Issue - meetings

The Chair provided the Committee with an update on the Drop in Event that was held on 25 April 2019. The Chair advised the event was well attended, with local residents raising concerns around the future of the Duchess Wood and boundary issues. However, no one person or organisation seemed to be interested in taking on management responsibilities of the Wood.

Martin Grafton, while recognising the worth of the event, reported that it had reinforced the fact that nobody was willing to take on the management responsibilities.

Decision

1.          The Committee noted that following the next meeting of the Friends of Duchess Wood Committee that they would meet with Luss Estates to discuss next steps.

2.          Luss Estates agreed to explore whether it would be possible to retain the Local Nature Reserves status once the Wood is returned to them.

Report by Mhairi Gardiner, Development Officer (to follow)

Mhairi Gardiner, Development Officer, tabled a report for consideration of the Committee.

Discussion followed on the report recommendations with concerns being expressed that there was no obvious group who may be interested in a community buyout or entering into a Management Agreement with the landowner.  In terms of gauging interest it was agreed that the engagement event was worth progressing, subject to being clear about timescales, attendance etc (and an invitation being extended to the MOD).

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.          To note the contents of the tabled report;

2.          To take the actions outlined in paragraphs 5.5 to 5.8 of the tabled report;

3.          To take an active role in publicising the opportunity, engaging with interested parties and supporting the actions identified at decision 2;

4.          That the MOD be invited to the engagement event; and

5.          That the Development Officer would circulate proposals for the event to members of the Committee for feedback/approval.

(Ref:  Report by Development Officer, dated January 2019, tabled)