MEMORANDUM29/12/2018

______

To:All Members of the Panel
John Wood, Richard Brown,
Simon Aries, Rob Rees,
Richard Cuthbert, Dick Bowler
Peter Davidson, Charles
Franklin, Stuart Pile / From:CountySecretary’s Department
Ask for:Elaine Gibson
Ext:25469
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Your ref:

RURAL AFFAIRS CABINET PANEL

6 JANUARY 2009

M I N U T E S

ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

N E Agar, G R Churchard, B N W Hammond (Chairman), B Lee,

P A Ruffles(substitute for N K Brook), W A Storey

Other Members present:

A D Dodd, D W Hills, D E Lloyd (Executive Member, Resources and Economic Well-Being), S J Pile (Executive Member, Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs)

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Rural Affairs Cabinet Panel meeting on

6 January 2009 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:

Note: No declarations of interest were made by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters considered at this meeting.

PART 1

ACTION
1. /

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2008
were confirmed as a correct record.
With regard to Agenda Item 3 Woodland Trust Proposals – Sandridge Forest Members noted that an update on this would be presented at the next meeting and a site visit arranged later in the year. / S Aries
2. / PUBLIC PETITIONS
There were none.
3. / ENVIRONMENT STANDSTILL BUDGET 2009/10 – 2012/13
(Officer contact: Michael Francis, Assistant Director (Performance and Business Support. Tel: 01992 556010)
The Panel considered a report on the standstill budget position, capital programme bids and strategic compasses for Environment. The sections for Rural Affairs were marked ‘RA’.
With regard to paragraph 2, Drainage Maintenance Funding, Members noted that at present no funds were allocated specifically for planned maintenance of drainage systems and that the possibility of provision for this would be discussed at a future meeting of the Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel. / M Collier
Conclusion
The Panel noted the Environment Standstill Budget.
4. / CHILTERNS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB) MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2013
(Officer contact: Rob Rees. Tel: 01992 555256 )
The Panel considered a report on the new management plan for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There was discussion on the County Council’s proposed contribution to the ‘Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2008-2013’, outlined under ‘Farming and Forestry’ Ancient Woodland Management Project on page 4 for the Appendix.
Conclusion
The Panel agreed that:
1. it should receive a report on progress with the delivery plan and have the opportunity to approve HCC’s contribution to the plan before submissionto the Chilterns Conservation Board;
2. officers would circulate further details of the Ancient Woodland Management Project. / R Rees
R Rees
5. / GREEN FLAG AND LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT (LAA)
(Officer contact: Rob Rees. Tel: 01992 555256)
The Panel received a report on the Countryside Management Services support of the Local Area Agreement and progress with achieving targets and future programme development.
Members noted that Hertfordshire had achieved 14 Green Flag awards, a national standard for excellence for parks and green spaces, and was seeking one more during the coming year in order to meet the proposed LAA target of 15 sites by 2009. There was discussion on whether Broxbourne Woods might be a suitable site for the award.
Conclusion
The Panel:
1. noted progress made so far and congratulated officers on achieving green flag status at 14 sites;
2. agreed that the County Council, through the Countryside Management Service, continue to work with partner authorities and Herts Association of Cultural Officers to extend the green flag programme beyond the present targets and to assess the opportunities in respect of the County’s own recreations sites;
3. agreed that Broxbourne Woods be considered for the award. / R Rees
R Rees
6. / RURAL ESTATE CENTENARY EVENTS
(Officer contact: Charles Franklin. Tel: 01992 556230)
The Panel noted an information report on events that had taken place to mark the centenary of the establishment of the Rural Estate.
The Panel thanked officers from the Rural Estates team, the tenants on the Rural Estate and pupils from KingsLangleySchool for the part they played in making the centenary events a success.

Andrew Laycock

CountySecretary

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090106 Minutes