2023 – 25 January HLS minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting Susan Mitchel gave the board feedback from the Foundation for Common Land’s Phase 2 Interim Report, looking at delivering multiple outcomes at landscape scale on Commons.

Apologies from Alison Barnes – Chief Executive – New Forest National Park Authority

OV is Chairman of the VGS Management Committee.

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

CL is a member of the VGS and a committee member of the CDA.

PW reported that the Ambassador scheme for reporting Rhododendron has been paused until the Spring.

taken to produce a provisional budget for the five years. TW & JK to produce for next board meeting. Action TW & JK

An option of the extension agreement is an ability to apply for CS Capital funding on certain projects. A new list of items covered by this option is due for publication in late January. TW to circulate to the board as soon as it becomes available. Action TW

Staff Update

Becks Bisset joined Forestry England in January as Habitat Restoration Officer on a 2 year fixed term appointment to cover Lucy Andrew’s role. MP thanked JK for successful recruitment process. The Monitoring Officer position is still vacant and the board discussed proposals to update the role as a result of the recently agreed FWRF Evidence and Monitoring Plan.

Terrestrial Restoration

Ridge & Furrow Removal and Stump Shearing

Work to restore new clear fell areas was completed at Knightwood (2.1ha) and Matley West Ridge (2.75ha). JT had visited Markway and commented on the success of the project; grazing 255ha had been turned from unfavourable to favourable condition in the agreement area in past year. Much of this was as a result of restoration work undertaken through the HLS. JT offered to supply a map highlighting those units. Action JT

Work at Matley Ridge Central (10.9ha), Matley Ridge East (5.07ha) and Perrywood Ironshill (4 ha) are due to be completed by the end of February.

Rhododendron Management

The winter programme to cut and burn Rhododendron bushes is underway. Sites at Little Wootton, Acres Down and Black Knowl are due to be completed by the end of February.

Existing rhododendron records are being collated in preparation for a repeat survey across the open forest in 2023.

Lost Lawns

Restoration work completed at Millyford Green (1.75ha) where birch, willow and scrub were removed to open up the lawn.

Lawn restoration is also underway at Anderwood and due to be completed by the end of February. Tantany Wood restoration is planned for Winter 2023/24 due to difficulties procuring contractors with capacity to deliver the planned restoration.

Bracken Management

Forage harvesting operations to treat 27 sites across the forest (33ha in total) were completed in October.

Holly Pollarding

Work to treat understorey holly to benefit epiphytic lichens at Bigness Wood (0.8ha), Yew Tree Hill/ Buskett’s (1.2ha) and Fair Cross (1.3ha), which is due to be completed by mid-march. JK to enter new serial line for Holly Protection project. Action JK

Verge Restoration

The Verge Restoration Officer has engaged with residents / locals and partner organisations, responded to reports of verge parking and requests for advice, and monitored sites where measures have been installed. Preparations are underway for verge restoration works in March at the following sites. Dunces Arch, Rufus Stone, Brockis Hill, Parc Pale and Holidays Hill.

Thinning A & O Plots

A new programme of work is underway to carry out thinning of A&O regeneration plots. Felling work has been carried out in 6ha of Bratley Wood to thin old planting areas and regeneration pens to restore a more natural woodland structure. The felled timber will be removed in Q1 2023.

Wetland Restoration

Felling work has been completed to help restore wetland habitats at the following sites. Foulford Mire – clearance of trees and scrub from around mire and stream edge and Picket Mire – clearance of trees around mire edge. A programme of works for Summer 2023 will be put to the board at the next meeting. The proposal will include sites postponed from last summer.

New Forest Freshwater and Wetlands Restoration Forum (FWRF)

The Forum meeting in November included a presentation from Natural England about climate and valley mires in the New forest, which highlighted the importance of restoring damaged peatlands to make them resilient in the face of climate change.

The Evidence and Monitoring plan was signed off, subject to a final amendment noting Natural England’s condition assessment process. Footprint Ecology is progressing the final Restoration Plan, which will be presented at the next forum meeting in April.

The communications Sub-Group will also be reconvened to progress the communication Strategy, including recommendations on consultation processes and how to enable dialogue with the public.

Repeat bird surveys for Dartford Warbler and Nightjar. (Last done 2018)

Repeat surveys for fairy shrimp (2013/14 survey)

Further targeted surveys for six spotted cranefly (Idiocera sexguttata) focusing on sites with similar habitat conditions and high connectivity to Stony Moors as recommended in the 2022 survey report.

Beaulieu Dung Beetle (Liothorax niger) survey sites to be revisited in April and May 2023, as the survey was compromised by the unusually dry conditions last summer as recommended in the 2022 survey report.

The delayed report for the reptile habitat suitability assessment and mitigation guidance for ridge and furrow restoration is due by the end of January.

TW circulated a report and minutes from the last VGS Committee meeting. This included the 2022 payment rate for Forest Grazing payments and stock numbers entered into the scheme.

The board studied the report supplied by the E & I Officer. This included details on the media coverage and on the importance of New Forest Ponds, COP27, Wetlands and Sundew, Holly and education.

The board requested more information on the engagement projects and TW & JK to work with the E&I Officer to work on a strategy for the next 5 years. Action TW & JK

The report supplied covered details on the monitoring and control of Himalayan Balsam, control of Monkey Flower, American Skunk Cabbage, Pitcher Plants, Cotoneaster and Gaultheria by the project leader and her team of volunteers.

It also listed the work under taken by contractors to treat non-native invasive species on the crown lands.

The report detailed a review of the work undertaken by the archaeology team during the last quarter on behalf of the HLS. This included surveying stream restoration sites and ridge and furrow and woodland restoration sites.

Ongoing projects include completing the processing of survey work conducted before the pandemic. This is hoped to be finished by March.

Planning is underway for the surveys which will complete the ‘gap filling’ exercise to complete the Heritage Mapping survey project.

evolved to deliver the same ambitions. There are no changes to current plans for Landscape Recovery.

TW is working with the E&I Officer to produce a short video highlighting the achievements of the HLS for 2021/ 2022 to include the Chairmans Speech and updates on the partnership projects.

2023 AGM proposal to hold in September. TW to suggest possible dates. Action TW

New Forest Show 2023 – OV asked whether the HLS could contribute towards the cost of the Verderers’ display as it is educational. JT advised that a contribution could be made but only to that element which explained the work of the HLS.

MoA for Partnership Agreement – The draft MoA has not been completed – CL requested the Partnership Agreement be revisited and updated rather than a MoA adopted. TW to discuss with NPA solicitor Action TW

Cattle Supplement – OV requested an additional amount be made available for 2023 to incentivise the continuation of cattle keeping as numbers are reducing. The board agreed the VGS Committee could come up with a proposal.

Replacement of items on the Asset Register – TW advised the board that the Agisters Livestock trailers are due for replacement and the VGS will need to budget for this in 2023.

New Forest Hounds Funding Request – The board had received a request from the Executive committee of the New Forest Hunt Club asking for HLS funding towards a new flesh wagon. This was seen not to fulfil the HLS objectives and was declined. TW to inform Hunt Master. Action TW

Change of HLS Financial Year – JK requested the HLS change its financial year to match FE as it causes a lot of additional work to produce reports. The Board agreed this would make a lot of sense and make reporting easier in the future. The board agreed for TW to communicate with the Auditors and arrange for 2022/23 to be a 15-month period up to the beginning of April. Action TW

Wednesday April 26^th – 9.30 Kings House

Wednesday July 12^th – 9.30 Kings House

Wednesday October 25^th – 9.30 Kings House

Lord Manners

Official Verderer