ASSOCIATION OF SEVERN ESTUARY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES
WORKING GROUP MEETING
Wales 1 Business Park, Magor, Monmouthshire, NP26 3DG
on Monday 7th October at 10:30
MEETING MINUTES
Summary of Actions from 7th October 2013:
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1.
AH to produce a list of specific actions for new officer
CP to provide advice and agree a deadline for the submission of this with AH
GO/ SC Agree venue, specific timing and agenda
RCB to invoice Louise Hemmings for costs since April 2013 CE to complete handover report and send to AH for circulation around the Group
GO to circulate Humber pilot to be circulated around SE
ALL to provide comments (deadline 21 October)
AH to send GO copy of consultation for circulation around the Group
ALL to respond, as appropriate to consultation (22 October deadline)
GO to organise Doodle poll for next meetings (Working/Management)
Welcome and Introductions
Present:
Rhoda Ballinger, Cardiff University/SEP Host (RCB)
Anna Bright, Environment Agency (AB)
Sarah Clark, Devon and Severn IFCA (SC)
Claudia Emery, Severn Estuary Partnership (CE)
Madhulika Goodey, Natural England (MG)
Anne Hayes, Bristol Port Company (AH)
Gary Kennison, Gloucestershire County Council (GK)
Miriam Knollys, Natural England (MK)
Matthew Lewis, Monmouthshire County Council (ML)
Gwilym Owen, Severn Estuary Partnership (GO)
Charlotte Pagendam, Natural England (CP)
Kate Rodgers, Natural Resources Wales (KR)
2.
Apologies:
None
3.
The Minutes of the last meeting
These were agreed, but there was no discussion of these, given that all major actions had either been
superseded or were included in the current meeting agenda.
4.
ASERA / SEP staffing arrangements and contracts
RCB provided a brief update on these.
It was noted that GO and a range of student placements, under the guidance of RCB, had serviced both
SEP and ASERA’s needs in the absence of an estuary officer. Particular reference was made to Claudia
Emery, the ASERA placement student, who had been working on the ASERA GIS over the summer/early
autumn.
In terms of the estuary officer appointment, it was noted that progress had been hampered due to
University internal restructuring. However, it was pointed out that there had been 25 applications for the
post, including a broad range of candidates of a generally good calibre. It was also noted that a sub-group
of ASERA and SEP Working/Management Group members are in the process of drawing up a short list of
candidates for interview, which is scheduled to take place on Friday 18 October.
5.
Past and future ASERA work plan
It was agreed that there was a need to develop a work plan for next 2 years for the ASERA officer. In this
context it was suggested and agreed that CP should provide some advice to ASERA based on her
conclusions relating to the bird data. This could include recommendations as to how the bird data could be
linked to the recreational data. In the context of the ASERA work plan, it was suggested that a review of
local plan and associated HRAs should be undertaken.
Action: AH to produce a list of specific actions for new officer
Action: CP to provide advice and agree a deadline for the submission of this with AH
6.
Preparations for the AGM in November
On the subject of Activity Mapping, it was noted that SEP had been in contact with the Pembrokeshire
Coastal Forum, with potential to link into their Wales Activity Mapping project in future.
It was noted that this is scheduled for 26 November and will be held in Bristol (venue to be confirmed). It
was agreed that there will be an AGM followed lunch. It was suggested that the presentations could include
similar ones to those being given at the Working Group meeting.
Action: GO/ SC Agree venue, specific timing and agenda
Financial matters
It was noted that the financial statement for the last financial year had been and signed and authorised by
BPA and was currently being audited.
RCB noted that there was a need for Cardiff University to invoice for additional costs incurred since April
2013.
Action: RCB to invoice Louise Hemmings for costs since April 2013
7.
Severn Estuary Recreation study
CE presented an overview of the GIS recreation study, illustrating some of the main data sets and
associated issues. It was noted that this Second Phase of the GIS development has focused on marinerecreation aspects, updating and expanding on the work previously undertaken by Dr Jen Reis. However,
PROW has also been obtained from local authorities and has been added. It was noted, that, with the
exception of the PROW for N Somerset, all the data has now been obtained for the estuary and input to
the system.
It was pointed out there will be a more detailed handover report to accompany the completion of Phase 2
of the Severn Estuary ASERA Recreation study, which will be circulated around the group for comment.
Action: CE to complete handover report and send to AH for circulation around the Group
There was some discussion of the GIS, which included positive comments from the Chair (AH) regarding
the amount and quality of work, which had been undertaken. Discussions highlighted the need for
definitions for the RYA classification of high/medium/low cruising routes.
There was also some discussion of land-based recreation data and the need for counter locations to be
added to the PROW data, along with data on beach use/activities (from LA interviews). Additionally, it
was suggested that local plans and the HRAs for new access routes associated with these would need
reviewing.
Matthew Lewis then went on to briefly present some specific information and graphs on Monmouthshire
coastal access to the group.
8.
Update on the collation and analysis of Severn Estuary bird data: Charlotte Pagenham presentation
CP gave a presentation on the analysis of bird for the Severn, providing an overview of SPA level, estuarywide (20 year) trends as well as sector data. Issues with the data sets and comparisons with BTO alert data
were noted.
A number of trends for estuary-wide bird populations were illustrated, but the need for expert input to help
interpret some trends was highlighted. It was noted that of the 35 sectors on the estuary, only 18 have been
regularly and consistently monitored on a 10-year basis. Indeed, it was stated that at least 85% of
populations lie within 50% of the estuary’s sectors.
In terms of overall populations related to the SPA, for which ASERA has responsibility for species
assemblage, it was pointed out that 6 populations are decreasing, 4 are stable and 9 are increasing.
However, it was stressed that there is little evidence that there are site level SPA issues as some
decreasing Severn Estuary trends are non-site specific, reflecting much broader scale trends. The trends for
Gadwall & Grey Plover were noted to be difficult to interpret. The issues associated with unknown
influence exceptional weather patterns, notably the last three winters, was briefly mentioned along with the
lack of research on the implications of improvements in sewage treatment on the estuary. In this context,
reference to a study in Morecambe Bay was noted.
CP concluded by presenting sector data, showing charts showing the relationship between sector data and
Severn SPA data for each species. She also briefly displayed examples of tables produced for each sector
which indicated the % of the SPA for a particular species; also sector trends – gives an idea re health of
sector.
In the context of sectors, CP explained that 16 to 18 sectors have species population declines even though
the equivalent SPA trends are stable or increasing. It was, however, noted that, given the timing of surveys,
these are capturing roost rather than feeding areas.
There was some discussion over what should be the next steps. Issues currently include:
•Difficulties in making connections between the bird trends and recreational activity, due to bird data
issues
•Questions over whether disturbance is a key factor
•The need still to engage with recorders of birds
•Trying to match biotope data with bird numbers
•A lack of low water (feeding) counts
•A lack of understanding of what are the key areas within sectors
•A lack of understanding of the impact of the Newport Wetlands on estuary birds
In the context of the above, it was suggested that further work should focus on a better understanding of
key areas within sectors. In particular, sector characterisation is needed, especially the identification of key
feeding and roosting areas.
CP noted that she had put in a request for finance for a sector-by-sector analysis of the data.
In terms of recreation, it was noted that there was a need to address land-based recreational use, notably
beach use and include this in the recreational GIS. In this context, it was suggested that there should be a
priority list of sectors produced for such investigations.
9.
Conservation advice pilot presentation
Miriam Knollys (Natural England) gave a presentation on Natural England’s new approach to marine
protected areas (MPA) conservation advice and the current pilot. MK noted that pilot advice is currently
being trailed on three MPAs (Margate & Long Sands; Humber; Greater Wash). She also noted that the
Severn Estuary MPA is likely to have a separate joint pilot, once agreed with NRW. However, in the
meantime, MK noted that it would be useful for the Group to review the pilot for the Humber, given that
this is another large, dynamic estuary with some similar characteristics. It was noted that within this pilot,
advice on operations is generic, whereas the conservation objectives have been tailored to Humber site. The
aspiration for an operator-focused web-based system (GIS) was also noted.
A few comments from the Group were forthcoming, including the need for more detail regarding Relevant
Authorities.
Action: GO to circulate Humber pilot to be circulated around SE
Action: ALL to provide comments (deadline 21 October)
NB: MK noted that the Group should base any comments on the specific, set questions, which appear, at
the end of each section.
10. Any Other Business
Maddie noted the activities of the Project Working Group looking into options for management for Marine
Sites and the associated paper which will be presented to the Defra Marine Board on 24 October. She
noted that it is intended that differences in governance will be taken into account for cross-boundary sites.
AH brought the EA’s Severn River Basin consultation (Water for life & livelihoods) to the attention of the
Group. This document includes a section on the Severn Estuary.
Action: AH to send GO copy of consultation for circulation around the Group
Action: ALL to respond, as appropriate to consultation (22 December deadline)
11. Date of next Working Group meeting
It was suggested that the Next Working Group meeting should take place early next year (around February).
Action: GO to organise Doodle poll for next meetings (Working/Management)