South Downs Land Management Group
MINUTES
of an Executive Committee Meeting
held on Tuesday 30th April, 2013
at
The Dover Barn, Poling
at 6.00 p.m.
EC Members Present:
EC Members’ Apologies:
Mike Tristram (MT)
James Cooper (JC)
David Taylor (DT)
Nigel Clutton (NC)
Andrew Thomas (AT)
Christopher Passmore (CP)
Sabrina Harcourt-Smith (SH-S)
William Wolmer (WWo)
James Youatt (JY)
Simon Ward (SW)
David Ashcroft
Jonny Morris
Remony Moser
Gwenda Teear (GT)
Ex officio Members:
Ex officio Members’ Apologies:
John Archer (JA)
Robin Edwards (RE)
Megan Cameron (MC)
William White
Tim Broomhead
Tim Brock
1.
Apologies and Welcome
MT welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming.
In
particular, he welcomed RE and MC as this was their first EC meeting. The
apologies were noted.
2.
Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 th October
2012.
Any matters will be dealt with later in these Minutes.
3.
Liaison Meeting - Matters Arising
MT had earlier circulated the draft Minutes following the meeting on 12 th April. JC
made the point that the NPA do need to look at things from the farmers’\
landowners’ perspective, who we are working on behalf of.
(a)
Sustainable Communities Fund
The NPA need to improve the marketing of this fund. Andrew Lee (AL) will
liaise with NFU\CLA\SDLMG regarding this. The scheme is due to finish at the
end of 2013. The requirements will need to be altered, subject to planning.
A new funding scheme should be on a better footing. AL will be looking into
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a scheme that can be specifically for farmers. Farmers are reluctant to do
land based enhancement works as they still have to fund 50% of the work.
(b)
CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy)
It was felt that agricultural buildings should be exempt from this levy.
SDLMG need to pursue this issue with the NPA. Agreed that JY should speak
to Tim Slaney to see how to progress this matter before the next Liaison
Meeting on 27th June. The CLA are already involved in dialogue on this issue.
ACTION : JY
CIL will be charged at the time of development. The NPA want to keep all
monies within the National Park, but the County Councils will need the money
for schools etc. It was felt that straight barn conversions should not trigger
the levy. Some issues regarding CIL are national and will need to be dealt
with uniformly. What are other National Parks doing? Chichester District
Council are spending some of their CIL receipts in the National Park area. RE
will send MT briefing notes on this before the meeting on 27 th June.
ACTION : RE
(c)
Procurement and NIA
It was felt that the NPA idea of one contractor for each part of the Park was
for ease of administration. SDLMG have opposed this, which has now been
agreed in principle. However, the NPA are still not promoting that farmers
and land managers can undertake work, rather than specified contractors.
However, the NIA scheme will end before any changes are implemented.
SDLMG are trying to change the instincts within the NPA, as early schemes
have not achieved what they should have done. We would like to be involved
in the implementation of future schemes to get it right. We have and want to
continue to have good relations with the NPA but we need to get our point
across on behalf of our members and the wider community.
The problems with procurement and the SCF were highlighted in our Winter
Newsletter. Perhaps members should be encouraged to write to the NPA to
express their wishes?
It was felt that the NPA will want a framework for any new scheme in the
future.
(d)
Workshops and Sustainable Farming
Following the recent workshops held by the NPA, a Delivery Framework is
being drafted. Under Policy 21, SDLMG felt that this should be amended to
specifically include “farm infrastructure development” not just diversification.
It was also agreed that a better definition of the word “sustainable” should be
agreed between the NPA and SDLMG. Policy 21 also needs to include wording
such as “encourage more sustainable food production”. Land management
rather than just farming needs to be incorporated for the future, and land
should be able to be managed to whatever is beneficial at that time. Forestry
will be dealt with as a separate issue. Christopher Fairbrother had prepared
a paper on Sustainable Farming, but this was his view and not that of the
NPA. However, it could be seen as a start for consideration for the future.
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AT expressed his disappointment that the NPA are not setting an example on
day-to-day issues e.g. planning and development issues of farms being split
up and sold for profit. The NPA do not seem to be addressing this. They also
do not appear to be dealing with equestrian and livery issues. In the Lake
District for example, grazing sheep help to support local abattoirs which helps
to drive the local economy. Farmers do not want to be pinned down on what
they can and cannot do. It was felt that the report was too long, and farming
today is not sustainable, and why is farming always singled out? Sustainable
farming will form part of the Management Plan, but farmers and landowners
cannot be tied to something they cannot deliver. Farming is not sustainable
if you cannot make a living out of it.
The definition of sustainable farming is an issue for the Government and
DEFRA to decide, so that it is the same for all. The existing DEFRA definition
is old and needs to be brought up-to-date. The definition will need to be
more business orientated, and change with the times.
It was not known what effect or influence this will have on planning issues.
It was felt that SDLMG should have their own, one line definition of
sustainable land management. NC agreed to draft a clause to counter the
NPA if it proved necessary.
ACTION : NC
4.
Management Plan and Partnership
(a)
Blue Sail Report
There has been no response from the NPA of the broader issues raised in the
Blue Sail Report. They may or may not be employing an agricultural advisor.
Two other National Parks recognise the lack of agricultural expertise. John
Geoghegan will find out the job description of the one employed at
Snowdonia National Park. Concern was expressed that Tom Tupper has not
been replaced on the NPA board with another farmer. His successor is a
landscape architect called Ian Phillips, who has written a book on green
infrastructure. His understanding of farming will be limited. The NPA need to
have their own personnel, but with knowledge. MT will extract the relevant
part from the Blue Sail report and send it as a separate note to AL.
ACTION : MT
(b)
Planning in National Park
A lot of good intention has been expressed at meetings, but little information
is available. Details of problems with planning policy or process be sent to
MT and JY. Planning policies should not refuse purpose-neutral developments
bringing socio-economic development within the Park.
ACTION : ALL
(c)
Dog Walkers
Professional dog walkers should have Public Liability insurance and a possible
licence scheme will be investigated by AL.
(d)
Renewables and Solar Barns
It was felt the NPA should consider making solar panels on unlisted farm
buildings free of planning permission. JY to discuss with Tim Slaney. Panels
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up to a certain size to be discussed, along with the impact and effect on the
neighbourhood.
ACTION : JY
5.
National Character Assessment
This has been circulated by MT. He had made some changes on behalf of SDLMG.
The Assessment has now been launched.
6.
AGM & General Meeting – 19th June 2013
Items for AGM Agenda
-
Chairman’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Re-election of Officers
Defer name change to “South Downs Land Managers’ Association”
MT has yet to receive a response from AL on their input to our General Meeting in
respect of the Management Plan. We cannot therefore start to plan the General
Meeting yet. Ideas for the General Meeting include:-
Chalara and tree management (Andy Beattie) – but possibly save for
November meeting
Access – Glyn Jones
Update on Planning – Tim Slaney
Management Plan
10-15 minutes from each speaker would be adequate with questions and answers
afterwards.
The Invite needs to be sent to John Geoghegan and he can extend it to other NPA
members. It will also be sent personally to Margaret Paren and Trevor Beattie and
all the Strategy Leads, together with Andrew Lee and Pete Currell.
ACTION : MT\GT
RE confirmed that the FC have a course at Goodwood in June which could clash
with our date. He will let us know.
ACTION : RE
Possible titles for the General Meeting include “Park Life”. It will need to enthuse
and engage the membership to attend. The Invite should have a note from the
Chairman to encourage members to attend.
ACTION : MT\GT
NC made the point that Robin Page is a good speaker and attendance at Game
Conservancy meetings he is speaking at is generally very good. He has an
irreverent approach to the countryside. MT\WWo to consider RP as a possible
keynote speaker for the Autumn meeting.
ACTION : MT\WWo
Other possibilities for the November meeting include:-
Peter Simpson – where funding is going
Schmallenberg overview - ?ask NFU or vet to give an overview and to give a
farming focus (to include other diseases), and encourage the NPA to be more
sympathetic towards farmers
Access
Management Plan – depending upon progress at the time
Planning up-date
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-
Chalara and tree management
JA will speak to William White about a possible candidate for the
Schmallenberg\disease overview.
ACTION : JA
We should also canvass the membership on what they would like to see at the
November meeting.
Venues for 2014
All agreed that Boxgrove Village Hall is an ideal location for the November
meetings. However, it was felt that an alternative venue for our AGM and Summer
meeting should be investigated. GT will liaise with WWo.
ACTION : GT
7.
Up-dates by Lead
(a)
Newsletter
AT has circulated the Winter Newsletter. It is proposed to produce 2 per
year, in a similar format. Longer articles could have a link to the website.
(b)
Membership Up-date
GT confirmed the membership remains steady at approximately 240
members.
There are still quite a few members to pay their annual
subscription, and she will chase some of the more prominent ones. Of the
members that have not paid, none have asked for their details be removed
from our records.
ACTION : GT
(c)
Contractors’ List
GT to send to MT.
(d)
ACTION : GT
Access
DT had a meeting with Alison Tingley and Tim Squire in January. There has
been no contact since. DT does not feel he should chase them. He does not
feel that the Access Forum makes any meaningful decisions and he is not
clear what our role should be, as the meetings take the form of presentations
and\or discussions.
Liaison with Strategy Leads in the NPA should be
constant to keep on top of everything. The January meeting discussions
included gate problems with ones that do not work efficiently and dog walkers
and their code of practice.
(e)
Cultural Heritage
SW had previously circulated the up-to-date status and this is on the website.
(f)
Education
Nothing to report.
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(g)
Rural Economy
MT recently attended a meeting with Alison Tingley. Details of this meeting
to be sent to JC.
ACTION : MT
(h)
Farming and Bio-diversity
It was felt that being the Lead for this, together with the Secretary role may
be too large for one person, and MT will speak to WWo to see if he would like
to delegate the Farming and Bio-diversity role to someone else. Possible
candidates could be Keith Langmead or Tom Tupper. WWo’s decision is
crucial to this.
ACTION : MT
Tom Tupper’s resignation from the NPA is a great loss. The NPA personnel
need to know what farming is all about. DEFRA, on behalf of the Secretary of
State would have interviewed and appointed Tom’s replacement and the NPA
were not involved.
We need to engage with the NPA and discuss a
programme for farm visits by NPA staff and explore the possibility of NPA
having a paid internal advisor to staff and members on farming.
8.
Partner Organisations (CLA\NFU) – Up-dates
(a)
NFU
CAP reforms – agri-enviro schemes – the form and content of future schemes
is not known.
The NFU is working with the Environment Agency to improve river
maintenance to help curb flooding.
(b)
CLA
The CLA are holding roadshows on 23rd May regarding the CAP reforms. It
will be held in Sussex in the afternoon and Hampshire in the evening.
Southern Water will soon be publishing their updated draft Water Resources
Management Plan. They will be holding a series of Workshops, which will be
county based and the one for Sussex will be held on 6th June at Gatwick.
DEFRA are looking at water abstraction reform to make it more sustainable
for farmers and growers, and the mechanics for transferring necessary
licences.
9.
Executive Committee
MT confirmed that a number of suggestions had been sent to him regarding a
Forestry candidate to stand on the EC. The candidate will need to have the right
knowledge and be capable of liaising effectively with the NPA. MT will review the
suggestions.
ACTION : MT
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10.
Any Other Business
(a)
South of England Show
GT will ask Jenny Passmore and Derek Cleaver (Lancing College) if they
would be willing to distribute SDLMG leaflets again this year. She will also
give some to NC who will pass to NFU and CLA stands.
ACTION : GT
(b)
Water Pollution in South Downs
JA brought the attached Press Release to everyone’s attention.
MT closed the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.
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