Item 2

AT A MEETING of the MARTIN DOWN MANAGMENENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE held at The Blandford Hall, Martin on Monday 31 July 2006.

PRESENT :

P Councillor Mrs. K. Heron Hampshire County Council

P Councillor A. W. Rice, TD Hampshire County Council

P Councillor Mrs. L. C. Ford New Forest District Council

Councillor Mrs. M.N.Whitehead New Forest District Council

C. Bouchier. Martin Parish Council

P B. Perratt Martin Parish Council

P W.R.A. Densham Commons Graziers

P Mrs C. Densham Commons Graziers

P Mr. M. Hooper Commons Graziers

P R Lloyd English Nature

P Mrs. L.C. Smith English Nature

A J Durnell Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

P P. Durnell Hampshire County Council

P Miss S Briggs Hampshire County Council

9 DECLARATIONS IOF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

10 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2005 were agreed as a correct and
signed by the Chairman

11 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATION

The Chairman drew attention to the cattle grid in the A354 car park, where
there was no Hedgehog escape route. It was requested that one be provided.

12 DEPUTATIONS

There were none.

13 ANNUAL REPORT 2005/2006

The Committee received and noted the report of the English Nature Acting
Site Manager ( Item 5 in the Minute Book ) outlining progress at Martin
Down.

English Nature would merge with the Rural Development Service and the

Countryside Agency to become Natural England in October 2006, after which

It was hoped that a permanent Site Manager would be appointed for Martin

Down.

Scrub management had been carried out during the year, with a range of

techniques used to reduce scrub invading the herb-rich grassland and chalk

heath.

The site continued to be grazed in winter by around 800 of Ian Millard's

sheep; and throughout the year by Mark Hooper's and English Nature's.

The goats on the site were to be moved to the Purbecks in October under the

Management of the National Trust.

English Nature had reviewed all licenses with the County Council
on the Down in the light of the CRoW Open Access legislation. Ferret and rabbit management would continue, although with changed personnel.

Butterfly numbers were buoyant on the Reserve. Adonis blue,

dark green Fritillary and Marsh Fritillary. The habitat appeared suitable in several areas of the reserve and management would continue with that in mind.

A moth trapping event had taken place in early June and another was planned for this August. A Buglife Oil Beetle Project survey was in progress. This aimed to map their current distribution and discover more about their ecology.

A greater understanding of reptile numbers and distribution was emerging, and the service would be contributing to the Froglife survey.

Local voluntary wardens had found some rare species, Autumn Ladies Tresses and Butterfly Orchid were in evidence on the reserve during the last year.

The earth-adder had sustained frost damage and was to be repaired. A number of guided walks had taken place on the reserve and a talk had been given to the Parish Council.

The interpretation signs were major improvements and new leaflets were planned after Natural England became operational. The map of the reserve within the current leaflet would require redrafting.

It was explained that various matters were in obeyance awaiting the change of name and structure of English Nature to Natural England in October 2006. Operational staff on sites would continue in their posts and budgets had been set to enable continued operation. Management personnel would be appointed in the autumn and matters would have been clarified by April 2007.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Lloyd, Linda Smith, Mr. Durnell, the volunteers and the graziers for their work on Martin Down.

14 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS 2005/06

The Committee received and noted the Financial Accounts for 2005/06.

Chairman : __________________________________

Date : ____________________________________