e Malvern Hills Trust

Meeting of the Land Management Committee

Thursday 3 December 2020 7.00 pm

By Video/telephone conference Live stream on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3dbH2AW Meeting of the Land Management Committee By Video/telephone conference Live stream on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3dbH2AW Thursday 03 December 2020 at 7:00 pm

Members: Ms M Alexander, Mr C Atkins, Mr D Baldwin, Dr S Braim, Dr G Crisp, Mr R Fowler, Mrs HI' Anson, Mrs C Palmer, Dr T Parsons, Mrs G Rees, Mr C Rouse, Ms H Stace, Mr T Yapp.

Agenda 1. Election of Chair 2. Election of Vice-Chair 3. Apologies for Absence

l..1. Declarations of Interest 5. Chairman's Communications 6. Public Comments 7. Matters Arising (if any) from the meeting of 8 October 2020 8. To consider the Land Management budget 2021 /22 Paper A 9. LMP update PaperB 10. Countryside Stewardship update Verbal update 11. Mountain biking on MHT land Verbal update 12. Project progress update Paper( 13. Graziers' Report Verbal update 14. Conservation Manager's report Verbal update 15. Urgent business 16. Date of next meeting 8 April 2021 . . Malvern Hills Trust

N omination Form: Chair of Land Management Committee

To be completed by nominator and seconder

We, the undersigned wish tD nom1na· te ...~rvc...... "i\...t ...M...... ' \(.E.c.~...... as Chair· of Lan d Management Committee for the year 2020/21. If the nominee is not elected as Chair, we wish/do not wish* to nominate him/her* as Vice-Chair.

SIGNATURE PRINT NAME

NOMINATED BY

SECONDED BY

TO BE COMPLETED BY NOMINEE

I agree to be nominated for the role of Chair of Land Management Committee. I have read the role description. I understand the responsibilities of the role and have attached a statement in support of my nomination. If I am not elected as Chair, I ~/do not agree* to stand for election as Vice-Chair.

PRINT NAME

NOMINEE

TO BE RETURNED BY 5PM FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2020

* Please delete as appropriate

[email protected] I www.malvernhills.org.uk I 01684 892002 Malvern Hills Trust, Manor House, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3EY Statement in support of nomination to the role of Chair of Land Management Committee

Name: Statement in support of nomination to the role of Chair of Land Management Committee

Name:

I was educated and worked in Malvern. My childhood playgrounds were the hills an, commons. Having lived in the local area almost all my life I am passionate about co 1serving the Hills and Commons.

I am a retired Justice of the Peace and have served on Local Education Authorit 11 Sc ~ools Appeals Boards, also as Governor at a large Comprehensive School and in that ea ~acity chaired School Disciplinary Boards. For a number of years I was Save the Cl ildren Area Representative for the whole of Gloucestershire and Bristol City. I am Cl air of Colwall Parish Council and their nominee to the Malvern Hills Trust. I am your nominated Trustee on the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and chair he Joi 1t Advisory Committee of that organization.

I have served on the Land Management Committee since I joined the Malvern H lls Trµst and have found this has given me a broad view of the demanding and challenging we rk of this Committee and the importance felt by all Trustees in protecting the hills a,~d commons for future generations.

During the past months I have gained experience in chairing virtual meetings for a nu -nber of different organizations and feel my experience in chairing meetings and my im,olvement as a Trustee makes we well qualified for the post of Chair of the Malvern Hi Is Trust Land Management Committee.

The coming year will, I am sure, bring challenges to the Malvern Hills Trust which wi I present all the Trustees with new and exciting opportunities. Looking forward we mt st continue to engage with the public to help protect this special landscape for re1 reation and enjoyment of all and for future generations.

> I G Malvern Hills Trust

Nomination form: Vice-Chair of Land Management Committee

To be completed by nominator and seconder

We, the undersigned wish to nominate Stephen Braim as Vice-Chair of Land Management Committee for the year 2020/21.

SIGNATURE PRINT NAME

NOMINATED BY

SECONDED BY Helen Stace

TO BE COMPLETED BY NOMINEE

I agree to be nominated for the role of Vice-Chair of Land Management Committee. I have read the role description. I understand the responsibilities of the role and have attached a statement in support of my nomination.

SIGNATURE PRINT NAME

NOMINEE s~_ , ...... _ Stephen Braim )

TO BE RETURNED BY 5PM FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2020

l \(

[email protected] I www.malvernhills.org.uk I 0168Li 892002 Malvern Hills Trust. Manor House, Grange Road. Malvern. Worcestershire WR1Li 3EY

Malvern Hills Trust ,s thework,ng name of Malvern Hills Conservators. Registered charily no.515804. Vat No. GB 275 8803 21 Statement in support of nomination to the role of Vice-Chair of Land Management Committee

Name: Stephen Braim

I have a keen and passionate interest in the management of the land owned by the MHT and believe that I can apply this enthusiasm by continuing as Vice-Chair of the Land Management Committee.

I have lived around the Malvern Hills since moving here in 1978, after completing my PhD in Physics from Exeter, and have lived at my current address since 1993, on the edge of MHT land. I was in full-time employment at the Defence Research Establishment in Malvern (in its various guises) until I retired in May 2015, at which time I was a senior technical consultant.

My wife and I continue to walk regularly on the Malvern Hills & Commons (virtually every day at present) and it was this frequent use that led to me becoming interested in the workings of the MHT. I was elected as one of the Colwall trustees of the MHT in Nov 2015 and re-elected in Nov 2019. I have served on the Land Management and Governance committees from 2015 to date. I also served as Vice-Chair of the Land Management Committee from Nov 2017 to the present.

I share the common perception that the MHT Board needs to focus its energies more on the management of its land, and by continuing as Vice-Chair of the LMC I will continue to assist in achieving this focus. I look forward to the finalisation and approval of the revised Land Management Plan to further this activity for the next 5 years of work.

I am a keen advocate to a "hands-on" approach to looking after MHT land. I am a very regular volunteer (Covid lockdowns willing) with the MHT conservation working group (one day every couple of weeks), am a volunteer site warden (with my wife) for the Purlieu Fields and am also one of the MHT Access Project volunteers (clearing small trees & vegetation to improve the views from memorial seats and benches, undertaking path and boundary marker surveys and cleaning MHT marker signs).

Separately, I am a volunteer Ranger for the National trust at Brockhampton, which involves land management, conservation and maintenance work.

I would expect that, by continuing as Vice-Chair of the LMC, I will be able to build on my "hands-on" expertise and use it to the benefit of the MHT, centred on the land-related challenges that lie ahead, especially in an era of reducing grants. Paper A For decision

Land Management Committee Land Management budget 2021/2022 3 December 2020

Background Papers Land Management Plan (LMP)- 5-year Finances 2016-21

Land Management budget This paper presents the draft land management budget for the next financial year April 2021-March 2022. It provides budgets relating to the General Fund and the Detra/stewardship funds only. The General Fund element of the land management budget needs to be agreed at this meeting. The full General Fund budget will be reviewed at the December 2020 FAR meeting and recommended for approval at the January 2021 Board meeting.

Expenditure in 2020/21 from other finance sources, such as the Gift Fund, will be incurred in the new Land Management Plan (LMP) period, and these are to be set as part of the LMP 2021-26 planning this autumn/winter. The Board will adopt that expenditure when the LMP is adopted in March.

The General Fund, and to a lesser extent, the Detra/stewardship funds provide finance for the regular, standard items that are ongoing, such as skip hire and materials for path repairs. These figures are based on previous years' spend plus a slight increase to reflect inflation.

It is of note that we have experienced an abnormal year and this has had knock on effects to our income and expenditure. Planning for next year, which could well be abnormal too is therefore more difficult than normal.

General Fund Any items that are non-standard, and/or which will vary significantly from previous years are highlighted here:

• Tree safety ad-hoe has been increased in expectation of increased tree works. This is in addition to the designated Tree Disease fund, which is separate.

• Skip hire at £6000 has been raised a little more than inflation in expectation of continued higher visitor numbers generating more litter.

• Replacement cut-and-collect mower - originally planned for last year, the condition of this asset is now such that it needs replacing. A new machine will cost approximately £13,000.

1 Paper A For decision

• British Camp toilets - £4,120 for the emptying of the sewage tank. This item is continuing until the new system is in place.

Defra/Stewardship Funds

The finance relating to the Defra/stewardship grants is presented in Appendix 2. The following points are of note:

• Castlemorton Common and Southern Hills Countryside Stewardship agreements are not confirmed as yet and so estimated figures are shown in italics.

• Reserves are shown (#1, #2, #3) to highlight funds available for conservation grazing schemes in the event of a delay/cancellation of the CS applications.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee approve the proposed budget and recommend its approval to the Board.

Jonathan Bills Conservation Manager

Cheryl Gentry Finance and Administration Manager

18.11.2020

2 Paper A For decision

APPENDIX 1: draft Land Management Budget and Fixed Asset purchase 2021-22

Malvern Hills Trust LM Budaet fiaures 2021/22

2021/22 2020/21 budqet budqet £ £ £ £ Contract labour Tracks and oaths 3,180 3,090 Ponds & Ditches 3,180 3,090 Fencinq - qrazinq & safety 3,200 3,120 Fencinq - other 3,200 3,120 Other 1,060 1,030 Sub-total 13,820 13,450

Drainaqe works Generic drainaqe works 1,600 1,SliS British Camp loos Li,120 Li ,000 5,720 5,545

Vehicle and eauioment expenses Diesel and fuel for power tools 8,500 8,2Li0 Servicina & maintenance 10,300 10,000 Other 2,260 2,200 Sub-total 21 ,060 20,440

Waste manaqement Skip hire 6,000 5,350 Green waste disposal 1,160 1,130 Sub-total 7,160 6,480

Hire of plant and equipment Other 1,850 1,800 Sub-total 1,850 1,800

Tree and Woodland manaaement Tree safety - contract 12,360 12,000 Tree safety - ad hoe 6,580 3,090 Tree work - other 1,060 1,030 Sub-total 20,000 16,120

Grass cuttina Colwall Green ( CPC) 1,030 1,000 Old Hills, Bush Lane & Clevelode 770 750 Hire of Robocut 1,900 1,850 Sub-total 3,700 3,600

3 Paper A For decision

Materials and tools Materials and tools 9,800 9,500 Tools> £500 1,030 1,000 10,830 10,500 Protective clothina PPE 1,100 1,080 Uniform 600 590 Sub-total 1,700 1,670

Field consultancies Tree safety consultancv 3,200 3,090 Other 1,550 1,500 4,750 4,590

Evendine Sprinq Water testinq 510 500 510 500 Conservation volunteers Conservation volunteers 1,100 1,080 1,100 1,080 Gardeninq Gardenina 2,800 2,800 2,700 2,700

Land manaqement plan 250 250 0 95,250 88,475

Fixed asset purchases Chain saws 2,000 2,000 Brush cutters 2,000 2,000 Pick up - Field Staff 21,000 Cut & Collect mower 13,000 13,000 17,000 38,000

4 Paper A For decision

APPENDIX 2: DEFRA/stewardship grants 2021-22

Malvern Hills Trust Stewardship & BPS budget 1 April 2021 - 31 March 22 ! I I HLS Chase I HLS Old Hills HLS HLS Southern ICastlemotton Southern Basic I North & I End (expire I(expires feb Castlemorton Hills Grazing Common CS Hills CS Payment 1 N/C Central CS Jan 22) 23) (expired) #1 (expired) #2 reserve #3 (estimate) (estimate) Scheme Total £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 4015 -Other grants 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,300 S,300 4020 -Stewardship annual grants 79,488 3,144 5,647 0 0 0 55,000 17,000 0 160,279 4025 -Stewardship capital grants 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,500 12,300 0 17,800 4310- Land rentals 2,279 0 0 0 0 0 300 350 0 2,929 4325 - Licences 5,500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,500 4420 - Sundry income 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4600 -Transfers from other funds 0 0 0 - - - - 0 -- 0 - 0 0 0 - 0 0 Total income 87,267 3,144 5,647 . 0 0 0 60,800 29,650 5,300 191,808 5000 - Contract labour 2,000 0 0 0 0 0 5,500 12,300 2,000 21,800 5100 - Graziers 62,400 0 1,508 0 0 0 40,000 16,000 0 119,908 5105 - Transfer to general fund -staff 0 367 660 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,027 5110 - Stewardship schemes direct cosI 2,000 2,083 500 0 0 0 5,000 1,000 0 10,583 Total expenditure 66,400 2,450 2,668 0 0 0 50,500 29,300 2,000 153,318 Surplus/(deficit) for the year 20,867 694 2,979 0 0 0 10,300 350 3,300 38,490 Reserves brought forward 65,285 350 26,370 44,581 5,781 22,987 0 0 5,784 171,138 Reserves carried forwa7d 86,152 1,044 29,349 44,581 5,781 22,987 10,300 350 9,084 209,628

NOTES: #1 #2 expired in March 2020. included here to show reserves. #3 is balance from expired HLS North & Central

5 PaperB For decision

LAND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

TITLE: Additions and amendments for the LMP 2021-2026

DATE: 3.12.2020

BACKGROUND PAPERS Land management Plan (LMP) 2016-2021 LMP2 Part 1 draft (LMP workshop 19.11.2020)

BACKGROUND

The review and revision of the LMP is well underway.

The trustee workshop held online on 19 November, collated trustee's responses to the LMP consultation results and to the draft of Part 1. Those exercises, combined with trustees' own experience, will help inform Parts 2&3, in particular, the identification of key current issues and opportunities to focus upon over the next 5 years.

This paper confirms those issues and opportunities, and proposes ways in which the LMP can address them. These will not include our 'regular' work items. such as maintaining paths, but instead pick out more specific items reflective of the times.

Additions and alterations to the LMP document are also proposed.

Once discussed, all additions and amendments can be included in draft Parts 2 and 3.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNTIES (in no particular order)

1. Global Climate Change

Global climate change was identified as a factor in the Evaluation (2.3) in 2015. Since then, however, the severity of this global threat and the need for urgent action has escalated dramatically, including local councils declaring 'states of emergency'. Some members of the public have also queried how/if MHT is helping tackle the crisis. Part 1 has already included new information on this issue.

Tackling global climate change needs a response from everyone including MHT. Hotter, stormier weather will not benefit the Hills nor their important features and special qualities. Flash-flooding and wildfires will be more commonplace. Wildlife will be under further pressure.

Strategic response: Add a new guiding principle (overall objective): To adapt to a rapidly changing world whilst maintaining Malvern ·s special character. This includes helping tackle global climate change. PaperB For decision

Practical response: (in Part 3) 0 MHT should continue to manage land in a way that locks up CO2, by carefully and extensively managing habitats and their soils. 0 Retain deadwood wherever possible as a store of CO2, especially within our woodlands. Only collect fallen/felled wood where it is a danger or nuisance. 0 Investigate and, where possible, use of electric power tools and vehicles fuelled by renewable-sourced electricity. 0 Reduce our use of fossil fuels by delivering habitat management in other ways, where possible, such as using livestock grazing and volunteers with hand tools. 0 Increase our tree cover where appropriate. To include: succession planting of avenues and orchards; to replace all trees felled for safety reasons where possible; create new/restore woodlands at Wells Road & Walmspout Coppice; to plant a new community orchard adjacent to Malvern Common; to add in-field and hedgerow trees to enclosed lands moving toward a wood pasture habitat. 0 To consider woodland creation on newly acquired land, where supportive of local landscape character and in accordance with the Malvern Hills Acts. 0 Upgrade access infrastructure to improve its ability to withstand flash­ floods and storm events.

2. Coping with tree diseases

Tree diseases are on the increase bringing early death to our trees and an increasing risk to the public. Recent work and revision of the tree safety policy mean we are largely up-to-speed on this issue.

Strategic response: Already addressed by existing principles/objectives in the LMP.

Practical response: 0 Ensure trees planted are not highly susceptible to known tree diseases. 0 Ensure planting includes a wide variety of suitable species to increase resilience to new diseases. 0 Increase species diversity into woodlands which currently have only a single or just a few species present.

3. Issues relating to Mountain Biking

In response to the increase in erosion/damage from bikes and incidents with other users MHT has been running a Mountain biking campaign from 2016 to 2019. This work has established an external working group, produced a map & guide, given many talks, marked permissive routes, added signage and overseen the dismantling of unlawful/dangerous routes.

But still the issues are present and on the rise. This very much came across in the consultation responses.

Strategic response: Already addressed. Paper B For decision

Practical response: 0 Continue with existing measures (as above). 0 Increase on-hill patrols of problem areas including with the police in order to enforce MHT byelaws and Wildlife & Countryside Act (for damage to SSSI).

Li . Conservation grazing support

Delivery of sensitive livestock grazing contributes towards many land management objectives and is the recommended form of management of the SSSis. MHT supports delivery of livestock grazing and has taken several actions of the last few years to make the activity more viable into the future. This has included installation of water troughs, securing grants to support graziers, purchase of in­ bye land and investigation into how best to secure the boundaries of 'leaky' commons.

This move toward making livestock grazing better and easier to deliver should continue via the following means.

0 Provide drinking troughs where suitable. 0 Acquire further in-bye land as appropriate. 0 Continue to investigate means by which to secure 'leaky' commons and act where appropriate. 0 Improve the access/ grazing infrastructure through addition of permanent posts and handgates where suitable. 0 Redevelop the agricultural building at Snookes Croft, Castlemorton.

5. Access improvements/ adapting to increased visitor pressure

Strategic response: Already addressed.

Practical response: 0 Increase wardening presence to guide and help the public (Business Plan). 0 Ensure every piece of MHT land has at least an identifier post to help the public know by whom it is owned and cared for. 0 Increase the number of interpretation boards to provide user information at all well-visited start points. For example, Hollybush Roughs currently has no interpretation whatsoever. 0 Close badly damaged areas to allow them to recover with restoration if necessary. 0 To close, adjust or divert routes to protect sensitive features. 0 With partners, including Natural England, draw up an Access Plan that properly assesses the carrying capacity of the estate and identifies further ways in which to protect sensitive areas and entice visitors to other less sensitive areas. 0 Research and enact other novel ways to help and educate visitors.

At the workshop, two other important topics were highlighted; 'global biodiversity crisis' and 'expanding the MHT estate'. The former is a key issue of the time and PaperB For decision the latter is a key tool for MHT to better protect the whole Malvern Hills landscape. It is considered that both are already catered for in the existing LMP texts.

Efforts to maintain, better understand, restore and increase wildlife are found throughout the document with several wildlife objectives present.

Expanding the estate is already covered in an overall objective but it is proposed to add text (turquoise) as follows:

'To maintain or expand the existing holding in order to better protect the Malvern Hills & Commons landscape.'

ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE LMP

Several changes/additions to the LMP document have been identified. These are:

1. Produce a short (Lt page) summary version of the LMP for the public and other stakeholders. This will be done in summer following the adoption of the full LMP.

2. Insert a 'special projects page'. The current LMP highlighted special projects (i.e. discreet one-off pieces of work, infrequent tasks, or those that are unusual or highly costly/complex) in orange text throughout the Work Programme (3.2).

To better aid awareness of these projects and to help others fund them, it is proposed to also include them in a special projects page to act as a kind of · shopping list'. Costs, fund and parties involved (if known) should be included.

3. To simplify the Objectives (3.1) and ensure each one has at least one straight forward key performance indicator.

Li . To better evidence the link between the practical actions on the ground with the Trust's statutory obligations.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee discuss the content and guide staff as to progressing these items in the LMP.

Jonathan Bills Conservation Manager 21.11.2020 Paper( For information Land Management Committee Project Progress update 3rd December 2020

Project Approved 2020/21 Update Status Budget Actual Cost 1 st Q 2nd Q 3rd ) t.,th Q

Restoration of access £20,000 2019 - Path resurfacing undertaken COMPLETE paths Gift Aid from Gardner's to Thirds Wood plus Grant contour path south.

Bridleway Link £2,500 ~ Expected Central section resurfaced. Part Common Southern section still to do. Delayed Complete during wet weather then Covid restrictions, now expected Autumn

Improve Access (Grant) Expected Expected Expected Main path works were completed in Part Community August. Additional surface blinding Complete Woodland to be carried out. Interpretation on order. Seating elements to be completed

Marking Boundary's £1,250 Expected Expected Volunteer surveys are carried out (General) winter months. Suspended during Covid restrictions. Possible restart in Jan

British Camp Repairs fli,000 Structural works complete. COMPLETE (General) Effectiveness being monitored

Restore Shire Ditch £3,000 Expected Expected Suspended pending evaluation of Delayed (General) BC repair technique as above.

NVC Survey £7,000 ~ ~ Project rescheduled for Spring 2021 Carry over to 2021

Invert. Survey 0,000 ~ ~ Project rescheduled for Spring 2021 Carry over to 2021

Pond Restore Gift/grant Expected Expected Expected Fencing & plastic sheeting COMPLETE Castlemorton complete. Installation. Effectiveness being monitored

Hedge laying £5,000 ~ Expected Delayed due to weather and then Delayed (Parl Fund) Covid restrictions. Rescheduled for Winter 2020

Manor House £5,000 ~ ~ Expected To be recommenced following Covid Ongoing (Parl Fund) delays Revised costings and plans in progress

Manor House Works £50,000 ~ EMf:jeetee Dependant on above -now to be Carry over to (Porl Fund) split into two phases. Expected now 2021 spring summer 2021

Lower Shed Review ~ ~ Expected To be recommenced following Covid Ongoing delays. Revised specifications under development with architect in Dec/ Jon Paper( For information Donkey Shed TBC ~ ~ Updated cost estimates and Delayed Restoration funding being sought. Expected now spring summer 2021 .

BC sewage system TBC Est ~ ~ Options being revisited and tender Ongoing £40-S0K now anticipated Jan 2021 . Access track costs updated. Project delayed to F/Y 2021 /22

Implement Building B,000 Expected Expected Electrical, Fire and Gas certificates Ongoing Maint. Sched all updated.

Repairs to Old Hills £4,500 (Parl Works completed COMPLETE South C P Fund)

Repairs to B.C. path £2,600 Patch filling to tarmac path to COMPLETE complete

Repainting lines £1,000 Expected Expected Dependant on Car Pork repairs/ Ongoing (Porl) winter wear.

Update Interp £15,000 ~ ~ Expected Expected Blackhill complete. Gardner's Port Boards p/o (Gift complete and installed. Eornslaw to Complete Fund) do. Update location £7,000 ~ ~ Expected Expected West of England (underway) and Ongoing signage Swinyord. Recommenced Update Car Pork B,000 ~ ~ Expected Expected West of England (underway) and Ongoing signoge Swinyord. Recommenced

Update sign St Ann's £400 ~ Expected Roof sign replaced. Cabinet signs to Ongoing well do. Recommenced. Replace Access Signs £2,S00 ~ Recommenced Ongoing

Field Staff Pickup 18,500 E,t13eeteel Replacement received W/B 1 ]lh COMPLETE (General) Sept. New cut and collect £13,000 ~ Now to be spring/summer 2021 Corry over to machine 2021 Power tools £4,000 Expected Expected Replacement chainsaws/ brush Complete cutters.

Report date: 20th November 2020