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 27 July 2015 to be approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Werneth Low Country Park Joint Management Committee held on 27 July 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 27 July 2015.

It was reported that the footpath refurbishment work around the Baron Fields Woodlands area of the Country Park had been completed.  The footpaths were a well-used route and lots of favourable comments had been received.

Members were informed that the Country Park had received a total of £28,827 of grant income from Natural England’s environmental stewardship higher level agreement 2010-2020.  An updated figure for year six of the ten year agreement would be brought to the next meeting.  A successful inspection had been carried out by Natural England in July with the Country Park delivering real positive outcomes.

The 2015/16 greenspace volunteer service’s winter maintenance of projects was outlined (as per appendix one of the report).  Five of the 25 projects had already been completed during October and an update on the progress of works would be brought to the next meeting to include an approximate market price of carrying out the works.

Members heard that the summer 2015 programme of public events had completed with a final event being held in September and the 2015/16 winter/spring programme of public events had commenced.  Visitor monitoring data across the park for 2015 was provided with a comparison to 2014 figures.

It was reported that the Country Park had been awarded its 12^th consecutive Green Flag Award and the Park had witnessed the annual migration of pink-footed geese on-route from Iceland to the east coast of Britain.  There has been an increase in the numbers of buzzards and roe deer, which was a good example of nature conservation, with decreased sightings of minks.

The Greenspace Development Manager presented the events programme booklet where a number of events were being run by volunteers.  Ideas for upcoming events were currently being developed and would be presented at a future meeting.  Members suggested that the centre would benefit from internet access; it was agreed this would be explored and an update on progress would be supplied at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To note the dates of future meetings to be held on:-

29 February 2015       Lower Higham Visitor Centre

RESOLVED:

That the Joint Committee meet 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 the meeting.