Agenda item
Actions for Current Issues and future Vision - Verbal Update
Minutes:
Matthew Gunyon provided an update on the current situation and future works to be carried out at the reservoir following discussions with Brent, the Canal River Trust, London Wildlife Trust, Thames 21, and the Greater London Authority (GLA). Mr Gunyon thanked volunteers for the thousands of bags of litter that had been collected. The Environment Agency (EA) reported that litter clearance was carried out on a weekly basis.
MP Matthew Offord contacted the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the issue of trash screens and received a response which Mr Gunyon would forward to the Committee post meeting.
It was noted that there had been no clear strategic plan for match funding or capital revenue to improve the area. Habitat management issues particularly on the Barnet side needed improvement. Invasion species and Japanese Knotweed were treated on a cyclical basis, but clear tracking was needed to reduce rising issues.
It was noted that a strategic and joined up approach on improvement to the Welsh Harp was needed. Therefore, development of a Welsh Harp Vision would include a review of the management plan and identification of key work streams such as unified signage for the whole site, target dredging and access points to the Welsh Harp that could be easily identified as the SSSI area. A contractor specialist would be procured to help develop the master plan to improve work streams. In addition to the s.106 money that was available, funding from the GLA of £10,000 would be put towards the project combined with another £10,000 from Barnet.
The Chairman raised the issue of de-silting to ensure prevention of solidification and whether it had been taken into consideration. It was noted that although dredging of the whole reservoir was needed, the lack of funding meant that targeted dredging would be carried out as an interim measure. Innovative approaches were being explored to reduce organic matter within the sediments and sectioned off areas could potentially be drained to allow targeted dredges. A catchment wide approach was being done to look at preventative measures upstream of siltation.
Members recommended trash traps to be placed up river to collect silt and mud and the possibility of implementing another trash trap near the Brent Cross. Trash traps could also be modified to catch a wider area of rubbish flowing through especially during heavy rainfall.
Councillor Clarke informed the committee that the above suggestions were discussed by the Brent Cross team to include in their plan which was no longer funded by the shopping centre. Reporting from the local consultation exercise would be an open and transparent process and a vision would be developed in consideration of input from all parties.
Matthew Gunyon went through the plan on upcoming works in further detail. Some of the activities included:
- Supporting community clean-up: Materials and equipment would be provided through coordinated efforts with Brent Council and the CRT.
- Installation of additional safety signage: To ensure a balance between welcoming and educational signs.
- Installation of Recycling bins: Two bins were recently installed.
- Manage rough sleeping: An ongoing issue tackled by the rough sleeper team in Barnet to ensure rubbish was collected when possible and suitable accommodation provided.
- Manage invasive plant specifies: Cyclical treatment of Japanese Knotweed through stem injection or spraying. Additional patches were treated when identified and were being tracked. Volunteers were encouraged to assist with the Himalayan Balsam.
- Improvements projects for the reservoir: Consultation on dredging the water bed, improving access and view points were part of the long-term plan.
Waste Management Plan working with EA: Forming localised waste lines with local environment agency, local businesses, and communities to address littering and fly tipping using a catchment wide approach.