Item 6 (d)

Date:22nd February 2017

Report:Surrey Hills Trust Fund Activity Report

Written by:Neil Maltby

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Purpose of Report

To update on the Trust Fund’s activity

Summary

The Trust Panel held an Away Day on 8th December to review the grant development strategy to grow the Fund and grant funding ideas to implement the AONB Management Plan. The notes were reviewed at the last Panel meeting on 7th February.

The Panel is grateful to Gordon Jackson, the Mayor of Guildford, and Dave Mir, the Chairman of Mole Valley, who have both nominated the SHTF as one of their chosen charities for the year. Gordon Jackson is organising a charity ball on 29th April and he needs prizes for his raffle. Please let me know if you have any ideas for the raffle and whether you would like to join me and fellow Panel members on a table.

Following the presentation to the last AONB Board meeting, we are seeking to secure further places on the Prudential RideLondon Surrey event to explicitly raise money for the Fund. Please let Rob Fairbanks or Caroline Price have any suggestions of potential riders willing to fund raise.

There is currently about £80,000 in the Fund with about £6,000 available to give in grants. This does not include any contribution from the Cow Parade which is expected to be in the region of £30,000.

The Panel decided to make a contribution to Butterfly Conservation’s Small Blue project that is focused on the North Downs area. There was also in principle agreement to support the Surrey Hills Society’s Arts and Health Residencies that is being coordinated by Ali Clarke as part of the Surrey Hills Arts programme.

Despite the terrific effort that has gone into fundraising, the Panel did consider that the Surrey Hills, as an area fund, may be too broad for potential donors to understand the benefits of giving. It was therefore proposed to focus on key themes as campaign areas which would align to the Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan:

  • Heathland. This is one of the most extensive and fragile habitats in the Surrey Hills. Objectives could include heathlandrestoration and interpretation. An example would be the Farnham Heath RSPB project that was the first grant awarded by the Fund
  • Chalk downland. This is an internationally important habitat and identified as a priority in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Objectives could include restoring chalk habitats, hedgerows, ponds, scrub control to open up views and interpretation. An example would be the Downlands Project at Park Ham that was recently publicised
  • Trees and Woodland. The Surrey Hills is one of the most wooded landscapes in the country and this is perhaps a defining feature of the Surrey Hills. Objectives could include coppicing, halo rings, bird boxes (eg kestrels), bat boxes, hedgerow, community training, tools and equipment.
  • Access for all. The Surrey Hills being an outstanding landscape so close to London has massive recreational pressures and opportunities, particularly on open access land and commons which account for a quarter of the area. Objectives could include enhancing access and reducing conflict for walkers, cyclists, horse riders etc. Projects could include distance and destination signs, Quiet Lane campaign and trails like Summer Lightning
  • Arts, health and well-being. There is general evidence of the health and well being benefits of outdoor and wilderness experience at the same time there is massive concern about the lack of physical activity and mental health, particularly amongst young people. Objectives could include outreach work for disadvantaged groups, eg dementia and disadvantaged young people. Projects could include the LYP Into the Wild expeditions and mental health residencies

These themes will be developed this year in consultation with partners like the Heathlands Partnership and the Countryside Partnerships. The 60th Anniversary of the Surrey Hills AONB designation, as well as the 10th Anniversary of the Surrey Hills Society, will also be an important opportunity to raise the profile of the Surrey Hills and generate donations.