Committee Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 July 2007 at 9 Frosterley Close, Newton Hall, Durham
Present: D Gibson, J Hogg, R Logan, R
Cowen, D Sowerbutts
1. Apologies:
None
2. Minutes of last meeting
Accepted.
3. Matters arising
» Richard mentioned he was writing a feature for the Bowburn Interchange on a regular basis.
» He also mentioned that he had received a response from BTO re set aside. They had mentioned that the set aside provisions were now likely to be reviewed following an EU directive.
While appreciating that the principal purpose of set aside related to over production rather than conservation, Richard noted the Set Aside Handbook and Guidance for England had many provisions relating to green cover for wildlife purposes and had a comment regarding unrestricted spraying of such land at least until mid July. It was noted that recent reports had suggested that Woodlark numbers had increased recently in the south of England probably as a result of the set aside provisions. However, experience in the North East suggested that in a number of cases the Guidance on spraying was not being observed and DEFRA were not really interested.
It was decided that we should ask RSPB negotiators to do their utmost to ensure that the existing provisions were retained so far as possible and indeed steps were taken to request DEFRA (through the Rural Payments Agency) to enforce the existing provisions if inappropriate spraying of set aside land was proved to have taken place.
» Richard noted that plans for a wind farm at Hawthorn were advanced but not yet submitted to the Planning Authority in Easington. This was probably the Murton wind farm mentioned last time. It was agreed to keep a watching brief on this.
» Richard mentioned that he had written, in a personal capacity, to make representations regarding the Planning White Paper. It was noted that the Green Belt provisions of the Barker Report had been removed and there were a number of provisions that may well be welcome, but there were also other provisions of great concern that could affect democracy and wildlife.
4. Correspondence
» David G said he had received a letter from the Victoria Inn in Cassop offering facilities and a 10% discount to Group meetings. It was agreed this should be mentioned in the Newsletter together with a suggestion that the Group may wish to consider e.g. a Group dinner.
» This in turn lead to a suggestion for a weekend away and it was agreed that this should also be suggested in the Newsletter to seek the views of the membership.
5. Speakers
Julie mentioned that she had two speakers fixed and one almost certain but date not yet fixed. She had also approached two other speakers but they had requested data projection facilities - although these were available at the University, they were not open to non-University people.
A number of suggestions were made regarding the outstanding dates for speakers and it was noted that it was likely that more speakers would require data projection facilities. David S would make enquiries of the University to see if we could be allowed to use their data projection facilities, but in addition Regional Office should be asked if they can assist.
6. Trips
» David S produced a tide table for the crossings to Holy Island in October. Apart from 20 October all the times required a very early start. It was agreed 20 October was probably too late and the best date appeared to be 6 October, but this would require an 8.15 start.
» The New Year trip should take place on 5 January starting at 9.00.
7. Summer Reports
» Teesmouth trip 11 August - David G or, if not available, Julie
» Holy Island 6 October - Richard
This also led to a discussion as to whether the Group should continue to book coach trips or replace them with minibus or car only trips. Following recent experiences it was agreed that, apart from the Holy Island trip, coach trips should be abandoned. It was agreed that main trips should be by minibus rather than car.
The following locations were agreed for trips in 2008:
» 23 Feb/1 Mar - Potteric Carr - minibus
» 26 April - W Durham - car
» 17 May - Wheldrake [subsequently changed to Geltsdale] - minibus
» 14 June - Northumberland Coast - minibus. It was questioned whether this should include the Farne Islands. Richard mentioned he hoped to be diving off the Farne Islands on 1 August and he would make some enquiries as to the cost of chartering a boat for this purpose and ask National Trust representative if they could give any information as to how long the Group could be allowed on any island.
8. Carol Bamber
She had asked if she could attend a Committee meeting. It was agreed she be invited to the next meeting. Richard and David S offered facilities if David G found he could not host the meeting on the set date.
9. AOB
» It was agreed that forms should be sent with the Newsletter seeking volunteers for the Bird Atlas survey.
» Ray mentioned problems that had be reported regarding terns breeding this year in our region. This appeared to be true of Common and Sandwich Terns. However, it also appeared that Roseate terns had had a reasonably successful year and Little Terns at Crimdon had done better than in previous years.
9. Date of next meeting
2 October 2007 at 9 Frosterley Close.
|
