Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor George Crane (London Borough of Brent) and Councillor John Hart (London Borough of Barnet with Councillor Helene Richman attending as a substitute member).

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

None.

By prior arrangement with the Chair, persons who are not members of the Committee may attend to address the Committee on a particular issue or item. Any members of the public wishing to address the committee should submit their request at least 3 days in advance of the meeting to the contact officer named on the agenda. The request will then be passed to the Chair for consideration.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 28 July 2021 as a correct record.

AGREED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 28 July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

·                DEFRA response from Rebecca Pow MP, regarding trash screens issue.

The following issues were raised under Matters Arising from the minutes of the previous meeting:

Min 12. Any Other Business – Welsh Harp Management Plan trash screen clearance and repairs

The Committee noted the response provided by Rebecca Pow MP (as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) regarding repair and maintenance of the two trash screens situated at the entrance to the Reservoir.

Whilst Members queried reference within the response to the screens being cleared of debris on a weekly basis, it was noted that more regular clearance was now being undertaken which was welcomed by the Committee.

The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee comprises British Waterways, Brent Council, Welsh Harp Conservation Group, Welsh Harp Sailing Association and Barnet Council. The committee is a consultative committee and meets on a quarterly basis. The committee is invited to note and make comments on the on-going site management issues identified within the report during this quarter.

Matthew Gunyon (Greenspaces Manager, Barnet Council) introduced the report providing an update relating to on-going site management issues affecting Welsh Harp Reservoir.

The Committee noted the updates provided in relation to the following issues:

·                    The continued work being undertaken with Barnet Community Safety Team, the Police and other local partners to identify and remove illegal encampments.

·                    The work being undertaken to address concerns relating to illegal fishing, on which further detail was due to be provided as part of the update from Brent. This had involved the installation of additional signage as well as use of ParkGuard to undertake patrols, engage with anglers to provide advice and, where required, report any incidents of illegal fishing to the Environment Agency.

·                    The parks patrol pilot, which ParkGuard had been commissioned to provide during summer 2021 at key hotspot locations, including Welsh Harp.  Although the pilot had ended Barnet were now undertaking a review to consider the options available to provide a similar service in future, subject to funding being available.

·                    The ongoing work being undertaken to develop the West Hendon Playing Fields Master Plan, following the outline business case and capital funding having been approved.  This work involved the formation of a Programme Board and Project Team in order to develop the design and submit a planning application, on which progress updates would continue to be provided for the Committee.

Questions and comments were then invited on the update, with the following issues raised:

·               In response to a request for further clarification, confirmation was provided that the parks patrol pilot which ParkGuard had been commissioned to provide had now ended.  The pilot had been operational over the summer months and was felt to have been a success with Barnet Council therefore reviewing the outcomes and considering options (subject to the necessary funding being available) to commission a similar service in the future.

·               The need was identified to amend reference within future reports to the Committee from British Waterways to the Canal and River Trust and to ensure the membership list was kept updated.

·               Whilst noting the concerns which had been expressed in relation to illegal fishing on the reservoir support was highlighted for fishing, although it was recognised this would need to be subject to tight control given the concerns, raised by other members of the Committee in relation to the damage being caused and behaviour of those fishing illegally, particularly towards other users of the Reservoir.  The Committee recognised this would not apply to those fishing responsibly and within the rules relating to permits but felt action was required to address the nuisance and harm being caused by those who continued to fish illegally.

As no further issues were raised it was AGREED to note the Management Update from Barnet.

This report presents progress on the Brent Reservoir / Welsh Harp Management Plan since the last meeting of the Committee and during the 2020/21 year to date.  

The Management Plan is jointly managed by the three main land-holding organisations: Brent Council, the London Borough of Barnet, and the Canal & River Trust.

Leslie Williams (Project Officer, Brent Council) presented a report outlining progress on the Brent Reservoir / Welsh Harp Management Plan since the last meeting of the Committee and during the 2020/21 year to date. The Management Plan was jointly managed by the three main land-holding organisations: Brent Council, the London Borough of Barnet, and the Canal & River Trust.

The Committee noted the current progress in relation to the Management Action Plan, as had been detailed within Appendix A of the report, with further updates provided in relation to the following items:

·                 Marshland conservation work had recommenced in late September 21 (after the bird breeding season) focussed on the southern Neasden Recreation Ground side of the reservoir.  This had been on Canal and River Trust land at the marshland edge of the reservoir and Brent Council land within the Recreation Ground.  The work had been conducted by volunteers of the Welsh Harp Sailing Association with consent from Natural England and had involved the reduction of shade from scrub and from coppiced trees but with less frequent species retained.  Works had, however, now been temporarily suspended in view of concerns expressed by users of the Recreation Ground regarding the potential impact on biodiversity in the area with further discussions underway in order to clarify the objectives of the work being undertaken.  These had been aimed at improving the balance of habitats within the area, reducing the wind shadow across the reservoir for water sports and enhancing the landscape and amenity in terms of views across the Reservoir.

·                 In relation to litter removal, the Committee were updated that work was ongoing around the Welsh Harp to combat littering and fly tipping, which had been aided by volunteers and the Canal and River Trust.  This had included clearance of a large number of fly tipped tyres.

·               In terms of illegal fishing, the Committee noted the update regarding the current restrictions, measure available, risks and actions being taken to address the concerns expressed, particularly in relation to illegal night time fishing.  It was noted that as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) fishing was identified by Natural England as an activity that could potentially damage the special interest of the site and as such this was an operation requiring Natural England’s consent to take place at the reservoir.  In this respect fishing was taken to mean ‘freshwater fishery production and/or management, including sporting fishing and angling’.  Natural England had not therefore consented to fishing at the SSSI with the Canal & River Trust, as landowners, also not permitting it on the reservoir.  In terms of enforcement action and powers, the Committee noted that it was the Canal & River Trust, as landowners, who had primary responsibility for the management of the reservoir with them having confirmed their support for any action taken to address the issue working with their Fisheries Team.  Where fishing was taking place from Council land (not necessarily on the boundary with the water), Brent and Barnet would be able to consider other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a verbal update on the Welsh Harp ‘Vision’ project that involves Brent and Barnet Councils, the Canal and River Trust; the London Wildlife Trust, Greater London Authority and Thames 21.

Neil Earnshaw (Canal and River Trust) was then invited to provide the Joint Consultative Committee with an update on the Welsh Harp “Vision” project which involved both Brent & Barnet Councils, the Trust, London Wildlife Trust, Thames 21, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Natural England and had been established to develop an overarching vision for the Welsh Harp and review of the Management Plan.  As Members had been informed at the previous meeting, it was reported that DK-CM had been appointed as the lead consultant on the project and to undertake the detailed engagement process.

In terms of the key stages in the project the initial phase had involved undertaking a baseline assessment in order to develop a strategic focus and understand the environmental and social features of the Welsh Harp.  The engagement process on the baseline assessment had closed at the end of October, and work was now underway to capture the responses as part of that stakeholder engagement with over 150 responses having been received as part of this process.  Key themes already identified had included the need to establish a balance between leisure and recreation, as well as ensuring that nature and biodiversity across the Reservoir area was able to thrive. Members were advised that a final version of the report and assessment was due to be made available towards the end of 2021.

Looking forward members were advised that additional funding was now in the process of being secured for various restoration and regeneration works with a focus also on using the vision and baseline assessment to support the development of wider partnership opportunities and funding bids, which would comprise of a mix of shorter and longer term targets for the Reservoir and on which an exhibition was also being planned.

Questions and comments were then invited on the update, with the following issues raised:

·               Details were sought on the stakeholders approached as part of the baseline assessment engagement and consultation process and whether this had included the Welsh Harp Sailing Association (WHSA).  In response Neil Earnshaw advised that whilst the engagement process had been focussed on those groups identified as being underrepresented in terms of the Welsh Harp area the consultation process had also included all organisations listed as members of the Joint Consultative Committee.  This included WHSA but further checks would be undertaken and contact details updated for future reference.

With no further issues raised, the Committee thanked Neil Earnshaw for the update provided and AGREED that further progress updates should continue to be provided on development of the vision.

To note the following dates for future meetings of the Joint Consultative Committee:

·                Thursday 10 March 2022 at 7pm- to be held as an online meeting

The dates for future meetings of the Committee were noted, as follows:

·        Thursday 10 March 2022 at 7pm (hosted by Brent) – to be held as an online meeting

No business other than that appearing on the agenda shall be transacted at the meeting unless the Chair decides that it is urgent. Any member of the committee wishing to raise an item of urgent business should provide sufficient notice to permit consideration by the Chair.

10.1    Pedestrian Bridge development – Hendon waterside regeneration programme (north marsh)

Concerns were highlighted regarding the plans being developed to proceed with construction of a footbridge by Barrett Homes across the north marsh of the Welsh Harp given its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and impact on the existing habitat in the area.  Whilst it was noted that planning permission had been granted by Barnet Council in 2018 with conditional approval by Natural England, this had been subject to a number of objections raised including from the London Wildlife Trust and Canal and River Trust.  Whilst the conditions imposed had included a range of measures Barrett would be required to comply with in terms of habitat provision, significant concerns remained relating to the impact on the surrounding marshland as an SSSI.  Although recognising that planning permission had been granted, members were keen to explore what other options were available to express their concerns and highlight support for further consideration being given to the relocation of the bridge further north as a means of avoiding any damage to the SSSI.

As a result of the concerns expressed it was AGREED that Councillors Clarke and Richman (in consultation with representatives from the Welsh Harp Conservation Group) should write to Barnet’s planning department in order to highlight the Joint Consultative Committee’s ongoing concerns regarding the location of the bridge and asking for consideration to be given to its relocation to an alternative position further north of the marshland in order to protect and prevent damage to the SSSI in the Welsh Harp Reservoir

The meeting closed at 8.27 pm

Councillor Vincent Lo

Chair

None.