South Downs Land Management Group

M I N U T E S

of an Executive Committee Meetingheld on Tuesday 30th April, 2013

at

The Dover Barn, Polingat 6.00 p.m.

EC Members Present: EC Members’ Apologies:

Mike Tristram (MT) William Wolmer (WWo)James Cooper (JC) James Youatt (JY)David Taylor (DT) Simon Ward (SW)Nigel Clutton (NC) David AshcroftAndrew Thomas (AT) Jonny MorrisChristopher Passmore (CP) Remony MoserSabrina Harcourt-Smith (SH-S)

Gwenda Teear (GT)

Ex officio Members: Ex officio Members’ Apologies:

John Archer (JA) William WhiteRobin Edwards (RE) Tim BroomheadMegan Cameron (MC) Tim Brock

1. Apologies and Welcome

MT welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming. In particular, he welcomed RE and MC as this was their first EC meeting. The apologies were noted.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 th October 2012.

Any matters will be dealt with later in these Minutes.

3. Liaison Meeting - Matters Arising

MT had earlier circulated the draft Minutes following the meeting on 12 th April. JC made the point that the NPA do need to look at things from the farmers’\ landowners’ perspective, who we are working on behalf of.

(a) Sustainable Communities Fund

The NPA need to improve the marketing of this fund. Andrew Lee (AL) will liaise with NFU\CLA\SDLMG regarding this. The scheme is due to finish at the end of 2013. The requirements will need to be altered, subject to planning. A new funding scheme should be on a better footing. AL will be looking into

a scheme that can be specifically for farmers. Farmers are reluctant to do land based enhancement works as they still have to fund 50% of the work.

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South Downs Land Management Group(b) CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy)

It was felt that agricultural buildings should be exempt from this levy. SDLMG need to pursue this issue with the NPA. Agreed that JY should speak to Tim Slaney to see how to progress this matter before the next Liaison Meeting on 27th June. The CLA are already involved in dialogue on this issue.

ACTION : JY

CIL will be charged at the time of development. The NPA want to keep all monies within the National Park, but the County Councils will need the money for schools etc. It was felt that straight barn conversions should not trigger the levy. Some issues regarding CIL are national and will need to be dealt with uniformly. What are other National Parks doing? Chichester District Council are spending some of their CIL receipts in the National Park area. RE will send MT briefing notes on this before the meeting on 27th June.

ACTION : RE

(c) Procurement and NIA

It was felt that the NPA idea of one contractor for each part of the Park was for ease of administration. SDLMG have opposed this, which has now been agreed in principle. However, the NPA are still not promoting that farmers and land managers can undertake work, rather than specified contractors. However, the NIA scheme will end before any changes are implemented. SDLMG are trying to change the instincts within the NPA, as early schemes have not achieved what they should have done. We would like to be involved in the implementation of future schemes to get it right. We have and want to continue to have good relations with the NPA but we need to get our point across on behalf of our members and the wider community.

The problems with procurement and the SCF were highlighted in our Winter Newsletter. Perhaps members should be encouraged to write to the NPA to express their wishes?

It was felt that the NPA will want a framework for any new scheme in the future.

(d) Workshops and Sustainable Farming

Following the recent workshops held by the NPA, a Delivery Framework is being drafted. Under Policy 21, SDLMG felt that this should be amended to specifically include “farm infrastructure development” not just diversification. It was also agreed that a better definition of the word “sustainable” should be agreed between the NPA and SDLMG. Policy 21 also needs to include wording such as “encourage more sustainable food production”. Land management rather than just farming needs to be incorporated for the future, and land should be able to be managed to whatever is beneficial at that time. Forestry will be dealt with as a separate issue. Christopher Fairbrother had prepared a paper on Sustainable Farming, but this was his view and not that of the NPA. However, it could be seen as a start for consideration for the future.

AT expressed his disappointment that the NPA are not setting an example on day-to-day issues e.g. planning and development issues of farms being split up and sold for profit. The NPA do not seem to be addressing this. They also do not appear to be dealing with equestrian and livery issues. In the Lake District for example, grazing sheep help to support local abattoirs which helps

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South Downs Land Management Groupto drive the local economy. Farmers do not want to be pinned down on what they can and cannot do. It was felt that the report was too long, and farming today is not sustainable, and why is farming always singled out? Sustainable farming will form part of the Management Plan, but farmers and landowners cannot be tied to something they cannot deliver. Farming is not sustainable if you cannot make a living out of it.

The definition of sustainable farming is an issue for the Government and DEFRA to decide, so that it is the same for all. The existing DEFRA definition is old and needs to be brought up-to-date. The definition will need to be more business orientated, and change with the times.

It was not known what effect or influence this will have on planning issues.

It was felt that SDLMG should have their own, one line definition of sustainable land management. NC agreed to draft a clause to counter the NPA if it proved necessary. ACTION : NC

4. Management Plan and Partnership

(a) Blue Sail Report

There has been no response from the NPA of the broader issues raised in the Blue Sail Report. They may or may not be employing an agricultural advisor. Two other National Parks recognise the lack of agricultural expertise. John Geoghegan will find out the job description of the one employed at Snowdonia National Park. Concern was expressed that Tom Tupper has not been replaced on the NPA board with another farmer. His successor is a landscape architect called Ian Phillips, who has written a book on green infrastructure. His understanding of farming will be limited. The NPA need to have their own personnel, but with knowledge. MT will extract the relevant part from the Blue Sail report and send it as a separate note to AL.

ACTION : MT

(b) Planning in National Park

A lot of good intention has been expressed at meetings, but little information is available. Details of problems with planning policy or process be sent to MT and JY. Planning policies should not refuse purpose-neutral developments bringing socio-economic development within the Park. ACTION : ALL

(c) Dog Walkers

Professional dog walkers should have Public Liability insurance and a possible licence scheme will be investigated by AL.

(d) Renewables and Solar Barns

It was felt the NPA should consider making solar panels on unlisted farm buildings free of planning permission. JY to discuss with Tim Slaney. Panels up to a certain size to be discussed, along with the impact and effect on the neighbourhood. ACTION : JY

5. National Character Assessment

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South Downs Land Management GroupThis has been circulated by MT. He had made some changes on behalf of SDLMG. The Assessment has now been launched.

6. AGM & General Meeting – 19 th June 2013

Items for AGM Agenda

- Chairman’s Report- Treasurer’s Report- Re-election of Officers- Defer name change to “South Downs Land Managers’ Association”

MT has yet to receive a response from AL on their input to our General Meeting in respect of the Management Plan. We cannot therefore start to plan the General Meeting yet. Ideas for the General Meeting include:-

- Chalara and tree management (Andy Beattie) – but possibly save for November meeting

- Access – Glyn Jones- Update on Planning – Tim Slaney- Management Plan

10-15 minutes from each speaker would be adequate with questions and answers afterwards.

The Invite needs to be sent to John Geoghegan and he can extend it to other NPA members. It will also be sent personally to Margaret Paren and Trevor Beattie and all the Strategy Leads, together with Andrew Lee and Pete Currell.

ACTION : MT\GT

RE confirmed that the FC have a course at Goodwood in June which could clash with our date. He will let us know. ACTION : RE

Possible titles for the General Meeting include “Park Life”. It will need to enthuse and engage the membership to attend. The Invite should have a note from the Chairman to encourage members to attend. ACTION : MT\GT

NC made the point that Robin Page is a good speaker and attendance at Game Conservancy meetings he is speaking at is generally very good. He has an irreverent approach to the countryside. MT\WWo to consider RP as a possible keynote speaker for the Autumn meeting. ACTION : MT\WWo

Other possibilities for the November meeting include:-

- Peter Simpson – where funding is going- Schmallenberg overview - ?ask NFU or vet to give an overview and to give a

farming focus (to include other diseases), and encourage the NPA to be more sympathetic towards farmers

- Access- Management Plan – depending upon progress at the time- Planning up-date- Chalara and tree management

JA will speak to William White about a possible candidate for the Schmallenberg\disease overview. ACTION : JA

We should also canvass the membership on what they would like to see at the November meeting.

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South Downs Land Management Group

Venues for 2014

All agreed that Boxgrove Village Hall is an ideal location for the November meetings. However, it was felt that an alternative venue for our AGM and Summer meeting should be investigated. GT will liaise with WWo. ACTION : GT

7. Up-dates by Lead

(a) Newsletter

AT has circulated the Winter Newsletter. It is proposed to produce 2 per year, in a similar format. Longer articles could have a link to the website.

(b) Membership Up-date

GT confirmed the membership remains steady at approximately 240 members. There are still quite a few members to pay their annual subscription, and she will chase some of the more prominent ones. Of the members that have not paid, none have asked for their details be removed from our records. ACTION : GT

(c) Contractors’ List

GT to send to MT. ACTION : GT

(d) Access

DT had a meeting with Alison Tingley and Tim Squire in January. There has been no contact since. DT does not feel he should chase them. He does not feel that the Access Forum makes any meaningful decisions and he is not clear what our role should be, as the meetings take the form of presentations and\or discussions. Liaison with Strategy Leads in the NPA should be constant to keep on top of everything. The January meeting discussions included gate problems with ones that do not work efficiently and dog walkers and their code of practice.

(e) Cultural Heritage

SW had previously circulated the up-to-date status and this is on the website.

(f) Education

Nothing to report.

(g) Rural Economy

MT recently attended a meeting with Alison Tingley. Details of this meeting to be sent to JC. ACTION : MT

(h) Farming and Bio-diversity

It was felt that being the Lead for this, together with the Secretary role may be too large for one person, and MT will speak to WWo to see if he would like to delegate the Farming and Bio-diversity role to someone else. Possible

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South Downs Land Management Groupcandidates could be Keith Langmead or Tom Tupper. WWo’s decision is crucial to this. ACTION : MT

Tom Tupper’s resignation from the NPA is a great loss. The NPA personnel need to know what farming is all about. DEFRA, on behalf of the Secretary of State would have interviewed and appointed Tom’s replacement and the NPA were not involved. We need to engage with the NPA and discuss a programme for farm visits by NPA staff and explore the possibility of NPA having a paid internal advisor to staff and members on farming.

8. Partner Organisations (CLA\NFU) – Up-dates

(a) NFU

CAP reforms – agri-enviro schemes – the form and content of future schemes is not known.

The NFU is working with the Environment Agency to improve river maintenance to help curb flooding.

(b) CLA

The CLA are holding roadshows on 23rd May regarding the CAP reforms. It will be held in Sussex in the afternoon and Hampshire in the evening.

Southern Water will soon be publishing their updated draft Water Resources Management Plan. They will be holding a series of Workshops, which will be county based and the one for Sussex will be held on 6th June at Gatwick.

DEFRA are looking at water abstraction reform to make it more sustainable for farmers and growers, and the mechanics for transferring necessary licences.

9. Executive Committee

MT confirmed that a number of suggestions had been sent to him regarding a Forestry candidate to stand on the EC. The candidate will need to have the right knowledge and be capable of liaising effectively with the NPA. MT will review the suggestions. ACTION : MT

10. Any Other Business

(a) South of England Show

GT will ask Jenny Passmore and Derek Cleaver (Lancing College) if they would be willing to distribute SDLMG leaflets again this year. She will also give some to NC who will pass to NFU and CLA stands. ACTION : GT

(b) Water Pollution in South Downs

JA brought the attached Press Release to everyone’s attention.

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South Downs Land Management Group

MT closed the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

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