Meeting Notes
Present
Cllr June Lumley (Chairperson) - Rochford District Council (JL)
Keith Powell (Vice Chairman) - Business, Maritime Community \ Independent (KP)
Angela Hutchings - Rochford District Council (AH)
Cllr Simon Wootton - Rochford District Council (SW)
Paula Chapman - Rochford District Council (PC)
Cllr N Skeens - Maldon District Council (NS)
Helen Quinnell - Chelmsford City Council (HQ)
Izzy Mansfield - Chelmsford City Council
Cllr F.K. Ager - Hullbridge Parish Council
Cllr Paul White - Hullbridge Parish council (PW)
Cllr Mike Halford - Canewdon Parish Council
Cllr Glen Dryhurst - Ashingdon Parish Council
Cllr Fiona Glegg - Burnham on Crouch Town Council
Cllr Alan Shearring - South Woodham Ferrers Town Council
Ken Wickham - Crouch Harbour Authority/3 Chambers
Doug MacEwen - Crouch Area Yachting Federation
John Lindsay - Environment Agency
Rachel Fancy - RSPB
Matt Mason - Baltic Wharf
Cllr Roy Hart - Rettendon Parish Council \ Battlesbridge Business (joined at the end of the meeting)
Cllr Chris Stanley (non-member) - Observer (joined during the meeting)
Apologies
David Overton - Natural England
Jack Ellum - Maldon District Council
Notes
Denise Britnell - Rochford District Council
Note 1
Welcome and Introductions
Cllr Lumley welcomed members of the Steering Group to the meeting and introductions were made.
Note 2
Notes of River Crouch Coastal Community Team Meeting held on 20 November 2019
The notes of the meeting held on 20 November 2019 were noted and agreed, with one observation raised by KP, who wondered if the Steering Group was too large, which he felt could create difficulties moving forward.
AH explained that there is open membership to the wider group and an AGM will be held, which all can attend. The Steering Group is by invitation only and will take decisions relating to overall policy and direction. It is intended that smaller task groups will be created by the Steering Group and separate terms of reference will be formed. Non-members of the Steering Group can attend meetings, with the Chairman’s permission, but will have a non-voting role.
Configuration of the groups will be kept under review (AH).
Note 3
Steering Group Membership and Substitutes
The current membership of the Steering Group and substitutes was noted.
Note 4
Update Since Last Meeting
Rochford District Council’s Economic Development Officer, PC, provided an update:
Path to Prosperity
The project will raise awareness about the Essex coast to encourage more local people and visitors to the area to enjoy the wide range of opportunities on the coastline. The specific area the project addresses is the coast path from Manningtree to Canvey Island. The route within the Crouch is via South Woodham Ferrers, Burnham and into Maldon on the north side and Battlesbridge, Hullbridge, Hockley and Wallasea on the south side. Barling, Wakering and Foulness are included with posters promoting the path but not in the free hopper service at this stage, that will connect visitors from railway stations to more rural parts of the coast where there isn’t a commercial bus service already in operation. Each district in the project has funding for an approx. 1 hour route to help connectivity and unfortunately Wakering/Barling was too far to be able to accommodate, as Rochford District is a long district and the main route is aimed at connecting Hockley railway station with both Hullbridge and Wallasea Island where there is already good visitor facilities present. The pilot scheme for a hopper bus service will operate at weekends during the summer months (1 April to mid-September).
This is one of the most important aspects of the Essex Path to Prosperity to promote sustainable travel and access to the coast via the use of footpaths and increased use of bus and rail services. Maps will be produced waymarking rights of way to the coast to enable visitors to find their way more easily from bus and rail stations to our coastal path.
The project will also deliver up to 20 apprenticeships for people coming to the end of short-term contracts in tourism and local businesses across the Essex coastal areas. Business support and training for local businesses in customer service will be provided to create memorable visitor experiences
The project started on 1 April 2019 and will continue until 31 March 2021. The overall project costs total £925,000 with £663,000 of this being funded by the Coastal Communities Fund, (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government), administered by Groundworks.
There was discussion around the proposed route and it was noted that some areas are still being investigated. Consideration could also be given to developing and regenerating businesses along the coast, e.g. Hullbridge.
Action: PC to circulate details for comment by noon on 5 February 2020 (ALL)
National Coastal Trail
Natural England will publish its proposal for the latest stretch of the national coast path, which includes Wallasea Island to Burnham on Crouch. Their report is available to view online from 29 January 2020 – details will be circulated by PC. Copies of the report will also be posted at libraries for public display. All representations and objections must be made on the correct form and must be received by Natural England no later than midnight on Wednesday 25th March 2020. It was agreed that representations would be made via the Chairman of the Coastal Community Team.
NS advised the Group of fund-raising work underway to create an observatory at the entrance of Burnham Marina, to monitor sunsets, although it was appreciated that it would not be possible to include details on the coastal trails as they will be going to print before the observatory is in situ.
Action: PC to circulate details of the consultation to the Steering Group and collate representations (PC)
There was general discussion following concern raised by SW (as Portfolio Holder for Enterprise) around a comment by PW that businesses in the Hullbridge area were failing. It is recognised that the footpath is not currently in the best area but PW feels that more could be done to encourage visitors to the area. SW emphasised that excellent work is underway, led by AH, promoting the Discover 2020 events taking place from May and it was noted that options are being considered to help future development and regeneration.
Note 5
Crouch Harbour Authority Fee Rise (Cllr Skeens)
NS declared a pecuniary interest but, as a parish and district councillor, wished to raise the matter of the fee increase applied by the Crouch Harbour Authority (CHA), following number of representations from other owners of houseboats.
The Steering Group considered that this was not a matter for them to comment on and that it should be raised direct with the CHA.
Note 6
Consideration of Projects/Ideas from Members and Way Forward (minute 46 of RCCCT Meeting on 20 November 2019 refers)
AH requested suggestions for projects for the Group to include in a forward plan. Following discussion, it was agreed to progress:
- Fambridge to Maldon Rail Link – to research potential grant funding to increase access to the coast, following the Government’s pledge to bring back historic rail lines, improving connectivity for communities across the country. Working Group Membership: Fiona Clegg, Alan Shearring, Keith Powell (Project Group Lead), Doug MacEwen, Glen Dryhurst, Nick Skeens. The first meeting is to be arranged as soon as possible.
- Footpath from High Elms Park, Hullbridge to the Dome, Hockley – to consider improved access and route of a footpath, in liaison with David Wilson Homes. Working Group Membership: Keith Powell (Project Group Lead), Keith Ager, Glen Dryhurst, John Lindsay, Roy Hart plus representatives from ECC PROW.
- Digital Showcase – to create and develop publicity via a public site, e.g. website or social media site, providing information on maps, businesses, public houses, hotels, etc. Working Group Membership: Keith Powell (Project Group Lead), Glen Dryhurst, Doug MacEwen, Paula Chapman, Helen Quinnell, Nick Skeens.
Action: AH to scope terms of reference for the groups and circulate for approval (AH)
Action: Groups to report back at the next meeting.
Note 7
Adopter for Old Style ‘Phone Box in Lower Burnham Road (Jack Ellum)
As requested by JE, the Group considered the information provided regarding a consultation by BT to seek adopters of old style ‘phone boxes’, particularly the one situated in Burnham Road. However, under the Group’s terms of reference, it was considered this is a Parish issue, although it was noted that the Parish Council did not wish to take it on. A suggestion is to be referred back to JE that the owners\residents of the caravan site may possibly be interested, as it’s situated immediately outside this site and could house a defibrillator for example, as undertaken in other areas.
Note 8
Any Other Business
Tourism Forum – 12 February 2020
A Tourism Forum will be held on 12 February 10 am at Apton Hall to launch the Beagle Event, as part of the Discover 2020 programme – working with businesses to find ways in which they can benefit from the influx of people to the event in May.
Action: Details of Tourism Forum to be circulated to the Group (PC)
Agenda Items for the Next Meeting
- Coast to Coast Path (GD)
- Proposal for latest stretch of Wallasea to Burnham Coastal Path
- Community Transport
Note 9
Date of Next Meeting
Monday 20 April at 10:00 (Room 4 Civic Suite, Rayleigh)