We need to balance the sometimes conflicting needs of different stakeholders. To do this, each of our four catchment teams has established a stakeholder group with representatives from a variety of organisations including:
- Statutory bodies
- Land managers
- Charities, trusts and campaign groups
- Local groups
- Recreational interests
- Independent members
The purpose of these groups is to:
- Advise us on local issues and activities that could impact on or be affected by the management of our landholdings and to ensure that we are in tune with other developments within the local area
- Contribute to the stewardship of our landholdings in the area through the Code of Practice on Conservation Access and Recreation
- Ensure that the company’s approach to biodiversity in the area is in line with best practice
- Advise on the effectiveness of community partnerships in the area
- Advise on priorities for environmental investment on our landholdings in the area through our Environment and Community capital programme, and give views on priorities for major capital investment through the Asset Management Plan (AMP) processes
The major topics covered this year for each group are:
North
- AMP5 for SCaMP
- Land restoration
- Retired reservoirs
- Woodland projects at Thirlmere
- Managing recreation
- Common Land
Bowland
- AMP4 for SCaMP
- Woodland management
- Wildlife
Central
- AMP5 for SCaMP
- Woodland plans
- Car parking
- Moorland re-wetting
- Go Ape at Rivington
South
- AMP4 for SCaMP
- Forestry Stewardship Council
- Visitor management
- Anti-social behaviour
- Heritage
- Archaeology
- Moorland Management
- Long term management of SSSI’s
We also set up temporary groups to examine a specific topic. This year we have started a moorland management group with representatives from Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB, Moorland Association, National Trust, Peak District National Park, NFU, Wildlife Trusts, Yorkshire Water, Moors for the Future, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust to refine our policy on the management of fragile upland habitats. We want to ensure the best possible raw water quality while practicing excellent habitat management and increasing agricultural and sporting income. This group will complete its work this year and we will then convene a new group to look at issues on the drinking water catchments not owned by us.
We hold a Conservation, Access and Recreation (CAR) Conference annually. This year’s event was once again lively and well attended. This conference is an opportunity for us to present new proposals and showcase specific projects to a variety of interested parties and canvas their views.