Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair for the meeting.

Kay Gilder was elected as Chair for the 2022 Conference.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Freda Pattison (Friends of Highwood).

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the held on 1 February 2021 were confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the annual progress report from the Countryside Service.

Simon Bartlam, Countryside Operations Officer provided an update on progress at Highwood since the previous meeting in 2021.

Simon began by updating Members on actions set out in the Minutes of the 2021 meeting:

·           Bulmershe Pond Transfer – not transferred to WBC yet. Simon had chased Blandys Solicitors re progress. Blandys were chasing the University for an update. It appeared that there had been a delay due to an electrical cable being laid through the area. Simon agreed to keep chasing the University to ensure that action was taken to transfer the pond.

·           Apprenticeships – Shirley Boyt asked about progress relating to apprenticeships. The Minutes referred to a potential arrangement with the Berkshire College of Agriculture. Simon confirmed that there had been no progress due to the impact of Covid-19. Simon agreed to review the potential for apprentices and report back to Members in due course.

Simon referred to the site visit, held at Highwood/Southlake prior to the meeting. Members felt that the site visit was positive and helped Members to understand the issues on the ground. Members requested that the site visit become part of the annual meeting process.

Simon introduced the Rangers’ Report for 2021/22 and highlighted the following points:

·           The Countryside Service had taken on responsibility for Southlake reservoir which was adjacent to the Highwood site. Southlake included a dam and woodland bank. Simon had regular discussions with the reservoir inspectors. The inspectors had highlighted concerns about vermin burrowing in the woodland bank and the potential risks relating to mature trees in the embankment. Other work at Southlake included the removal of silt and improvements to reed beds around the lake.

·           Work at Highwood over the past year included scrub removal from the heathland areas and rhododendron removal from two areas. Work had also continued to cut back footpaths and remove incidents of fly tipping and litter. Countryside Service staff had also spent time on health and safety tree work including dead-wooding on the main footpath through the site.

·           The Friends group had continued to support the Countryside Service by walking the site every day. In addition, 118 volunteer workdays (excluding Friends visits) were carried out in 2021. These included volunteers from CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays), Thames Valley Conservation Volunteers, BTCV and Community Groups. A member of the public had also provided £800 to support the work of the volunteer groups. Simon confirmed that volunteer work days had been lower in 2020/21 due to the impact of Covid-19. The number of volunteer work days was expected to increase in 2022.

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points (including feedback from the Friends group):

·           Provision of Information Boards on the Highwood site – Simon confirmed that he was seeking funding. The cost of design, construction and installation of information boards was estimated at £4k to £5k.

·           Part of the footpath (near the High Trees) had not been resurfaced for some time which was causing problems for visitors. Simon agreed to investigate.

·           The gate adjacent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a verbal report from the Friends of Highwood.

Simon Bartlam confirmed that Freda Pattison was unable to attend the meeting due to poor health.

The Friends group had continued to support the Countryside Service by walking the site every day, litter picking, reporting problems and directing staff to the specific location of issues.

RESOLVED: That the Friends of Highwood be thanked for their ongoing commitment, enthusiasm and support for the Countryside Service.