Annual Report 2013/14

Transcription

1 Annual Report 2013/14

2 CHAIRMAN S FOREWORD I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the 2013/14 Review of the work of the AONB Joint Advisory Committee. The Management Plan has been reviewed and a new Plan for produced following wide consultation. In some aspects very little has changed but in others, such as the new Government s focus on rural economic development, there have been marked changes and the Management Plan now reflects these. For the first time a Defra Ministerial Foreword was provided, underlining the Government s continued support for AONB Partnerships. Lord de Mauley replaced Richard Benyon as our Defra Minister and he has quickly grasped the issues facing the AONB Family. A significant Defra research study evaluated new ways of working and we will be looking to implement some of the report s recommendations. These cover both AONBs and National Parks and include measures such as seeking more external funding for projects and doing more joint working. Our income from Defra and the local authorities continued to decline, but in line with the planned reductions rather than being any more severe. The General Election in May 2015 is clearly important for all public sector organisations and the level of future funding they might receive. In preparation for this uncertainty we are developing plans to increase our flexibility and resilience over the next few years. On a brighter note, I m pleased to report that 25 rough log benches have been put in iconic places throughout the AONB, to mark the 25th anniversary of designation. From wide-ranging viewpoints to secluded little valleys, the locations really tell the story of the Howardian Hills landscape. ADMINISTRATION Local Authorities are responsible for the management arrangements in the AONB, which falls within the County of North Yorkshire and the Districts of Ryedale and Hambleton. AONB policy and programmes of work are overseen by a Joint Advisory Committee (JAC), supported by Officer groups. The Core Partners Group consists of representatives of the 4 main organisations (see list below). The AONB Partnership Group takes in a wider range of organisations and interests and helps with developing ideas/projects. The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) During 2013/14, the members of the JAC were as follows: North Yorkshire County Council Cllrs Caroline Patmore & Clare Wood Ryedale District Council Cllrs Robert Wainwright & John Hicks Hambleton District Council Cllr Christine Cookman Natural England Rosy Eaton & Justine Clark Parish Councils (Ryedale) Stephen Gibson Parish Councils (Hambleton) David Pontefract Country Land and Business Association William Worsley National Farmers Union Rob Hicks Ramblers Steven Harness Forestry Commission Kate Hawley The JAC met twice in 2013/14: 7th November 2013: Amotherby Village Hall. Christine Cookman was elected as the new JAC Chairman and Robert Wainwright as the new Vice-Chairman. Members discussed the proposed 2014/15 JAC budget, the AONB Management Plan review and the possible options for dealing with future significant reductions in funding contributions. There was also a presentation by the Forestry Commission on Ash Dieback and other tree diseases. 3rd April 2014: Gilling Village Hall. Members discussed the work achieved in 2013/14 and approved the Business Plan and Action Programme for 2014/15. They also received a presentation on the Campaign for the Farmed Environment initiative and noted the completion and Adoption of the revised AONB Management Plan. The JAC carried out its tour of works and projects on 25th July 2014, visiting The Yorkshire Arboretum and adjacent Castle Howard Estate for a walking tour of projects being carried out. Cllr Christine Cookman Chairman, Joint Advisory Committee 2

3 Officer Steering Groups The Core Partners Group convened on its regular quarterly cycle. The AONB Partnership Group met in April 2014 to review progress made with implementing the Objectives of the AONB Management Plan over the previous year. This meeting was held in the early evening and sparked a lot of networking between the Parish Council representatives. The AONB Unit In 2013/14 the Unit comprised: AONB Manager...Paul Jackson (1 FTE) AONB Officer.... Liz Bassindale (4 days/wk) (1 FTE) Rebecca Thompson (1 day/wk) AONB Assistant....Maggie Cochrane (0.5 FTE) AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN The Management Plan is the key document setting out specific objectives for the sustainable management of the Howardian Hills AONB. Engaging in the strategic plans and actions of other organisations, to promote the Objectives contained in the Management Plan, is an important role for the AONB Unit. The Plan must be reviewed every 5 years, by law. In 2013/14 we completed a full review of the AONB Management Plan: 8 Topic Group meetings held in April/May 2013 Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessments completed Draft Plan launched for 7-week public consultation in October 2013 Comments collated and assessed Plan amended and Adopted by the three Local Authorities in March 2014, and then lodged with Defra FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2013/14 Income Expenditure Defra 125,578 Staffing 92,702 North Yorkshire CC 38,675 Office costs 19,176 Ryedale DC 5,684 Partnership running costs 4,467 Hambleton DC 5,800 Publicity/Research 5,210 Heritage Lottery Fund (balance in-hand) 10,596 Management Plan 2,157 LEADER 10,398 Sustainable Development Fund 22,647 Donation 8 Natural Environment projects 18,170 Historic Environment projects 12,014 Enjoying the AONB 6,060 Young People (JRC, etc) 317 Young People (Schools Twinning) 24, , ,226 Brought forward (57,734) 254,473 Carried forward (47,247) 254,473 (Resources from grant recipients, volunteers, etc) 130,320 Total Value of AONB Unit Activity in 2013/14 337,546 3

4 CONSERVING AND ENHANCING NATURAL BEAUTY This is the primary objective of AONB designation and the JAC attaches great importance to carrying out work on the ground in the AONB, working in partnership with local farmers, landowners and communities. Work funded or facilitated by the JAC in 2013/14 included: 710m of hedge planting/gapping-up 328m of wall restoration 4 new in-field/hedgerow trees planted Continued control of Himalayan balsam along 5.8km of Wath Beck Continued clearance of rhododendron in and adjacent to Park Wood Fishponds SINC Conservation grazing of 5 SINC or other important sites by Exmoor Ponies Management of species/vegetation on or affecting 2 other SINCs or SSSIs (by volunteers or contractors) 2 SINCs entered into new Higher Level Stewardship agreements 1 site comprehensively re-surveyed, to create a major new SINC at Yearsley Management works on 45 Special Interest Road Verges A Listed Buildings at Risk Survey in the Hambleton area of the AONB Renovation of the City of Troy turf maze, near Dalby Restoration of 2 traditional direction signs Contribution towards 5 heritage restoration projects principally funded by the Ryedale DC LEADER Scheme Advice given to 1 land owner on the management of historic features Progress made with the undergrounding of electricity wires in Bulmer In addition to initiating and grant aiding work itself, the AONB Unit also gives advice to applicants and/or comments on applications submitted to the two main national grant schemes: 1 farmer/land manager advised about Entry Level or Higher Level Stewardship Comments submitted on 4 Higher Level Stewardship applications 1 English Woodland Grant Scheme application consultation appraised for impact on the AONB Restored roadside wall, Brandsby Planning Issues The Joint Advisory Committee is consulted by the Local Planning Authorities on certain developments in the AONB, in line with an agreed protocol. The AONB Manager also monitors the Weekly Lists of planning applications and calls-up details of any smaller schemes which might potentially have an impact on the AONB. Consultation responses are dealt with by the AONB Manager, in consultation with the JAC and Chairman in certain circumstances. Larger/more significant applications examined in 2013/14 included a new access road at Ampleforth College; a substantial biomass boiler building at Amotherby; a significant new country house replacement dwelling near Coulton; new agricultural buildings or infrastructure at Coulton (x2) and Brandsby; and a 30m-to-hub wind turbine near Husthwaite. During 2013/14: 133 applications were determined by the Local Planning Authorities. 92% of these were approved 65 of the applications were scrutinised in detail by the AONB Manager Comments were submitted on 37 schemes, where a conflict with AONB Objectives was identified, improvements could be made or support was given Objections or Strong Reservations were lodged in 12 of those responses; the District or County Council followed the JAC s recommendation of refusal, or the applicants amended or Withdrew the proposals, in 7 of the cases where a decision was required 19 consultations on other development (primarily within roads or verges) were also scrutinised comments submitted on 3 schemes Design Guidance on New Agricultural Buildings & Infrastructure was published 4

5 ENJOYING THE AONB The Public Rights of Way network continues to be managed to a generally high standard, with minor maintenance/ improvement works continuing over the whole network. More complex path routing issues are being resolved gradually, depending on their complexity, whilst volunteers are still making a significant contribution to path management. In 2013/14 work included: Making a financial contribution to a 2014 VisitEngland English Countryside marketing initiative Publishing a Great Outdoors leaflet with the North York Moors National Park and Welcome to Yorkshire, featuring some of our walking and cycling routes Completing a Green Traveller Guide to the Howardian Hills, including information on walk routes and public transport Holding meetings with Ryedale DC, Castle Howard and Welcome to Yorkshire to develop promotion of routes in the wider Castle Howard area Attending a Moors & More Tourism Network marketing workshop, a networking event and a media workshop 1 guided walk/evening talk, attended by 10 people A team of at least 2 volunteers working on path maintenance in the AONB at least every other week Removing litter from at least 10 sites in the AONB, on a regular basis throughout the summer COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS & EDUCATION Our 4-stage project to twin primary schools in the AONB with ones in Hull and York continued. The Junior Ranger Club also continued, with 4 activity sessions held during the school half-terms and holidays. In 2013/14 the programme consisted of: Rural:Urban Schools Twinning Project 7 Round Three visits completed 7 Round Four visits completed Junior Ranger Club (April) Springtime Fun 18 children Junior Ranger Club (May) See in the Summer 22 children Junior Ranger Club (October) Amazing Autumn 20 children Junior Ranger Club (October) Wintry Habitats 23 children Learning about plants and bugs on a Schools Twinning Project day PUBLICITY Stories achieving coverage in print in 2013/14 included the contentious planning application for 30 houses at Ampleforth, the Rural:Urban Schools Twinning project, shale gas/fracking, the revision of the AONB Management Plan, the re-launch of the Centenary Way book and new trails at Ampleforth Abbey/Yearsley Moor. In 2013/14 we: Maintained the 14 AONB Gateway Signs Obtained at least 31 known press mentions for projects/ AONB, equivalent to at least 46,200 of advertising space Achieved TV & radio coverage of the Rural:Urban Schools Twinning project activities in Hull Mounted a display about the AONB at 5 events Published and distributed our annual Newsletter (AONB News) in October 2013 Published and distributed our 2012/13 Annual Report in September 2013 Continued to manage the AONB website 8,880 Visits by 7,400 Unique Visitors Attended the Ryedale Show Completed installation of 22 of the 25th Anniversary log seats, with the remaining 3 locations identified but delayed due to poor weather Communities: Projects funded in 5 villages, including 1 Village Hall project 2 Winter Warmth events held, at Husthwaite and Slingsby Supported the Ryedale Rural Community Awards View from log seat; Beacon Banks, Husthwaite 5

6 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT In 2013/14: We joined forces with Ryedale and Scarborough Councils, to start preparation of a new Biodiversity Action Plan for the joint area The Sustainable Development Fund distributed 22,500 to projects, assisting a variety of schemes addressing environmental, social and economic objectives. We continued our active involvement in the LEADER Local Action Group, to complete the final year and enter the transition phase for a new Local Development Strategy, and the HLF-funded Lime & Ice Project Yearsley through the Ages in its final year too In 2013/14 the Sustainable Development Fund assisted: Construction of an outdoor classroom at Crayke School, for school and community use A Geonauts Club at Ampleforth School, to develop understanding of AONB geology Installation of 2 wooden bus shelters at Huttons Ambo We continued to work with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to run the Rural:Urban Schools Twinning project, using HLF and LEADER funding Installation of 2 composting toilets at Howsham Mill, to facilitate educational visits We continued our support for the LEADER Local Distinctiveness Project Moors and More Installation of energy efficiency measures at the new Husthwaite Village Hall We continued to work with a partnership focused on the River Rye, to develop a project to tackle invasive species, river quality and sedimentation on a catchment scale Creation of 12 children s explorer backpacks for use at The Yorkshire Arboretum Volunteers helped us with 18 projects or tasks, equating to over 138 person/days of assistance worth 10,850 A Sustainable Rural Communities project run by Rural Action Yorkshire, assisting with community planning A secondee from the North York Moors National Park Authority continued to assist in the AONB Officer role for 1 day/week Provision of a new public toilet in the extended Terrington Village Hall PARTNERSHIP WORKING Volunteers restoring the City of Troy Maze, Dalby NATIONAL ACTIVITY The Howardian Hills AONB is part of the national family of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) is an important umbrella body that co-ordinates lobbying on behalf of all AONBs, responds to national consultations and organises training events. Support and participation in NAAONB activities brings many benefits for the Howardian Hills and is important for staff development. In 2013/14: We attended the national AONB Forum in July We attended the national Chairmen s meeting/ NAAONB AGM in November We provided input to a number of studies commissioned by Defra, to examine future funding options for AONBs Outdoor classroom, Crayke School AONB Unit staff attended 2 Northern AONB Group meetings, as well as participating in many national internet forum discussions on AONB projects/management The AONB Management Plan is delivered via the policies and actions of many partner organisations, but we also make use of a number of sources of specialist help and assistance. 6

7 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB FACT FILE The Howardian Hills covers 204 sq. km (79 sq. miles) The area was confirmed as an AONB in 1987 About 9,300 people live in or immediately adjacent to the area Around 18% of the area is wooded AONB CONTACTS AONB Manager Paul Jackson AONB Officer Liz Bassindale AONB Assistant Maggie Cochrane The Mews, Wath Court Hovingham, York YO62 4NN Telephone Photos: AONB Unit, unless stated otherwise 7