appointed to serve on the Joint Management Committee for the Municipal Year 2015/16:-

Representing Tameside MBC –

Councillors Bell, Bowden, Cooper, J Fitzpatrick, R Miah, Peet, Robinson and White.

Hyde War Memorial Trust –

            Mrs Eddowes and Messrs Ainger, Errington, Galvin and Gradwell.

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 2015/16, 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 2015/16.

(ii)          That Mrs Eddowes, Hyde War Memorial Trust, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Joint Management Committee for 2015/16.

The Minutes of the proceedings of the previous meeting of the Werneth Low Country Park Joint Management Committee held on 16 March 2015 to be approved as a correct record (copy attached).

The Minutes of the proceedings of the Joint Management Committee held on 16 March 2015 were approved as a correct record.

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 16 March 2015.

The report outlined the following:-

• Maintenance of sites;
• Public Events;
• Werneth Low Country Park Volunteer Service;
• Visitor Monitoring; and,
• Wildlife Nature Conservation.

Members were informed that the refurbishment of Baron Fields was due to commence mid-August 2015 and would take approximately 3 weeks to complete.  The material and stone had been purchased and placed in storage.  A formal written submission had been gratefully received from Hyde War Memorial Trust to pay 50% of the costs.  It was confirmed that access ways would not be affected and that contractors, following a risk assessment and method statement, would erect warning signs.

It was reported that two dry stone walling weekends had been arranged with the next scheduled event due in September 2015.  The events were organised in conjunction with the Cheshire branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association and work was overseen by a master craftsman.  These events offered members of the public the opportunity to build their skills whilst providing good advertisement of the Country Park.

Members heard that volunteers assisted with public events, staffing the visitor centre and the maintenance and general upkeep of the sites.  A programme of work to target the control of non-native species, such as Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed, had recently been agreed. Clarification was sought and provided on hogweed and giant hogweed.  It was confirmed that the Park did not have any giant hogweed species.

The Committee were informed that this summer had been an exceptional year for wild flowers in particular the Common Spotted Orchid, Orchis fuchsia, which had been seen in great numbers in the meadows.

RESOLVED

That the Greenspace Development Officer’s 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 the work undertaken during 2014/15 and planned activities for 2015/16.  Arrangements were being made to share the report with interested parties and a wider audience via publication on the Council’s website. 

A history of Werneth Low, location and size, ownership and creation of the Country Park was provided to the committee as detailed in the report.  The vision for the Park was outlined which complimented the Tameside Greenspace Service priorities.

Members heard about the management of the Country Park and initiatives which involved the community.  A variety of photographs were shown including the Cown Edge Ramble, hedge laying, stile alterations, woodland management and dry stone walling. 

The highlights of 2014/15 were provided and included:-

·         4,010 visitors were welcomed to the Lower Higham Visitor Centre;

·         The Country Park Greenspace Volunteers completed a total of 4,908 work hours;

·         Using electronic counters the number of visitors recorded on the footpath from Lower Higham to the Cenotaph was 61,870 and the total recorded on the footpath near Quarry Car Park was 55,684;

·         The Greenspace Development Officer had organised 12 events at which 871 people attended.

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

RESOLVED

That the Annual Report 2014/15 be approved.

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.

The Chair reported that there were no items for urgent consideration at this meeting.