Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table.

Apologies for absence were intimated from:-

Stewart Campbell

Morevain Martin

Sara McLean

The Minute of the previous Duchess Wood Committee meeting held on 22 November 2016.

The Minute of the previous meeting which was held on 22 November 2016 was approved as a true record.

Reports by Friends of Duchess Wood (to follow).

Update by Sara McLean, Organiser Branching Out.

The Chair advised the Committee that the Friends of Duchess Wood (FODW) had been approached by Sara MacLean, organiser of ‘Branching Out’ enquiring on the feasibility of running various activities in the Wood.

Branching Out were sponsored by the Forestry Commission and it was highlighted that similar activities were being undertaken in other parts of Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To support the application in principle; and

2.    That the Chair would write to Sara McLean highlighting that FODW were opposed to any fires/open camp fire cooking within Duchess Wood.  

The Committee discussed the possibility of holding another Dog event in Duchess Wood.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To re-run the Dog Event in September 2017; and

2.    That the sub-group would schedule a planning meeting to formalise timings  and other issues.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which  provided an update on

The working relationship between Argyll and Bute Council and Lower Clyde

Greenspace in respect to Duchess Wood.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, dated 22 February 2017, submitted).

Charlie Cairns updated the Committee on the progress of the Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) application. He advised that the draft was at the first stage and would be given further consideration at the WIAT sub-group meeting on 13 March. After the draft had been agreed, it would be forwarded to the Forestry Commission by the end of March 2017.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To note the progress of the WIAT application; and

2.    That the sub-group would meet to formalise the WIAT application on 13 March with Mhairi Gardiner in attendance; and

3.    That the WIAT application would be submitted to the Forestry Commission by the end of March 2017; and

4.    That Iain Wilkinson, Luss Estates would provide a letter of comfort to accompany the WIAT application to the Forestry Commission.. 

Report by Amenity Performance Manager (to follow).

The Committee gave consideration to a report from the Amenity Performance Manager.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

(Reference :Report by Amenity Performance Manager dated 22 February 2017, tabled).

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 date of the next Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee meeting was agreed for Tuesday, 16 May 2017 in the Seabank Room, Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

The Area Committee Manager drew attention to the Governance issue regarding the  appointment of the Chair of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee. She confirmed that this would not be agreed until the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee scheduled to be held in June 2017.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To proceed with the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee meeting on 16 May 2017; and

2.    That another member of the Committee would chair the meeting.