Lake District National Park Partnership Agenda Item: 2

5 December 2016Page 1

Meeting of the Lake District National Park Partnership’s Annual General Meeting on

Tuesday, 4 October 2016 at 2.00 pm

at the Low Wood Bay Hotel, Windermere, LA23 1LP

DRAFT MINUTES

Name / Organisation / Apologies received
Lord Clark, Chairman
Steve Ratcliffe
Liam McAleese
Liz Davey
Eric Barker
Fleur Gilchrist / LDNPA
Secretariat
Mike McKinley
Richard Leafe
Kerry Powell / LDNPA
Haydn Spedding
Ian Stephens / Cumbria Tourism / Eric Robson
Mike Innerdale
David Thornton / National Trust
David Hall / National Farmers Union
Simon Humphries / Natural England
Karen Johnson
Phil Greenup / Cumbria County Council
Allerdale Borough Council / Andrea Hines
Bill Jefferson
Julie Betteridge / Copeland Borough Council / Keith Hitchen
Sarah Mitchell
Jonathan Brook
David Sykes / South Lakeland District Council
Graham Jackson-Pitt / Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cumbria LEP
Dorothy Fairbairn
Mark Southern / Country Land & Business Association
Lorrainne Smyth / ACT
Jez Westgarth / Environment Agency
Douglas Chalmers / FLD
Kevin May
Keith Jones (item 3 only) / Forestry Commission
Cllr John Thompson
Matthew Neal / Eden District Council / Gordon Nicolson
Historic England / Karl Creaser
Leslie Johnson
Samantha Bagshaw / CALC
Gill Houston / Nurture Lakeland
Kevin Sayers / United Utilities / John Hilton
Carole Barr / Local Access Forum
Anna Cucknell / RSPB / Cheryl Nicholson
Bill Kenmir
Nigel Wilkinson / Business Task Force
Sandra Booth / University of Cumbria
Observers
Bill Coupe / Freshwater Biological Association (FBA)
Steve Curl / LDNPA Member
Sam Hagon / LDNPA / Item 3
Becky Willis / Consultant to LDNPA / Item 3
Phil Davies / CAFS / Item 3
Robert Docherty / EDC / Item 3
Ursula Seddon / EDC / Item 3

Joining the meeting for item 3:

Monica Luengo / ICOMOS
Brenda Barrett / ICOMOS
John Hodgson / LDNPA
Henry Owen-John / Historic England
Catherine Dewar / Historic England
Hannah Jones / DCMS
  1. Annual General Meeting

Welcome, introduction and apologies

Lord Clark welcomed all to the Partnership AGM, arranged to provide the ICOMOS assessors, who will join the meeting for item 3, the carbon budget, with an opportunity to see how the Partnership works in relation to the Partners, local residents, visitors and the National Park. The ICOMOS assessors will attend the drinks reception and dinner to celebrate the Partnership’s tenth anniversary.

Lord Clark welcomed Liz Davey (EA) and Eric Barker (Copeland Borough Council) to the Partnership team and Bill Coupe (FBA) and Steve Curl (LDNPA Member) attending as observers.

Apologies noted in the minutes (page 1).

The Minutes of the Partnership meeting held on 20 June 2016 were agreed.There were no matters arising.

Liam McAleese provided an overview of the last year including:

Highlights:

  • National Park extension of 3% increase in land mass – a real vote of confidence in the concept of National Parks by the Government
  • Partners’ involvement in the nomination document for WHS sent to UNESCO with the LDNPP’s ‘Evolving Masterpiece’ communications campaign for UNESCO WHS being named as a finalist in the Northern Marketing Awards 2016.
  • Marketing campaigns by Cumbria Tourism, the Lakes and Dales Route and Tour of Britain in September 2016.
  • Partners’ participating in pilot of eco-accounting and made progress on the Cumbria Peat Partnership.
  • Partners’ involvement in the flood recovery and future planning for resilience by working with communities and influencing national decision making through BTF representatives meeting with the Prime Minister in Grasmere.

Monitoring Framework:

  • Further work on indicators, particularly on farming, which requires additional work when resources become available.

Risk Framework:

  • Section 2.4 of the Management Plan focuses on the high level risks but does not provide the framework to proactively manage them. Over the next twelve months with Partners’ assistance, further work is to be progressed to develop the framework.

Progress against Breakthrough Actions:

  • Partners are actively delivering projects under the Partnership Plan and this makes a valuable contribution. On 5 October the National Trust will provide an update on the Sustainable Land Management Tool, co-funded by Partners.
  • Following Brexit, the LDNPA propose a new action to develop a rural and farming policy that recognises the special qualities of the Lake District, with the LDNPA proposing to the Partnership that they lead on this.
  • The Partnership agreed that an action plan be created post July 2017, should the WHS inscription be successful, realise opportunities associated with WHS status. The initial focus was around visitor economy but has a broader link to food and farming, community engagement and cultural opportunities. Cumbria Tourism initially led on this but due to resources,has withdrawn from leading this action. Ian Stephens said that WHS offered a tremendous opportunity to relaunch and refresh the Lake District branding, celebrating the vibrant landscape but also to boost jobs in the North West and M6 corridor attracting people to live and work in Cumbria. Nigel Wilkinson also endorsed this noting that the Cumbria LEP should also be included as a Partner with the evolving Tourism Growth Plan. Lorraine Smyth and Leslie Johnson both agreed that communities also needed to be included in these plans. Steve Ratcliffe said although the WHS inscription would not be decided until July 2017, he encouraged all Partners to plan ahead. Mike Innerdale said that looking at other National Trust sites such as the Jurassic Coast, the decision was made to appoint a WHS Programme Manager to drive economic growth and visitor experience. Sandra Booth advised that the University is keen to maximise the opportunities not only for the University but the wider partnership. Lord Clark asked if a sub-committee of the Partnership should be set up to take this forward. Jez Westgarth suggested looking at what are the key differences as a result of world heritage status, the difficulties encountered post flooding and resilience for the future. Nigel Wilkinson noted this is a legitimate challenge with the domestic market, with the main benefits coming from the international market such as Japan. Richard Leafe said it was essential to have a clear plan and focus behind the money needed to achieve this through Nurture Lakeland, both as individuals and interested parties. Sam Bagshaw recommended involving parishes in the Lake District with the world heritage branding but also towns such as Penrith, Workington and Ulverston. Dorothy Fairbairn stressed the need to consider the whole tourism issue whether world heritage status was granted or if not achieved. Action: All Partners to discuss further at the Partnership meeting on 5 December 2016.
  • Farming and Forestry breakthrough action: Liam McAleese noted this item is on red, adding that resources have not yet been identified to consider business support and the various European income streams on rural development and farming and the formation of a new Farming Task Force to support food and farming. The LEP are developing a rural strategy.
  • External Fundraising: Kerry Powell reported this item is on red but Partners who attended the meeting in March 2016 agree that fundraising provides an opportunity for the Partnership with visitor giving through Nurture Lakeland. The External Fundraising Group are keen to be involved in looking for European funding once costs relating to breakthrough actions in the Partnership Plan are known. A meeting of the Group will be arranged to take this forward.
  • Broadband – clarity required on extending broadband in the National Park BT iskeen to supply areas which are difficult to reach. Action: Karen Johnson to check if Jonathan Harris of CCC can attend a future meeting.

2.Partnership Refresh

As part of the Partnership improvement work, and to mark 10 years of working together, Partners agreed refresh our purpose and commitment to working together. Partners also wanted to be reminded of the role that the LDNPA plays in the partnership. A paper was circulated to set out a summary purpose of the Partnership, a short 1 page MoU and a statement on the role of the LDNPA in relation to the Partnership. This was endorsed by partners, subject to a minor editorial error being corrected.

Partnership Updates.

As part of the Partnership Improvement work, partners wanted more time in meetings to keep each other updated on issues of mutual interest. A number of partners contributed to this session:

  • Floods – farming community: David Hall, NFU, spoke to the Partnership on the significant impact of the floods on the farming community. Defra’s Farming Recovery Fund received a far greater number of applications for funding than anticipated resulting in a delay of three months before approval and payment within 30 days rather than 5 days. Concerns post Brexit and in the National Park where significant income is generated through payment schemes particularly those which end in the next two years. NFU is working with their members and a number of organisations to consider future options to frame the framework on trade with free access to the open market in Europe linked to employment. Farmers will clearly have to demonstrate their value to the public purse in the future emphasising the value of the quality of the food they produce, the quality of the landscape to support that economy and as part of the world heritage bid.
  • Nurture Lakeland: Gill Houston, appointed Chair of NL a year ago, joined the Partnership in July 2016. Nurture Lakeland continues to work with tourism businesses to encourage visitors to donate to local conservation project. Nurture Lakeland set up the flood appeal for conservation projects in Ullswater. With 17million visitors, Nurture Lakeland’s vision is to encourage visitors to contribute £1 towards conservation projects in the Partnership’s Plan.
  • Business Task Force: Nigel Wilkinson said that the BTF has focussed on providing leadership for National Park businesses affected by the flooding. The biggest challenge was to correct the misconception that Cumbria was not open for business. Insurance for businesses is of particular. Working with Partners he credited Cumbria Tourism for their very strong Destination marketing campaign – post floods. The devaluation of sterling in 2016 may benefit domestic tourism. Post Brexit there is concern about EU migrant labour both for individuals and businesses until more is known. It is essential that the right infrastructure is in place for broadband, staycation and transport. The BTF met the Prime Minister to discuss Rights of Way funding. There have been opportunities for businesses to work with other partners to provide a single message on Brexit, flood resilience and destination management with private and public partners working together.
  • North West Coastal Connections Project: Steve Ratcliffe referred to National Grid’s proposals. Meetings have been held with partners, Ofgem, questions raised in the House of Lords by Lord Clark not only about the proposed route through the National Park but also to emphasise the value of the visitor economy to the Lake District. The final proposals are due by the end of October 2016 with an eight week consultation till 28 December. Steve Ratcliffe thanked all partners for their united message to National Grid which has been taken on board.
  • Cumbria Tourism:Ian Stephens reported on the trading difficulties for some businesses in the visitor economy, following the floods. Trade has improved over the last four months but needs to continue through the winter months, as the area is an all year round attraction but it is important that visitors get that message from the winter campaign. A Cumbria rewards card is being promoted in the domestic market for the winter months.
  • University of Cumbria - The Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas:Sandra Booth referred to the Centre which is the only one based in a National Park in Europe. The University are keen to consolidate their programmes on land management and forestry with community collaboration. Following the Partnership meeting at the University in June 2016, meetings have been held with the Environment Agency, National Trust, Cumbria Tourism and other National Parks and the University to establish the research agenda, curricula and programmes for the Centre. Sandra Booth thanked Partners for their assistance.
  • Country Land and Business Association: Dorothy Fairbairn supported David Hall’s (NFU) comments earlier on Brexit. It is important to establish that any food, farming and environment policy is properly funded coupled with job security for those employed from Eastern Europe working on farms both seasonal and long term and trading arrangements. Lord Clark agreed.
  • Rivers Trusts:Liam McAleese said that rivers trusts had long provided a supportive role in partnership activities eg Lake District Still Waters Partnership and in the ongoing development of a Catchment Alliance. The Partnership will hear more of Defra’s 25 Year Plan which will be catchment based at the Partnership meeting on 5October, with the Rivers Trusts attending as observers but also seeking endorsement as to whether they should be Partners. Action: Agreed that a representative from the three Rivers Trusts should be invited to attend on a rotational basis.

Partnership Improvement Programme:

Liam introduced Liz Davey, Environment Agency, and Eric Barker, Copeland Borough Council, who have been seconded to the Partnership team. Their remit is to make the Partnership more independent but working closely with all the Partners and the Chair of the Partnership to ensure effective partnership working together with effective community engagement and partnership working good practice. Liz Davey and Eric Barker provided the Partnership with updates on previous roles where they have used best practice on different projects.

Liz Davey and Eric Barker then led the Partnership through sessions on identifying good practice, breakthrough actions, opportunities to collaborate and ideas to make it happen. Further details can be found in Annex 1 to these minutes.

The Partnership took a short break.

Lord Clark welcomed the ICOMOS Assessors, Monica Luengo and Brenda Barrett to the Partnership meeting. With 88 Parish Councils in the National Park, the Partnership is one means of communicating with the community.

Lord Clark also welcomed John Hodgson (LDNPA), Henry Owen-John (Historic England), Catherine Dewar (Historic England) and Hannah Jones (DCMS) to the meeting.

  1. The Carbon Budget

Lord Clark introduced Sam Hagon, Strategy & Partnership Adviser, LDNPA, to give an update on the Carbon Budget and progress with the Climate Change Action Plan.

Sam Hagon reported that the Low Carbon Lake District was set up in 2008, the Carbon Budget in 2010and with the support of the Partnership a Climate Change Sub Group was formed. The LDNPA has worked with Small World Consultancy to provide best estimates to differentiate between more significant and less significant actions. This focussed oncutting carbon but also creating a culture of climate action both at policy level and by demonstrating leadership. Since 2010 there have been collaborative projects on transport, homes, tourism, food, renewables, land use and planning. There is continuous improvement on data collection by re-interpreting savings from renewables (revised downwards) to reflect annual carbon savings in other actions in the carbon budget. New additional carbon storage from woodland creation has been updated for the first time in two years. Peatland restoration has been recalculated to take account of developments in the science and for the first time it has been possible to measure carbon savings from scrubland creation and hay meadow restoration.

The 2016 Carbon Budget is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from the 2010 baseline equivalent to a 1% saving per year. The best estimate is that the overall carbon footprint has been reduced by 251,000 tonnes CO2e since 2010 have only reached about 65% of our target. 90,000 tonnes saved during 2015-16.

What has made the difference?

  • Public sector: 152 tonnes internal emissions reductions
  • Waste and recycling: 300 tonnes reducing residual waste in South Lakeland and increasing re-use and recycling
  • Travel: 200 tonnes from the See More Project
  • Sustainable communities: 300 tonnes of CO2e savings from workshops/advice around reducing energy and self-build green homes
  • Renewable energy: 5,000 tonnes of CO2e savings
  • Land management: 5,900 tonnes of CO2e
  • 11,000 tonnes through new activity in 2016

Climate Change Action Plan – the year ahead, includes:

  • LDNP Partnership Plan 2015-20 – continue with Carbon Budget
  • Many National/EU funding schemes no longer available and it will be difficult to meet targets without these
  • Low carbon hub for Cumbria – University of Cumbria
  • Planting of in-field and hedgerow trees to replace those damaged by flooding (Friends of the Lake District)
  • Stagecoach continuing bus services in the Go Lakes Project
  • Building resilience to the impacts of climate change particularly in communities

Richard Leafe referred to the visits in the summer by the Committee on Climate Change and to the new Department for Communities and Local Government, noting our successes on carbon savings and examples. The Committee are keen to visit the Lake District to see this and our carbon brokering service and adaptation work as a follow up to Storm Desmond, asking partners to focus on this agenda by providing the necessary resources to take this work forward.