Venue: Mytchett Canal Centre, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey, GU16 6DD
Contact: Richard Plummer
Items
No.
Item
1218.
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN
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To elect a new Chairman of the Basingstoke
Canal Joint Management Committee.
Minutes:
Cllr Mike Goodman as Vice-Chairman opened the
meeting as acting Chairman. He proposed Cllr Jonathan Glen as
Chairman of the Joint Management Committee. This was seconded by
Cllr Rod Cooper. It was agreed unanimously by the Committee that
Cllr Jonathan Glen be elected Chairman.
The Chairman made a statement suggesting that
interested Members of the Committee submit a briefing of their
professional background to the Chairman of the Committee, with the
aim of creating a Business Member Reference Group, which could
focus on ideas to improve the commercial viability of the
canal.
It was stressed that Members should submit
their application to the Chairman of the Committee and that these
would be considered as part of the formulation of this group.
1318.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
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To report any apologies for absence.
Minutes:
Apologies were received from Nadia Martin
(Rushmoor), John Marsh (Rushmoor),Colin Kemp (Surrey), Paul Deach (Surrey),
Philip Riley (BCS), Deborah Hughes (Woking)
To agree the minutes of the previous meeting
as a true and accurate record of proceedings.
Minutes:
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record
of the meeting.
1518.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
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All Members present are
required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as
possible thereafter
(i)Any disclosable pecuniary interests and /
or
(ii)Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in
respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this
meeting
NOTES:
·Members are reminded that they must not participate
in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary
interest
·As well as an interest of the Member, this includes
any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the
Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the
Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)
·Members with a significant personal interest may
participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that
interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.
Purpose of the report: The
purpose of this report is to brief Members on the financial outturn
of the Basingstoke Canal Authority.
Minutes:
Declarations of interest:
None
Officers:
Jane Lovett,Honorary Treasurer of the
Basingstoke Canal Authority
Key
points raised during the discussion:
Officers outlined the
report and noted that the Committee was asked to review and agree
the revenue budget for the financial year 2018/19 and agree the
future revenue budget for 2019/20.
Officers highlighted
that there had been a lower draw on reserves than was anticipated,
and that there had been a draw of £9000 rather than the
expected draw of £49000. It was explained that this was due
to increased revenue and that costs of maintenance had been lower
than expected.
Officers explained
that there had been increased revenue from unpowered boat licenses
and an increase in Mytchett Canal Centre function room usage, which
had improved revenue.
Officers noted that,
following consideration of the number of current employees of the
Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA), the state of the asset, and the
contributions of the owning authorities and other factors, the
levels of reserves as were currently held were considered to be
adequate.
Officers noted that there had been change to the scheme of
charges which included charges to cover closures of the towpath and
navigation when requested by third parties and that the price range
was designed to encourage works to be planned outside of peak use
time.
Members questioned the contributions of the owning authorities
and noted that Runneymede and Surrey Heath did not pay full
contribution. Members noted that this was a longstanding issue and
that representations had been made to both of these authorities. It
was explained that there had been work undertaken with Runneymede
regarding Scotland Bridge Car Park and the agreement for the BCA to
retain revenue upon completion, which was a positive alternative
source from Runneymede. Finance officers noted that contributions
were assumed to be at the current rate and that this was factored
into the BCA budget.
Members questioned the timescale for the completion of Scotland
Bridge Car Park to ensure a revenue stream. Officers noted that
capital had been allocated for the next year for the project and
that it was scheduled for completion in late 2019. It was noted
that this was constrained by staff resource and delays caused by
Planning and other permissions.
RESOVLED:
That the Committee:
Agreed the revenue outturn forecast for the year 2018/19;
and
Purpose of the
report:To inform the Committee of
actions taken by the Strategic Manager and BCA Canal Manager in
managing, maintaining and operating the Canal; and report the work
of the Conservation Steering Group.
Minutes:
Declarations of interest:
None
Officers:
James Taylor, Strategic
Manager, Basingstoke Canal Authority
Officers provided a
brief outline of activities undertaken by the Basingstoke Canal
Authority over the period since the last meeting of the Committee.
Officers did highlight the closure of Lock 18 and the subsequent
loss of boating revenue. It was noted that the Deepcut Locks had
just reopened due to difficulties in repair and issues with water
levels. Officers assured Members that costs for the repair of Lock
18 were received from the damaging party.
It was noted that
planning permission work was underway for the Canal Centre Campsite
agreed by the Committee in November 2017, and that this was
proceeding as expected.
Officers highlighted
that work had been completed on Woking Town Wharf and that this had
represented a significant volume of work.
Officers noted that
work had been undertaken with the engineer of the Inland Waterways
Association and Hampshire County Council’s engineers relating
to Swan “Cutting.” Officers noted that, following
inspection, there were significant topographical issues that needed
to be further explored and that there would need to be discussions
with the 12 riparian landowners to begin to find a
resolution.
Officers explained
negotiations with the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) regarding the
transfer of the canal and explained that the BCA would be pursuing
other options regarding the future of the Canal. It was stressed
that the BCA would not be severing the connection with the
CRT.
Members stressed that
the asset of the canal must be carefully managed and that any
transfer must consider the future sustainability of the
canal.
Purpose of the
report:To inform the JMC of the key
risks associated to the BCA Canal Partnership after annual review
and to ensure risks are mitigated as far as possible.
James Taylor, Strategic
Manager, Basingstoke Canal Authority
Key
points raised during the discussion:
Officers explained
the risk register and noticed that the majority of the risks
identified by the BCA had remained static.
Officers highlighted
that the only risk with significant change and downwards trend was
due to the change in supplier for Reservoir Inspections, and that
this would resolved upon appointment of the new supplier. Members
queried the cost of the new supplier. It was noted that the cost
had risen by a few hundred pounds.
Officers explained
that this report followed on from a query to the Committee
regarding shared cycle usage. It was requested that officers
undertake some research on cycling policy and how the BCA could
potentially manage cycle usage.
Officers explained to
the committee that there were several options available:
Widen areas to fit
within the three metre guideline and create joint cycle and
pedestrian pathways.
Prohibit all cycle
usage along the towpath
Implement a scheme of
signing and minorworks designed to reduce
cycle speed and implement other soft measures to encourage better
relations between cyclists and pedestrians.
Officers noted that
the towpath would not be considered a public right of way. It was
noted that the BCA and County Councils invite cyclists to use the
towpaths for cycling. It was noted there had been several incidents
of disputes between cyclists and pedestrians.
It was informed by
Surrey County Council’s Legal Directorate that as the
BCA/County Councils had invited cyclists to use the towpath, that
the BCA does have a duty of care to these users.
Officers noted that
national policy indicates that any joint pedestrian and cycle route
should be three metres wide. It was noted that much of the canal
does not fit within this parameter. Officers did note that this was
a national waterways issue, and that there were several campaigns
that were able to be used by the BCA, which had formed part of the
cycle strategy draft plan to the Committee.
Officers explained
that an area of significant contention was in between West Byfleet
and Brookwood where the towpath is used by commuter
cyclists.
Officers explained
that the BCA was prepared to allocate £10,000 to design
signage and minor works to reduce cycle speed and encourage
considerate usage. Members suggested designing a sign which stated
that pedestrians have priority on the canal towpath.
Members questioned
the liabilities in case of cycling accidents. Officers noted that
this was dependent on the circumstance, but, generally, it would be
the case that if the route was at fault then the BCA/County
Councils who may bear part of the liability.
Officers stressed
that widening the towpath would be a very expensive solution and
not recommended.
Members questioned
whether officers had met with cycle forums to discuss this.
Officers noted that they had discussed this issue, but that many
commuter cyclists do not engage with these groups. Members did
stress that more outreach could be done on social media.
Members questioned
whether the canal towpath could be removed from cycle route maps.
Officers noted that this would be contrary to most local
authorities’ wish to promote wellbeing.
Members did note that
there were some reported issues with night cyclists and bright and
intrusive lights blinding canoers and startling animals which could
be taken into account with regard to any policy, and that this
could be a ...
view the full minutes text for item 2018.
Purpose of the report:To inform the Committee of actions taken by the
Strategic Manager in drafting and gaining approval from Natural
England for the new Conservation Management Plan.
James Taylor, Strategic Manager BCA
Fiona Shipp, Canal Manager BCA
Key
points raised during the discussion:
Officers explained
that 90% of the canal is designated as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) and that, resultant of this, the owning authorities
had a duty to protect and enhance this status.
It was explained by
officers that there was a requirement to implement a conservation
management plan in order to ensure that conservation of the SSSI
was considered and to satisfy the regulator. It was highlighted
that, if no management plan was in place, there would be a need to
negotiate with the regulator for most of the canal’s
business. Officers explained that the plan was in need of review as
the last iteration had come to the end of its ten-year life.
.
It was explained that
the Conservation Management Plan was a technical document developed
in partnership with the BCA, Basingstoke Canal Society (BCS),
Natural England and other experts as part of the Conservation
Steering Group.
It was noted that the
agreed Conservation Management Plan had been formally Assented by
Natural England. The representative from Natural England stressed
that they had confidence in the report and that it was a good
compromise between conservation and recreation interests.
Members from the BCS
noted the powered boat limit and stressed that in some areas of the
canal there may be a potential for increasing the limit. It was
suggested by the BCS that conservation efforts should not constrain
financial viability. Officers and Natural England stressed that the
limit on powered boat movements was agreed at the upper limit to
ensure commercial viability and that they felt that this was
adequate to retain commercial viability whilst ensuring that the SSSI was maintained. Officers explained
that the formula of the upper limit of boat movements was contained
in an appendix to within the plan, based on a piece of research
published previously by Dr Eaton (a leading botanist and former
advisor to the CSG).
Members questioned
what the effects of increased boat movements would be on the SSSI.
Officers explained that boat movements had the effected of
displacing silt material on the bed, which increased turbidity and
restricted sunlight to plants and aquatic life. It was also noted
that it had the potential to reduce vegetation width across the
canal, cause bank erosion and damage submerged plants.
Members questioned
whether the SSSI was deteriorating and whether it would be
considered to be an SSSI in the future. The representative from
Natural England stressed that the canal was a site of national
importance. An SSSI could be de-notified where the protected
features had ceased to exist through natural processes, but it was
very unlikely that Basingstoke Canal SSSI would be de-notified in
the foreseeable future.
It was noted that the
BCA had applied for some funding through the Water Environment
Grant to aid the authority to undertake its conservation
priorities.
Purpose of the report: To
provide the Committee with an update of the work of the Basingstoke
Canal Society since the last meeting of the Committee.
Minutes:
Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses: Martin Leech,
Basingstoke Canal Society
Ken Sankey, Basingstoke Canal
Society
Key
points raised during the discussion:
Members congratulated
the BCS for their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It was
noted that the event was well attended and that HRH The Duke of
Kent presented the award.
Steven Dennett left the meeting at
11.15am
The representatives
for the BCS noted that work on the Farnborough Road mooring had
been delayed and that work would continue next spring. It was noted
that work was expected to be completed by the end of
2019.
The representatives
for the BCS explained that significant engagement work had been
underway on social media and that teams were working with local
authorities to help promote the canal as an asset.
Members questioned
the age range of volunteers for BCS. It was explained that most
volunteers were of retirement age, but that there was a growing
number of younger members resultant of the social media campaigns.
It was stressed that the BCS wanted to do engagement work in
schools and businesses in future and would be developing a plan to
do this.
RESOLVED:
That the
Joint Management Committee noted the report
Lisa Creaye-Griffin, Countryside Group Manager, Surrey County
Council
Key
points raised during the discussion:
Members
questioned the status of houseboat income, one of the actions on
the tracker. It was explained by Surrey officers that there would
be a report considered by Cabinet in the near future which would
clarify this issue further, but that there was no substantial
update at this time.
Members
noted and agreed the actions tracker.
2418.
DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
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The next meeting of the Basingstoke Joint
Management Committee will be held on 26 June 2019.
Minutes:
The Committee noted that its next meeting
would be on 26 June 2019 at the Mytchett Canal Centre.