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Agenda item
New Countryside Stewardship grant aid for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve 2024-2034
(Murray Davidson, Environment and Natural Resources Manager)
Decision:
1. Cabinet agrees to secure the future management of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve through a new 10-year Countryside Stewardship grant aid commencing in January 2024.
2. Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Legal Officer in consultation with the Lead Member for the Environment to sign the new Countryside Steward Agreement 2024-2034, on behalf of Hastings Borough Council at the time of grant offer.
3. Cabinet extends thanks to all the partners and volunteers who have made and continue to make Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve an award winning example of successful sustainable management and habitat restoration.
Minutes:
The Environment and Natural Resources Manager outlined the process for transferring to a new 10-year Countryside Stewardship grant for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve from 1st January 2024. The report includes appendices 2 and 3 which outline the scarce and nationally important habitats at the reserve, and the broad principles for managing them over the next 10 years. The report included a management strategy review by an independent consultant which highlights the success the Council has achieved in restoring and managing habitats over the last 20 years and presents the Council with a blueprint for the future management.
Councillor Haffenden asked about a park ranger position for the reserve funded from the grant. The Environment and Natural Resources Manager answered the potential for funding of an additional post has been discussed with senior management and Councillors.
Councillor Batsford asked the Environment and Natural Resources Manager to give an example of the work on the Country Park. The Environment and Natural Resources Manager explained the key items are identified in the management strategy but to take back the tenancy of the farm has been a huge example of how local authorities have responsibility and can utilize that responsibility to manage the natural environment.
Councillor Barnett asked regarding the grant allocation and how it compares to past settlements. The Environment and Natural Resources Manager explained the anticipated grant amount is broadly similar to previous grants.
Councillors discussed the report and highlighted the management priorities and principles are set by Natural England and their priority for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve is the restoration and management of nationally rare and declining habitats through conservation grazing. Regarding point 29 in the report Councillor Roark proposed to transition to a new 10-year agreement and continue the long-term habitat and biodiversity management of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve.
Councillors also emphasised the importance of seeking other grant funding so that access for all to the Country Park could be improved.
Proposed by Councillor Roark and seconded by Councillor Willis
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. Cabinet agrees to secure the future management of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve through a new 10-year Countryside Stewardship grant aid commencing in January 2024.
2. Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Legal Officer in consultation with the Lead Member for the Environment to sign the new Countryside Steward Agreement 2024-2034, on behalf of Hastings Borough Council at the time of grant offer.
3. Cabinet extends thanks to all the partners and volunteers who have made and continue to make Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve an award winning example of successful sustainable management and habitat restoration.
Reasons
1. The current 10-year Higher Level Stewardship Agreement at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve terminates at the end of 2023.
2. A new 10-year Countryside Stewardship Agreement would start on 1st January 2024.
3. The 10-year Countryside Stewardship grant aid is the only funding mechanism open to the council to manage Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve.
4. There is no specific date by which we will receive the new grant for signature, other than before 1st January 2024. Waiting until we receive the grant before arranging a Cabinet decision would potentially delay the start of the grant with the consequential loss of grant income.
5. The grant income is worth between £700,000 and £1,000,000 over the life of the grant period
Supporting documents:
- New Countryside Stewardship grant aid for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve 2024-2034, item 8. PDF 187 KB
- Enc. 1 for New Countryside Stewardship grant aid for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve 2024-2034, item 8. PDF 119 KB
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