Agenda item

Clive Cohen from the London Wildlife Trust requested that when Councillors are not able to attend they should send their substitute.  Councillor Khatri responded that this will require change to the Constitution of both Barnet & Brent and agreed to take this forward with governance officers.  (Action: Cllr Khatri)

Leslie Williams from the London Borough of Brent made a correction on p.2 of the minutes that there is no budget available to introduce a kingfisher bank.

Mr Cohen mentioned that the minutes of the last meeting should include a reference to the new officer Catherine Cullen that joined the London Wildlife Trust. At the time of the meeting she had been post for 2-3 days and her role was around S106 funding related to the warden for the Welsh Harp and the impact on the SSSI by the development of the area.

Mr Cohen asked what would happen in the absence of budget being available. Mr Williams responded that kingfishers do not nest in high density so a kingfisher bank would not have a great impact. Brent is part of the River Brent Catchment Partnership who are investigating a project to remove redundant timber toe-boarding from sections of the riverbank, upstream and downstream of the Welsh Harp. The more natural riverbanks may benefit several species of wildlife.

Mr Roy Beddard from Welsh Harp Conservation Group mentioned that there are probably two kingfisher nests. There is evidence that there is breeding taking place this year. They have seen birds passing in the breeding season carrying fish which is an indication that breeding is taking place.

A kingfisher bank would be very expensive to build, it’s not very clear where it should be placed and it would disturb other habitants. Mr Beddard expressed his opinion that a kingfisher bank is not needed and that there are other high priority issues that need to be addressed.

Neale Hider from the Environment Agency said that there are some smaller versions of a kingfisher bank and they are installing some in another area. A sand Martin bank would have a greater impact on the site than a kingfisher bank. There are other sand Martin sites which are expanding because of good breeding success and a feasibility study could be done for a sand Martin’s site to be installed on one of the islands in the Welsh Harp.

Ms Julie Johnson from Local Agenda 21 asked whether the committee can be advised of costs involved before any action is taken.

Mr Cohen added that a sand Martin bank would be adding another environment to the purpose of the Welsh Harp.

Mr Hider added that they are able to provide costings for a sand martin bank and look into the different options of a kingfisher bank and a sand martin bank and bring a report to the next Committee meeting. The report can also include funding options and possible locations.

Councillor Hart seconded Mr Hider’s proposal.

The Committee unanimously agreed the recommendation and it was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Environment Agency would look into costs for a sand Martin bank, the different options for a kingfisher bank and sand Martin bank, funding options and possible locations and bring a report at the next Committee meeting. 

Mr Beddard added that there is evidence that a properly constructed sand Martin bank could be efficient. He added that a sand Martin bank needs to be considered along with other issues in the priority list.

The 2015 report from the Welsh Harp Conservation Group was an action from the last minutes and it was circulated by the governance officer prior to the Committee meeting.

Mr Cohen mentioned that it would be helpful to clearly mark the actions that arise from each meeting in the minutes.

Mr Beddard mentioned tree felling has been taking place again and he is not aware of who is responsible for this. The incident took place over a week ago. Mr Cohen added that if tree felling is observed then people should dial 101 for them to investigate and they are present very quickly.

Regarding the action on page 3 of the minutes of the last meeting, the Chairman said he wrote to the Canal and River Trust but has not received a response yet.

Regarding the question on rat control in the last minutes, the Chairman referred to the information which was circulated by Mr Williams.

Ms Tracey Sawyer from the London Borough of Barnet also added that in Barnet there is an internal pest control. Daniella from Friends of Welsh Harp mentioned that there is a need to educate people not to feed the birds because this is what is causing this issue. Mr Geoffrey Johnson from Woolmead Residents’ Association also added the issue is created when people throw bread in the bank.

Subject to the changes being taken into account, the Committee agreed that the minutes of the last Committee held on 19 July be approved as a correct record.