LANCASTER CANAL REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP (LCRP)

Transcription

1 LANCASTER CANAL REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP (LCRP) LCRP MINUTES LCRP Full Partnership Meeting Date 11 th April 2017 Venue Lancaster Town Hall Attendees Chair Partner Members Officers Audrey Smith AS (IWA) Robin Yates RY (Lancaster Canal Trust), Nick Smith NS (CRT), Peter Jones PJ (LCT), Chantelle Seaborn CS (CRT), Nick Cotton NC (CCC) Helen Moriarty HM (LCRP) Ruth Leahy RL (SLDC) Mark McTigue MM (LCC) Apologies Wendy Humphreys WH (IWA NW) Chris Hogg CH (KTC) Sue Sanderson SS (SLDC) David Gibson DG (CCC) 1. Welcome & Apologies AS welcomed all and noted apologies as above. 2. Review of previous minutes and actions Minutes agreed without amends. NS updated group regarding the outstanding action of CRT fund transfer. C&RT Legal Team are reviewing the transfer proposal and require a formal letter.

2 Action NS Liaise with AS to draft the letter, outlining how the original purpose of the fund will still be honored via current LCRP activity. 3. LCRP Financial Overview 3.1 Kendal to Natland Funding HM reported SLDC meeting with Sue Sanderson on the 4 th April, SLDC are pleased with current progress. SS will send process details for LCRP to claim the Capital Grant, preference on both sides is for a single claim. HM reported a planned presentation to Kendal Town Council on the 24 th April to inform a formal letter to release the Council s 10,000 contribution. HM noted that LCRP s 10,000 project contribution currently sits with C&RT until transfer process is complete. 3.2 Arts Council Funding HM informed group that a 15,000 application has been submitted and approved at the eligibility stage. Full outcome expected 19 th of April. Cllr Chris Hogg has recommended a press release if successful. RL suggested inviting Julie Tait of Lakes International Comic Festival. CS suggested using C&RT as a media partner to link to previous art commission experience. Action HM Set up press release and photo Action HM Following CS introduction, liaise with new C&RT press officer re release and promotion. 3.3 Fells & Dales Summary HM informed group of a 50,000 application to Fells and Dales RDPE Programme via the Tourism Funding Stream. This is the most appropriate stream given the Towpath Trail s potential to support the South Lakes in becoming a world class landscape and an improved visitor destination. The Trail also has the potential to boost rural tourism, provide cultural and heritage activities and create a high-quality visitor product. Via effective and professional marketing its promotion can link tourism providers and will encourage visitors to stay in the area. After discussions with RDPE Development Officers, HM recommended that LCRP split the 50,000 application as follows: Design Costs ( 15,000) To create Towpath Trail brand guidelines (use for interpretation and all promotion including events) website and promotional materials. Capital costs ( 35,000)

3 To contribute to interpretation panels (required to create a high-quality visitor experience, visitor recommendations/referrals and support businesses), create cycle storage and contribute to accessible stile access. The timescales of the application process are - Outline application end of April - Stage 2 deadline May 31 st - Outline takes 4-6 months to process The group agreed the proposed funding split and discussed the need for consultation with partners regarding the branding of the Towpath Trail. All recognised the importance of creating a strong brand to create a continuous presence along the trail both in signage and interpretation. NC questioned the funding stream in relation to Brexit. NS reassured that if application is successful funding will be honoured regardless of Brexit process. Action CS Set up an opportunity for HM & AS to meet with C&RT Marketing Team to discuss branding options/scope for inclusion in a branding design brief. This led to a wider discussion about the maintenance schedule of both the improved Towpath Trail surface (maintained via CCC as an existing Public Right of Way) and signage and seating. All agreed an asset audit will be required in the future and that the dressing of the trail will follow path improvements. Action HM Complete and submit outline application. 3.4 Sports England & Park Run Summary HM met with SLDC meeting to explore dovetailing a Sports England Community Asset Fund application if applicable. However, due to the existing Kendal Castle project SLDC unlikely to apply this year. SLDC agreed to include the Kendal section of the Towpath Trail in new Park Run route proposals, a great promotional opportunity for Trail. MM spoke of the positive impact Park Run has had in Lancaster and offered support to strengthen Kendal s application. Action HM Share MM details with SLDC Park Run Officer. HM reported that LCRP will apply to Sports England directly initially for 150,000 but will be guided by the Expression of Interest feedback. The fund supports Capital Costs only and would therefore be based on a contribution toward continued path improvements. The fund is an open programme however the Expression of Interest will be submitted by the end of April. Action HM Complete and submit EOI.

4 3.5 LCRP Accounts AS talked through income and expenditure spreadsheet. Action HM - Attach with minutes. 4. PR & Communications Overview HM summarised recent Lancaster Canal coverage on the BBC Inside Out Programme and Westmorland Gazette Press Release. A healthy balance remains in the PR & Comms budget which the group agreed should be reserved for the Kendal to Natland opening and future significant funding successes. HM reported the creation of a LCRP E-newsletter and discussed frequency of updates to stakeholders. All agreed every quarter would be adequate to ensure quality of articles. Action HM Attach draft newsletter template with minutes for comments. 5. Kendal to Natland Improvements Cumbria County Council Design HM provided CCC design feedback based on LCRP s Design Brief agreed by the Project Management Group and sent on the 14 th March. Key recommendations include using a Selfbinding surface for the majority of the path and a bound surface on slopes and under bridges. CCC will explore how to retain existing flag stones where possible and provided grass protection & fencing options for inclusion in Landowner discussions. Action HM Add designs and costing to Dropbox file. Principle of restoration to historic dimensions. PJ commented that sections of the Towpath in Kendal are in the middle of the Canal desire line. HM noted that to change the desire line of the existing public right of way and align to original towpath would significantly stall the project and create delay for funders. Additionally, Cumbria County Council funding has been secured to upgrade the existing Public Rights of Way, to realign the path would negate that funding agreement. All agreed that should full restoration take place in the future, the costs and associated engineering to reinstate a canal will easily accommodate the realignment of the Towpath path where necessary. HM noted that the majority of the Towpath is close to the original position and that any required additional width would be taken from the non-canal side. HM asked if any official documents existed outlining the original Towpath, PJ and RY don t believe there are. Action HM Add designs and costing to Dropbox file for comments

5 Action HM Oversee the width decisions and ensure principle of restoration to historic dimensions is honoured where possible. Land Agent Discussion HM reported Cumbria County Council s recommendation for LCRP to employ a Land Agent. Benefits include a positive impact on timescales considering many of the required conversations are outside of the Project Manager s and CCC s Officer s remit (ie negotiating reduced liability, asset audits, fencing and gate options, surfacing preferences, grazing consequences and permissive access contract options) but can easily and quickly take place between two Land Agents. HM and CCC Officers will continue to communicate the Towpath Trail ambition but leave the negotiations with experienced land agent professionals. HM proposed that LCRP employ Lampert Smith Hampton and create a budget to cover fees. All agreed and budget was set. Action HM Set up relevant meetings. 6. Access Strategy AS provided an overview regarding the delay in receipt of the commissioned Access Strategy. After some discussion, it was agreed that AS would contact the providers. Action AS Contact providers 7. HLF Project Overview NS provided an overview of the current 1.5 million Heritage Lottery Application. The project is titled Kendal to Lancaster Towpath Trail Phase 2. LCRP are the named applicant and C&RT are the lead accountable body. A stage one application has been submitted and the details of the project will be confirmed / further developed if invited to submit a stage two HLF application in June. If secured a significant amount of the funding will be spent on repairing Stainton Aqueduct, complementing the Rural Payment Agency funds. However, the aim of the project is to celebrate and connect three highly significant listed historic structures across a 4km stretch of the Lancaster Canal - Stainton Aqueduct, Sedgewick Aqueduct and Hincaster Tunnel through a combination of enhancements to the infrastructure, environment, interpretation and information. Action NS & HM Update partners in June. 8. Lancaster Garden Village

6 MM provided an overview of the Lancaster Garden Village development, summarising the information provided to LCRP members prior to the meeting. All LCRP members have submitted a Local Plan Consultation response citing the importance of enhancing and protecting the Canal. There is a clear opportunity for Canal Corridor development and LCRP are keen to be considered as one of the development partners. HM and NC asked about Community Infrastructure Levy opportunities associated with the development, MM will research. Action MM Investigate CIL opportunities on behalf of LCRP and report back. Set up meeting with NS & HM to discuss further. 9. AOB Consultation Event - 2 nd May Lancaster CRT are hosting this event in partnership with LCRP to launch Bicentenary planning and celebrate recent LCRP success. The meeting will generate ideas to celebrate the Bicentenary leading to a shortlist of options. MM reiterated LCC desire to create strong links to the Bicentenary celebrations and mentioned previous work with Lancaster University Management School. AS asked for meeting facilitator recommendations. Action HM MM for Management School contact and invite if appropriate Action all Send facilitator ideas to AS and CS C&RT National Trustee Visit CS spoke about the C&RT National Trustees visit to the North West on the 22 nd of November. The itinerary is to be confirmed. There is a good opportunity for LCRP to share Towpath Trail plans and link to 2019 focus. Kendal Riverside Cycling NC shared that the closed foot bridge at Gooseholme will be upgraded to shared use footbridge. This strengthens the idea of creating the Towpath Trail starting point at Gooseholme. HM commented on beginning discussions with SLDC to understand the status of riverside cycling in Kendal. LCRP s preference would be to allow and encourage cycling on the riverside to connect the Towpath Trail with the Town Centre. Action HM Research cycling permissions in Kendal and feedback.

7 IWA Update Wendy Humphreys provided the following update: The contribution towards the cost of LCRP running costs, ie 250 pounds will be discussed at our next branch committee meeting on 3rd May, I do not anticipate any problems. IWA North West Region now has a new Chair, he is Robert Atkins, ex MP and Waterways Minister and was active in the Ribble Link Trust. IWA branch chairs are meeting with him later this month. The branch is having a lock wind on 30th April at Johnson s Hillock on the Leeds Liverpool, if anyone wants to come. Our next social meeting is April 27th at St Chad s, Mike Clarke is speaking on a review of the 200th celebrations for the L&L. If anyone wants to attend to maybe get ideas for the Lancaster celebrations they would be very welcome. Our Vice Chair Tony Dunning put forward comments on the Lancaster Development Plan, he worked with LCT, LCRP and CRT. We are hearing rumours about the closure of the marina at Carnforth, does anyone know anything about this? A general discussion followed this point and the Marina s closure was confirmed post meeting via a press release. LCT Update RY reported that work at Hincaster continues under C&RT s Bill Froggatt s guidance. The 6 th edition of the Lancaster Canal handbook is on sale and Lynn Peglar has been commissioned to promote its launch. 10. Date of next Full Executive Meeting 11 th July 2017 Kendal, Mintworks 9.45 for 10am start PMG Meeting 23 rd May 10am Galgate 13 th June 10am Galgate