Agenda item

To receive a briefing from Steve Bailey, Manager, on the work of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.

Steve Bailey, Manager, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, gave a presentation in respect of the work of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.  The Partnership had been set up in 1990 to co-ordinate the work required to maintain and enhance the environment in the Blackwater Valley and its principle aims were:

• To maintain the Valley as an open gap with enhanced landscape
• To conserve wildlife
• Improve the quality of the River Blackwater
• Co-ordinate recreation and conservation initiatives across the area
• Ensure access to and use of the Valley for sustainable transport

The work undertaken by the Partnership since its inception had had a significant impact on the flora and fauna of the area with increased fish stocks and sightings of otters in the river, the restoration of wetland areas and reed beds and the establishment of seven nature reserves along the length of the Blackwater Valley area. 

The Partnership received core funding of £104,000 from Borough, Parish and County Council’s bordering the Blackwater Valley; additional income of £222,800 was received in return for managing and looking after sites in the vicinity of the Blackwater Valley for other agencies.  A suggestion that additional income be raised by opening up flooded gravel pits to sailing clubs and other leisure companies was acknowledged however the Committee was informed that the Partnership did not own the land and whilst negotiations to secure a share of any profits from activities in addition to their management fee did take place the majority of any profits went to the landowners.

Through the utilisation of SANG payments the Partnership was in the process of completing the following projects to improve connectivity across the Blackwater Valley area:

·         The improvement of pedestrian and cycle routes between the Meadows Roundabout and Sainsburys on the A331.

·         The construction of a pedestrian and cycle crossing on the A331 at Riverside Way to the Blackwater Valley Car Park

·         Resurfacing and widening of the off-road Blackwater Valley Path between the Blackwater Valley car park and Frimley Railway Station

·         Widening and resurfacing of the Hatches between Frimley Green and North Camp Railway Station

The Blackwater Valley Trust had been set up to supplement and support the work of the Partnership however whilst there had in the past been a number of fundraising successes this resource was not currently being utilised as effectively as it might be following the deaths of a number of the trustees.

It was acknowledged that the Partnership’s website needed to be revamped and work to complete this was underway.

The Partnership acknowledged that the funding of non-essential services was coming under increasing pressure across the whole of the public sector and concern was expressed that if one public sector body ceased their funding contributions whilst it might be possible to fill the gap in the short term it could set a precedent which would result in other public sector bodies withdrawing funding and the Partnership becoming unsustainable.

The Committee thanked Steven Bailey for his update.

RESOLVED that the use of Council communication channels to raise awareness of the Blackwater Valley be explored.