Issue - meetings

Martin Grafton updated the Group on an email David had received from the Helensburgh Advertiser regarding the issue of professional dog walkers in the Wood.  The Chair agreed to look at the potential for a code of conduct to be put in place and that she would report back on this to the Committee at a future meeting.

Jean * asked FODW if it would be possible to organised a painted stone hunt in Duchess Woods.  With exception on Mondays it was agreed that this could take place  and that Stewart would advertise this if Jean provided him with a poster.

Stewart asked about feedback from Education on the “Lost Words” book.  It was agreed that the Area Committee Manager would raise this with Wendy Brownlie and Louise Connor, having noted that Ann Paterson was not aware of this.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

Community Orienteering

Johanna Urquhart advised that Lomond School hoped to run their community orienteering project in the Spring and asked if the Committee were happy for this to continue.  Stewart Campbell asked if information on the orienteering can be provided to the Friends for permanent display in the Wood.

Decision

The Committee agreed to endorse the use of the wood for the community orienteering project.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

Community Pay Back and Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT).

David Lewin enquired if there had been any changes to the existing arrangement with the Community Pay Back Team and Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT).

The Chair agreed to take these issues away and would provide an update to FODW.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

Alastair Macbeth commended the current model of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee and suggested that this was taken forward to a public meeting which was being held on 13 December by Helensburgh Community Council.

The Committee agreed that they did not have any objection to this. However, in the present climate of reduced budgetary funding, caution should be exercised as Argyll and Bute Council could not provide a resource to accommodate similar requests to other local groups or organisations who may wish to replicate this model.

Stewart Campbell highlighted operational issues with the existing camera trap in the Duchess Wood. He asked if there was any relevant expertise within the Committee  who could assist him in this matter.  It was noted that despite technical difficulties, the camera has captured deer and fox as well as smaller animals in the Wood.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues weer raised:-

Ailsa Cunningham advised of a forthcoming orienteering event being held by Lomond School on – Sunday, 11 September between 10.00a.m. and 2.00p.m.

She outlined an application which had been received for a birthday party for 12 children in the Duchess Wood. Ailsa drew attention to the proposed activities which included – rope works, tree climbing and fire lighting. She invited discussion from the Committee in relation to the application and the Committee confirmed, that in their view, the activities were very ambitious for the short duration of the proposed party.  

Decision

The Committee agreed that a structure of the event should be requested, which would also provide detail of the safety measures in place and  the staff ratio.

The Chair highlighted a recent meeting held in the Victoria Halls – Taking Action on Marine and Land-based litter. It had been agreed at the meeting to explore the creation of  a local community group with the potential of accessing suitable funding.

She enquired if there was any update in regards the possibility of community ownership of the Wood.  Stewart Campbell replied that the Friends of Duchess Wood were hoping to recruit  a new committee member who had expertise in the law and could, hopefully, provide support and  expertise on this issue.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issue was raised:-

Alastair Macbeth provided an update on the proposed application by Persimmon Homes to build houses on the original Dobbies Garden Centre site, highlighting that there had been a recent half day pre-application consultation event held at the Ardencaple Hotel which was very well attended.  Alastair advised that a letter has been sent by Helensburgh Community Council to the developers raising a number of concerns.  Discussion took place on the access arrangements from the new development into the wood which had also been highlighted by the Access Trust.

The Committee noted that they may want to make comment on some aspects of the Persimmon application once it is formally submitted to the Council.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

Alastair Macbeth drew attention to a planning application proposal to build 95 houses on the original Dobbies Garden centre site. He highlighted possible implications to the Wood and advised that there would be a public consultation at the Ardencaple Houtel on 16 March between 1-7p.m. Stewart Campbell reported that there was now a lizard in residence in the Wood.

David Lewin enquired on the status of the Fairytale Wood project and was advised that this was ‘on hold’ as the organisation was applying for Charitable status.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

Alastair Macbeth tabled the contact details for the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee and asked that any change in contact details be forwarded to him. He advised that he had a new email address:-

al.macbeth@btinternet.com

An update was provided regarding ongoing discussions about the ownership  of Duchess Wood. It was indicated that Stewart Campbell would email an update to Committee members.

The Chair opened the meeting for Any Other Business and the following issues were raised:-

MOD Volunteers:

Morevain Martin advised the Committee that the MOD had 23/25 young Naval personnel available to work on local community projects on Tuesday, 13 October.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

1.    That Morevain Martin would liaise with Stewart Campbell and Charlie Cairns to determine the specific area(s) of work that the MOD volunteers would be tasked with and also clarify with the MOD if they could provide any picks and shovels for the volunteers to use.  

2.    That an update come to the next Duchess Wood meeting in November on the work undertaken by the MOD volunteers and to give further discussion on how to take this forward on a seasonal basis.

Terms of Reference and Membership:

The Committee agreed to table these issue for discussion at the November meeting.

Dog Issues/Training:

Charlie Cairns advised that SNH had published a new document – Taking the Lead – regarding this issue and advised that this was available on the SNH website.

The Committee agreed to further discussion on this issue at the February 2016 meeting.