Agenda item

Ms Sawyer introduced the report which related to the London Borough of Barnet Welsh Harp Management Plan.

Ms Sawyer informed the Committee that her team conducted regular patrols for rough sleepers and located 8 persons behind he allotments.  This was done on a weekly basis and felt that her team were on top of the problem.  Since then there haven’t been any reports of any further encampments

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There has been effective work in regards to the treatment of knotweed and hogweed. Some additional areas for the hogweed were identified and these are to be targeted. They will be also monitoring before the next stem injection.

The treatment is carried out around June/July and surveys take place around May.  Mr Cohen added that it is important to apply the treatment before flowering. This was noted.

Ms Sawyer informed the Committee that if they identify knotweed and hogweed in other areas they should email parks@barnet.gov.uk

Ms Catherine Cullen from London Wildlife Trust requested a current map that shows all the areas that have been injected. The Committee unanimously agreed. (Action: Ms Tracy Sawyer)

Ms Sawyer also added that they have completed the contract procurement process for bigger litter bins and they were going to order them and would be installed in the near future. Councillor Hart asked whether these bins were for dual purpose, both for recycling and other waste. Tracey responded that these bins are only large bins. Ms Daniella Levene asked whether these bins were bird proofed and Ms Sawyer responded that these bins will have lids.

Ms Johnson from Local Agenda 21 asked whether there are any signs placed across the Welsh Harp that notify people that the water is deep because a lady from West Hendon drowned. Ms Sawyer responded that there were ‘no swimming’ signs on site but would investigate into placing larger signs in the water and which could be installed.

Ms Liz Hall from the West Hendon Allotment Society stated that the ‘no fishing’ signs were ineffective. Mr John Shepherd from the Welsh Harp Sailing Association added that there is a need to patrol the area to tackle illegal fishing.  However signs by itself do not deter but need regular patrols of the area.

Mr Hider added that checks can be carried out to see if people have a licence and prosecute if necessary. Mr Shepherd added that even if people have licences, fishing is not allowed. Mr Hider said that the only thing they can do is engage with the enforcement team and he agreed to forward details and contacts. (Action: Mr Hider).

NB:  POST MEETING

Subsequent to the meeting Mr Hider advised that:

“I have spoken to one of our enforcement officers regarding illegal fishing at the welsh harp.

Our officers are only allowed to check for valid rod licences to see if people have paid their licence fee. However, I’m informed that since last April it has become a criminal offence to fish a water without the land owners permission.

Firstly, we have to ensure that there are sufficient notices on site with the correct wording -  ‘no fishing – it is now a criminal offence to fish without the landowners consent’. We can help with wording if needs be. These signs would have to be in the water at strategic points (usually access points) to avoid being defaced or removed.

When patrolling officers need a reference point on site to ensure people have ignored or deliberately gone against instruction notices and not just missed them. That’s why sufficient and appropriate signage has to be in place. With the winter and cold weather with us hopefully fishing on the Harp will be in decline, signs need to be in place for spring .

Once this is in place our enforcement officer/team  is prepared to visit the site to check rod licences - and prosecute if they do not have such documents - but will need to be accompanied by a representative of the land owner (and possibly police to enforce the illegal fishing act itself). If anglers present do have a rod licence he can only warn and advise individuals that they are not fishing legally.

To assist with a site visit it would be helpful for any reports of fishing to be collated and a record kept – days of the week, times and where on the Harp so that we can establish the most likely  time to encounter anglers.”

“ We have established an initial working group to explore the possibilities and opportunities of installing a sand martin nesting bank at the Welsh Harp. It consists of myself, Catherine Cullen (Welsh Harp Ranger – London Wildlife Trust) and Roy Beddard (Welsh harp Conservation Group). We are planning to conduct a meeting/site visit on the 1^st February. “

“I have received some feedback from our Fisheries enforcement officer who visited the welsh Harp on 11^th January.

In reference to appropriate signage for enforcement purposes (see below) - he only found those (attached) in close proximity to, and either side of Cool Oak lane bridge west side. There was no mention of the site being a protected site –SSSI.

He did find evidence of fishing on the northern reservoir – silk stream, where bivvies (fishing tents) had been erected for overnight fishing. There is we believe an interest in catching the carp in this waterbody. Apparently on the angling grapevine there  are rumoured to be a few but quite big carp here – in excess of 30lbs – so attractive to specimen hunters. These are likely to be serious fishermen - so would probably have rod licences.  He also found evidence of fires and potential fishing from less ‘professional’ anglers along the north bank of the main body of the reservoir.

The signage , and fishing activity, appears to be from land within the Borough of Barnet. There are reference points (signage here) which the fishermen would have passed (and ignored) en route to their position on the northern reservoir.

Prosecuting fishermen for fishing without landowner consent (even if they possess rod licences) is down to the land owner and a civil action. Either Canal & River trust or LB of Barnet should enforce this. It is not for constabulary or EA to do.”

Mr Shepherd said that he has reported rough sleepers in the Neasden recreation side to Brent. Mr Williams acknowledged that there has been one report and which had been dealt with.

Recommendation: unanimously agreed the recommendation.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee considered and noted the contents of this report and made comments on the contents of the report.

Mr Beddard added that there have been issues with damage done to the bird hyde behind Woolmead Avenue. The door was open and the locks were broken. He is not certain if the damage was caused by the rough sleepers; it could have been vandalism.

He tried to contact SNTs but there was no response. This happened either on Saturday afternoon or Monday morning. Ms Sawyer agreed to raise the matter with the  SNTs (Action: Ms Sawyer).