Issue - meetings

The Senior Countryside Officer shall provide the Committee with an update presentation on the Nonsuch Park Habitat Management Plan 2023-28.

The Senior Countryside Officer, Sarah Clift, provided the Committee with an update presentation on the Nonsuch Park Habitat Management Plan 2023-28.

The Senior Countryside Officer informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            She explained that the Park’s grasslands are routinely cut and cleared, and that clearing the cut grass gives wildflowers a chance to thrive. She explained that, in some of the meadows, cut grass is collected and turned into hay, but prior to being cut, ragwort amongst the grass needs to be pulled, with the help of volunteers, as it is poisonous to livestock. The hay cut and bailing is carried out by a local farmer. The rest of the meadows (aside from the ones which are regularly cut for amenity use) are cut and cleared by a flail collector, where the arisings are piled up at the edge of the meadows. She stated that the Council used to hire a flail collector, but had now bought one, which had more than paid for itself since its purchase.

b)            She stated that the successful management of all of the Borough’s open spaces relied on the good work of volunteers. She gave thanks to the Nonsuch Voles for their work with respect to habitat management in the Park. She stated that the Voles do great work keeping the margins of Round Pond open. The Countryside Team had surveyed the round pond and found Great Crested Newts, which are a protected species.

c)            In response to a question from a Member she stated that the Countryside Team used to have a relationship with Nescot, in which its students used to be involved in habitat management work in nearby Horton Country Park. She explained that that relationship had dissipated, owing to Nescot no longer running any courses relating to habitat management.

d)            She informed the Committee that Historic England had visited the Park because the Palace Site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. She explained thatas owners of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Council has a duty to keep it in favourable condition. Entering into a Countryside Stewardship Agreement would be a way to get grant funding to enable the proper management of the designated area and the wider park.

e)            She explained that a number of trees within the Park had become badly affected by Ash Dieback. She stated that, with regard to tree works in the Park, the trees affected the worst by Ash Dieback, particularly the ones that might cause a safety risk, were considered a priority.

f)             She explained that it was important to make sure that Scrubland did not encroach on the Park’s Grassland areas.

g)            She explained that Local Authorities had a strengthened legal duty for public bodies to conserve and enhance biodiversity under the Environment Act 2021.There is an expectation on public authorities to look strategically at their policies and operations from time to time (at least every 5 years) and assess what action they can take ‘to further’ the conservation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23