ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the MARTIN DOWN MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE held at the Blandford Hall, Martin on 10 September 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Mrs K. Heron (Chairman); J. Waddington

English Nature

D Burton; G. Hamersley; L.C. Smith; L. Lloyd.

New Forest District Council

Councillor Mrs L.C. Ford; Dr. M.N. Whitehead

Martin Parish Council

Councillor B B Perratt

Grazier

M.J. Hooper

10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

11 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July, 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

12 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

13 DEPUTATIONS

There were none.

14 ANNUAL REPORT

The Committee considered the Annual Report of the Site Manager (Item 5 in the Minute Book).

Scrub management during 2003/04 had been successful having been funded by English Nature. At present seventy one graziers' sheep were present on the Down, and this would be increased to two groups of three hundred ewes/ewe lambs throughout the autumn and late winter. English Nature also had a flock of 100 plus other breeds and goats.

Councillor Perratt requested information on the reasoning for aspiring to Vernditch being declared an NNR. It was considered that such arrangements would be beneficial and proposals had been formalised in a twenty year Forestry Commission Design Plan. The main benefits were held to be economic and ecological management in a stable environment within the NNR. This aspiration would, if realised, result in Vernditch being declared part of the National Nature Reserve.

Mr Hamersley supported the proposal on the grounds that the enlarged NNR would make a contribution to national environmental planning, and would take several years to achieve. An English Nature workshop had discussed visitor management facilities in the light of the CROW Open Access land where Stone Curlews were breeding. This also revised questions regarding dog-walking. Linda Smith was to monitor ferreting activities on Martin Down.

The rumble strips and painted signs to slow traffic on the A354 were still to be made up and Mr Durnell was to take this up with the County Council's Environment Department.

Guided walks and community events had included moth walks/trappings; and a community picnic was planned for Spring 2005.

A two-day land management demonstration was to take place in November 2004 and the Down was on a preliminary list of the site visits in English Nature's National Nature Reserve conference in April 2005. The Down had also been used as a location for a feature film of "Pride and Prejudice" which might increase Martin Down's profile.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

15 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS 2003/04

The Committee considered and approved the accounts for 2003/04.




RESOLVED:

That the Financial Accounts for 2003/04 be accepted.

16 ENGLISH NATURE

Mr Hamersley explained proposed new arrangements regarding the future role of English Nature.

English Nature would continue with wildlife management as part of the merged integrated Agency whose remit would encompass landscapes, access and wildlife.

The new arrangements, if implemented, would commence in 2007, and provide closer links with the three agencies in the meantime. A new wider approach to the care of wildlife would move away from special sites to a more integrated approach to the landscape.

17 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Friday 11 February 2005 at 1.30 pm to view the Archaeology on Martin Down meet at Silins Lane.

Friday 24 June 2005
Tour of Martin Down - 2.00 p.m.
Meet in A354 car park
Martin Down Management Advisory Committee at the Blandford Hall, Martin at 3.15 p.m.

4cM170904