COTSWOLDS CONSERVATION BOARD ENJOYING AND APPRECIATING SUB-COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COTSWOLD HALL, NORTHLEACH

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1 COTSWOLDS CONSERVATION BOARD ENJOYING AND APPRECIATING SUB-COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COTSWOLD HALL, NORTHLEACH Present: 8 TH FEBRUARY 2011 Ken Betteridge Elisabeth Bird Hazel Bleaken Jo Burgon (Chairman) Nick Holliday (Vice-Chairman) Chris Saint Don Seale Apologies: Simon Randall Also Present: James Blockley Nicola Greaves Stephen Holley Simon Smith Malcolm Watt National Trail Officer Information and Interpretation Officer Committee Administrator (Cotswold District Council) Project Development and Business Planning Officer Planning Officer EASC 2.1 INTRODUCTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Jo Burgon, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, welcomed Officers and Members to the first Meeting in Mr. Burgon explained that he and Nick Holliday, the Vice-Chairman, had been holding informal discussions with Officers on the Sub-Committee s Work Programme for the year and he hoped to make progress on it at the present Meeting. EASC 2.2 DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. EASC 2.3 PUBLIC QUESTIONS There were no Public Questions. EASC 2.4 MINUTES RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meetings of the Enjoying and Appreciating Sub-Committee held on 30 th November and 9 th December 2010 be approved as correct records

2 Arising on the Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 th November 2010: (i) Meeting Dates for 2011 (EASC 5.9) It was noted that the date for the February Meeting had been put back from 1 st February 2011 due to a double-booking by a Member. (ii) Walking in the Cotswolds - Overall / General (EASC 5.7)(i) Nicola Greaves, the Information and Interpretation Officer, explained that the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens had reviewed their themed walks and had added a Woodland theme. Ms Greaves also outlined that the programme of 147 walks included 25 walks offered by other organisations and landowners, including: the Forestry Commission; the National Trust; and Westonbirt Arboretum. There were 44 shorter walks and 15 of less than three miles. 21 were family focussed. The Sub-Committee AGREED to record its thanks to the Wardens for responding to the challenge of widening the range of walks so well. In response to a Member s question, Ms Greaves explained how the different types of walks, eg family walks, were identified in the programme and on the website. The Sub-Committee noted that no one organisation co-ordinated a What s On in the Cotswolds publication or website specifically for outdoor activities and perhaps Officers could explore the potential for the Board to fill that gap. A website could act as a portal to related websites. It was noted there were several walking festivals in the area and one in Stroud was linked with locally produced food. Also, Bath and North East Somerset Council was currently developing a website called Outdoors West for all outdoor activities. Ms Greaves explained that the Board s activities including the Cotswold Way and the guided walks and website link were already featured on and on the Oxfordshire Cotswolds website. Also, Officers were currently working on a new micro-site for outdoor activities which would be better designed and presented than the current Walking page on the Board s website. Another micro-site was being developed for Rural Skills. It was also AGREED that the Agenda for the next Meeting should include an update on walking for health. Officers were requested to look at a group in the Stroud Valleys which arranged walks for the visually impaired and people recovering from stroke. In this context it was reported that, in the re-organisation of the NHS the responsibility for public health was to be transferred to the County (and Unitary) Councils. Given the Local Authority representation on the Board perhaps it should react to this change. Ms Greaves reported that the Wardens were upgrading the walks within the Miles Without Stiles booklet; they would be uploaded to the website as.pdf documents which could be downloaded and printed. Simon Smith, the Project Development and Business Planning Officer, was doing the same for a number of off-road cycle routes

3 (iii) Walking in the Cotswolds - Inspiring Experience (EASC 5.7)(ii) The Sub-Committee AGREED that this should be an Agenda Item for the next Meeting, at which Michael Banks was expected to be present. The Sub-Committee would look at the contrast between the honeypot areas of the Cotswolds and the more peaceful/tranquil parts. Arising on the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 th December 2010: The Sub-Committee was pleased to note that, contrary to what had been thought at the time, the Meeting had been quorate. Consequently, the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had been valid decisions and did not require subsequent ratification. The Minutes had been written to reflect this. EASC 2.5 COTSWOLDS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW The Sub-Committee received a report setting out issues for consideration. Malcolm Watt, the Planning Officer, reminded the Sub-Committee that the Board had commenced the Review with workshop sessions after its Meeting on 7 th October These sessions had identified the issues now referred to in the Report. The overarching issues would be discussed by the Executive Committee and the other issues had been allocated to the Sub-Committees according to their remit. It was explained that a further series of themed workshops would be held in 2011/12 and the Sub-Committee was being requested to consider for approval a list of questions to be put to those workshops. Those questions were AGREED and the Sub-Committee made the following additional points: - Overarching section: - there should be more on the impact of increased fuel prices there should be more on links to the business community in order to promote a balanced approach promoting inclusiveness Recreational Use: - the Board should look at how to reconnect people. As an illustration, it was suggested that an article be written for the Cotswold Lion covering a day in the life of a Voluntary Warden the Board as a channel to activities run by other organisations Green Tourism: - how to reduce visitors reliance on cars how to spread the benefits of Tourism across the AONB, rather than focus on the honeypot towns and villages how to encourage businesses to develop sustainable practices - 4 -

4 Living and Working: - responding to changing working patterns. Many more people were now working from home RESOLVED that the Sub-Committee s consideration of the Management Plan Review (as detailed above) be relayed to the Executive Committee. EASC 2.6 ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY OF THE COTSWOLD WAY NATIONAL TRAIL James Blockley, the Cotswold Way National Trail Officer, presented a study of the economic impacts of the Cotswold Way to neighbouring businesses and communities. He explained that the study had been produced for internal use by the Board in its dealings with the Voluntary Wardens, fundraising bodies and service providers. Although not intended for public dissemination a number of significant points could be used as headlines for publicity materials. The Chairman asked the Sub-Committee to note that the study had been undertaken in the context of a 23% in-year cut to Natural England s funding of National Trails. Mr. Blockley explained that the report had attempted to identify the audience for the Cotswold Way, what that audience wanted and what service providers wanted to do. Mr. Blockley would circulate a.pdf copy of the full study report to Members of the Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee noted that accommodation enterprises considered that walking was of some importance to 50% of their visitors and that, on average, 28% of their visitors were using their accommodation en route as they walk the Cotswold Way. However, there were some reports that walkers sometimes found it difficult to book single nights as many hotels and B&Bs preferred to sell two and three day breaks. In response to a question from the Chairman, the Sub-Committee felt that public transport had been adequately addressed in the study, but noted that Mr. Blockley would welcome any further comments as many public subsidies were being cut. The Sub-Committee thanked Mr. Blockley for his report and agreed that Green Tourism underlay the whole report. RESOLVED that the report be noted

5 EASC 2.7 UPDATE ON COTSWOLD WAY NATIONAL TRAIL (i) Officer s Report Mr. Blockley provided an update on current and recent activity of the Cotswold Way Office and Management Group under the following headings: Economic Impact Study of the Cotswold Way National Trail (as covered in the previous Item) The initial draft of the Cotswold Way National Trail Three-Year Framework had been approved by the Executive Committee. Mr. Blockley had since been working on the Introduction and Appendices and the final draft was due for consideration by the Executive Committee on 17 th February 2011 A revised planning application had been submitted for the Bath Marker Project. It was now proposed that the end marker for the Cotswold Way would be sited outside the Tourist Information Centre. When permission is granted, Mr. Blockley would purchase the stone and the artist, who is already commissioned, will start off-site carving. This will be followed by the major part of the carving which will be carried out in public at the proposed location for the finished work. Photographs of the artist s progress would be uploaded to the website. The Board had abandoned its proposal to install brass route markers for the Cotswold Way in Bath as it had been decided to join Bath and North East Somerset Council in a scheme to install way-marking acorns and its own brass plaques An online, interactive educational project aimed at teachers and parents is being launched soon. As part of this project, a number of activities will be included to encourage outdoor learning with an element of risktaking, such as scavenger hunts and learning about camouflage Tramper project / disability access. The Board had developed good links with the Disabled Ramblers Association and the two organisations had recently developed some activities which might become regular. Mobility South West had purchased 30 off-road mobility scooters ( Trampers ) for use at various sites across the region. Training would be made available. Some would be permanently stationed on Crickley Hill for use on the five waymarked routes. The Sub-Committee felt that the project was a great way to widen access to the Countryside without having to provide tarmac sealed paths A promoted routes project is being undertaken with Ordnance Survey and the Long Distance Walkers Association which will result in the coordinated promotion of 16 long distance walking routes within the AONB. The project includes new style mapping, negotiated with OS, for users less experienced in map-reading (e.g. shading instead of contour lines) Alignment issues. All outstanding issues with the four highway agencies along the CW are complete except GCC. The CW office is working closely with GCC to conclude these outstanding issues. If this is done, the CW will be one of the only NTs that has met that part of the NT Quality Standards

6 Work parties / warden activity / direct maintenance ideas. Excellent work has been undertaken by the wardens with the CW office. This could possibly be extended so that the CW officer could eventually be responsible for all maintenance, using both contractors and volunteers. World Trails Conference in Korea. Mr. Blockley reported that his attendance had been a fantastic opportunity to promote the Cotswold Way as a world Trail, along with major routes such as the Appalachian Trail in the USA, the Bruce Trail in Canada and the Baekdu-daegan Trail in South Korea. The idea of Twin Trails had led to a suggestion that the Cotswold Way be twinned with the Jeju Olle Trail The role of the National Trail Office would change as a result of Natural England s in-year cut of 23% to its grant and Mr. Blockley s own role would be changing to become more of a fund-raiser. These changes would need to be reflected in various action plans. With regard to Natural England s in-year cut to the Cotswold Way grant, the Sub-Committee was disappointed to hear that there could be a likely break in service by CW National Trail staff if the Board does not receive its grant offer from NE by the end of March. It was AGREED that it was unacceptable for the Board - and particularly its staff - to be put in such a position. It was understood that Natural England had known the relevant figures for many weeks, but had not communicated them to the front-line. (ii) Cotswold Way Management Group The Chairman asked the Sub-Committee to note that it now had responsibility for the Cotswold Way Management Group in a manner similar to the Living and Working Sub-Committee being responsible for the Planning Working Group and the Transport Working Group. Notes of the Working Group s meetings would be reported to the Sub-Committee, rather than to the Executive Committee. Chairmanship of the Working Group would usually fall to a Member of the Sub-Committee, currently Mr. Burgon. RESOLVED that the report be noted. EASC 2.8 REVIEW OF THE ACCESS CONFERENCE Mr. Burgon requested that the Sub-Committee consider a Review of the Cotswold Access Conference and the role of the Enjoying and Appreciating Sub-Committee. A copy of the Report and Appendices received by the Executive Committee at its Meeting held on 20 th January 2011 had been supplied, along with the draft Minute concerned. It was AGREED that the Review had established the value of the two Conferences held in 2007 and in 2010 and the need for the Conference to continue. It was suggested that the theme for the next Conference might be Access on a Shoestring (or Bootlace). It was noted that the Executive Committee had raised the possibility that a subsequent Conference be held in an urban area (perhaps Gloucester or Chippenham) in order to explore how to make access more inclusive

7 Recommendations: (a) That the Cotswold Access Conference be retained; (b) that a third Access Conference be considered for 2012, if there is a clear subject and justification to hold one; (c) that the Executive Committee be advised of these comments. EASC 2.9 UPDATE ON THE EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Ms Greaves provided an update on progress with the application for the Charter and tabled the draft itinerary for the verifier s visit on 14 th and 15 th April She explained that the full application and the Sustainable Tourism Strategy had been submitted before Christmas The Cotswolds AONB Sustainable Tourism Partnership had not met since the last report to the Sub-Committee, but was due to meet on 29 th March The Partnership was looking for speakers to address aspects that required further consideration. Ms Greaves also reported that she had been working with Cotswolds Tourism and West Oxfordshire DC tourism officer on a local green scheme for businesses in the Cotswolds. Many businesses in West Oxfordshire had decided that they did not want to pay for green accreditation, but they were happy to continue implementing sustainable practices. As a result, Officers were developing a checklist to allow self-assessment and this should be launched in the next few weeks. RESOLVED that consideration be given to the details of the itinerary and that progress with the Charter application be noted. EASC 2.10 DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2011 The Sub-Committee confirmed the following dates: a.m., Tuesday 10 th May: Walk in Evenlode led by Michael Banks a.m., Tuesday 14 th June a.m., Tuesday 4 th October a.m., Tuesday 29 th November It was AGREED to request that Officers examine the suggestion to hold the Meeting scheduled to be held on 14 th June on the afternoon following the Walk scheduled for 10 th May Note: It was later decided that this suggestion would not be convenient EASC 2.11 OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY THE CHAIRMAN AS URGENT In view of the fact that Libby Bird would not be standing for re-election to the Board after the Council Elections in May, this would be her last Meeting - 8 -

8 as a Member of the Sub-Committee. Members joined the Chairman in thanking Ms Bird for her work and her support. The Meeting commenced at a.m. and closed at p.m. Chairman - 9 -