Presentedward Greenwell(EG)(Chairman, Farmer Nominee)

Amended minutes

MINUTES OF THE ALDE AND ORE ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER AT SNAPE MALTINGS

PRESENTEdward Greenwell(EG)(Chairman, Farmer Nominee)

Guy Heald (GH)(Finance and Business)

Alison Andrews (AA)(A&O Association Nominee)

Harry Young(HY)(Business Representative)

Brian Johnson (BJ) (Boyton and Bawdsey Parish Council Nominee)

Tim Beach (TB)(Snape Parish Council Nominee)

Jane Marson (JM)(Landowner Nominee)

Mike Finney(MF)(Orford and Gedgrave Parish Council Nominee)

Peter Palmer (PP) in lieu of Malcolm Walker (Aldeburgh TC)

Rodney West (RW)(Ecological Representative for RSPB, NT, SWT)

Elizabeth Stanton(ES)(Householder Representative)

Amanda Bettinson (AB)(Partnership Secretary)

ADVISORSDavid Kemp(DK)(Environment Agency)

Karen Thomas (KT)(IDB)

Jane Burch (JB)(SCC)

Andrew Hawes (AH)(Hawes Associates- Partnership Consultant)

Andrew Woodin(AW) SCC Rights of Way

Annette Robinson(AR)SCC Rights of Way

APOLOGIESDavid McGinity (DMcG)(Butley Parish Council Nominee)

Emma Hay (EH)(Natural England)

Bill Parker (BP)(SCDC)

Simon Amstutz(SA)(AONB unit)

Richard Davey(RD)(Funding Chairman)

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLICRoger Baxter, Simon Trinder, Wildfowlers

Robert Scott, Savills representing Blackheath FarmsLtd

Keith Martin AO Association, Bryan Upson Slaughden Boat Yard.

At a private session immediately prior to the meeting Elizabeth Stanton was appointed to the Estuary Partnership as Householder Representative and also nominated to the Estuary Trust as a Partnership Trustee. Edward Greenwell, Guy Heald and Alison Andrews were re-elected for a second term of 4 years. It was also recorded that Richard Marson had stood down as a Trustee. / ACTION
Fiona Tibbitt, Lead Advisor with Natural England for Marine Conservation Zone designations in Norfolk and Suffolk, Jennifer Love Marine Adviser and Ros Preston gave a presentation to the Partnership on why the Alde and Ore Estuary and Orford Inshore is again being considered as a Marine Conservation Zone.
Their aim is ‘to create an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas’ to complete a ‘Blue Belt’by addressing the gaps in the network. Natural England say that the estuary is an important nursery ground for fish species and spawning ground for smelt, sustains internationally important populations of seabirds with now 10 sites of muddy gravels and 3 sites of rocky habitats (reported to be manmade) and has the important geological feature of Orfordness. Although they appreciate there is no damaging activity in the estuary at present they wish to safeguard the area for the future. However they stated that new management measures would not be discussed until after the MCZ designation had been agreed. They indicated that potential measures to protect the smelt spawning grounds (at the upper reaches of the estuary near to the sluice) would be to restrict moorings work in March and April as the area is then at its most sensitive. This would be a major conflict for those responsible for laying moorings. Anchoring or dredging could be further restrictions (although dredging does not take place in the A&O at present) depending on the species to be protected.
There was considerable further discussion and the various points raised were:-

• Everyone is very suspicious of these protections as it is unclear until the designation is confirmed what measures will be enforced and how it will affect various activities from commercial fishing and boating to leisure activities
• There appears to be no compensation for businesses that are forced to close should any measures be enforced that are detrimental to their way of work
• The estuary is already highly protected with SPA, SAC, Ramsar, SSSI etc and the estuary is obviously healthy (due to bird populations etc) and this should be recognised
• The Partnership has done considerable work on saltings restoration and has a long term programme for this work and this is not recognised.
• In any event, the paperwork, bureaucracy and cost for this de minimis work is already excessive and any further regulations will be detrimental
• The Partnership already has a highly complex annual monitoring programme with Natural England (reviewable every 5 years) for coastal squeeze and it is unnecessary to over regulate an already highly protected area
• This whole area is dynamic and designating a ‘shifting sands’ area will need constant reassessment
• Other activities at present undertaken in the river not mentioned by the team to be included were moorings, canoeing, water ski-ing, and footpath access.
• NE would work with Aldeburgh Music on any issues during the upgrading of the defences on the Snape Maltings side
• Action NE were asked to send a list of the site locations for the 10 areas of muddy gravels to the Partnership Secretary
• A Public Consultation begins in the summer 2017 for 12 weeks and everyone is encouraged to voice their opinion on this new designation.

There were no declarations of interest. Apologies as above.
MINUTES of Friday 6th May were agreed. The Chairman welcomed Elizabeth Stanton to the Partnership, and Andrew Woodin and Annette Robinson from SCC Rights of Way Department to the meeting.
MATTERS ARISING
i) Footpath trial – block work still had not been tested as the sill had not yet been overtopped.
ii) Clay exemption – three main storage sites have been agreed at Iken, Abbey Farm Snape and at Aldeburgh Music with a further one at Bawdsey, and clay is already being delivered and stored. Anyone willing to store clay should contact
Action: KT to enquire cost to developers to dump clay in landfill.
iii) BIZ Funding 500 Smartlift Helicopter bags (90x90x90cm) have now been delivered and are at present stored at Ferry Farm. They will be distributed to various sites in the estuary for easy access in an emergency. AH noted that they should be stored out of the sun.
vi) Mike Finney reported thatCobra Mist site is dry and stable now that the American Wall had been repaired by Cobra Mist Ltd. Preparation work to dismantle the lighthouse is underway as it is considered it will only survive in its present position for a year or so.
i) Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)
Bill Parker had emailed the proposed timetable for reviewing the SMP:

• A draft proposal for consultation to be developed bythe Shoreline Management Plan7 officer group – the meeting scheduled early October but delays in a finalisation of a consultant’s report may need an additional meeting to be scheduled
• Consult with AOEP on above. (timing subject to the above) pre Christmas
• Present to Suffolk Coast Forum after AOEP consultation in January /February 2017
• Subject to SCF approval – a community consultation will be undertaken in the Spring 2017
• The recommendations from the consultation will be presented to SCF. If agreed then
• Obtain formal sign off from RFCC, SCDC Cabinet and EA
• Amend SMP documents and website and publicise

It was emphasised that if approved this was a physical intention but funding of any further defences has yet to be sourced. The Shingle Engine was a possibility and The Crown Estate considers is technically feasible. Professor Mike Cowling, Chief Scientist at The Crown Estate had shared discretionary advice from Natural England. Although it was positive it cannot be relied on in the assessment of any subsequent development application. This project is still to be finally confirmed and cannot go ahead until funding is secured. It was also noted that following restructuring Professor Cowling is now leaving The Crown Estate at the end of the month as the post of Chief Scientist was being abolished. / KT
ii) MONITORING STRATEGY
The monitoring strategy was discussed with John Jackson (NE) and David Kemp (EA) to agree a baseline of saltings and intertidal mud areas. When amended as agreed it would be available on the website. There would be annual assessments and a formal review every 5 years. As morphological surveys are very expensive it was hoped to use wintering bird numbers as an initial indicator as to the health of saltmarsh/mud areas. It was also noted that the Stour and Orwell had useful work on monitoring and it was hoped to compare studies.
IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
i) The additional upper estuary modelling to assess the effect that river flows with improved wall heights will have on Snape, Aldeburgh, Iken and Orford is nearly complete and should be received by the end of the week. The EA will review all the data as soon as possible to enable the FDGiA and FRAP for FC6 (Snape Maltings) to be agreed. HY/KT to discuss the work to be included in the business case as the FDGiA funding may take 12 weeks to agree from an October start. To retain flexibility, (as only a relatively small FDGiA sum is involved), some work could be funded by Aldeburgh Music and taken out of the business case which would enable pre ordering and delivery of supplies ready for work to commence when the consents are agreed (similar to the principle of stock piling clay).
ii) KT explained the property numbers on the national data base are not reflected in the local property study conducted by the EA and the Alde and Ore Association some years ago. The numbers are crucial for triggering FDGiA and could alter the amount by £50-70,000. It was agreed KT and DK should investigate further.
iii) Andrew Woodin gave an overview of the Rights of Way improvement plan and how they intend to maintain the foot paths. A public consultation held recently had 800 replies and the main responses were to ‘get the basics right’. They are working on a green access net work which includes the coastal path, foot ferries and footpaths on flood defences.
He stated that Suffolk County Council was keen to promote cycling and cycle paths for the health and wellbeing of the community, and commented that nationally people were cycling more and walking less. To deliver a cycle path there needed to be:

• an agreed route
• consent of the landowner
• community support
• funding and maintenance agreed

A cycle path may need a statutory designation as at present cycling is only allowed on a bridleway not a footpath, and such a designation also permits horses. Although nationally cyclists are informallyusing footpaths it is essential to avoid conflict with walkers. AH noted that the new design standard allows for a 3 ½ metre wide crest as opposed to the present 1 metre, once the walls have been upgraded. The Aldeburgh marsh wall will not be complete for another 2-3 years allowing time to discuss this concept in the Ride the Tide consultation which will include the Aldeburgh Business Association and Town Council.
iv) It was agreed that, subject to the modelling results, the priority of the Iken flood cell should move up to 3rd with Orford now 4th.
FUNDING GROUP
i) Richard Davey had begun to form a funding team and the first meeting was set for 22nd September. AJB discussed the film (one versionabout 5/6 minutes one about 15 minutes) which is being finalised and edited and should be ready early November. There will be plenty of opportunity to see the film at various events and links can be shared for uploading onto everyone’s website. As wide a circulation as possible is required. The Partnership and Trust would like to thank Nick Robinson and Angie Mason for all their help and time in the production of the film. Brett Irwin has been commissioned to edit the film, who along with Angie, has been recommended for a Bafta for their work on ‘One Night in 2012’ a documentary on volunteering for the London Olympics.
ii) RD had discussed with EG and GH landowner donations and it was agreed that a meeting would be held 1st November to bring all landowners up to date with the current costs. It was thought useful that a loan through the IDB from the Public Works Loan Boardmight be available.
iii) EG noted that after meetings with the Planning Departmentletters to a number of Architects would be sent asking for expressions of interest in preparing outline plans and elevations for the first 6 sites. / EG/RD
EG/AJB
Other Works
DK reported that block works on the river wall face of FC4 were nearly complete at a cost of £230K and topographic and soil surveys were being carried out at FC5 Iken in preparation for work.
SALTINGS ANNUAL REPORT
The mud monitoring report was discussed. Some trial areas that were sheltered were accreting well but there were some areas that were not and consideration would be give to how best to improve these areas. It was thought working on other sheltered sites would be more productive as more sustainable than the exposed sites.
It was hoped a Suffolk Saltmarsh Group could be established to work on a Suffolk wide strategy to cover MMO licensing and funding as the present arrangements were very ad hoc.
Numerous discussions have taken place within the Suffolk Coast Forum and local government over the MMO licence issue. Dr Coffey MP had forwarded a reply to our letter from George Eustice MP the then Minister of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment. Dr Coffey has since taken over this post as Parliamentary Under Secretary for Defra. His reply had confused a licence application at Waldringfield on the Deben as coming from the Alde and Ore but also maintained that a licence was required .... ‘as it involvesthe installation of a new structure, rather than maintenance of an existing one; and cannottherefore be classed as maintenance and exempted.’ It was agreed that EG would write a further letter to Dr Coffey in advance of the Suffolk Coast Forum conference in October which she is due to attend. / EG/AJB
DK reported that the EA East Anglia region now includes Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire along with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The new Area Manager is Dr Charlie Beardall.
THE NEXT MEETING
The meeting scheduled for Thursday 15th December 2pm in Orford Town Hall.

AJB/September 2016