Agenda item
Management Plan (Brent)
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.
Minutes:
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 enforcement options with powers also available to the Environment Agency. Given the SSSI status of the Reservoir, members were advised this included a duty to enforce the statutory close season for coarse fishing from 15th March to 15th June inclusive. Outside of that time period the Environment Agency would check anglers present for rod licence compliance, although having no legislative power to enforce unauthorised angling by rod and line.
The Committee noted that as a result of concerns raised, the Environment Agency had visited Welsh Harp on the Spring Public Holiday at the end of May 2021 where they had encountered fishing on the reservoir, in both the geographic areas of Barnet; and Brent. Those fishing had been issued with offence tickets which would usually result in either a formal warning or in more serious cases prosecution. It was confirmed that the Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers included the Brent Reservoir in their normal routine patrols, with the most recent visit in November 21, although the challenges in preventing such activity were highlighted given the location of the reservoir and population of fish, including carp. The Committee were advised of the Environment Agency national hotline for reporting of environmental incidents, including illegal fishing - 0800 80 70 60. In terms of the powers available to each Council, whilst not possible to issue offence notices for fishing, the use of site notices had been reviewed and updated with ParkGuard having also undertaken patrols during the parks pilot in summer 21 in order to engage and where necessary report issues to the Environment Agency.
· The progress on the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, on which the Committee would continue to be kept updated.
Questions and comments were then invited on the update, with the following issues raised:
· All those involved in the removal and clearance of the fly tipped tyres from the Reservoir were thanked for their efforts with further details sought on any investigations being undertaken to identify those responsible. In response Neil Earnshaw thanked all volunteers who had been involved in the clearance work for their assistance which had been undertaken in partnership with Brent Council and the Environment Agency. Whilst highlighting the difficulties in being able to identify the perpetrators, members were advised of the ongoing investigations being undertaken by the Environment Agency on which the Committee would be kept updated. In addition the Committee were advised that the damaged fence had now been replaced with Brent Council also having identified the area for further preventative work in order to discourage any further instances of fly –tipping.
· Support was expressed for the ongoing discussions being undertaken aimed at securing the future provision of the Welsh Harp Environmental Centre. Whilst noting that it would not be possible to provide any further updates at this stage members remained hopeful of a positive outcome given the value and support expressed for the Centre and requested that updates continued to be provided on any further developments as discussion progressed.
· Whilst noting the temporary pause in the works being undertaken to maintain and enhance biodiversity around the marshland, support was expressed for the activity and efforts of the volunteers involved. Although these works involved the removal of shrubs and some coppiced trees it was noted this had been designed to enable the marshland flora to regenerate and to maintain a diversity of trees within the marshland. Those trees being removed were mainly young willow and oak trees with other less frequent species being retained including Alder, Silver Birth, Apples, clumps of Osier and regenerating Elms and large Willows. In order to assist volunteers undertaking the works it was recommended that clear guidance and procedures were introduced on the works to be undertaken and trees marked for removal, which the Committee agreed and felt also needed to be included within the management plan.
· In view of the concerns raised by some users of the Reservoir at the marshland and other work being undertaken around the Reservoir, members felt there was a need to ensure that the Canal and River Trust worked to ensure those groups and users not formally engaged in the activity around the Reservoir were made aware of the works in order to prevent any future difficulties, with members advised of the work already being undertaken to ensure the necessary liaison & communication mechanisms were in place. The Committee recognised the need to ensure the information provided focussed on the nature of the work being undertaken as part of a planned and consistent approach towards management of the Reservoir and surrounding habitat with an emphasis on the necessary consents having been obtained. As an example reference was made to funding received from the Peoples Postcode Lottery to support the works on the eastern side of the Reservoir, which had include the provision of temporary signage for users to explain the works being undertaken and their importance in maintaining the biodiversity and habitat in the area.
As no further issues were raised it was AGREED to note (subject to the actions identified above) the Management Update from Brent.
Supporting documents:
- 07. Brent Management Plan, item 7. PDF 205 KB
- 07a. Appendix 1 - Welsh Harp Management Action Plan, item 7. PDF 190 KB