Agenda for Board Meeting to be held at 10.00 am on Wednesday 23 June 2010 in Potten End Village Hall, Potten End, Berkhamsted, HP4 1QG
Agenda Item Timing Page No
1. Apologies for Absence / Changes in Membership 10.00
2. Declarations of Interest 10.02 To declare any personal and prejudicial interests
3. Minutes 10.03 1 - 12 of the meeting held on 24 March 2010, to be confirmed. The Report of the Chief Officer is attached as appendix 1 to the minutes.
4. Matters Arising 10.06
5. Public Question Time 10.10
6. Report from the Executive Committee 10.13 13 - 14
7. Report from the Planning Committee 10.18 15 - 18
8. Statement of Accounts 2001/10 10.28 19 - 40
9. Contingency Plan in case of In Year Grant Cuts 10.48 41 - 44
10. Report on High Speed 2 11.05 45 - 50
11. Working with Schools and Young People 11.45 51 - 54
12. Report on the Chiltern Cycleway 12.05 55 - 58
13. Report on the Commons Project 12.25 59 - 60
14. Report on the Work Programme 2009-2010 12.45 61 - 74
15. Date of Next and Future Meetings The next meeting of the Conservation Board, including the AGM, will be held on Wednesday 20 October 2010 at 10.00am in The Large Dining Room, Judges Lodgings, Buckinghamshire County Council.
Dates of future meetings:
2011 19 January 23 March 22 June 19 October including the AGM
MAP GIVING DIRECTIONS TO POTTEN END VILLAGE HALL
For further information please contact: Maureen Keyworth at Democratic Services, Buckinghamshire County Council, Room 124, Old County Offices, Aylesbury HP20 1UA. Tel 01296 383603, Fax No 01296 382538, email: [email protected]
TO: MEMBERS OF THE CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD
Agenda Item 3
CONSERVATION BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD HELD ON WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 2010 IN SUE RYDER CARE - NETTLEBED HOSPICE, NETTLEBED, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE RG9 5DF, COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM AND CONCLUDING AT 1.00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT
Member Appointing Body
Appointed by Local Authorities Cllr David Barnard North Herts District Council Cllr Roger Emmett Wycombe District Council Cllr Marion Mustoe Central Bedfordshire Council Richard Pushman Buckinghamshire County Council Cllr Ian Reay Dacorum Borough Council Cllr Chris Richards Aylesbury Vale District Council Cllr Bill Storey Hertfordshire County Council Cllr Alan Walters South Bucks District Council Cllr Brian Norman Three Rivers District Council Jeremy Ryman Chiltern District Council Cllr Geoff Andrews South Oxfordshire District Council
Appointed by Secretary of State Sir John Johnson (Chairman) Secretary of State Dr Heather Barrett-Mold Secretary of State Mike Fox Secretary of State Bettina Kirkham Secretary of State Kevin Mayne Secretary of State Dr Simon Mortimer Secretary of State John Willson Secretary of State
Elected by Parish Councils Cllr John Griffin Oxfordshire Cllr Margaret Jarrett Hertfordshire Cllr Shirley Judges Buckinghamshire Barbara Wallis Buckinghamshire Cllr Julia Wells Oxfordshire
Officers Steve Rodrick CCB Chief Officer Neil Jackson CCB Conservation and Landscape Officer Colin White CCB Planning Officer Maureen Keyworth BCC and Clerk to the Board
1 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE / CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP
Apologies were received from Cllr Mary Goldsmith, Cllr David Nimmo-Smith and Cllr Don Worlding.
The Chairman introduced Helen Tuffs the new Secretary of State appointee to the Board, who would be joining the Board in April.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were informed that Buckinghamshire County Council Standards Committee had granted dispensation to all members of the Board, in order that members can participate in any discussion about High Speed 2, without the need to disclose a prejudicial interest and have to leave the room. Those members who wished to have dispensation were asked to sign a statement to that effect.
The Conservation Board does not have its own Standards Committee, but has signed up to an agreement that it is covered by the BCC Standards Committee.
3. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2010 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following:
Add Cllr in front of Barbara Wallis’ name on attendance
Apologies were received from Cllr Jeremy Ryman.
Item 4 Matters Arising First line – delete ‘Farming and Land Use Officer’ and insert ‘Conservation and Landscape Officer’.
Item 6 Report from the Executive Committee Third paragraph, first line – delete ‘staff’ and insert ‘Board’.
Item 10 Report on Thames Valley Issues Second bullet point, add ’AONB’ after ‘North Wessex Downs’. Delete ‘Streetly’ and add ‘Streatley’.
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Neil Jackson, the newly appointed Conservation and Landscape Officer.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 7 Report from Planning Committee – AONB Boundary Reviews Members noted that no reviews are being planned at the present time.
The Chief Officer stated that last year Natural England published a draft policy on protection of landscapes which implied it was re-starting reviews of AONB boundaries. The final version of that policy is due out this Spring and it may be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board. Work is underway on a boundary review between the Lake District and the North Yorkshire Dales.
Item 8 Adoption of Publications Scheme The Publications Scheme is now legally compliant with legislation.
2
Item 8 Draft Business Plan 2010-2011 The draft business plan was budgeted on the basis of a grant from Natural England of 95% of that provided in 2009/10. NE has informed the Board that it will now receive the same grant as awarded in 2009/10 but with no allowance for inflation. The budget and business plan will be amended accordingly to incorporate the extra funding.
5. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were present.
6. REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Members received the report of the Chief Officer, the purpose of which was to report discussions and resolutions of the Executive Committee at its meeting on 24 February 2010.
The following was noted: • There is likely to be a surplus of under £10,000 at year end. This was attributable to the vacant post, which has now been filled. • The Executive Committee approved the performance of the internal auditor. • The Treasury Management Statement was approved. • The six monthly review of the Risk Register showed the only significant risk to be that of a shortfall in funding due to a decline in grant aid from central government and local government. This will continue to be monitored.
The Chief Officer assured members that the general information report would be circulated to members as soon as possible.
The Board noted the decisions made under delegated authority.
7. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Members received the report of the Planning Officer, the purpose of which was to bring to the attention of the Board the items considered by the Planning Committee and decisions taken under delegated powers.
The following was noted: • The Chilterns Building Design Guide was launched on 23 February 2010 and members were asked to contact Colin White if they wanted copies. • The Chilterns AONB Planning Forum will take place on Thursday 13 May in High Wycombe. Members were asked to contact Colin White if they wished to attend. High Speed 2 and Local Transport Plans will be discussed as well as the new Design Guide. • Three further dates have been arranged for Parish and Town Council training, for the evenings of 28 June and 1 and 8 July, at venues to be agreed. • Development plan responses continue to be made and there have been responses in relation to LTP3 options and policies.
The Urban Challenge Fund was discussed which could fund such projects as buses across the Chilterns and cross border transport schemes.
The Board noted the report from the Planning Committee
3
8. APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND PANEL
The existing members of the Sustainable Development Fund Panel expressed a wish to continue and no other members put their name forward for nomination. It was proposed and seconded that those named below continue on the Sustainable Development Fund Panel.
RESOLVED:
The Board agreed to appoint five members to the Sustainable Development Fund Panel for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 as follows:
• Alan Walters (local authority) • David Nimmo Smith (local authority) • Mike Fox (Secretary of State) • John Willson (Secretary of State) • Julia Wells (Parish Council)
9. REPORT ON HIGH SPEED 2
Members received a presentation and report from the Chief Officer, the purpose of which was to agree the Board’s response to the proposal and identify a course of action.
It was noted that the preferred route (Route 3) runs for over 12 miles through the AONB along the Misbourne Valley between Chalfont St Giles and Wendover. The alternative routes are not seen as realistic alternatives and the Board deplored the poor quality of maps of Route 2.5 and 4, which it also noted were not even included in the main report.
The Chief Officer suggested that, in theory, the Board had several options, including: • Do nothing – accept proposal • Oppose – national benefit not proven • Accept – but seek an alternative route • Accept – but seek amendments to preferred route
However, he said that in practice the Board had no choice but to oppose the building of the railway along any route through the Chilterns. He explained that development on such a scale was not compatible with the Board’s statutory purposes or purpose of designation as an AONB and, therefore, it had no choice but to oppose HS2.
The Board did not believe that the requirement of PPS7 had been met – that major development in an AONB can only be justified in the national interest. It did not accept that the HS2 report provided a sufficiently robust case to justify the railway on either environmental or economic grounds.
The members commented that the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment was a notable and regrettable omission. In general, members felt that the negative environmental impacts had not been fully acknowledged whilst overstating the environmental and economic benefits.
Members were disappointed that there had been no views expressed by Natural England or communication from them following the letter from their chairman in the
4 autumn.
Members felt they should reject any charge of nimbyism as they had been given the role by Parliament to be the national guardians of the AONB, which had been given national status.
Members noted that the HS2 economic case was based on 85% of the benefits being in the form of notional benefits assigned to time saving, convenience and comfort. They were disappointed that no value had been assigned to the negative environmental impacts.
Members felt that the Board must argue strongly to context both the economic and environmental justification for the scheme.
The Chairman reported that he had personally told Lord Adonis the Board would oppose this.
In the ensuing discussion, the following was noted:
• A sub-committee should be set up to deal with this issue. • The Board must involve itself in the campaign against the railway and join forces with others. Co-ordination will be vital. • A campaign committee should be formed and local authorities must play a part. Funding will be needed to run this. • The need to identify people in local communities who have relevant technical, legal and campaigning skills. • The Board recognised that many people were already very concerned as it will have a significant impact on property prices – the deadline for comments on the proposed Hardship Scheme was 20 May 2010. • People would be more accepting if they felt there was a good case for HS2. This feeling is particularly strong amongst young people who consider it is a waste of money, is out of date and not in touch with what is going on in the world. • The demand forecast failed to vive sufficient weight to the future use of technology to substitute for business trips in particular. • There are lessons to be learned from the experience of the construction and operation of HS1 in Kent. The feedback from the recent visit was that the local economic benefits did not materialise to the extent promised and that local rail services have deteriorated. • There will be a significant impact on the movement and behaviour of some wildlife, similar to that caused by the M25. • There was concern that farms would be divided and the viability of the farm business affected leaving pockets of unwanted and possibly unmanaged land. • An environmental impact assessment has not been published and will not be prepared until considered by Parliament, several years away. • Members noted that the overall savings in carbon dioxide emissions were very small and undermined the argument that the railway would make a major contribution to combating the causes of climate change. • Members did not accept that comparisons with high speed networks in other countries were entirely valid. The infrastructure and geography of the UK is different to France, Italy and Spain. The landscape and culture are different. The French built the TGV in the early 1980s. Investment should be spend on sustainable development and a transport infrastructure that will benefit local communities and IT.
5 • An additional option for the Board to promote could be to promote and support enhancement of the existing rail network and the work of Chiltern Rail. • An alliance with local authorities was mentioned. Some visited Kent with AONB officers. A meeting had been scheduled for 16 April. Need to identify the lead in each of the Local Authorities. All involved must work together and not fragment effort. • There will be disruption to local people and business during construction. • We are the custodians of nature and the impact on the AONB and must take the environmental high ground and continue to do this. Because of the national important of the project, we must challenge benefits and dis-benefits. The effect on communities must also be recognised. • Although public consultation will take place in the autumn, will there be consultation between HS2 and the CCB before then? It was considered that the Board should take the lead in the Chilterns, co-ordinating t he opposition. Staff should be employed to do the work. It was noted that HS2 have asked for a meeting probably to discuss how local consultation will be managed. The Chief Officer stated that whilst it is right that the Board takes a leading role, administration will be needed as well as a fighting fund. • There is no logic to transport planning in the country. We travel further in a less sustainable way than any other country apart from the U.S. The anti- Heathrow Airport Group works well and may be worth talking to.
Concern was expressed about becoming involved in a political campaign. The Board must follow its own responsibilities and remit. The Chairman stated that the priority is to liaise with all interested parties and get a common line adopted for the Chilterns.
The need was emphasised to bring in others to support the work of a campaign group. The Chief Officer also stated that we should look at what local authorities are doing.
With regard to the website, an area is being constructed which will contain all relevant documents and maps. This work began a year ago and the CCB is already providing a lean and will continue to do so, but the question is where do we go next.
An extra recommendation was suggested that a sub-group be set up to discuss issues. The Chief Officer agreed on the need to set up a sub group to provide leadership and determine how the process is managed. Expertise was needed with regard to landscape and environmental impact, as well as engagement with the local community. Any sub-group must involve Board members.
RESOLVED:
The Board Agreed:
1. To write to the Secretary of State for Transport with an immediate response highlighting the impacts on the AONB.
2. To issue press releases to make sure the Board’s point of view is understood.
3. To liaise with local authorities and others. To provide local leadership.
4. To begin a detailed analysis of possible impacts
6 5. To seek an early meeting with the Chairman of HS2 and relevant politicians (this will be determined by the general election).
6. To create an initial budget for HS2 related work of £10,000
7. To create a sub-group to work on HS2 related work
10. THAMES VALLEY - PROPOSED ACTION PLAN
Members received the report of the Chief Officer, the purpose of which was to present the initial report from the Working Group and seek feedback on proposed actions.
A working group was set up and met on 2 March. It streamlined the list of activities identified at the last Board meeting and structured them in order to be consistent with the Management Plan. The Board tour on 22 April will concentrate on the Thames Valley.
The Board noted the formation of the working group and provided feedback on its initial list of proposed actions.
11. REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT OF WEB SITE
Members received the report of the Information and Interpretation Officer, the purpose of which was to seek agreement on investing in the website.
Board members were asked to agree investment in the website of between £15,000 and £20,000, in order to modernise its structure and create a comprehensive system for managing it from the Board’s office.
RESOLVED:
The Board agreed the need for additional investment in the site.
12. RESULTS OF THE LAND USE SURVEY
Members received the report from Dr Simon Mortimer and the Countryside Officer, the purpose of which was to present preliminary findings from the 2009 survey and proposals for future surveys.
The results shown in the report illustrate the degree of change over the first year and the real impact on the quality of the landscape. The next study will look at the whole area and the specific kinds of change taking place and use this as a basis for response, i.e. little land use change but others i.e. Prestwood, where fragmented landscape.
Discussion took place regarding large fields bought by property speculators and sub- divided and sold off. Questions were being asked about how this land was going to be managed. It was suggested it could be classified as rough grassland. Wycombe District Council has taken action in identifying this land and putting in restrictions regarding fencing and infrastructure. With regard to ‘horseyculture’ it was considered to be reaching saturation point but there is intensification in certain areas. A more definitive answer may be provided after the next survey.
The Board
7
1. Noted the findings of the 2009 survey
2. Discussed the proposals to pilot a rapid assessment approach in the current year, to be alternated with the full survey methodology every other year.
13. REPORT FROM THE CHILTERNS FARMER'S FORUM
Members received the report of the Conservation and Landscape Officer, the purpose of which was to give a brief overview of farming in the Chilterns.
The Forum was successful, with several presentations from different sectors. It was noted that the general trend is that the size of management units would increase in future years by amalgamation of farms, use of contract labour and sharing equipment. The Campaign for the Farmed Environment will be launched on 25 March. It aims to encourage good environmental practice and, if successful, will alleviate the need for compulsory set-aside. Use of ELS and HLS for environmental improvements of farms was also discussed.
With regard to the Farmer’s wish list, it was noted that one of the points raised was the need for high speed broadband. Landowners and business associations put HSB as a most important need.
The Board noted the success of the Farmer’s Forum and the outlook for the various farming sectors.
14. DATE OF NEXT AND FUTURE MEETINGS
The next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday 23 June 2010. Dates of Future Meetings:
20 October, including the AGM
CHAIRMAN
8 Agenda Item 3 Appendix 1
Chief Officer’s Report
th Presented to the Executive Committee – 19 May 2010
High Speed 2 Railway
This has dominated the past two months since the HS2 report was published in early March.
The Chairman, Chief Officer and Planning Officer have attended public meetings in Gt. Missenden, Longwick, Wendover and Amersham. Other meetings the Board will be attending include Lacey Green, The Lee and Princes Risborough.
The Board’s web site caries special HS2 web pages with links to other groups, relevant documents and other information.
th The Board’s own working party met on 27 April. It felt that the wider HS2 alliance should consider appointing a member of staff as the workload justified it. There are many very active groups and individuals living in the area, several of whom have senior professional experience in relevant fields. The Board has made contact with as many possible.
The Chief Officer chairs co-ordinating group of all local organisations including local authorities. This group is helping to ensure that the network is effective, and so helping to avoid duplication, and helps to forge work relationships.
The basic message has been promoted that no route through the AONB is acceptable. This position has more or less been adopted by the local authorities, but some lose wording suggests that Bucks may accept Route 4 (along the west Coast Main line corridor).
Increasing emphasis has been placed on analysing the business case. It appears to be weeks in several important areas. An excellent critique has been prepared by a civil local engineer. This suggests that the Business Cost Ratio (BCR) currently calculated to be 2.4 by HS2 may be much lower and thus would fail the Treasury test as a viable project.
The outline manifesto published by the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition lists the creation of a high speed rail network as a project they wish to pursue- it is listed under environment suggesting they believe its has strong environmental credentials. HS2 themselves suggest that impact of carbon dioxide emissions is only neutral. This would not be consistent the challenging targets already in place which require significant reductions in emissions.
9 Members need to be aware that the scale of effort currently committed to HS2 is have an adverse impact on other areas of work. This may decline slightly over the next few months but is likely to increase again in the autumn if the original plan to hold a public consultation goes ahead.
A request was made to Natural England for additional grant aid to buy additional help, but this has been declined.
There has been close liaison with local MPs (as close as the election allows). A request has already been made to meet with them to discuss HS2.
The Board has begun to prepare an environmental baseline on the corridor of the preferred route. This includes assembling the data already held and adding field date collected by surveyors.
Aircraft Noise
The Chief Officer and Planning Officer have a meeting arranged later this month with the CAA to discuss their work on tranquillity. (we will also be representing the National Association of AONBs).
Board Member Vacancy
By now members will know that Helen Tuffs, a resident of Fingest, and assistantst regional director of the National Trust, became a member of the Board from 1 April for an initial term of three years.
Web Site
In April 2010 there were 21,235 visits representing an annual increase of 19% on the previous April – not all the increase was due to the popularity of pages on HS2. Over 5,900 leaflet and documents were downloaded, mostly to do with local walks and attractions.
Ancient Woodland Survey
The Board, in partnership with Natural England, Forestry Commission and several local authorities will be managing the survey to identify all the ancient woodlands of the Chilterns (i.e. those which have been in existence continuously since 1600). The survey will cost £63,000 and last until the end of 2011. The survey work itself is being undertaken by the Chiltern Woodlands Project. The survey will accurately identify all ancient woodland which receives considerable protection from national and local policies. The problem has been that, to date, the maps have not been accurate.
The survey will include a full coverage of the HS2 corridor- Chiltern DC has now contributed funds.
Orchards of the Chilterns
Heather Barrett-Mold arranged a visit to Pershore Horticultural College to see their fruit processing operation and orchards. A visit was also made to a community owned orchard.
10 The steering group continues to meet regularly and during this summer a bid will be prepared for submission to the HLF in the autumn.
The Board has provided a grantnd to the Chiltern Open Air Museum which will hold an opening ceremony on May 22 .
Chiltern Cycleway
The signs for the route are now thbeing erected in time for the formal launch by racing driver Mark Webber on June 18 .
South East Sustainable Tourism Project
The South East Protected Landscapes (SEPL) Group has obtained funding (£50,000) from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to implement phase 1 of a 2-phase project to increase the profile of the South East’s Protected Landscapes as visitor destinations through sustainable tourism development. The participating PL’s are Chilterns, Cotswolds, High Weald, Isle of Wight, Kent Downs, New Forest, North Wessex, South Downs and Surrey Hills.
Workshops have been held with local businesses to establish their level of interest. This has been encouraging, as it has been across the south east region. There are grounds for optimism that the bid will be successful.
Planning Forum
th This took place in Wycombe DC office in High Wycombe on 13 May.
Board Offices
The renovation of the outbuilding is well underway and should be completed by the end of May.
Thames Valley
th A series of site visits took place on 14 May. A more detailed work plan will now be prepared and begin this summer.
Board Tour Dates
Twelve board members took part in the spring Board tour. Which visited the preferred route of the high speed railway along the Misbourne Valley, the gravel pits at Little Marlow, Booker Gliding Club at Booker Airfield near High Wycombe and the possible site of a 700 metre railway viaduct across the Hughenden Valley
th nd N.b the date of the walking tour in July will be 20 July and not 22 July
TIMBER Project
The Board has been invited to join this EU funded project which will investigate ways of promoting the wood fuel supply chain. Other local partners will be Bucks CC, Wycombe DC and NGage Solutions Ltd. EU partners will be from Stockholm, Cracow, Cadiz and a local authority in northern Netherlands. It is a short programme running from May 2010- Sept 2011. The local partnership will receive grant of approx
11 120,000 Euros (75%). The board will have to provide £9,000 as its share of match funding.
Commons
The Board’s Stage 1 bid to he HLF was successful and a grant of £34,00 was awarded to help develop the stage 2 bid (approx £500,000). The process of recruiting a development officer has begun and the new post holder should be in place by late June. The second stage bid should be submitted by March 2011.
Sustainable Development Fund
The SDF panel has started awarding grants from the 2010-2011 budget (£50,000). At it first meeting it awarded grants totalling £9,000 for
• Restoration of the Coleshill Village Pond – Coleshill PC
• A book on the special trees of the Chilterns – Chiltern Woodland Project
• The extension of the Chiltern Way into Berkshire - The Chiltern Society
• A Ecofair in Tring - Tring TC
• Management of reed beds and construction of a bird hide at Tring Reservoirs - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Steve Rodrick 13.5.2010
12 Agenda Item 6
Report from the Executive Committee
Author : Steve Rodrick Chief Officer
th Summary: At its meeting on 19 May the Executive Committee:
1. Approved the Finance Report to the end of March 2010.
2. Approved and accepted the recommendations in the Internal Auditor’s report.
3. Approved the revised budget for 2010-2011.
4. Instructed that a contingency budget should be prepared in case of in-year cuts to government grants.
5. Approved an increase in staff car user allowances by £72 to £702 per annum.
6. Agreed that the Board should join an EU project to promote the use of wood fuel at a total cost of £9,000.
7. Noted the personnel report and congratulated the staff of a sickness absence rate of only 0.4%.
8. Noted the Chief Officer’s information report.
Purpose of the Report : To report discussions and resolutionsth of the Executive Committee at its meeting on 19 May
Finance Report
1. To the end of March 2010 the expenditure against the core budget showed a surplus of £11,534. It was agreed that of this £9,000 would be earmarked for HS2 related worked in accordance with the decision of the full Board at its meeting in March 2010.
2. The meeting discussed the possibility of in year cuts to government grants – it was agreed that the Finance Officer would prepare possible funding scenarios to prepare for such an eventuality.
Internal Auditor’s Report
2. The Finance officer presented the internal auditor’s report (Hertfordshire CC) for 2009-2010. He reported that 47 areas of activity had been examined and
13 that the Board complied fully with 43. The remaining 4 areas were minor and steps had already been taken to rectify the problems.
Budget 2010-2011
3. The finance officer presented a budget for the current financial year. It was little changed from that previously considered by the Committee. The total planned expenditure is £834,288 and income of £834,649, leaving a small surplus of only £461. Nearly all of the income was secured leaving a target for earned income of £27,380. This was slightly higher than last year but was thought to be realistic.
4. The committee approved an increase to staff car users allowance from £630 to £702 to reflect the higher fuel prices. The total cost of the increase to the Board was £576
EU TIMBER Project
5. The Chief Officer presented a report on an EU project called TIMBER which will address the opportunity of promoting wood fuel in the Chilterns and rest of Buckinghamshire.
6. The Board had been invited to join the EU funded TIMBER project as one of the UK partners. This project would promote the efficiency of the local wood fuel supply chain. The project will run until Sept 2010 and would require the Board to contribute up to £9,000 in total. Other UK partners will be Bucks CC, Wycombe DC and NGage Solutions (based in Thame). The total value of grant would be 120,000 euros. EU partner regions include Stockholm, Cadiz, Krakow and Brabant (Netherlands)
7. The Committee approved the proposal for the Board join the project and contribute a total of up to £9,000 over the life time of the project.
Personnel Report
8. The Chief Officer presented a report on personnel issues arising in the previous year. In particular the committee noted that sickness absence rate was 0.4%.
Chief Officer’s Report
9. The Chief Officer presented his report for information. There was considerable discussion about the proposed High speed Railway. The report has been circulated to all members.
Recommendation
1. To note the decisions made under delegated authority
14 Agenda Item 7
Report from the Planning Committee
Author : Colin White - Planning Officer
rd Summary : The Planning Committee met on 3 March. The following items were discussed: 1. High Speed 2 update. 2. Chilterns AONB Planning Forum. 3. Chilterns Buildings Design Awards 2010. 4. Parish and Town Council training. 5. Responses to Development Plans. 6. Responses to planning applications.
Purpose of Report : To bring to the attention of the Board the items considered by the Planning Committee and decisions taken under delegated powers.
High Speed 2 (HS2) update
1. A brief update was given of recent activity in connection with HS2 and this issue will be covered in much more detail under another item on the agenda.
Chilterns AONB Planning Forum
th 2. The AONB Planning Forum took place on 13 May at the Wycombe District Council offices in High Wycombe. Engagement in the local transport plan process, the new Design Guide, Management Plan indicators, the current state of play of regional spatial strategies, the new Government’s localism agenda in planning and the Board’s Planning Policy Guidelines were the main topics of discussion. As a result of the Forum the Board has been invited to attend the Bucks LTP3 Strategic Partners Group meetings. Endorsement of the Design Guide is also more likely as a result of the discussions and further
training in connection with the Design Guide will be giventh by the Planning Officer. The next Forum will take place on the morning of 16 November 2010 at Chiltern District Council.
Chilterns Buildings Design Awards 2010
3. Thereth were 17 entries to Design Awards this year. Nine entries were visited on 10 May. The judges decided that the award for this year’s overall winning entry should go to a new house called The Zinc House at 39 Chenies Avenue, Little Chalfont. Two other awards were made to The Chalet, Aston Clinton Hill (highly commended for extension and refurbishment of a Rothschild building and other developments) and Stivers, Nightingale Lane, Chalfont St Giles (commended for the extension and refurbishment of a house). The awards
were th given out at a ceremony which was held at Potten End Village Hall on the 9 June.
15 Parish and Town Council training
4. Three training sessionsth for Parish and Townst Councils have been plannedth for the evenings of 28 June (Woodcote), 1 July (Dunstable Downs) and 8 July (Ballinger) this year. The events will focus on the new Design Guide and the materials Technical Notes and how to bring about improvements in the design of some smaller schemes. There will also be a discussion about the detailed considerations that are undertaken by local planning authority officers in connection with design matters. Any help Board members are able to give at these meetings (welcome, introduction, making tea or clearing up for example) that would be gratefully received.
Development Plan Responses
5. The development plans responses detailed below were approved by the Committee.
DCLG consultation on a comprehensive list of nationally defined consultees in the planning application process
6. As a result of representations on other consultations the AONB Conservation Boards have recently been recognised as: statutory consultees for national policy statements; prescribed consultees for certain nationally significant applications and interested parties for examinations in connection with nationally significant infrastructure projects. Similar comments applied in this instance and the Boards have sought to be included in the list of Statutory Consultees.
Chiltern DC Draft Core Strategy
7. The Board was supportive of the recognition given to the importance of the AONB, Management Plan, Design Guide and supplementary materials technical notes and the need to promote the use of locally produced building materials. The problems of water supply, potential impacts on the aquifer, the need to address water efficiency and the importance of chalk streams were highlighted.
South Bucks DC Core Strategy Proposed Submission
8. The recognition given to the AONB was welcomed though it was considered that the document would be more sound if references were made to the AONB Management Plan, Design Guide and technical notes and additional reference made to the need to conserve and enhance the setting of the AONB.
Hertfordshire CC LTP3 SEA Draft Scoping Report
9. The response stressed the need to ensure that the natural beauty of the AONB is conserved and enhanced and that reference should also be made to various pieces of legislation and Government policy as well as the AONB
16 Management Plan and Environmental Guidelines for the Management of Highways in the Chilterns. Greater reference should be made to the need to use locally produced building materials.
Further detail on the development plans responses, and all other papers, can be found in the Committee report which is available on the AONB website. See the following link. http://www.chilternsaonb.org/downloads/board_meetings/Pl_agenda_260510.pdf
Planning applications update
10. Last year details of 116 planning applications or appeals were brought to the attention of, or requested by, the Planning Officer. Reponses were submitted on all of these, of which 29 were the subject of formal representations (22 objections and 7 support). At the time of writing 24 of these applications have been determined, 21 (88%) are in line with the Board’s comments.
st 11. From the 1 April this year details of 29 planning applications or appeals have been brought to the attention of the Planning Officer. Reponses have been submitted on 12 of these, of which 2 have been the subject of formal representations (2 objections). At the time of writing neither of these applications has been determined.
Recommendation
1. The Board notes the report from the Planning Committee.
17 18 Agenda Item 8
Statement of Accounts 2009-10
Author : Chris Smith Finance Officer
Summary : The year end position shows an overall net deficit from all activity of £2,497.
£206,896 has been transferred to a new earmarked reserve, the Budget Equalisation Reserve, leaving £170,000 in the General Reserve.
Other earmarked reserves are increased by a net £7,179 and restricted reserves reduced by a net £12,483.
Purpose of Report: To present the Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2009-10.
Final results
1. The formal Statement of Accounts and associated Annual Audit Return are attached.
2. The figures show that an overall net deficit of expenditure over income of £2,497 was recorded.
3. After taking account of reserve movements the General Reserve is reduced by £204,089 to £170,000.
4. Restricted reserves are reduced by a net £12,483 to £24,998, comprising:
Friends of Red Kites £ 9,100 Red Kites / Getting Close to Nature £15,898
5. Earmarked reserves are increased by a net £214,075 to £299,560, comprising:
Budget Equalisation £206,896 Countryside Festival £1,758 Chalk Streams £12,390 Woodland Heritage £60,825 Access Publications £8,691 High Speed 2 £9,000
19 6. The Pensions Liability has increased by £406,000 to £622,000. This represents the liability to the Board if every employee had retired on 31 March 2010 and collected their pension entitlements.
7. This is a very significant increase, the result of which is to make the Board appear to be insolvent. We are not alone in this, with most public sector bodies in the same position.
8. The increase is due to the volatility in financial markets over the last couple of years, together with the impact of the valuation methodology and the derivation of the main financial assumptions required by Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17.
9. In view of the large increase the actuary has provided a briefing note for all employer members of the Buckinghamshire County Council pension fund. This is attached for the information of members.
Recommendation
1. The Board approves the Statement of Accounts and Annual Audit Return for 2008-09.
20 Agenda Item 8 Appendix 1
Statement of Accounts 2009/10
CONTENTS
Section Page No
1 Foreword 2
2 Consolidated Revenue Account 3-5
3 Balance Sheet 6
4 Statement of Movement in Reserves 7
1 21
FOREWORD
st This stStatement of Accounts details the Board’s activities for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010, and has been prepared in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 as modified by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006.
The Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006 reduced the reporting requirements for “smaller relevant bodies” – those whose gross income or expenditure falls below £1 million. At £766,000 the Chilterns Conservation Board falls within this threshold and so the accounts have been prepared accordingly.
The Chilterns Conservation Board was officially established by means of “The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) Order 2004.
The Board operates to a budget based on the agreed grant aid from Natural England and local authorities. Additionally, the Board either takes the lead role or actively participates in a range of partnership schemes to secure external funding for additional project work.
The Statements included in these accounts are:
Income and Expenditure Account (pages 3-5)
This shows the costs of providing services across the various activities and projects that the Board has supported during the year and how these projects were supported from grants and income. Gross revenue expenditure for the year was £766,522, whilst income was £764,025. Taken together, these items show a net deficit for the year of £2,497. Net additions of £201,592 were made to restricted and earmarked reserves and the general reserve reduced by £204,089.
Statement of Balances (page 6)
st This details the Board’s financial position as at 31 March 2010 listing the value of assets and liabilities.
Statement of Movements in Reserves (page 7)
This sets out the movements during the year for the reserves held by the Board.
2 22 Agenda Item 8 Appendix 2
CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD
CONSOLIDATED REVENUE ACCOUNT 2009/10 £ £ £ INCOME
Natural England: Core 493,206 Natural England: SDF 47,728 Natural England: Chalk Streams 19,704 Local Authorities 125,899 Merchandise sales 3,087 Other earned income 30,140 Red Kite donations 3,610 Chalk Streams external income 18,035 Chilterns Cycleway external income 22,616
TOTAL INCOME 764,025
EXPENDITURE
Promotion and Awareness Office costs 104,224 Management support 19,334 Countryside Festival 4,550 Annual Report 1,279 Annual Forum 2,861 Chalk and Trees 13,170 Environmental Education 389 Getting Close to Nature 6,654 Enjoying Woodlands 5,432 Environmental Tourism 746 Chilterns Awards 1,584 Red Kites 1,093 161,316
Countryside Management Office costs 53,205 Management support 12,890 Commons 3,058 Chalk Grassland Group 4,477 Land Management Survey 4,598 State of Environment Report 3,146 Support for Trees and Woods Management 8,000 Conserving the Chilterns Chalk Streams 39,504 Conserving the Woodland Heritage 151 Sustainable Development Fund 47,728 176,757
23 Planning and Development Office costs 58,752 Management support 19,334 Planning Committee 767 Planning Conference 1,659 Design Guidance 5,738 Building Design Awards 1,781 Technical Assistance 1,801 Historic Environment 3,932 93,764
Recreation and Access Office costs 26,038 Management support 12,890 Chiltern Country Leaflets 4,571 Access Conference 1,043 Countryside Close to Home 4,518 Cycling in the Chilterns 2,040 Chilterns Cycleway 22,616 73,716
Corporate Services Office costs 197,203
Governance Member Allowances and costs 38,143
Project Support Costs 8,890 SE Landscapes Coordinator 1,591 Merchandise purchases 142 Coombe Hill Monument 15,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 766,522
DEFICIT FOR YEAR 2,497
TO RESTRICTED RESERVES - 12,483
TO EARMARKED RESERVES 214,075
TO GENERAL RESERVE - 204,089
24 Agenda Item 8 Appendix 3
CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD STATEMENT OF BALANCES
As at 31st March As at 31 March 2010 2009 £ £ £
- FIXED ASSETS -
CURRENT ASSETS 5,775 Stocks in hand 5,775 70,571 Debtors & accrued income 24,180 620,934 Bank & cash 628,842 697,280 658,797
LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES (200,225) Creditors and receipts in advance (164,239) (164,239)
497,055 NET CURRENT ASSETS 494,558
LONG TERM LIABILITIES (216,000) Defined benefits Pension Scheme (622,000) (622,000)
281,055 TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL LIABILITIES (127,442)
REPRESENTED BY: (216,000) Pensions Reserve (622,000) 37,481 Reserves - Restricted 24,998 85,485 Reserves - Earmarked 299,560 374,089 Reserves - General 170,000
281,055 (127,442)
25 26 CHILTERNS CONSERVATION BOARD STATEMENT OF MOVEMENT IN RESERVES
Restricted Reserves Earmarked Reserves Friends of Getting Coombe Countryside Chalk Woodland High Access Budget General Pensions Red Kites Close to Hill Festival Streams Research Speed 2 Projects Equalisation Reserve Reserve Nature Monument
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ As at 1st April 2009 6,583 15,898 15,000 1,758 14,060 60,976 0 8,691 0 374,089 216,000
Movements in the year 2,517 0 (15,000) 0 (1,670) (151) 9,000 0 206,896 (204,089) 406,000
As at 31st March 2009 9,100 15,898 0 1,758 12,390 60,825 9,000 8,691 206,896 170,000 622,000
27
gnaIe Appendix4 Agenda Item8 28 Agenda Item 8 Appendix 5
FRS17 as at 31 March 2010 Date 16 April 2010 Briefing Note
1 Introduction
1.1.1 The purpose of this note is to set out some of the issues that will arise DWWKLV\HDU¶V)56H[HUFLVHDQGWR hopefully answer in advance some questions that we confidently predict will materialise once employers get over the initial shock of the results.
1.1.2 Due to the valuation methodology and the derivation of the main financial assumptions required by FRS17 and its international cousin IAS19, then our advice is to usually expect the unexpected. FRS17 is likely to produce not only volatile numbers from year to year but also some counter intuitive results.
1.1.3 For those new to FRS 17 we have also included a Glossary of Terms in Appendix 1 and some Frequently Asked Questions in Appendix 2. 2 Market Background
2.1.1 The following table sets out
Market returns for the 12 months to 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2009 Market yields as at 31 March 2010 and as at the previous two accounting dates
Asset Class Market Returns 12 months to 31 March 2010 12 months to 31 March 2009 UK Equities 51% -31% Overseas Equities 46% -22% Fixed Interest Gilts -1% 9% Index Linked Gilts 9% -3% Corporate Bonds 23% -4% Property 8% -26%
Asset Class Market Yields 31 Mar 2010 31 Mar 2009 31 Mar 2008 UK Equities 3.16% 5.12% 3.76% Corporate Bonds 5.49% 6.69% 6.87% Fixed Interest Gilts 4.54% 4.04% 4.57% Market implied inflation 3.91% 3.00% 3.74%
Real Corporate Bond Yield 1.59% 3.69% 3.13% 2.1.2 As we see this two year period was very much a game of two halves! 3 Change in Asset Values
3.1.1 In terms of asset returns then a typical Fund may have experienced a return of between -20% and -25% in the 12 months to 31 March 2009 and then a return of +30% to +40% in the 12 months to 31 March 2010.
LGPS_BN_FRS17 2010.docx
29 - 2 -
3.1.2 Thus there has been considerable volatility of asset values in the last couple of years with asset values at 2010 possibly back and maybe just slightly ahead of where they were 24 months earlier. 4 Change in Assumptions and Liability Values
4.1.1 Liability values do not depend on market returns but yields from corporate bonds and inflation expectations. The key parameter is the real corporate bond yield ± i.e. the yield from corporate bonds less the assumption about future inflation.
4.1.2 Typically a 1% change in the real bond yield will change the valuation of liabilities by 20% to 25%. Thus the valuation of liabilities between 2008 and 2009 when real yields increased would have seen a reduction in value of 5% to 10% thus offsetting the reduction in asset values. Deficits however will still have increased other than for employers with lots of unfunded liabilities!
4.1.3 The 12 months to 31 March 2010 was almost a mirror image of the previous 12 months ± large increases in market values of assets and significant reductions in bond yields. However despite experiencing an increase in asset value of perhaps 35% in the 12 months to 31 March 2010, liability values will have increased by more than asset values thus increasing deficits.
4.1.4 Thus ± always expect the unexpected! 5 Changes in Revenue Costs
5.1.1 Under FRS17, the amount charged to the Revenue Account is the sum of
Current Service Costs, plus, Interest Cost, less Expected Return on Assets, plus Past Service Costs and Curtailments/Settlements 5.2 Current Service Costs 5.2.1 The Current Service Cost is the cost of the extra accrual of benefit for active members net of employee contributions. It is based on assumptions at the start of the year.
5.2.2 For the year to 31 March 2009 it will have been based on a lower real discount rate than for the year to 31 March 2010. Thus we would expect the Current Service Cost for the year to 31 March 2010 to be less than for the previous year.
5.2.3 However the projected Current Service Cost for the year to 31 March 2011 will be considerably higher than for the year to 31 March 2010 as the real discount rate has reduced dramatically. 5.3 Interest Cost 5.3.1 The interest cost is broadly speaking the discount rate at the start of the accounting period applied to the liabilities during the year based on the assumptions at the start of the accounting period. A high discount rate will imply a high interest charge but applied to a low liability valuation as the valuation is based on high discount rates and vice versa.
5.3.2 A change in discount rates therefore will have both a negative and a positive impact and depending on the duration of the liabilities and the actual level of discount rate it is difficult to assess whether the net impact will be positive or negative ± with a bit of luck this number should be fairly stable. A key ingredient is also any change in inflation assumption as the liabilities vary with real discount rate rather than nominal discount rate.
30 - 3 - 5.4 Expected Return on Assets 5.4.1 This is a similar calculation to the interest cost but we apply the expected return assumptions at the start of the period to the assets during the year at market levels at the start of the period. Again there is a sporting chance that this number is fairly stable from year to year depending on the assumptions adopted.
5.4.2 The key issue here is that the return assumptions are less prescribed but the standard does imply that the assumptions adopted should produce a stable expected return on assets number from year to year ± however easier said than done. 5.5 Past Service Costs/Settlements/Curtailments 5.5.1 These typically relate to early retirement costs, augmentations and bulk transfers and so are likely to vary from year to year. 6 Summary
6.1.1 In summary therefore the 2 key issues this year are likely to be:
Deficits likely to have increased despite high positive returns on assets Current Service Costs likely to be OHVVWKDQSUHYLRXV\HDUEXWQH[W\HDU¶VZLOOEHFRQVLGHUDEO\KLJKHU
31 - 4 - Appendix 1 Glossary of Terms
Actuarial gains & losses
These are changes in actuarial deficits or surpluses that arise because either actual experience or events have not been exactly the same as the assumptions adopted at the previous valuation (experience gains and losses) or the actuarial assumptions have changed.
Current service cost
This represents the value of the additional accrual of benefits for active members net of employee contributions paid. It is based on assumptions at the start of the accounting period.
Curtailment
These will typically be the FRS17 equivalent of early retirement costs. Note that the calculation of this amount under FRS17 is likely to be different to the amount required by the Fund to meet the extra liability due to differing assumptions.
Discount rate
The rate applied to future payments to and from the Fund to obtain their present day value. FRS17 requires that the discount rate is based on the yield from a high quality bond of appropriate duration. Most actuaries will use a Corporate Bond Index such as the iBoxx AA Over 15 year Corporate Bond index.
Expected return on assets
This is the expected investment return to be earned on the actual assets held by the Fund. It is highly likely to be different to the actual return in the short term.
Interest on liabilities
This is the expected increase during the period in the present value of the pension liabilities which are discounted cashflow numbers because the benefits are one year closer to settlement.
Past service costs
These will typically be additional benefits awarded on early retirement. This includes added years or augmentation and unreduced pension benefits awarded before eligible retirement age in the LGPS.
Settlement
A settlement will generally occur where there is a bulk transfer out of the Fund or from the employers share of the Fund to a new contractor¶s share of the Fund as a result of an outsourcing. It reflects the difference between the FRS 17 liability transferred and the assets transferred to settle the liability.
32 - 5 - Appendix 2 Some FAQs
Assumptions What is the discount rate and how is it derived?
7KHGLVFRXQWUDWHLVWKH³LQWHUHVWUDWH´WKDWLVDSSOLHGWRIXWXUHFDVKIORZVWRGLVFRXQWWKHPWRDQHWSUHVHQWYDOXH )56 SUHVFULEHV WKDW WKH GLVFRXQW UDWH VKRXOG EH ³DVVXPHG WR EH WKH FXUUHQW UDWH RI UHWXUQ RQ D KLJK TXDOLW\ corporate bond of equivalenWFXUUHQF\DQGWHUPWRWKHVFKHPHOLDELOLWLHV´5DWKHUWKDQWDNHWKH\LHOGIURPDVSHFLILF bond most actuaries will adopt the yield from a AA rated corporate bond index - we use the iBoxx AA Over 15 year Corporate Bond index.
Why is the inflation assumption different to current inflation levels?
The inflation assumption is required to project future cashflows to and from the Fund that are subject to future inflation levels rather than current inflation levels. The inflation assumption is therefore an assumption about average levels of future inflation rather than current levels. There are a number of market indicators that can be used but most actuaries look at the difference between fixed interest gilt yields and index linked gilt yields.
+RZPXFKVFRSHLVWKHUHIRU³WZHDNLQJ´WKHDVVXPSWLRQV" Given that one of the objectives of FRS17 was to ensure that organisations all account for pension costs on a consistent market related basis then there is not a huge amount of scope to deviate away from typical market assumptions. The one key assumption however that is less market related is the assumption about future levels of pay increases. There is no market indicator of this particular assumption but history tells us that in the longer term pay increases do tend to exceed price inflation ± typically between 1-3% per annum. Auditors would expect a consistent assumption from year to year but may be prepared to accept a lower assumption than is used for funding purposes. Balance Sheet How are my assets calculated?
7KHDVVHWVVKRZQDUHDQHVWLPDWHRIWKH(PSOR\HU¶VQRWLRQDOVKDUHRIWKHWRWDO)XQGDVVHWVDWWKHDFFRXQWLQJGDWH A full assessment of each employer¶s asset share is made at each triennial valuation. For interim FRS17 reporting the approach is to take the asset share at the start of the year, roll forward the initial asset share and employer specific cashflows to and from the Fund during the year with actual or estimated Fund returns.
What are the liabilities and how is their value calculated?
The liabilities are the future benefit payments due from the Fund in respect of the Employer after the accounting date. Allowance is made for expected future increases in pay and pension. The value of the liabilities represents the discounted value of these future benefits payments i.e. the amount of money that needs to be set aside now to meet the benefits that the Employer is committed to provide for service up to the accounting date on the basis of the assumptions used.
What are unfunded benefits?
Unfunded benefits are pensions arising from additional service awarded on a discretionary basis e.g. Compensatory Added Years ("CAY") pensions. Such benefits are usually charged to the Employer as they are paid. Other unfunded benefits include gratuities and enhanced Teachers pensions recharged to the Employer, and pensions in respect of some other public sector pension schemes.
This is in contrast to funded pensions, which are paid for out of the assets of the Fund, and which the Employer has responsibility for funding by paying contributions to the Fund.
Do I need to include unfunded benefits on my balance sheet?
FRS17 states that all retirement benefits should be accounted for when the member earns the benefit and not when it is paid by an employer. Therefore when a member retires and is awarded an unfunded pension the value of all
33 - 6 - future payments must be taken into account at the point of retirement. Pension payments made by an employer are regarded for the purposes of FRS17 as pension contributions. However, unfunded benefits may be allowed for elsewhere in DQ(PSOR\HU¶V accounts and so care must be taken to ensure that there is no double counting these liabilities. Pension Costs What is the current service cost?
The current service cost represents the actuarially calculated present value of the pension benefits earned by the active employees during the period, net of the contributions paid by employees in respect of those benefits. In other words the amount of money we need to set aside now to pay for the extra benefits earned during the year but payable at some point in future.
Why is the current service cost different from the contributions paid by the Employer?
The assumptions used for FRS17 are usually different to those used for the last actuarial valuation of the Fund and so the cost of benefits being earned will be different to that assessed as part of the actuarial valuation. In addition, the actual contributions paid normally include both the cost of future benefits being earned and an allowance to pay off any past service deficiency (or a reduction for any surplus). The current service cost just includes the cost of future service benefits.
Contributions may be higher than the current service cost if the deficiency is being paid off, or the FRS17 assumptions are less conservative than the assumptions used for the last valuation. Contributions may be lower than current service cost if FRS17 assumptions are more conservative than the ongoing valuation assumptions, or if contributions have been reduced due to a surplus.
What is the past service cost?
This represents the value of additional benefits granted which come into payment during the accounting period. This includes the awarding of enhanced benefits on retirement or any discretionary benefits granted. If there is a benefit improvement then this usually also generates a past service cost.
What is the expected return on assets?
This is the investment return expected to be earned on the notional share of assets at the start of the accounting year, based on the assumptions set at the start of the year.
What is the interest cost?
This represents the unwinding of one year of discounting on the value placed on the liabilities, as they are one year closer to being paid. Gains and Losses What is the experience gain or loss on the liabilities?
This is the impact of the liabilities of actual experience differing from the assumptions, such as pension increases and salary increases differing from those assumed, and unexpected membership movements. Between valuations, when the roll forward method is used, this item will be small as we assume that most experience items are in line with the assumptions. Every three years we undertake a formal actuarial valuation which will take into account experience over the previous three years. FRS17 figures will be updated to reflect the most recent actuarial valuation and, as a consequence, most experience gains and losses appear in the accounting year following completion of the formal valuation.
What is the change in assumptions?
This shows the impact on the value of the liabilities of any changes in the financial and demographic assumptions since the previous accounting date. The financial assumptions are updated every year to allow for changes in market conditions. Demographic assumptions are generally updated once every three years during the triennial actuarial valuations of the Fund although some changes may be allowed for annually if it is considered material.
34 - 7 -
What is included in contributions paid?
Contributions paid should equal actual Employer contributions paid in respect of funded liabilities, including any early retirement strain contributions made, plus payments in respect of unfunded liabilities.
What if the reported contributions paid are different to the actual contributions paid?
The discrepancy may be because cashflows for less than the full 12 months were provided in order to enable us to produce figures in the timescales required. This discrepancy could potentially affect almost every figure in the FRS17 disclosures. We can revise the disclosure to take account of the actual contributions paid but we recommend that you agree with your auditor that this is necessary on the grounds of materiality. Generally, we would only expect the auditor to require this where the difference is relatively large or is because of significant strain on fund contributions being paid.
35 36 Agenda Item 8 Appendix 6
37 38 39 40 Agenda Item 9
Contingency Plan in case of in year reduction of grant aid
Author : Steve Rodrick Chief Officer Chris Smith Finance Officer
Summary: In case Natural England cuts its grant aid this financial year an assessment has been made of what impact this may have.
Purpose of Report: To advise the Board on the consequences of in year cuts to grant aid.
Background
1. In the light of Government announcements and reductions in budget allocations to Government departments, there is a possibility that following a reduction in DEFRA’s budget , in turn, cuts will be made to the budget of Natural England and, in turn, its grant aid to the Board.
2. A simple range of scenarios has been developed (Table 1) to enable the Board to assess the scale of potential cuts and how it might respond. Members will recall that the Board’s original budget for 2010-2011 had been prepared on the basis of a 5% cut in grant aid which Natural England had indicated as far back as spring 2009. In the event it did not impose that 5% cut but the Board had already adjusted its cost base and work programme to accommodate this lower figure. It was decided to allocate the restored 5% to the Sustainable Development fund and a number of projects (appendix 1).
Table 1 Agreed 1% 5% 10% Grant reduction reduction reduction £ £ £ £ Natural 560,638 5,606 28,032 56,064 England Local 115,903 1,159 5,795 11,590 Authorities Total £676,541 £6,765 £33,827 £67,654
3. At this stage there has been no indication that either Natural England or local authorities will impose a cut (but is anticipated). However, as the Board is not due to meet again until mid October if there is an announcement it is likely to be during the intervening period and it would be useful to establish the Board’s strategy in case of such an eventuality.
4. A cut of up to 2% can be accommodated by general savings and a cut of up to £5,000 to the SDF.
5. A cut of 5% should be managed by adjusting budgets in the same way as the additional 5% was added when Natural England decided not to cuts its grant
41 aid (Appendix 1) with an additional cut of £5,000 to the SDF (down to £40,000)
6. A cut of 10% could be managed by re-instating the earlier cuts of £28,000 and reducing the SDF by £30,000 in total and finding an additional £9,000 from general savings.
7. It is thought that any in-year cut is likely to be 5% or less. It is possible that there will be no cut to local authority funding. In any event the cuts could be accommodated without significant impact on the work programme but it would be disappointing to reduce the scale of the Sustainable Development Fund.
8. A report will be presented to the Executive Committee in September with a three year forecast based on a number of scenarios, almost certainly all based on varying degrees of real cuts in grant aid.
Recommendation
1. To agree that if an announcement of in-year cuts to grant aid is made before October, the budget would be adjusted as outlined in this paper (paragraphs 4 – 6).
42 Agenda Item 9 Appendix 1
Promotion and Awareness: Web site £ 1,000 Events and exhibitions £ 1,000 Year of Biodiversity £ 3,000 Photography £ 1,000 Environmental Tourism £ 2,500 Enjoying Woodlands £ 1,000
Countryside Management: Publications £ 200 Events and exhibitions £ 500 Chalk Grassland £ 1,000 Support for Trees and Woods £ 2,000 Orchards Project £ 1,000 Sustainable Development Fund £ 5,000
Planning and Development: Historic Environment £ 1,000 Wood Fuel Group £ 1,000
Recreation and Access: Access Conference £ 200 Countryside Close to Home £ 1,000 Cycling in the Chilterns £ 1,000
Corporate Services: Staff training £ 250 Miscellaneous £ 813
Other: Protected Landscapes Co-ordinator £ 419 Project Support £ 3,000 Merchandise purchases £ 960
------Total £28,842 ======
43 44 Agenda Item 10
Report on High speed 2
Author : Steve Rodrick Chief Officer
Summary : This has been a period of intense activity during which time the Board has been liaising extensively with other concerned bodies, local authorities, voluntary groups and national organisations. Board members and staff have attended and given presentations to several local meetings.
There has been considerable work undertaken by local experts which has challenged both the economic and environmental claims made for HS2 by the Department for Transport.
Purpose of the Report : To advise members of recent activity and to agree on future strategy and actions.
Recent Activity
1. To date the Board’s activity has been spread across all areas. The initial flurry of public meetings is now drawing to a close. The change of Government has meant that there are a new set of national politicians to liaise with. The local MPs, David Lidington and Cheryl Gillan in particular, have been very active and remained in close contact despite their new ministerial duties.
Task Resources Notes Technical Assess Environmental Impact £2,000 • Work in partnership with Bucks CC, on preferred route corridor Chilterns DC, , Natural England, Bucks, Berks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, Chiltern Woodland Project and The Chiltern Society
• Working Group th established and held initial meeting 25 May.
• CCB land use survey and environmental inventory work underway
• Bucks CC are proposing to prepare a full landscape character assessment if district councils can provide match funding Assess Planning Process £1,000 • Richard Bate of Green Balance, a Implications specialist planning consultancy, has been commissioned to prepare an overview of the planning process (Hybrid Transport Bill) and identify opportunities for the public to have influence.
45 Task Resources Notes Contribute to analysis of the May need to • Work with C Society and local experts. national business and engage expert environmental cases assistance • Many local experts in relevant technical fields have emerged who have already prepared excellent analysis, primarily of the business case. They are overwhelmingly critical of what is proposed.
Liaise with EA and water Staff time • A meeting has been arranged with The companies on impact on Chiltern Society, Thames Water, Veolia aquifer Water (formerly Three Valleysth Water and Environment Agency for 28 June Lobbying Arrange to meet/contact all Board member • The Chairman has written to the relevant politicians at earliest and staff time Secretary of State for Transport possible opportunity requesting a meeting.
• A meeting has been arranged withnd David Lidington and Cheryl Gillan for 2 July.
• Letters to be written to: • Caroline Spelman – Environment • Chris Huhne – Energy and Climate Change • Vince Cable – Business • George Osborne- Chancellor • Danny Alexander – Chief Sec to Treasury
• A leaflet summarising the case against HS2 to be sent to all MPs Lobby National Association of Staff time • Chief Officer to contact NAAONB AONBs to support opposition to HS2 through the Chilterns Publicity Lobby HS2 to publish clear • Request made to HS2 but no action so maps of alternative routes far.
• Detailed maps available on request. Request HS2 to print and • Request made to HS2 but no action so circulate more copies of their far. report th Liaise with Natural England Staff Time • Meeting held on 11 May. No immediate and lobby them to publicly prospect of close involvement by, or state opposition to HS2 routes support from Natural England, but through the Chilterns working links have been established Produce regular briefing Staff time • Aim to produce at least monthly. newsletter Electronic version In preparation only. Approx £100 per edition Keep HS2 pages on AONB Approx. £500 • Pages have been created web site up to date. www.chilternsaonb.org/hs2
46 Task Resources Notes Take part in public meetings Time • Several attended. • Gt.Missenden • Wendover • The Lee • Lacey Green • Longwick • Princes Risoborugh • Quainton • Amersham st • Hughenden Valley (21 June) Campaigning Convene and chair Chilterns CDC has been • Three meetings held. Very good HS2 co-ordinating Group providing a attendance levels meeting room free of charge Exceptional Hardship Scheme Staff Time • The Board wrote objecting to several elements of the proposed hardship scheme, including the need to be more generous, to have wider eligibility, to include the alternative routes and those affected by tunnelling. • The Board supported the alternative proposal drawn up by the HS2 Action Alliance. Attend LA Joint Working Group Staff Time • Chief Officer attends part of the meeting – approx. monthly Support HS2 Alliance and Consider • HS2 meeting, Quainton attend meetings etc if possible providing funds • HS2 event, Amersham necessary as necessary • Shirley Judges to be main contact • Local Summit Board member The local authorities organisedth a summit and Staff Time for local groups on 18 June. The Board representatives were Shirley Judges and Chris Richards Promote all means by which • Facebook; No10 web site petition. The opposition can be recorded Boards’ own on line poll on HS2 was withdrawn after being hijacked by pro HS2 supporters. Prior to this the poll showed 87% were against Increasingly target national • Publish summary leaflet and send to all players including MPs MPs – in preparation Liaise with journalists and • Ongoing others who can generate national coverage of the campaign Develop with C Soc et al a • Many local experts are offering their cadre of local resident experts assistance and helpers
The Board’s Strategy
Current position
1. The following position has been taken so far:
1. The proposed construction of a railway for 12 miles through the AONB cannot be sufficiently well hidden to reduce its environmental impact to
47 acceptable levels. As such it is not compatible with the purpose of designating an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Accordingly the Board objects on the grounds that the construction of the railways is not compatible with its statutory purposes.
2. The Board opposes any proposal to route a railway through any part of the Chilterns AONB.
3. The Board believes that the railway will cause unacceptable damage to the AONB that can only be justified if it is in the proven national interest. It has been assumed that interest would be determined by environmental and economic tests. As neither has been defined it has been assumed that government is most likely to asses the environmental test as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and avoiding significant damage to internationally important sites and species. The economic test is that of satisfying the Treasury requirement for public investment to have a Business Cost Ratio of more than 2.0.
4. As the impact has triggered national interest tests the Board is justified in assessing the national impacts as well as those on the Chilterns AONB. This has included taking an active part in assessing the economic case for HS2.
5. The Board has long promoted the use of trains in preference to the car where this is a practical option. It is important to maintain this train friendly outlook including improvements to the speed and capacity of intercity services (n.b. the proposed improvement to the Chilterns Railway services between London and Birmingham).
6. The Board does not believe that a case has been made for construction of a new, dedicated high speed line. However this does not mean that there is no case for investment in existing inter city railways to improve both speed and capacity. A target of providing services between all major cities which average over 100 mph) 160 kph) is both desirable and feasible.
7. As the anticipated impact of HS2 on carbon emissions is, at best, neutral and possibly negative the Board does not believe that there are sufficient environmental benefits to justify HS2. The number of aircraft movements is unlikely to be reduced by HS2 as short haul flights displaced by trains journeys are likely to be replaced by long haul flights which emit higher levels of carbon dioxide. In the face of government targets of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 HS2 represents a poor investment.
8. There is insufficient evidence of demand for the HS2 services and the projections provided by the HS2 report are not credible. According to the HS2 report, the HS2 services will generate a significant number of additional long distance journeys (39,000 per day). A more environmentally sustainable approach is to reduce the need to travel,
48 especially long distance, and to encourage energy conservation. High speed trains will use between 2 and 4 times the amount of energy compared to existing intercity trains.
9. The Board believes that the projections for future demand for long distance intercity travel is exaggerated not least as insufficient account has been taken of the impact of IT on reducing the need to travel, especially for business purposes.
Lobbying
2. To date much effort has been expended on analysing the national case and creating effective local networks. Having established a clearer position, both as a Board the next stage is to lobby those who will be influential in deciding whether HS2 should go ahead- all MPs.
3. It is notable that the pre election position on HS2 by all three main parties has been maintained and was included in the Queen’s speech.
4. As currently proposed approval would be sought from Parliament by presenting a Hybrid Transport Bill. This means that all MPs can vote directly. As this level of approval constitutes primary legislation it can override other UK legislation. For example the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment is not a requirement, but is likely, nonetheless, to be a condition of approval. Another consequence of this approach is that there will be no public enquiry. As part of the process there will be a Select Committee of MPs which can call for evidence from interested parties. A report has been commissioned from Green Balance, a planning consultancy, to understand better how this process works and what opportunities it affords for others to make an input.
5. Ideally the ministers responsible will accept that high speed rail cannot go ahead as planned as neither the economic nor environmental benefits are sufficient to warrant the very large scale investment required of public funds (it is known the government is investigating the option of attracting private investment). In which case alternative proposals to invest in existing lines will be given preference. The MPs have a direct role in making their views know to the minister in this formative period and, in due, course, as those who will decide on whether a high speed railway network is to be built.
6. Whilst some opposition could be expected from those MPs whose constituencies are directly affected the majority may feel that, on face value, it is a good thing. They cannot be expected to take a close interest if it does not directly affect their constituency. As such they represent a crucial body of opinion (they are likely to be the majority) and all efforts must be taken to ensure they have all the facts before making any decisions. They may have not have strong views on HS2 but will on the need to invest in the transport needs of their own constituencies.
49 7. The national media also has an important role. When first muted the national media was almost unanimous in supporting high speed rail. Since then there have been a series of high profile commentators who have either expressed doubts or have become an opponent. It is plain that HS rail is polarising opinion but increasingly the anti voice in becoming louder. The Board should continue to seek coverage in all forms of national media.
Environmental Impact in the Chilterns
8. Unless and until the all routes for HS2 are withdrawn the Board must continue to assess the possible impacts on the AONB and, in due course, prepare its own suggested mitigation scheme. The Board is working closely with others to paper an environmental baseline and an assessment of impact on the landscape.
9. The Board should avoid being drawn into debates about identifying other less environmentally damaging routes elsewhere.
Resources
9. The campaign is taking up a significant amount of staff and Board member time. This may tail off over the summer months but can be expected to increase dramatically if the government sticks to its plans to consult in the autumn.
10. The Board has committed an initial sum of £9,000 for HS2 related work. To date the following sums have been committed:
Environmental Survey £2,000 Planning Process advice £ 900 Summary leaflet £ 500
Recommendations
1. The Board concentrates on challenging the national business and environmental cases for HS2.
2. The main targets for lobbying are all relevant ministers, all MPs, the national media and spending watchdogs of all types.
3. To continue preparing an assessment of environmental impacts on the Chilterns.
50 Agenda Item 11
Working With Schools and Young People
Author : Cathy Rose Activities and Learning Officer
Summary: A CCB Lifelong Learning Strategy was presented to the Board in 2007 which outlined the need to work with all sectors of the community regardless of age, ability, race and background. As part of this strategy much work has been done to engage with young people, through both formal and informal learning . A new initiative of creating special nature walks for each school is proposed , initially on a pilot basis.
Purpose of Report To present the Board with an update of projects and initiatives and seek approval of a pilot School Welly Walk project.
Background
1. It was suggested in 2007 that the Board was best placed to take more a strategic role within the formal education sector, rather than direct delivery of education programmes.
2. It was agreed that the Board would encourage teachers to use the existing courses and resources on offer across the Chilterns and, in particular, to promote the existing Red Kite and Chalk Streams education resources. Where materials were not available to cover a particular Chilterns theme, and a demand could be recognised, the Board would work with partners to produce suitable materials and promote them to the relevant educational bodies.
3. The Board agreed to work with partner organisations on a range of events that encouraged family learning and enjoyment of the Chilterns.
Progress in the Formal Education Sector
4. In April 2009, the Board published a ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ directory of education providers across the Chilterns. To date, approximately 100 copies have been downloaded from our website and a further 100 copies distributed via the contributing organisations and through Local Authorities.
5. The Activities and Learning Officer has attended a number of high- profile ‘Countryside School Days’ where Chilterns themes have been imparted to large numbers of children from visiting schools. These have included:
Ewelme Park Estate (one day per year, approx 100 children from the South Oxfordshire area)
51 Englefield Estate (two days per year, approx 500 children from the Reading area) Hampden Bottom Farm (one day per year, approx 240 children from High Wycombe area).
6. The Activities and Learning Officer has contributed to Natural England’s ‘Natural Connections’ pilot project in 2009. Two High Wycombe schools designed their own outdoor education areas using inspiration gained from visiting local farms and nature reserves and from education visits from local experts into the schools.
7. A small number of visits have been made each year to local primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities by the Board’s staff and volunteers covering subjects such as red kites, countryside site management, leisure and tourism and planning issues. While these services to schools are not advertised, if a direct approach is made by a school, They are accommodated as afar as possible or by involving a partner organisation.
8. An example of working successfully directly with schools is the Trout in the Classroom project. In 2009 and 2010, the Chalk Streams Officer worked with Rickmansworth Park School and Waterside Combined School (Chesham) on this project when each school reared trout from eggs in an aquarium, which were subsequently released into the River Chess. Funding has been secured to purchase a third unit for 2011, possibly for a school in the River Misbourne catchment.
Progress with Family Based Events
9. The Board has worked with various partners to organise Family Archaeology and Local History events in 2008 and 2009 at Cholesbury and Totternhoe. A further event is planned at Ashridge for July 2010.
10. The Board contributes to a National Trust family learning event at Hughenden Manor each August and to the Family Food Festival at Dunstable Downs in September. A further ‘International Year of Biodiversity’ event was attended at BBOWT’s College Lake Reserve in May 2010 along with a BBC Springwatch Wild Day Out at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve in June 2010.
11. The Board has worked in partnership with Natural England for two years to organise the ‘Sounds like Summer’ event at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. This is a multi-cultural music and nature event. Up to 7 coaches are laid on to allow families from ethnic communities in Oxford and High Wycombe (many of which don’t own cars) to attend. This event will take place again in July 2010.
12. For several years, the Board has attended Open Farm Sunday events across the Chilterns. and in 2010 will be working with Ian Waller at Hampden Bottom Farm near Gt.Missenden.
52 Suggestions for Future Work
13. An education resource pack is being planned for primary schools which will offer a range of Chilterns related information and activities across the whole curriculum. This involves working with the Humanities Advisor for Bucks CC who can offer funding, which will be matched from the Board’s Environmental Education Budget. The scale and final cost of the pack is yet to be finalised, but it is likely to take the form of an A4 booklet or folder with an accompanying CD of additional information, photographs and follow-up projects. It is hoped that elements of the pack’s contents can later be adapted for use in secondary schools.
14. The development of ‘Welly Walks’ for local schools is being investigated based on a successful initiative in the High Weald AONB. A project officer works with one class in a primary school to develop a circular walk from the school into the surrounding countryside taking in as many local features and habitats as possible. The children and teachers are involved with planning the route, writing the directions, taking the photographs and, once a walk leaflet has been printed, promoting the walk to their school and local community.
15. This approach requires approx 3-4 day of staff time per school and budget of approx £1,000 (shared with the school/education authority or even sponsor) to cover associated costs.
16. The benefits would be that each school would have its own tailored walk to use year after year and that the school would feel ownership for their local countryside and would help to promote that to its local community. A staggered approach is suggested with perhaps two or three pilot schools chosen in the first year, rolling out to more schools in later years.
Recommendations:
1. That the Board notes the progress made in working with schools.
2. The school Welly Walk Project is developed on a pilot basis.
53 54 Agenda Item 12
Report on the Cycleway Project
Author : Steve Rodrick Chief Officer Annette Venters Access Officer
th Summary : The Chilterns Cycleway was launched on 18 June by the Grand Prix driver, Mark Webber, at the National Trust’s estate at Ashridge. The route is over 170 miles long and is intended to attract visitors and generate tourism related business.
Purpose of the Report To report on progress of this major initiative
Background
1. A report was last presented to the Board in January 2009 seeking agreement to proceed with the creation of a long distance cycleway around the Chilterns.
th 2. On 18 June the cycleway was launched at Ashridge by Mark Webber, the Grand Prix driver and keen cyclist, who lives locally near Aston Clinton.
3. The entire route of 173 miles is waymarked by directional road signs, a guide book has been published and special pages added to the web site www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway .
4. This has all been achieved at a cost of £80,000 and a great deal of effort by volunteers from The Chiltern Society. and CTC - the National Cyclists Organisation, who have organised no less than 23 rides to celebrate the launch of the cycleway.
The route
4. The route (Map 1) is 95% on-road, mostly on minor roads, and will be signposted. The Cycleway passes through Buckinghamshire (58 miles), Hertfordshire (58 miles), Oxfordshire (32 miles), Bedfordshire (22 miles) and Berkshire (3 miles).
5. The route has been designed to pass through or near the main market (gateway) towns where additional circular cycle routes will be available. These will be both on and off-road, aimed at cyclists with a range of abilities and graded accordingly. This should ensure there is something for everyone.
6. The project is specifically aimed at increasing the numbers of leisure cyclists in the Chilterns; the main markets will be leisure day trips and those staying for a short break.
7. The main partners are the CTC (the national cyclists organisation), The Chiltern Society, Highway Authorities and the Board.
55
8. The aims of the project are:
• Visitors and locals to benefit from cycling as an affordable means of sustainable transport and physical exercise;
• Enhance appreciation of the Chilterns countryside.
• Provides a new incentive for people to visit the Chilterns, encouraging activity-based leisure visits. At present the Chilterns is predominantly a day- out destination, the Chilterns Cycleway would encourage short-breaks which would boost the rural economy.
• Enhanced support for rural businesses through visitor spend at cafes, shops, pubs, B&Bs and visitor attractions along the route.
• Encourage visits without a car – railway companies will promote the use of cycle carriage on trains as part of this project and there will be signposted spurs to and from nearby railway stations.
9. The route is long and, in part, challenging so it is best suited to relatively fit and confident cyclists. However, to encourage novice cyclists information is given to allow selection of easier sections and some of the linking routes are better suited to a wider range of cyclists.
10. It is envisaged that most people will do the route in stages, as day rides or short breaks. The promotion of Chilterns Cycleway short breaks based on 40- 50 mile loops will be an important element of the project.
11. The route is signposted with a mixture of finger signs and self-adhesive stickers as shown below (not to scale).
56 Map 1
Funding
12. The total cost was £80,650 which has been provided by a wide range of partners notably the Chilterns LEADER programme, the local authorities and Board itself. Uncosted, but of immense value, has been contribution and enthusiasm of many volunteers.
Chilterns Cycleway Income Sources (09/10 and 10/11) Amount Chilterns LEADER Programme £48,000 Chiltens Conservation Board £12,000 Herts CC £5,000 Natural England £5,000 Bucks CC £3,000 Bucks Economic and Learning Partnership £2,500 Oxfordshire CC £2,000 The Chiltern Society £1,900
Central Bedfordshire Council £1,250
Promotion TOTAL £80,650
13. In addition to the directional signing (665 signs of all types) a guide to the route has been published (5,000 copes to be sold at £9.99) and 20,000 promotional leaflets have also been printed.
57 14. To encourage from local businesses three workshops were held and, very encouragingly, over 30 businesses attended.
15. Board members are requested to provide advice and suggestions on how the route can be promoted and, in particular, to encourage the use of the cycleway by staying visitors.
Management
15. A steering group of partners will continue to take an overview of the route’s management and promotion. The local highway authorities have agreed to maintain the signs and volunteers from The Chiltern Society will undertake regular inspection and low key maintenance.
Recommendations
1. To note that the Chilterns Cycleway has been created and launched.
2. To advise on further promotion of the route.
58 Agenda Item 13
Chilterns Commons Project
Author : Steve Rodrick Chief Officer Kath Daly Countryside Officer
Summary : The Board submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support work on commons. HLF approved a stage 1 grant of £34,000 to be used to develop a stage 2 bid by March 2011. If successful, HLF could award a grant of nearly £400,000. A project officer has been recruited for the period July 2010 - Feb 2011 to develop the bid.
Purpose of the Report : To inform members of the successful stage 1 bid and the work needed to submit a stage 2 application.
Background
1. The Board submitted a bid to the HLF in December 2009 which was approved in March 2010. The initial grant of £34,000 is to be used to develop a second stage bid for up to £400,000 by March 2011.The Board will be providing up to £5,000 of match funding for this stage.
2. The aims of the project are to:
1. Inspire and enable local people to play a more active role in conserving, enhancing and interpreting the heritage of the commons.
2. Celebrate and raise awareness of the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of the commons, and increase accessibility to a wider cross section of the community.
3. Conserve and restore natural and cultural heritage on selected sites.
4. Establish sustainable management and innovative means of securing the future for Chilterns Commons.
3. The project is expected to involve:
1 • over 120 individual volunteers • over 50 groups and organisations 2 • over 500 volunteer days • activities and projects on upwards of 60% of the common land area, including practical conservation works on 10 – 15 sites.
1 2 Over and above current activity levels ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’
59 4. The four main projects will be:
1. Commons Historic Environment Project
2. Common Futures Project
3. Interpretation and awareness project
4. Commons Management
5. A project development officer has been recruited (Rachel Sanderson who
previously managed the Chilterns Specialst Trees and Woods Project) on a fixed term contract of 8 months from 1 July.
6. A consultant has been appointed to prepare statements on the conservation value of the main commons on which the project will concentrate.
7. The Board will convene a steering group, chaired by John Willson, made up of project partners and members of the Chilterns Commons Network.
8. The Board will learn if the the bid has been successful in summer/autumn of 2011. The grant would be for a period of up to 4 years.
9. A report will be presented to the Board in early 2011 before the final bid is submitted.
Recommendation
1. To note the successful application to the HLF for grant aid and he timetable for submitting a second stage bid by March 2011.
60
Chilterns Conservation Board – Work Programme 2009-2010
Conserve and Enhance Natural Beauty No. Area of Work Key Actions and Outputs CCB Budget Progress to 31.3.2010
1 Management of Chalk • Support for site management on 3 sites. £4,600 • Chalk Grassland Managers Training Grassland Day held in June – Bradenham. • Training Programme Oversubscribed with over 70 attending. • • Chalk Grassland Managers Day (50no.) Support for management of Galley and Warden Hills nr Luton • • Promotion of ELS and HLS Support BBOWT reserves Chalk Grassland project covering 12 sites; • 61 Data gathering water supply installed at Millfield Bank. Scrub management carried out at Sands Bank Local Nature Reserve (35+participants). • ELS and HLS promoted through Biodiversity Target Areas.
th 2 Management of Commons • Support for site works (3 no.) £3,060 • Commons Day held on 24 September at Ashridge Estate- 50 • Annual Conference (40 no.) delegates.
• • Training Programme 4no.E-bulletins published
Agenda Item14 • • Support for Commons Network Network visits to Coleshill and Whipsnade Heath and Green. . • Publication and promotion of guidance incl. • newsletter Advisory visits/ assessments for HLF bid to Dunsmore, Cadmore End and • Maintenance of database Bolters End, Studham, Whipsnade Heath and Green, Dunstable Downs, Hawridge and Cholesbury and Coleshill.
• Support provided to Hawridge and Cholesbury Common (training and site management), Moorend (leaflet and access enhancements) and Great Kingshill (pond management workshop; Oughtonhead Common- near Hitchin (leaflet). • Commons Photo Competition (43 entries) • 3no.Forum meetings • Data base expanded • HLF bid submitted in Dec for 4 year £500,000 project; Development Grant of £34,000 awarded March 2010 3 Woodland Management • Advice and training on all aspects of £8,000 • 61 Woodland owners visited since 62 Much of this element of the woodland management to owners of small April and advice given on over 500ha. work programme is delivered woodlands (target of 50 no. = 200 hectares by the Chiltern Woodlands of woodlands) – via Chiltern Woodlands • Special Trees - 778 trees and 168 Project and Special Trees and Project woods on database by end of Project. Woods Project Successful case studies in tree • Advice and provision of resources for management at Tylers Green, Low management of special trees via Special Scrubs, Bulstrode Camp. Trees and Woods Project.
• Hedgerow Trees Initiative to promote Need to secure • On hold management and planting of trees in additional hedgerows and in-field resources 4 Promotion of good land • Active promotion of uptake of the agri- £860 • Yes - but on less achieved because of management practice environment and forestry grant schemes vacancy of Farming and Land Use Officer. • Advice service, especially to new owners of land.
• • Promotion of good hedgerow management Chilterns Woodland Conference in March 2010 morning was on theme of • Organise Annual Farmers Forum (40 no.) Field and Hedgerow trees attended by 110 participants • • Distribute information pack (30 no.) Farmers Forum held February – 50 participants 5 Conservation of Chalk • Continue to support the Chalk Streams £21,250 • Chalk Streams Project - income Streams Project £10,625- confirmed to carry on with officer for 4 CCB/NE days per week • River restoration programmes for £10,625 - Misbourne, Chess, Gade, Ver, Bulbourne, Partners • Action Plan consultation complete. EA Hughenden, Wye to publish final restoration plan • Riparian Management incl. willow Combination of document for Ver, Gade & Bulbourne. pollarding and river corridor landscape project grant R. Wye restoration strategy in enhancement aid, ring fenced development. To be completed in reserves and 2010. • Implementing Chalk Streams HAP. A project support • priority will be water voles budget Pollarding and fencing project identified – Pollarding at Frogmore SSSI supported 63 • Fisheries enhancement scheme supported on R. Wye
• Water vole surveys of Misbourne and • Liaising with Environment Agency and Target to raise Chess completed. Chess population Water Companies to reduce abstraction additional increased to 87% of 2001 population. £15,000 from partners • Misbourne survey – vole populations present from Gerrard’s Cross to confluence with Colne at Denham.
• Target achieved (£17.8K). Thames Water have withdrawn funding.
• Report on options for phase 2 of Misbourne RSA scheme completed
• Working with the Chiltern Society on bed lining project for the Misbourne 6 Response to Planning • Submit response on relevant planning £2,244 • Planning applications – 116 Applications and Strategies applications applications received, 29 formal responses made, 24 decided with 21 • Submit response to consultation on in line with Board comments (87.5%). development and minerals plans • Development and other plans – 32 • Respond to all relevant national and have been received and 29 responses regional plans have been submitted so far. 6a High Speed 2 Railway • To assess potential impact of HS2 on the Staff time • Meeting held with chairman ofHS2 Chilterns • Agreement that HS2 will liaise with CCB as a stakeholder. • Working group developed – 4 meetings held. • Initial assessment of potential routes • Fact finding visit to Kent Downs (route of HS1) took place in October and larger group visit took place in March • HS2 Chief Executive and Chief 64 Engineer visited Chilterns in December and HS2 group also attended meeting in March • Lobbying underway • Fighting Fund created 7 Promote Planning Policies • Publish Planning Policy Guidelines Staff time • No progress to date on Planning and Guidance (may need Policy Guidelines – priority for next 6 • Offer training and advice allocation from months project support • Talks given to Councillors at SODC, budget) practitioners at Landscape Institute and Reading University 8 Roads in the Landscape • Promote newly published and revised Staff time • Guidance published and distributed guidance. • Lobbying Bucks CC not to use noisy • Lobby for low noise road surfaces road surfacing.
• Assess highway proposals for environmental impact
9 Buildings in the Landscape • Complete review and publish Building £6,670 • Design Guide – review completed, Design Guide. final version published and launched in February. • Promote use of all published guidance. • Buildings Design Award – 19 entries, • Organise Building Design Award with CSoc Awards ceremony held (66 delegates) (20 no.) and winners promoted, 17 entries received for 2010 scheme. • Organise annual Planning Conference. (70 • th no.) Planning Conference held on 30 September with 70 delegates attending.
th • Planning Forum held on 28 April, 21
attendees (11 Chilterns thauthorities represented) and on 26 November, 28 attendees (10 Chilterns authorities represented). 65 10 Under-grounding of power • Identifying power lines suitable for under Staff Time • Two lines identified and to be worked lines grounding (1no.) up for presentation to Steering Group.
• Securing agreement from power • Letter sent to (Scottish and Southern companies (EDF and Scottish and Electricity) SSE to encourage setting Southern) to include in their 5 year regional up of a Steering Group similar to that programmes for EDF area.
11 Building design, renewable • Publish guidance on building design Staff Time • No progress to date – this will flow Energy and climate change adaptation for climate change and (may need from the Planning Policy Guidelines. allocation from • Publish position statement on renewable Project Support • No progress to date – this will flow energy technology budget) from the Planning Policy Guidelines.
12 Thames Valley Landscape • Prepare assessment of issues Staff Time • Issues paper in preparation - to be presented to Board in January 2010 13 Landscape Assessment Identify areas where landscape character Staff Time • No progress to date assessment is needed to guide plans for new development and land use change
Promoting Understanding and Enjoyment
No. Area of Work Key Actions and Outputs CCB Budget Progress to 30.12.09
14 Getting Close to Nature • Countryside Festival (2000 no.) £7,160 • Countryside Festival (90 exhibitors, Programme • Publications 5,000 attendees) • • Web Pages Up to £2,000 Sounds Like Summer (900 attendees) • • Wildlife CCTV (ring fenced Family Fun Day at Hughenden Manor • • Workshops reserve) Attendance at Ewelme Park schools • Events day and 2 days at Englefield Schools • School visits Days • • Educational Resources 4 Adult Learning talks • • Recruitment and Training of Volunteers Friend of Red Kite scheme donations • Friend of the Red Kite Scheme £1,410 since April 2009
66 • Volunteers thank you event Oct ‘09 • 2 vol training sessions March ‘10 • Merchandise sales £2,570 • Barn owl CCTV project investigated • Wildlife on the Move 23 events 15 Events Programme • Attend 6 major events £1,632 • Attended Tring Canal festival, Bucks County Show, Henley Show, Thame • Upgrade events displays and equipment Show, Bucks County Museum Wildlife Day, Tring Museum Honey Day
• New hanging banners and notice holders for stand 16 People and Places Project • Add 25 profiles Part of web site • 14 Profiles added budget • 6 volunteers involved • Involve up to 10 volunteers • 5,000 Leaflets distributed 17 Schools Programme • Publish and promote Learning Directory £1,020 • Learning Directory published. Distributed to contributors and • Publish directory of learning resources. advertised to schools. Over 100 copes • Promote education packs for chalk streams have been downloaded / posted and Red Kites
• Support Trout in the Classroom project £2,000 • Project run at two schools in Chess (CCSP budget) Valley. Rickmansworth Park and Waterside School, Chesham. Trout release featured on BBC Countryfile. 18 Access for All Programme • Chilterns Country Routes (6 no.) £3,060 • Burnham Beeches countryside walk Re-prints (may need suitable for wheelchairs/buggies Children’s quiz sheets allocation for updated and uploaded to Chilterns Project Support AONB and partner web sites. budget) • 5 Chiltern Country Walks were updated and reprinted; Views of the £2,500 Vale, Walk like the Clappers; Warden (from partners) and Galley Hills, Chinnor circular walk and the Red Kite Walk. • Whitchurch Hill, 5 new stile-free routes designed and uploaded on to • Promote health benefits of walking, cycling web site. and horse riding 67 • On-going • Undertake annual review of all Chilterns Country Routes • Review of Chilterns Country Routes complete • Promote access to the countryside by public transport • Contributed to Tring Together SDF application for funding towards the Chilterns Rambler Bus. • Increasing awareness of open access land • Meeting held with Commons group, LAs, Chiltern Society, Ramblers Association to look at ways of promoting and signing open access land more effectively. Examples of open access information for Downley Common and Lane End Common were distributed to Parishes.
• Grant of £2,600 secured from NE and Bucks CC for information boards at Naphill Common
• Disabled Ramble organised August 2009, 20 participants. 19 Countryside Close to Home • Promote new section on web site to £5,100 • Web site launched June 2009. promote access opportunities close to • Site modifications to improve speed of home - target 50,000 page views per site agreed with web developer and annum. completed end September 2009. Target for • Additional promotion of site through • Investigate sponsorship sponsorship - leaflets. £2,000 p.a. • Since its launch in June, the Walks and Rides section is consistently no. 1 or no. 2 position with over 60,000 page views in 09/10. • 80 companies were approached for sponsorship in Dec/Jan but no take- up. Needs more work. 68 20 Chilterns Cycleway • Confirm route and links £7,040 • Main route confirmed. (includes • Costed development plan prepared • Prepare costed development plan £5,000 • LEADER grant of £48,000 secured allocation from and cash match funding from local • Secure support from partners Project Support authorities and the Chiltern Society budget) agreed. • Prepare and begin implementation of • Businesses (B&Bs, pubs, bike shops) promotional plan located along the route contacted. Initial workshop held with 8 tourism businesses/ • Promotional plan underway- web site, guide book etc. • Signage programme agreed and in production. • Launch date and location agreed and initial plans underway for Relay ride and taster rides. th 21 Access Conference • Organise a conference (70 delegates) £1,530 • Conference was held onThursday 25 February 2010 at Ballinger Memorial Hall. There were 75 delegates. 22 Enjoying the Historic • Events Programme (20 no.) £2,040 • Totternhoe Archaeology day (200 Environment visitors) • Promote use of HLC including training workshop • Walk Back in Time Programme (46 events in Apr – Sept programme, 29 • Gather data on listed buildings and events in Oct – Apr programme) scheduled ancient monuments • Outline programme for Historic Parks • Organise conference on Historic Parks and andth Gardens conference planned Gardens (70 no.) to be held in spring/early (14 May 2010) summer 2010 • ‘Chilternsaetna’ newsletter published April 2010. Mainly e-mailed, with a low additional print run • • 23 Enjoying Woodlands Support training courses on woodland £5,100 3 woodlandth archaeology courses held archaeology organised by CWP (core) - thon 30 thJanuary near Tring, and on 5 and 6 March in Pigotts Wood. • Publish woodland heritage booklet- 69 “Bluebells and Bodgers” • Draft text written by CWP
• Promote Woodland Web Site • On-going
th • Organise Annual Woodland Forum with • 12 March 2010 on Hedgerow and CWP (60 no.) Field Trees, followed by final Special Trees and Woods conference. 110 attendees.
• Identify and promote Special Trees and • 778 special trees & 168 special woods Woods (STWP) • Book being drafted – publication planned for autumn 2010 • Annual Project conference on 14 November 2009 – 170 attendees. • 200 volunteer days recorded during 2009/10.
• Developing Chilterns Orchard Project • Outline proposal developed and 4 working group meetings held. Pre- application enquiry sent to HLF 24 Wood Fuel Group • Establish and promote Chilterns Wood £3,000 • No progress Fuel Group 25 Raising Awareness of • Implement programme to raise public £1,010 • On hold until the Farming and Land Farming awareness of farming. Use office post is filled. Activities and • Walks - 20no Learning Officer to approach farmers • Farm Sunday re promoting events in 2010. • Updated farming calendar on • web site Farm Sunday very successful 26 Chalk Streams • Advice and workshops for riparian owners £21,250 • No progress on Workshops for £10,625- riparian owners. Workshops on • Hold an Annual Forum CCB/NE Chess and Wye being developed for £10,625 - 2010/11 • • Published Annual Report Partners Riparian owners advice leaflet for Misbourne produced • • Organise Events Programme 13 advisory visits completed
th • Forum held 16 June at Boxmoor •
70 Comment on all relevant plans Playhouse. 50+ delegates attended. • Report published in June. • Events publicised through What’s On guide 5 officer led events held.
• Campaign to reduce water abstraction and • Thames River Basin Management to conserve water. Plan, Dacorum BC Emerging Strategy, WDC Delivery & Site Allocations Development Plan.
• Interviews given to BBC Countryfile and to Geographical magazine.
27 Promoting Tourism • Partner in regional programme £1,020 • Phase 1 of regional project underway – 3 walking and cycling packages are • Promote membership of Green Tourism £40,000 being developed and a workshop for Business Scheme (ring fenced tourism businessesth was run on projects) January 27 . • Distribute literature to tourism businesses Chilterns share • of a SE regional GTBS - Silver Award. Promoted in fund if bid is local press and in Chalk and Trees. • Undertake a feasibility study of setting up a successful New page on GTBS on website “Visit the Chiltern” web site • Literature sent to some businesses
• Joined River Thames Alliance Marketing Partnership 28 Getting to Know the Chilterns • Web site developed particularly to provide £28,882 • 172,068 visits to website, average of visitor information. (180,000 visits) (core) 14,339 per month . A 20% increase on the same period last year. Poll and • Publish Chalk and Trees - two editions Target is to weather feed added to homepage. published (15,000 copies and ‘What’s On’ raise advertising and £10,000 of • Spring and autumn editions sponsorship) published. Advertising income £4,053. • Publish range of information literature Design refreshed.
• 7,200 Getting to Know the Chilterns leaflets distributed
71 29 Working with the Media • Issue 40 press releases Staff time • 25 press releases and 5 letters published • Target of 10 radio/TV interviews • 17 radio/TV interviews • Publish articles - 10no. • 5 articles
• 76 known mentions in local and national press
• Special article on the Chilterns in Geographical Magazine.
• Extensive coverage of HS2 30 Photography • Update library Staff time • Stock of library photos reviewed and updated. • On line photo exhibition • Exhibition at Dunstable’s Priory House in January 31 State of the Environment • Organise Land Use Survey for 2010 £2,500 • Land Use Survey completed. Results Monitoring. analysed and available to the Board by March 2010. • Organise annual state of the environment workshop. • State of the Environment Workshop held June 2009 • Publish State of the Environment Report • State of the Chilterns Report published and launched at the Annual Forum 32 Conserving Tranquillity • Object to any proposals which will result in Staff time • Objections submitted on: increased noise caused by over flying o Night fights from Luton aircraft of any type. o Failure to cover Chilterns in Heathrow Noise Action Plan
• • Promote measures to reduce noise Supported Wycombe DC proposal to pollution arising from road traffic especially Govt. to reduce noise from M40 along the M40 and ‘A’ roads. motorway
• Lobbying Bucks CC to stop using new 72 noisy road surfacing. 33 The Chiltern Awards • To organise The Chiltern Awards £1,500 • Awards organised. • Building Design • 12 Environment entries, 9 • Environment Understanding and Enjoyment entries, • Understanding and Enjoyment 6 Outstanding People entries • • Outstanding People Building Awards presented • Awardsth presented at Annual Forum on 6 Nov. • New page on website
Managing the Chilterns Conservation Board
Area of Work Key Actions and Outputs Budget Progress to 30.12.2009
1 AONB Management Plan • Promotion Staff Time • Ongoing
2 Annual Review • Publish report £1,428 • Published in July. • 1,000 copies • Over 900 copies distributed 3 Board Bulletin • Electronic bulletin Staff Time • 4 editions published • 6 editions per year
th 73 4 Annual Forum • Annual Forum with attendance of 120 £2,550 • Held on 6 November (146 delegates- 61 representing at least 40 organisations organisations) • £500 sponsorship raised
5 CCB meetings • At least 4 meetings per year £1,326 • Meetings held in April, June and October, • Av 85% attendance January • Av.attendance 78% 6 CCB Executive Committee • At least 4 meetings per year £204 • Meetings held in May, September, Dec and Meetings • Av 85% attendance February • Attendance 78%
7 CCB Planning Committee • At least 4 meetings per year £616 • Meetings held in June, September, Meetings • Av 85% attendance December and March • Attendance 86% • Tour held in July (8 Board members in attendance) 8 Sustainable Development Fund • £53,106 • Fund reduced to a maximum of £48,000, minus £3500 management costs. • Fund fully allocated to 28 projects 9 Annual General Meeting • To hold an AGM No additional • Held in October. (October) cost
10 AONB Tours • Two tours held for members £1,500 • Tours held in April (17 members)and (April and Sept) September (13 members)
• Walking tour (June) • Walking Tour held in June (10 members)
74 Agenda Annex
75
76