Agenda item

To receive an update from the Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons.

The Committee received the following update from the Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons, and noted the following:

Staffing

·        The Head Ranger of West Wickham Commons had retired. A new post of ‘Support Services Manager’ was created as a direct replacement. This would bring cohesiveness to the administration of the division and allow the remaining three Head Rangers to concentrate on their staff and sites. The post should be filled by October 2014.

·        Recruitment of an Information Ranger at City Commons was imminent with interviews being held in July for the 18 month contract. This role would ensure a closer focus was given to this aspect our work and the successful candidate would work closely with the Burnham Beeches team.

Visits

·        The Lord Mayor visited Burnham Beeches for the annual pollard visit on 9^th June. The visit appeared to be very successful and widely appreciated.

·        The Committee had visited Spring Park and Stoke Common, and Consultative Committee site visits were also underway this month.

Dog Control Orders

·        The Statutory Consultation Period for the Dog Control Orders at Burnham Beeches would draw to a close on 14^th July. The Kennel Club had an active national campaign regarding the orders.

·        Most respondents so far were dog walker’s and comments were largely based around the publicised Kennel Club briefing.

·        Local Support from Farnham Parish Council, District Council, Consultative Group and local’s contributing to the survey. There was active lobbying of Member’s, local politicians and various groups to not support the orders.

Heritage Lottery Fund

·        Kenley Airfield Heritage Lottery Project was progressing well.

·        A concrete conservation workshop was hosted at the Merlewood Estate Office and expert attendees attended from Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Friends of Kenley Airfield and other interested parties. The group considered how best to conserve the built infrastructure such as the blast pens and fuel station.

·        This work would inform the Conservation Plan and final bid for phase 2 funding.

Conservation Grazing

·        A fourth invisible fence loop was installed at Burnham Beeches.

·        Two new cows had been purchased for Burnham Beeches.

·        Planning permission had been applied for to extend the grazing on Coulsdon Common at The Grove.

·       Hay making had also commenced and the sheep had recently been sheared. A novice was introduced to the sheep shearing process in the form of new employee Ben Habgood.

Oak Processionary Moth

·       Spring Park was within the 2KM zone for monitoring and had been inspected

·       A precautionary check at West Wickham would also take place although it within the 5km outer zone.

Work Experience

·        During June work experience opportunities were being delivered across the division and proved to be a great opportunity to give young people a taste for environmental work.

·        Riddlesdown Collegiate continued to regularly participate in volunteering tasks.

            Volunteers

·        Over 1000 hours had been contributed during this last period.

·        A charcoal making task on Kenley had produced over 140 bags of charcoal.

·        The Pond clean up at Spring Park had taken place and a Greater Crested Newt survey at Ashtead Common had been undertaken.

Events

·        The programme of events for young people continued to take place, promoting the connection between conservation grazing and wildlife.

In response to a query from Members, Officers clarified that Oak Processionary Moth inspections were undertaken from ground level using binoculars.

The Committee thanked the Superintendent for all of his work in relation to Dog Control Orders. Members agreed that the Superintendent had dedicated a great deal of time and effort to this work, and his patience and tenacity were an asset to the work of the Committee.