2019 – 3 July HLS minutes

Summary

AI generated summary
Minutes record a meeting of the Verderers’ Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) board for the New Forest, noting attendance, apologies, and declared interests. Members reviewed progress on wetland restoration monitoring, with reports due by the end of the working season, and discussed preparing possible verge restoration and archaeological projects in case the HLS agreement is extended. Updates covered ongoing wetland restoration works, and the board noted awards and official recognition received for the restoration programme. Terrestrial restoration work was reviewed, including rhododendron treatment and ridge-and-furrow and stump clearance. Verge restoration engagement with local residents and parish councils was reported. The board reviewed hydro-chemistry, physical, and biological monitoring (including extended riverfly monitoring) and noted stakeholder training events. Actions included requesting species survey updates for the October meeting, producing an end-of-term report to support a potential rollover, and arranging a meeting to review final accounts and projected budgets. Future meeting dates were set.
Download PDF Download PDF Contact us for other formats Contact us for other formats

Document Viewer

Voting Members
Lord Manners OV Official Verderer – Verderers of the New Forest (Chairman)
Bruce Rothnie DS Deputy Surveyor – Forestry England
Alison Barnes AB Chief Executive – New Forest National Park Authority
Non-Voting Members
Jenny Thomas JT Lead Adviser New Forest - Natural England (NE)
In Attendance
Tina Woodley TW VGS Administrator
Nick Wardlaw NW HLS Contract Manager – Forestry England

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies from Tony Hockley – CDA Representative

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

OV is Chairman of the VGS Management Committee.

AB declared an interest in all Wetland Restoration projects because of the NPA’s responsibilities as local planning authority.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

RESUME

Wetland Restoration Monitoring

OV requested an update on the progress of the monitoring results. NW informed the board that the reports would be completed at the end of the working season.

Verge Restoration

AB asked if consideration had been given to the inclusion of verge restoration and archaeological projects in the event of HLS rollover. NW confirmed that the Verge Restoration officer and LS have been consulted and are putting forward possible projects for consideration.

Waders which will continue on into the following year. The board agreed that the survey results presented a good opportunity for interesting publicity. DS and AB requested that the comms team and the wildlife societies get involved. OV and JT commented on the need to also consider national trends when assessing the conservation status of species in the New Forest. OV requested an update on the survey results for the October board meeting. Action NW

JT asked for TW & NW to work together to compile an end of term report detailing the projects completed under the HLS agreement to support the case for a potential rollover. Action NW & TW

The board studied the account reconciliation supplied by TW. It was agreed to organise a meeting between AB, the NPA finance officer, the FE finance officer and TW, to analysis final year accounts and potential roll over budgets and projections. Action AB

FE UPDATE

RESUME

Wetland Restoration

NW reported on the wetland restoration works being carried out this season. The board congratulated the HLS team and NE on winning the prestigious UK River Prize 2019 and the Nigel Holmes Trophy for the restoration work delivered under the Verderers’ HLS Scheme. SLM circulated a letter received from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs congratulating the HLS team on their achievements.

Terrestrial Restoration

The board studied the report on the Terrestrial works being undertaken, including Rhododendron treatments and Ridge and Furrow and stump clearance.

Verge Restoration

The Verge Restoration Officer has been very pro active with engagement with local residents and parish councils.

Wetland Restoration Monitoring

The board studied updates on the Hydro-Chemistry monitoring, the Physical monitoring and the Biological monitoring including the extended Riverfly monitoring. A number of Stakeholder/Engagement’ Training events have taken place during this quarter.

hoped for within the next month but it still has to be approved by the RPA.

AOB

RESUME

TW has received the 2018 Statement of Accounts and will forward to the board for approval before the OV signs them off. Action TW

TW informed the board that she has a meeting tomorrow with representatives from Dartmoor who are hoping to set up their own Verderers’ Grazing Scheme and require more information.

Meeting closed at 11.40am

DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

Wednesday 2nd October 2019 – 9am (Site visit pre meeting)

Wednesday 22nd January 2020 – 9am

Delegated Actions to
Alison Barnes AB Chief Executive – New Forest National Park Authority
Tina Woodley TW VGS Administrator
Nick Wardlaw NW HLS Contract Manager – Forestry England

Lord Manners

Official Verderer

Related Documents