Agenda item

The Chair reported that the Heritage Lottery Fund application decision for the South West Peak Project had been received and that it had been successful. 

Karen Shelley-Jones, South West Peak Landscape Partnership Development Officer, joined the meeting and summarised the details of the decision for the meeting.  She stated that the funding to be received would be £2.4 million and would contribute towards the planned £4.1 million scheme to take place over 5 years.  This would include 18 projects in conjunction with 14 partners.  The projects would include habitats, species, people, access and landscapes.  Karen thanked all officers and partners involved in the project and in particular her partner and Adrian Southall of the RSPB.

The Chair echoed Karen’s thanks to all officers and partners and thanked Authority Member, Penny Anderson, for all her work towards the bid application too.

The Chair then welcomed former Authority Member, Geoff Nickolds, to the meeting.  Mr Nickolds gave a talk to the meeting on his experience of being an Authority Member.  He highlighted projects he had been involved with that had been successful, including Moors for the Future and the Monsal Trail and Tunnels.  He emphasised that there were more successes than failures for the Authority and specifically referred to the successful outcome regarding Longstone Edge, the work on the removal of outstanding minerals permissions, 40^th anniversary of the Tissington Trail and that the Authority was tackling off-roading issues with actions.  He stated that although Members get very involved in issues they should also take time to consider what had been completed.  He finished by encouraging Members to continue to take care of the landscape, retain ambitions despite challenges, take action on the issues highlighted in the new State of Nature in the Peak District report, written by Authority Member Penny Anderson, and to support appropriate innovative design in planning.  He stated that officers were very committed to their work for the Authority but that Members should not take them for granted.