GROUPWORK RESULTS - 10TH LOWESWATER CARE PROJECT (LCP) - 18th March 2010 Small groups of 4-6 people discussed future actions of the LCP, who would need to get involved in them, and what obstacles might be encountered: ACTION INVOLVEMENT Continue communication Agencies / forums like the between local people and LCP / locals agencies More knowledge and under Scientists standing needed of: Geomorphologists o Midges Agencies o Fish o Causes of the algae o Underlying assumptions o Phosphorus in sediments / P recycling o Improved inflows / infl. Of channels o Drainage Investigate potential for a Scientists communal sewage system Update septic tanks if required Everyone in the catchment Farming-related: Farmers o How can farming be LCP to influence politicians supported? like Jamie Reed, agencies, o Encourage understanding and government (lobbying) of real cost of food Powerful agencies that take production at local/ things forward or offer national/ intern. levels partnerships (eg. UU could o Discuss issues of farm allocate funds for land succession and what enmanagers – pilot scheme? courages farmers to stay LDNP could look at its o Pay for public goods like policies and tailor them more clean water to local needs o Source money from the Shouldn’t LDNPA be on this ‘top’ for land managers list here? o Enable farmers to work on a basis of income foregone o Agencies need put pressure on the government to obtain funds for land managers, better schemes, agency mergers o Keep Newton Rigg College OBSTACLES Funding Convincing institutions and scientists that these are important problems Funding Money New farm payment schemes don’t support capital grant schemes (ex. HLS, but at a reduced rate) Farmers make up only 2% of the voting population High staff turnover rate in agencies NB. Newton Rigg no longer supports the study of farming as it once did. 1 ACTION INVOLVEMENT OBSTACLES Related to population decline: Invite LDNPA to explain Housing policy encourages o Encourage young people to their policies on housing aging population and is ‘the stay and economic development wrong way round’ (ie, show o Address demographic inneed, then give permission) balances No incentives for o Create job opportunities for youngsters to stay (lack of young people (eg. in IT)? provisions like football o Create incentives in the pitches, clubs, etc.) countryside for young Being in a National Park people to stay, eg. clubs, football/sports opportunities Use low phosphate products LCP & all in catchment area Knowledge of products and publicise this as a good Info from Coniston & Crake Funding thing (eg. to hotels, schools, Partnership and the and tourists visiting the area) Cumbrian Tourist Board Amalgamate agencies like the Politicians, agencies, LCP EA and NE [this may already lobbying be happening] Need a ‘champion’ to lead Commitment Future of the LCP: o Discuss how to take it meetings Voluntary contributions are forward rarely offered, so far. Need money (eg. Nuclear o Decide objectives/questions Decommissioning Funding of future meetings Authority’s cultural funds) o Twin with other groups? Need clear aims and o Explore if LDNPA is willing objectives to take it forward Local people/agencies (buyin in catchment) LDNPA Lancaster research team None LCP to produce a punchy report which will: Local involvement if o Summarize the research desired o Reach conclusions o Make recommendations o Identify further questions o Brings it all together and makes it known Use LCP report/findings to: Researchers Time o Communicate the project to Others in a position to lobby We need to be able to scientists, MPs, agencies, identify the right and government Opportunities o Communicate LCP and its work to the media o Approach funding bodies Explore opportunities provided Researchers to Loweswater if it fails the EU EA Waterframework Directive LDNPA to lead community LDNPA Willingness to support the projects like the LCP LCP 2