Agenda item

London Borough of Brent - Welsh Harp Management Plan

Minutes:

Mr Leslie Williams from the London Borough of Brent introduced the report.

Mr Williams informed the Committee that the joint management plan for Barnet and Rivertrust can be found on the Brent Council website. The Action Plan is attached as an appendix to the Welsh Harp Management plan report.

Mr Williams said that Brent Council were trying to establish a new timetable, however currently there was little progress on this.

 

Mr Williams told the Committee that there had been no new reports since the last meeting in relation to rough sleepers.

 

He informed the Committee that Brent was undertaking sport and physical activity sessions, and details of this could be found on the website. He asked that any organisations able to offer activities to residents to go on and log their details on the site or provide a link to a website.

 

Mr Williams gave an update on the weekly walks at the Welsh Harp and said consultations would take place regarding the programme going forward. He said an update would be given on future arrangements for the walks once received.

 

Mr Williams said that the removal of timber tow boarding from the river was in progress and that Brent  Council was looking to set up projects both up-stream and down-stream of the site.

 

In relation to the item raised at the last meeting concerning dead Swans in the reservoir, Mr Williams said Brent Council’s policy of removal of dead animals was dependant on the circumstances of the incident. He said that the Brent reservoir water was the responsibility of the Canal and River Trust and Brent Council does not have facilities at the site to launch boats into the water to deal with dead animals. He said that if the animal were near to the shore, dependant on the circumstance, Brent Council would endeavour to deal with it.

 

Mr Williams commented that there was erosion on the recreational ground where it meets the damn wall, and this area is popular with visitors. He said currently no immediate solution had been established, however Brent Council are looking into reducing tree vegetation to spread out over a wider area.

Mr Williams updated the Committee on disease and pests and said there are currently two main pest species affecting the Horse Chestnut. He said there are also a number of insect pests and fungi affecting the trees in Britain and information on these can be found via the Forestry Commission website, links to which could be found in the report.

 

Mr Cohen enquired about the progression of the Sand Martin Banks. Mr Hider said that he had visited the site in February; Catherine Cullen was unable to attend at the time. Mr Hider said discussions had taken place in regard to possible sites for the banks and the trust had been approached to provide details on embankments that had previously been deployed. Mr Hider said the RSPB would be sending information over to him and plans were on-going.

Mr Langdale said that there were still rough sleepers on the Brent side of the reservoir.  Mr Atkinson said blue tarpaulin had been located on the site for two weeks near to BirchEnd Grove. Mr Williams asked Mr Atkinson to email details about this location after the meeting so that it could be investigated.

 

Mr Cohen flagged the issue of deaths from swimming in recent years; he asked whether signage could be made available in languages other than English. Mr Williams said that advice on the dangers of swimming had been tackled via several approaches. He said safety advice was outlined in the management plan and that there was a limit to the amount of signage that could be provided. He said it was not practical to provide a very large number of signs. Mr Johnson agreed on the impracticality of additional signs and said that pictorial signs were provided which were much easier to understand and were universal across languages.

 

Mr Atkinson notified the Committee that another illegal encampment near the Canoe Club had appeared and had been there for at least three weeks. Mr Williams said he would follow this up. (Action: Mr Williams)

 

Mr Shepherd said he had enquired about the rough sleepers on the north circular road side and also a caravan which has been there for around six weeks on the Birchend Grove, Mr Williams said he would also follow up these reports. (Action: Mr Williams)

 

Mr Shepherd said that wood that was being cut on the side of the lake and was entering the water and should be cleared. Mr Williams said he was not aware there was wood entering from their side; however he would endeavour to look into the matter. (Action:  Mr Williams)

 

Ms Murphy asked whether the open session’s portal on the Brent website could include volunteering for work days. Mr Williams said that anything physical could be included which could involve conservation, walking etc. He said that allotments and gardening organisations could put information on the website too. Ms Murphy said she would inform Ms Cullen of this.

 

Mr Cohen said the Canals and River Trust did not seem to attend the Welsh Harp meetings even though a lot of the issues involved them as they are responsible for water and banks. The Chairman notified the Committee that he had written to the Canal and River Trust requesting their attendance and would keep pursuing this to secure a representative, however he was yet to receive a reply. Mr Holroyd said he would forward the Chairman contact details of an officer at the Canal and River Trust. Mr Hider agreed a representative would be useful and also could provide details of an officer working at the Trust.

 

Mr Cohen mentioned in the last meeting (page 3 of the minutes) that there was a problem with rats at the Welsh Harp. Mr Cohen said currently there are staff employed at Barnet Council to deal with rats, however he was not sure this was the case at Brent Council. Mr Cohen asked that a report on how frequently rats are present be produced, so that the rat population could be treated in whatever way necessary. Mr Williams said he would liaise with Barnet Council on their approach to handling rats. (Action:  Mr Williams)  He said currently Brent Council’s approach within parks was to discourage bird feeding and encourage education around responsible park use. Councillor Langleben said the issue with rats was a major problem on the estate and the regeneration had exacerbated the issue in some parts. Councillor Langleben suggested Barnet Homes and Barretts needed to consult and cooperate on a solution to the problem. Mr Beddard said that the public feeding animals from the bridge was adding to the problem. Mr Hider suggested the public needed to be encouraged to feed the animals with alternatives to bread such as seeds or lettuce leaves. Mr Holroyd said he would take the comments surrounding better education of feeding to Ms Cullen and potentially investigate appropriate signage.

 

Mr Gunyon said that Barnet Council could send enforcement officers down to the site if there were any issues regarding fly tipping or littering and issue fines, but agreed engaging and education people was a good first step.

Mr Beddard noted that someone had been spotted on more than one occasion disposing of waste food into the lake. Mr Gunyon asked that details of the day and time of this activity be reported to him so that enforcement officers could visit the site and investigate.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted and made comments on the report.

 

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