MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING

15^th DECEMBER 1999

HELD AT SAYSBURY MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH 

 

PRESENT :  Steve Karn ( Acting Chairman)   

Warren Richards Monya Billings

Ted Burrow   Michael Brown

John Rider 

Liz Greenwood (landscape Officer EHDC)

Jonathan Wilshaw (CMS)

Joyce Vincent  Michael Vincent   

APOLOGIES : Jacqueline Dore  Lanier Pole

Diana Richards (Sbw Town Council)

Hazel Mead  David Mead

Susan Clark (Rural Enterprise Project)

David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)

Louise Clark

Joan & Ted Willett 

MINUTES :

The minutes of the last meeting were distributed at the meeting and accepted by all present. David T sent apologies for not getting the minutes out for general circulation. 

MATTERS ARISING:

The library now holds a box file in the Reference Section of current documents of interest. 

AGENDA ITEMS: 

1 The Relief Road. Members asked if a catalogue of flora and fauna was available which covered the proposed route of the RR. It was agreed that Warren R approach Trevor James Biological Records HCC for information.  

2 The flood plain. John R was asked to write to the Herts Observer again highlighting the sorry state of the Cottage so that members could respond to keep the subject in the public domain. Ted B research had shown that the lock-keeper’s was not listed.

2.1.Protection. Members were concerned how we could control misconduct on the flood plain. Jonathan W said he had no knowledge of CMS being approached by David T to extend their ‘care’ of Pishiobury Park to the flood plain. It was suggested we contact Hertfordshire Police Wildlife Officer. It was appreciated that one of the organisations with people on the ground is the Sbw AS and Warren R will make formal contact.

It was said that a swan was killed on the river by ‘shooters’.

2.2 Project Manager. Peter Garrett and Jonathan W have been walking the flood plain, starting at Roydon and walking to Harlow. They were surprised at the amount of land which is not being managed on both sides of the river and are considering putting forward proposals which may require a project manager to consolidate efforts to regenerate the Stort Valley flood plain as a whole. Everybody at the meeting gave their support to the proposal. It was pointed out that there is a Roydon Environmental group which we could make contact with.

2.3 Political Support. Members were suggesting we take guidance from the Lea Valley Park, this needed an act of Parliament, which emphasises the need for political support for any task that affects the public at large.

Other support we might consider is academia- approaching Universities in Essex and Herts to consider using the flood plain for study. Again ask the Biological Records to do a new survey of the Stort Valley. 

3 Parish Environmental Action Plan (PEAP). Jonathan W said CMS would be happy to give a talk on PEAP at the next meeting. Members should think of examples of things they would wish to be protected and consider what area to include; for example the Town boundary is not the same as the Parish boundary. 

4. AOB In being members of CPRE we have to ensure we are members of The Hertfordshire Society, Warren R to check.

We were reminded that the May Fair this year is to be a weekend festival for the Millenium-ideas to promote the SVP? 

5 DNM. The 8^th February 2000 in Sayesbury Manor at 8.00pm.