Attendees
Doug MacEwen (Vice Chairman) (DME) - Crouch Area Yachting Federation
Accountable Body
Marcus Hotten (Secretariat) (MH) - Rochford District Council
Public Sector
Cllr Glen Dryhurst (GD) - Ashingdon Parish Council
Cllr Alan Shearring (AS) - South Woodham Ferrers Town Council
Cllr Paul White (PW)- Hullbridge Parish Council
Cllr David Phillips (DP) - Rettendon Parish Council
Cllr Bob Calver (BC) - Burnham Town Council
Leanne Brisland (LB) - Bird Aware Essex
Business Sector
Rachel Fancy (RF) - RSPB
Roy Hart (RH) - Battlesbridge Business (Skee-Tex)
Maritime Sector
Ken Wickham (KW) - Crouch Harbour Authority
Independent
Keith Powell (KP)
Apologies:
Paula Chapman
Cllr June Lumley (Chairperson) (JL) - Rochford District Council
Paula Chapman (PC) - Rochford District Council
Cllr David Sperring (DS) - Rochford District Council
Helen Quinnell (HQ) - Chelmsford City Council
Cllr Mark Bassenger (MB) - Maldon District Council
Robert Brown (RB) - Baltic Wharf Distribution
Alexis Corless (AC) - Maldon District Council
Absent:
Cllr Mike Halford (MH) - Canewdon Parish Council
Dave Record (DR) - 3 Chambers (Hockley, Rayleigh & Rochford)
Note taker
Julie O'Brien and Kirsty Sims - Rochford District Council (Note Taker)
Welcome and Introductions
33/22
DME welcomed all and introductions were made.
Apologies received were noted.
Notes of the Last RCCCT Steering Group Meeting Held on 20 September 2022 and Matters Arising
34/22
Agreed as an accurate record.
AS observed that South Woodham Ferrers Town Council was not listed under the RCCCT Terms of Reference alike other Public Sector members of the Steering Group.
Action: To check and update the RCCCT Terms of Reference to include mention of South Woodham Ferrers Town Council (MH)
Working Group Updates
35/22
Footpaths Group
GD reported that, whilst there had been no meetings of the Footpaths Group during this last year, there have been contacts and home-based work with some walks along the RCCCT area paths and tracks.
Footpath requests and suggestions had been addressed and routes studied for paths concerning the England Coast Path and with several PROWs which connect with the Coast Path as follows:
A site visit to view progress of route clearance and signposting of the "England Coast Path" in several areas around the River Crouch, River Roach and some of the riverside creeks and waterways between maritime area islands had been carried out. It has been good to see some of the new "England Coast Path" green finger point signs already installed and showing the route.
He had again walked, surveyed and continued to monitor the long distance country park path along the route of the closed and abandoned railway line which ran from South Woodham Ferrers via Stow Maries, Cold Norton, Purleigh and Hazeleigh to Maldon. More than three quarters of that route is Public Right of Way and about three quarters is within the RCCCT area from the Crouch to the northern boundary of Purleigh. This route had been called "The Coast to Coast Path" and "The Dengie Rail Path". It was considered that the old railway line would be a lovely alternative coastal path and was a beautiful corridor of wildlife. Other visitors had posted their walks in this same area on YouTube.
He had studied, traced and reported on the suggested River Crouch riverside path from Battlesbridge to Wickford proposed by Cllr Hart. This seemed very promising.
Requests have been sent for reconsideration of what many consider to be large, distant and excessive detours of the path which would take the route well away from the River Crouch banks and its sea walls. Examples are :
From Gosse's Farm, alongside the busy A132 to Woodham Fenn; And, From near Beeches Farm along Beeches Road to Battlesbridge. Both of those large detours are not necessary while the "unused" riverside banks and sea walls are perfectly adequate and are suitable routes for walking alongside the rural and tidal riverside. Without those riverside paths, the alternatives will cause walkers to be sent and kept alongside very busy and dangerous roads that are located well away from the river - this deprives walkers of any views of the river and it's banks, creeks and wildlife.
KP confirmed the period of consultation set by the Environment Agency on footpath proposals had passed and findings now lie before the Secretary of Stage. Many objections had come forward.
The group noted that, the new path around the Brandy Hole, Hullbridge had been approved and it will now become a public right of way.
In recognition that GD required support on the Footpaths Project Group and to progress work, it was agreed that membership going forward would comprise; Cllr White, Cllr Phillips, Roy Hart and Cllr Dryhurst, with Keith Powell as Lead.
Actions: Records to be updated to recognise the Footpaths Project Group Membership – PW, DP, RH, GD and KP (MH).
Water Safety at Hullbridge
MH confirmed that there was no further update to provide since the last Steering Group meeting in September. A further meeting of the Project Group would be set up soon.
Water quality is the priority work and, following the recent presentation received, Anglian Water had advised that the means to commit them to regular water sample testing for pathogens was to introduce a designated bathing water area.
RH advised that he continues to carry out water quality testing at Battlesbridge and offered to perform some sample testing at Burnham.
DME suggested that it could be good to let Anglian Water know about any water testing carried out locally on the River Crouch and this help build a good working relationship.
KW fed back to the group that:
- Anglian Water have a duty to monitor nitrate levels in rivers only and which adheres to the respective legislation. Following enquiries he has made on behalf of the Crouch Harbour Authority, he has been advised that a designated bathing water area can be applied for only if there are distinct public facilities in situ such as; toilets and /or café, life guards and life buoys.
- Whilst the River Deben had been quoted as a recent case example by Anglian Water, it would appear that this was not accurate and so unlikely to be a party to reach out to for advice.
- It was proving to be a complicated situation to progress with a designated bathing water application.
PW reminded that there is a small beach at Hullbridge used by the public, and which has beach facilities.
AS confirmed that at South Woodham Ferrers there is an ‘advisable not to swim’ notice due to the current. This could be seen as a conflict in respect of identifying the other side of the river as a bathing area.
BC advised that Maldon DC are responsible on the Northern side of the River Crouch in respect of public health.
The group decided that more discussions with Anglian Water in respect of improved water quality would be advantageous.
Action: Arrangements to be made for the Steering Group to continue conversations with Anglian Water
Vision Refresh
Notes of their inaugural meeting had been circulated in the Annual Report and include both the new Vision and Mission Statements.
The group agreed that publicising the RCCCT is key to raise awareness and those present confirmed that they themselves feed back respectively.
BC commented that it would be good to publish successes, and this is powerful as opposed to articles on projects at an exploratory stage only.
KP suggested that asking the public for help with providing their stories would appeal in terms of the RCCCT reaching out and at the time would serve to alert the public to initiatives and strengthen campaigns.
LB confirmed that the Bird Aware campaign is going live soon on social media platforms and this could help promote work of the RCCCT as part of, wherever helpful and relevant – this would achieve synergy.
Action: LB, KP and GD to get together and arrange potential RCCCT material for promotion.
PSPO
DME recapped on highlights from notes of the inaugural meeting, as precirculated to the group.
Support from Rochford District Council (RDC), Maldon District Council and Chelmsford City Council was sought to back the introduction of a new PSPO on the River Crouch to address misuse of water craft ‘rogue users’ on the River Crouch with powers to issue fixed penalty notices to deter antisocial behaviour. The suggestion was to put a PSPO in place for an initial 3 year period.
PC Rawson is in favour of the PSPO and advised that this would likely need RDC to lead and the other two Councils to support. It was anticipated that enforcement would fall to the Marine Police as the Council resource was limited.
The Group recognised that, should it be necessary, being able to prosecute if a PSPO fixed penalty notice breached would set an example that anti social behaviour was not tolerated and faced consequences.
The group agreed that it was right and proper for the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex to endorse and assure the Councils ahead of efforts commencing to implement a draft proposal.
Southend City Council have recently introduced a PSPO for their waterways and a link with them would be beneficial to learn from their experience.
Action: Letter to be produced from the RCCCT to Council Leaders (including Bob Massey) explaining PSPO proposals (MH)
Update on:
36/22
Proposal for latest stretch of Wallasea to Burnham Coastal Path
Post meeting update: Following the previous written update from Darren Braine, the situation remains unchanged and Natural England are still awaiting a site visit from the Planning Inspectorate. RDC will continue to stay in touch with NE and only report under this item in the future if the situation has changed.
Path to Prosperity Project
AS reported that the ongoing issue with localised flooding at Fen Creek continued and meant that the information board produced could still not be erected. The source of the flooding was a sluice and both the Environment Agency and Essex County Council were not declaring ownership.
Action: DME to follow-up the sluice problem at Fen Creek
Coastal Footpath – Hullbridge Repairs Update
PW advised that the works had dragged on far longer than ever predicted and resulted in the footpath not being back in use until end of the Summer.
RSPB Wallasea Island - Latest Developments
37/22
RF confirmed that the visitor volumes are just now on the rise due to the birds in situ.
More benches are in place – 5 in total.
Essex Coast RAMS (Bird Aware) Update
38/22
LB was pleased to report that 2 Rangers had been recruited and are now actively in post, out on the ground as intended. Over wintering birds are a current focus. There is a priority projects list developed and works being
carried out to tally against, across the coast.
The Coastal Code continues to be developed. This will contain high level messages and the underlying detailed guidance will sit separately to support and feed into.
Social media platforms are already up and running – engaging with the community and continuing to evolve.
The group recognised linkages for exploring between the Bird Aware Campaign and the RCCCT:
Action: LB to join the next PSPO Project Group meeting.
Action: LB to contact AS and KW separately to discuss potential opportunities
Designated Bathing Water Area
39/22
This item was already covered in the Water Safety at Hullbridge discussions
Date of Next Meeting
40/22
The Group discussed the March date options and agreed on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 at 11am. Venue to be agreed.
Action: March Meeting arrangements to be confirmed for diaries (MH)
The meeting started at 10am and ended 11:26 am