Agenda item

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.  The project had been established to develop an overarching vision for the Welsh Harp and review of the Management Plan.  It was reported that DK-CM had been appointed as the lead consultant on the project and to lead on the detailed engagement process.

The Committee was advised that the initial phase of the project would involve the development of a strategic focus involving a baselining exercise to understand the environmental and social features of the Welsh Harp, which had been underway for two to three weeks. This baselining phase was expected to last until mid-August, prior to a more detailed engagement programme aimed at reaching out to a range of different organisations and local interest groups, including all members of the Joint Consultative Committee.  The committee was advised this would be a citizen led approach, to give a strong voice to those already engaged and knowledgeable around the reservoir and Welsh Harp, with the intention of building a social and ecological portrait of the area and responding to the need for improved mapping and updating of biological records. 

In terms of stakeholder engagement, the Committee was advised this would consist of a series of online and in person events designed to engage stakeholders, members of the public as well as previously hard to reach groups such as young people.  The aim of the project would then be to produce a joint vision for the Welsh Harp, which it was planned to publish in November.  This would then form the basis of supporting further partnership funding bids relating to ongoing management of the reservoir and the local environment.  In terms of funding already secured, this included the Peoples Postcode Lottery (to support wetlands restoration work), as well as commitments from Natural England, both Barnet and Brent Councils. the Wildlife Trusts, GLA and Thames 21 in order to work collectively to ensure that all objectives were aligned to ensure the best outcome for the Welsh Harp as a site of specific scientific interest

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

In response to a request for further details on the baseline assessment being undertaken, Neil Earnshaw advised that whilst the aim was to include a full ecological appraisal this was initially being based, due to the need to manage costs, on the use of existing knowledge and subsequent verification by ecologists.  Support for the project was also expressed by Thames 21 at the meeting with the Committee endorsing the approach outlined and inclusion of key deliverables as part of the final vision.

The suggestion was also made regarding use of volunteer ranger posts to support the engagement process.  Member organisations were also keen to ensure that ways in which it may be possible to secure the sustainable long-term future of the Education Centre was included for consideration as part of the project.

Given the importance of the project, the Committee AGREED that progress updates should continue to be provided along with details on the final outcome in terms of the vision developed once complete.