Meeting Notes
Present
Cllr June Lumley (Chairperson) (JL) - Rochford District Council
Keith Powell (Vice Chairman) (KP) - Business, Maritime Community/ Independent
Angela Hutchings (AH) - Rochford District Council
Paula Chapman (PC) - Rochford District Council
Helen Quinnell (HQ) - Chelmsford City Council
Cllr Mark Bassenger (MB) - Maldon District Council
Cllr Glen Dryhurst (GD) - Ashingdon Parish Council
Ken Wickham (KW) - Crouch Harbour Authority
Rachel Fancy (RF) - RSPB
Karen Hawkes (KH) - Clerk, South Woodham Ferrers Town Council
Robert Brown (RB) - Baltic Wharf Distribution
Dave Record (DR) - 3 Chambers (Hockley, Rayleigh & Rochford)
Apologies
Cllr Alan Shearing (AS) - South Woodham Ferrers Town Council
Cllr Bob Calver - Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council
Darren Braine & David Overton - Natural England
Alexis Corless (AC) - Maldon District Council
John Lindsay - Environment Agency
Absent
Cllr Dave Sperring (DS) - Rochford District Council
Cllr Mike Halford - Canewdon Parish Council
Cllr Roy Hart - Battlesbridge Business
Cllr Paul White - Hullbridge Parish Council
Doug MacEwen - Crouch Area Yachting Federation
No nomination received - Rettendon Parish Council
No nomination received - Burnham Chamber of Commerce
Notes
Julie O'Brien - Rochford District Council
Duration
11:00 till 12:06
Note 23/21
Welcome and Introductions
Cllr Lumley welcomed new members to the Steering Group and introductions were made.
Note 24/21
Notes of the Last RCCCT Steering Group Meeting Held on 8 June 2021 and Matters Arising
The notes were agreed as a correct record. No matters arising.
Note 25/21
Working Group Updates
(a) – Footpaths Group
KP reported that the Footpaths Group had unfortunately not met as intended in August, ahead of the Steering Group due to unforeseen circumstances. It was agreed at the last Steering Group that individual footpath matters would be directed to the Footpaths Group in the first instance and then an update provided at the next quarterly Steering Group meeting. A full written report had been produced, from which highlights were provided:
- Coast to Coast project - Alexis was helping to progress. Essex County Council were regrettably unable to assist as hoped, so matters were being pursued with the Maldon DC Planning department and a meeting would be arranged as soon as possible to discuss. KP also awaited an update from Essex Wildlife Trust regarding any assistance they could offer, in light of their site at the Stow Maries Halt. Funding would be required to enable this project to succeed and move forward, so a feasibility study was being explored and an action plan would be required.
- Ordnance Survey have granted permission for the use of their facility for the purposes of this project, and it was hoped that this could be extended to other works, such as the England Coastal Path.
- Maldon DC have an in-house resource in cartography which the Group planned to utilise when developing maps.
- England Coastal Path – this is currently with MPs and once an update arrives via Essex County Council it was anticipated that the Group could work in conjunction with their responsibilities to have some constructive influence.
- Footpath 9 - Efforts ongoing.
Action: Written report of the Footpaths Group to be circulated with the notes (AH)
Post Meeting Note: Report appended (Appendix A)
In answer to a question from KH regarding a proposed footpath bridleway between Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers, GD confirmed that its proximity was not within the new Masterplan and development area. This was reassuring to South Woodham Ferrers Town Council.
(b) – Digital Group
KP advised that the Group had not met since the last Steering Group meeting. It was, however, deemed important for the Digital Group to remain in place and continue with its work.
It was observed that, the Chair on this group was the Maldon District Council elected Member representative, which had now changed. MG was grateful for more information on the remit of the Digital Group.
Action: To arrange for Terms of Reference to be circulated to MG and the Digital Group (AH)
Post Meeting Note: Email sent on 15th September with details of the Terms of Reference
Action: To convene a meeting of the Digital Group, to include MG. Roles and responsibilities to be reviewed and agreed (KP
Note 26/21
Update on:
a) Proposal for Latest Stretch of Wallasea to Burnham Coastal Path
The Steering Group had received an email from Darren at Natural England which explained that due to the stage the England Coast Path has reached around the Crouch estuary it was felt they had little to contribute to the RCCCT at this time. This acknowledged that, establishment of the trail and ongoing maintenance once open will rest with Essex County Council.
It was noted that, Natural England offered to answer any questions the RCCCT may have for them specifically and where there are developments in their work that relate to the England Coast Path or otherwise for the RCCCT (such as the Site of Special Scientific Interest) then they will submit a written update or attend a meeting.
b) Path to Prosperity Project
HQ reported that, the interpretation boards being created for a stretch around South Woodham Ferrers (under Chelmsford City Council) are currently with the designers and the art work is now being prepared. A local historian had provided some valuable input and permission has been obtained to use some historic photographs to compliment the artistry.
Once the drafts are produced then HQ will inform the Steering Group. There may be a small unveiling organised down at the water’s edge, and if this celebration does go ahead then HQ will communicate likewise.
It is very pleasing to see efforts come to fruition and produce boards that are informative, visual and resonate with their audience.
PC reminded the Group that the Path to Prosperity Project provided some funding to each district, and as part of this some efforts are collaborated – River Crouch (main video) – and other work is taking place separately:
- Chelmsford City Council - interpretation boards,
- Maldon DC – commissioned photography and video footage,
- Rochford DC – commissioned River Roach video footage and a Crouch awareness campaign.
The main River Crouch video was currently being edited and so it was anticipated that there would be footage to share at the next Steering Group meeting. The footage had been coordinated using drones and following completion of filming was now being supplemented with some commentary.
The Crouch awareness campaign had produced some digital assets which were circulated to the Steering Group some weeks ago. The campaign was launched ahead of the summer school holidays. Content comprised two videos for water safety, one for environment and one for walking the coast – each provided in different format to reach all in the e-community on Instagram, Twitter and website banners. This material was shared with partners and for them to reach out to their audience in the best way. The digital campaign was an approach taken due to the pandemic and logistics, thus taking the opportunity to maximise the use of social media.
Rochford DC actively used the Discover 2020 digital account across July – September to tweet every Thursday and Friday (in time for the weekend) a post about water safety and images directing the visitor to the Crouch Harbour Authority website for more information including tide times and ship movements.
The digital assets are not time stamped so they are completely re-usable to target the times of year most relevant going forward. Plans are already underway to highlight the environment and walking the coast material again across October and November as the weather changes.
KW welcomed the opportunity to liaise with members of the group on any future initiatives regarding water awareness campaigns to embellish with information of the Crouch Harbour Authority.
JL complimented the efforts of all officers with their achievements under this umbrella.
Note 27/21
RSBP Wallasea Island – Latest Developments
RF provided an update as follows:
- Groundworks had been carried out for other ecological necessities on site and from the remaining soil there was now another raised viewing point, which is not far from the Beagle viewing point.
- People are continuing to use the geocache at the Beagle viewing point.
- Toilet is still in situ and operational. This will be monitored over the Winter months as to whether it can sustain worsening weather conditions or may need to be temporarily removed and reinstated in the Spring.
- Per the coastal path section on Wallasea Island, Essex County Council have advised that infrastructure should be installed in the next few weeks.
- Visitor numbers, as last recorded in June, remain at a good, sustained level
In answer to a question, RF confirmed that the walks with named paths on Wallasea Island are advertised on the maps at the carpark and at various points around the island to help visitors navigate their way.
PC advised that the downloadable version of the Wallasea trails is available online, signposted from the RCCCT webpage to where it’s published on the RSPB website.
Post Meeting Note: weblink to PDF at the RSPB website
Note 28/21
Water Safety at Hullbridge
AH introduced the report to the Group and provided some background. This initiative had been born out of a growing concern with river safety and increased usage of the river during the pandemic and which was still prevalent. Some intervention work had already taken place concerning the digital Crouch awareness campaign (as described earlier) and also the Crouch Harbour Authority had made their Harbour Guide available online. The aim here was to reach a wider audience and promotion continued via different social media channels of the Council, Steering Group and partners.
The plan was to now work towards being ahead of the curve for next Summer and steer work on water safety early to maximise the opportunities available to protect river users. Talks had taken place with the Police to understand their role on the shore side and with the Marine unit, and it apparent that further local support would complement.
The Crouch Harbour Authority are a small group of established volunteers and from a statutory perspective, duties do not fall to any 1 particular body in terms of water safety at riverbanks. It therefore seemed natural to discuss this topic in the RCCCT forum to share responsibility and decide how to improve water safety awareness and promote by way of targeted cohesive approach ready for Summer 2022.
The proposal is to develop a Working Group to address water safety. Partnership working is key in addressing the issue of water safety at riverbanks and starting with a focused agenda for Summer 2022 will hopefully lay the foundations for better joined-up approach thereon.
The Steering Group agreed the Terms of Reference circulated.
Group composition - AH volunteered to be the Project Lead and other members would include; KW (Crouch Harbour Authority), Hullbridge Parish Council, South Woodham Ferrers Town Council and Burnham Crouch Town Council. The group would also co-opt external representatives as necessary, eg. from other blue light services.
In terms of timetable, a final report of the Water Safety at Hullbridge Project Group would be submitted to the Steering Group by Spring 2022.
A recommendation was made to utilise Active Essex when promoting outcomes of this project.
Action: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Water Safety at Hullbridge Project Group to be recorded and circulated (AH)
Post Meeting Note: Terms of Reference and Membership appended (Appendix 2)
Action: To organise a first meeting of the Water Safety at Hullbridge Project Group (AH)
Post Meeting Note: Arrangements underway for a virtual meeting to be held during October 2021
Note 29/21
Date of Next Meeting
A special meeting was arranged for Tuesday, 28 September at 10:00 for the Border Force to provide a presentation to the Group (via Teams).
It was agreed that the next Steering Group meeting would take place on the same morning of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Tuesday, 23 November 2021 at 10:00.
Post Meeting Note: Invitation issued with Zoom joining instructions
The AGM would take place on Tuesday, 23 November 2021 commencing at 11:30.
Cllr Lumley thanked all for their attendance and the pleasing progress being made.
The meeting started at 11:10 and ended 12:06