Minutes:
Rose updated that the Parks & Countryside newsletter was sent out fortnightly and felt that it has been a good mechanism to communicate to residents, as such a large number of people were subscribed to it. It could be a good way to promote the work of the Forum and the next edition would include an article promoting membership to LCAF. Rose would send a link to sign up to the newsletter to members alongside the minutes.
(Action: Rose Wicks)
Rose updated that Chris Swatridge has been working in partnership with other landowners to address the deteriorating boardwalks at Wildmoor Heath. The project was progressing but there had been slight delays in getting feedback. The specifications have been agreed and the team was reviewing quotes. The project was due to be completed this financial year. There would be a combination of raised paths and boardwalk. Rose was hoping to have more of an update next time.
(Action: Rose Wicks / Chris Swatridge)
Rose updated on Savernake Park where there was a council-funded project to improve biodiversity and the capacity of the pond to hold rainfall and therefore alleviate flooding. Improvements, such as new fenced heathland areas and marginal pond vegetation would be delivered by volunteers, rangers and other BFC staff. Work to clean out the silt traps, which will help improve water quality, are due to be carried out by contractors. BFC will be issuing a press release about this project soon.
(Action: BFC officers)
Colin added that the Bracknell Conservation Volunteers (BCVs) had spent the day there cutting down willows to open up the views. Hugh had also been asked to lay a short run of Hazels as a hedge on 28 October 2020.
Regarding Warfield FP5, Graham updated that ward councillors were requesting more clarity about the line of the path for those using it. BFC has produced a sign to show what the true line of the path is. Colin agreed that it was a good idea to put a sign up to give confidence to use the path as opposed to people feeling they need to walk along the adjacent track.
David explained that Wokingham Borough Council had recently released a greenways overview plan. This would have a huge impact on local byways, as it would put permanent TROs on them to restrict vehicular use. David asked whether there was anything similar in the pipeline for BFC. Graham confirmed that, as far as he was aware, there was nothing similarly planned for BFC.
Richard Mosses asked whether there had been any progress on the works to improve Big Wood adjacent to Peacock Meadows North in Binfield. Graham replied that many of the improvements had now been carried out and the site was now open to the public. There was the need for further enhancements to be done on SANG standards.
Rose reported that the Green Flag Award results were due the next day. It was anticipated that BFC would retain all their awards for their six sites this year and Time Square would therefore be lit up green to celebrate the news. Buildings would be lit up green up and down the country to acknowledge that green spaces are important (as part of a campaign by Keep Britain Tidy). BFC was due to issue some comms around this fantastic news.
Richard Mosses raised that the major works to Piglittle Field had been extended up to the car park at Binfield Road. Graham explained that it was connected to a separate SANG in Wokingham. Bellway had applied to revisit the contouring done before. BFC had debated whether to allow this as it had already been opened to the public. However, on balance there were some wider benefits and Bellway had offered a sum of money as insurance. Graham needed to go back to do a site inspection as it should be nearly completed. Richard Mosses pointed out that one section had a narrow estate road with no FP along it. Graham agreed to check on that. Richard added that it was still blocked off at the northern end – Binfield FP11. Graham would check on that as well.
(Action: Graham Pockett)
Regarding Mosses Path in Binfield, Richard Mosses explained that it was a permitted path, but requested to make it a PRoW and a bridleway. The path was on land owned by BFC which has been leased to a football club. Colin would add this to the list of proposals to make a PRoW (the list included Horseshoe Lake, Trilakes, and Ambarrow Hill).
(Action: Chair)
Regarding walking routes on the BFC website, Rose reported that there had been feedback from the public that a map would have been helpful for one of the routes. Rose felt this would be a good opportunity to review all the maps and routes to ensure they were correct and may ask members of the Forum to help.
(Action: Rose Wicks / members)
The Chair expressed thanks to Rose for pulling together the paperwork as it made it easier to focus on the important things. Rose thanked members and officers for providing action updates.