The Heritage Lottery Fund Partnership (HLFP) Approved minutes of a meeting held on 30th September 2013

1. Attendees Mark Stephens & Richard Rutter, Canal & River Trust Rob Dean, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (Chair & minute), Fleur De Rhe-Philipe, Wiltshire Council Ken Oliver, Wiltshire Council Mark Minkley, Bath & North East Somerset Council Paul Hendry, West Council

Agreed. 2. Minutes of meeting held on 25th June 2013

Richard Rutter presented an updated version of the report that has been distributed 3. Final version of in June. The Partnership agreed this was now final subject to inclusion of a line CRT Annual report giving the total volunteer hours achieved. on the K&A Action:  Richard Rutter to issue in final version for circulation by LA members within their authorities.  Rob Dean to draft a covering note encouraging LA members to engage with the Partnership and CRT

The Partnership agreed that the report will now be produced annually with a draft offered each spring.

Paul Hendry noted that West Berks had now released the funds covering its contribution for the year.

Mark Stephens briefed on plans for extensive winter works especially at the eastern end of the waterway. Repairs were planned at Fobney, , Woolhampton, and Bulls locks. There would be extensive Bank protection works at Great Bedwyn.

Ken Oliver commented on the poor state of visitor moorings at Pewsey and asked for confirmation that the visitor mooring at Bradford on Avon would be extended as promised. Action: Mark Stephens

Mark Minkley raised the issue of poor towpath surfaces and asked about lighting on towpaths in busy areas. Richard Rutter agreed to forward a CRT policy document on towpath standards.

Mark Stephens briefed on proposed workshops to be held to discuss the strategic plan being developed by the Local Waterways Partnership. Fleur De Rhe-Philipe advised CRT to ensure Local Area Boards were kept engaged in plans.

Ken Oliver and Fleur De Rhe-Philipe confirmed that Wiltshire was content to 4. Local Authority proceed with the extended agreement. responses to proposals for Mark Minkley confirmed that BaNES would also agree to an extension but weren’t entirely happy with the RPI uplift built into contracts.

extending funding Paul Hendry said that, although West Berks preferred to maintain its current agreed agreements funding profile, it would adopt the proposed model preferred by the other two authorities.

Mark Minkley noted the need to develop a narrative explaining how the canal would be become self-sustaining in the future. This would need to focus on development of the Local Waterways Partnership which should probably supplant the HLF Partnership in due course.

The Partnership agreed:  Richard Rutter to issue contract variations to all three LAs by end November  Mark Stephens to issue annual invoices by mid-October

5. Any other Paul Hendry briefed: Business  On the West Berks Local Access Forum which was a statutory (but unfunded) group. The group was trying to develop a plan to create a route from Newbury Racecourse to the canal. There was s.106 money available in connection with the racecourse development but this was already committed.  On the Countryside Service in West Berks moving care of a number of sites to the Wildlife Trust on a 50 year lease. For example: the Reed Beds and Common.

Mark Minkley briefed:  That a project officer was to be appointed for a HLF bid for BaNES landscape partnership  Planners had been appointed to look at the central Bath riverside quarter.

6. Date of Next 11th December 2013 at CRT offices, Devizes Meeting (meeting subsequently cancelled by common assent)