Enc. 1M BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY EASTERN AREA ADVISORY FORUM Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2006 at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny Present Cllr Mrs K Silk (Chairman) Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Cllr A Breeze Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Cllr A Carrington Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Mr P Seaman Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Mrs M Taylor Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Mrs J Charlton Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Mr S France Cambrian Caving Council Mr F Cook Brecon Beacons Park Society Ms J Cox Ramblers’ Association Cllr P Games Crickhowell Town Council Mr B Burson AHOEC Mr M Morgan Menter y Busnes Cllr A Williams Llanover Community Council Cllr J Prosser Abergavenny Town Council Cllr A Fryer Llangattock Community Council Ms A Oakley Brecon Beacons National Park Mr M Scruby Brecon Beacons National Park Mr C Williams Brecon Beacons National Park Mr M Williams Brecon Beacons National Park Mrs J Gruffydd Brecon Beacons National Park 1. Welcome and Introductions The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting and announced that under delegated powers she and the Chief Executive had approved the membership to the forum of the Friends of the Earth, represented by Laurie Jones, who had attended the last meeting as a substitute for Cllr J Prosser. Mr Jones was not present today but his membership was noted. The Chairman also welcomed Matthew Williams, newly appointed Rural Practice Surveyor with the Authority. Mr Williams outlined his role which would be to manage the assets of the Authority, both land and buildings. He would also be dealing with Tree Preservation Orders, planning consultations, agricultural appraisals and working closely with wardens on the ground. 2. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllr J Morris (BBNPA), Mr C Gledhill (BBNP) and Mr C Passmore (NFU Cymru). CEO\Area Advisory Forums\East\EAAF minutes Feb06.doc 1 Enc. 1M 3. Minutes of last meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2005 were received. Mrs M Taylor advised that she had given her apologies for this meeting but they were not noted. With this amendment the minutes were agreed to be a true record. 4. Matters Arising Litter: Mr Cook reported that since the last meeting the Park Society had been working with the National Park Authority to organise a litter project in primary schools in and around the National Park. This was linked to the National Curriculum, and members were asked to promote the project if they had the opportunity. He invited Ms Oakley to attend the next Park Society Meeting on 1st March 2006, reiterating his invitation referred to at the top of Page 3 in the minutes. 5. National Park Corporate Issues (a) Corporate Objectives 2006-09 The objectives were received by the Forum, and Ms Oakley reminded members that these were reviewed each year and linked to budget. She advised that the settlement this year was very low. (b) Draft Whole Authority Analysis Action Plan 2006/07 Members were asked to indicate any additional risks for the Authority, and to contact Ms Oakley if they had any further comments. Cllr Prosser raised the issue of bird flu, and whether this was a risk for the Authority. Ms Oakley advised that this had been discussed recently in a Powys Management Team meeting which comprised Chief Executives of public bodies locally. The Emergency Planning Officer had outlined plans, and while it was not an Authority responsibility they would of course be working closely with local government in the event of an outbreak. She would add this to the action plan. Mr Burson raised the issue of fire proof safes for storage of documents, and was advised that while essential legal documents were stored safely, the Authority did not have the resources for fire proof storage of financial records for the last 7 years, as required to do. However, fire prevention systems and risk assessments were in place. In answer to a query from Ms Cox, Ms Oakley advised that some documents were now microfiched, but that ideally a document management system was needed, but this would cost in the region of £40,000. Mrs Charlton noted the importance of off site storage, and was pleased to hear that the Authority had a computer back up system off site. 6. Area Action Plan Mr Scruby recirculated the action plan update from the last meeting as an aide memoire for members. Work had broadly been divided into three areas: CEO\Area Advisory Forums\East\EAAF minutes Feb06.doc 2 Enc. 1M Cross Border initiative Progress on identifying and implementing routes for disabled access, with Alan Edwards, a member of the Hereford LAF, who had given invaluable advice and tried out all routes. Information boards were still in the process of being erected at key access points, some with a touch screen to access the BBNP and CCW websites, although this had not been without its problems, and was expensive (£13,000 per unit). Leaflets to be out by the end of February Offa’s Dyke Path – new sensors for counting walkers (which could be adjusted to discount sheep) (Action: Bob Burson to estimate how many people a month connected to Longtown Outdoor Centre used the Black Hill picnic point for access to the Black Mountains). Vehicle counters were in operation at some sites, and these initiatives were proving very useful for planning future work. Qualitative Visitor Survey – 600 individuals and groups targeted, and a draft report was due at the end of this week Bracken control – members noted the possible dangers from chemicals being retained in the water system Controlled heather burning – 8-9 patches completed on 10 February World Heritage Site Valuable partnership working continuing with Torfaen County Borough Council – members noted the excellent work done by the WHS Warden. Joint initiatives with the Police and Torfaen on illegal off road use. Members advised that illegal users were parking on the Blaenavon side and also in Abergavenny town before accessing the hills Work on Keeper’s Pond to improve access onto the Blorenge Junior ranger scheme with Blaenavon WHS – European initiative Work on the old railway line, Govilon – mainly repointing work and removal of vegetation on the bridges Llangorse Work being carried out on the south side of the lake on meadows either owned by the Authority or in management agreements – opening up willow scrub areas Work on the Crannog, putting in a rock bund to protect against wave damage Priorities for 2006/07 Skirrid Car Park – costings being sought by the end of March – this was a high priority (supported by Bob Burson who advised of the difficulties for minibus parking and potential danger to school children using the site). Local Community Council attended site visit recently WHS Warden – jointly funded by NPA, Torfaen and Monmouthshire County Council. Govilon Line bridge structures – several bridges and a viaduct that needed ongoing repair and maintenance - £30 – 40,000 needed to complete the work. Sustrans resurfacing – some match funding needed by Sustrans to carry out work on the Llanfoist to Brynmawr Cycle Route NCR 46 CEO\Area Advisory Forums\East\EAAF minutes Feb06.doc 3 Enc. 1M Llangasty - grazing agreements in support of Corporate Objective 1 – making Authority owned site exemplars of sustainable best practice Hatterrall Ridge erosion control – mainly staff time Large PROW Bridge Structures Ms Cox asked for an update on Old Castle Bridge but Mr Scruby informed her that Monmouthshire had allocated funding but needed match funding from Herefordshire County Council, which had not been forthcoming. She also asked whether any work was planned at Clydach Ironworks and Mr Scruby advised that Monmouthshire County Council were doing some vegetation clearance and stabilisation work. Ms Oakley reported that the Authority’s settlement this year from the Assembly had been less than 2% which did not even cover inflation. The Authority had set its core budget and was now trying to find efficiency savings in its operational costs to fund work on the ground. It would appreciate any feedback from Forum members on what they saw as the priorities, not only for this year, but for the next three years. Mr Fryer asked about Llangattock Hillside car park in terms of making it more visible from the road to lessen the car crime risk. Mr Scruby would consult the Area Manager for the Central Area and come back to Mr Fryer. Action: Mike Scruby 7. Events Mr Scruby advised that no applications had been received for large events but to the best of his knowledge the usual events would be taking place – the Black Mountains roundabout, and the Big Blacks Mountain Challenge in aid of Mountain Rescue. An orienteering events was due to take place in 2007 involving routes on Pwll Du and the Blorenge, but the graziers should have been informed directly about this. Clive Williams advised that the Three Peaks walk might encounter problems this year with the various rights of way closures due to the work on the Heads of the Valley dualling, but the organisers had been notified of these. 8. Transco Pipeline Ms Oakley reported that officers were continuing to work closely with Transco, the DTI and CCW and maintained their opposition to the scheme. On 10 February the Authority had resolved not to accept the enhanced payment offered to them as landowners if they agreed to land easements. No route had yet been confirmed, and no planning application received. Several members raised the issue of noise pollution and referred to the pumping station and lorry access on Llangattock Hillside. It was noted that this had also been raised at the Authority meeting and that the Ecologist was looking into this.