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Staffordshire RIGS Group
Committee Meeting held at Keele University, Tuesday 11th March at 7.00pm
Draft Minutes
Present: Richard Waller, Peter Floyd, Pat Cossey, Tim Harris, Rosie Duncan, Ian Stimpson, Don Steward, John Reynolds, Craig Slawson and Christine Blackmore.
In attendance: Dave Cadman, SWT
1.Apologies. Sue Lawley, Vicky Tunstall.
2.Minutes of the last meeting, 6/11/07.
Minor change in 5c "remind RIW by e-mail"
3.Matters arising (RIW)
3. Ordering labels & signs – new labels for the Hamps & Manifold geotrail have been ordered and received.
4. Dudley Rock & Fossil Fair – to decide on events to attend in coming year.
Action: RIW to liaise with Elizabeth Hallam
9. LGAP questionnaire – this has been returned to Jonathan Larwood (Natural England).
10. Local site guidance – covered later in item 4
11. Cannock Chase – covered in item 11
12. SRIGS leaflet – completed as off-cut from Churnet Valley Geotrail – have 12,000 copies to distribute.
4.LIA 197 (Dave Cadman, SWT)
Dave Cadman provided a lengthy introduction to these local area agreement targets. These are performance indicators that are assessed. A biodiversity indicator has been included with respect to habitat creation. A DEFRA pilot new of indicators had 198 targets of which one is relevant to geoconservation issues - number 197. Counties have cut these from 198 to 35 targets so including biodiversity (which includes geodiversity) as one of these is major achievement. LAs will have to report annually in March. The proposed implementation in Staffordshire involves identifying the number and percentage of the total sites that are "positively managed" and demonstrating a year-by-year increase on this figure. Site management will need to include advice. If site is advised, actioned and the action is documented then it counts towards target. There is a need to include RIGS in this. From the biological side, a series of management options have been put forward and we need to do the same for RIGS sites. Need to target a number of sites / year to improve percentage of managed sites. For a 5% increase / year this will mean an increase of 3 RIGS / year). The landowner may be able to obtain some financial support for any sites that are actively managed. The SRIGS group may also be able to obtain a fee for the generation of site management plans for geodiversity sites. For biodiversity issues, SWT will be reporting to the LA so it would make sense for SRIGS to do same. The LA need to know the sites that will be incorporated into the baseline survey within three days. It was suggested that evidence for this could not be provided for this at such short notice so RIGS would start with a baseline of zero (i.e. no sites are currently positively managed).
PJC pointed out that the NCC have published guidance for the effective management of different site types and that these could be used as templates for RIGS action plans. Park Hall, Brown End, & Apedale Furnace Quarry should have action plans but Park Hall & Brown End are SSSIs and not RIGS and therefore do not count in this exercise.
JR reported that an UKRIGS ALSF grant will provide £200 per site for the development of site management plans.
RIW suggested that LA set up a secretariat to link LA / WT / RIGS. Also suggested that should start with a number of sites where management could be delivered easily so best way forward would be to target sites owned by county first as they would have a motivation for increasing their managed sites ratio to meet their targets.
5.Churnet Valley Geotrail (RIW)
a.Geotrail launch: The geotrail was successfully launched at an event on the 24th February attended by approximately 50 people.
b.Leaflet completion: The leaflet was completed in time for the launch and RIW minuted his thanks to all those who had helped complete the leaflet under such a challenging deadline.
c.Distribution: RIW thanked RD for her prompt and efficient work in distributing the leaflet. RD reported that she has already distributed the leaflet to numerous key outlets including tourist information centres, the Churnet Valley Railway, the Froghall Wharf visitors centre and the Ramblers Retreat, with distribution to the Derbyshire Dales, Alton and Alton Castle pending. The group agreed that we should also target local schools.
d.Signposting: Whilst it has proved impossible to complete this aspect of the project within the deadline, RIW reported that the posts & markers have been ordered and that the installation of trail signs will start in April.
e.Claims: RIW reported that the final SALGS claim will be submitted tomorrow and that once the final payment has been received, an email will be sent to all members regarding how to claim for a percentage of the professional fees they have generated as discussed at the last meeting.
6.Hamps & Manifold Valley Geotrail – Curry Fund award (RIW/PJC)
RIW reported that the group has been awarded a grant of £2000 by the Curry Fund (Geologists' Association) that will fund a further print run of 22,000 leaflets & will enable the group to continue to distribute this popular leaflets free of charge. PC & RD reported that they have already considered changes to the leaflet which they will circulate shortly. The issue of how best to invoice the Curry Fund was discussed.
7.SGAP (RIW)
RIW briefly reported that now that the Churnet Valley Geotrail has been completed, the re-visiting the SGAP document is now a priority. He will liaise with CB to drive SGAP forward & link with the UKGAP and other key documents that have recently been published.
8.UK RIGS report (JR)
JR reported that the RIGS handbook education chapter written jointly by himself & Alasdair Fleming has now been published. He also repoted that the first drafts of the UKGAP have been completed and are available for comment. Geology Trusts will be invited to join with RIGS groups.
9.West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership report (JR)
Staffs, Black Country, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Hereford & Worcester.
Document of terms of reference circulated for comment.
Responses to national consultation documents also circulated.
10.National Geoconservation Funding Workshop (RIW/JR)
Attended by RIW & JR. The workshop highlighted geoconservation-related funding opportunites from Access to Nature (new lottery-funded initiative), the Currie Fund, ALSF and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
11.Future grant opportunities.
RIW expressed a desire to look into new funding opportunities in order to maintain the momentum induced by the recent SALGS grants. He mentioned that informal discussions with Steve Potter (Chair of the SALGS committee) suggested that a future SALGS-bid for a geotrail around Cannock Chase may be a possibility. JR highlighted the need for funding for a salaried post that would help to further the activities of the group. RIW agreed to investigate the possibility of a large grant application to the new "Access to Nature" scheme focused around Apedale.
Action RIW.
12.Staffordshire's Top 10 sites (PJC)
PJC circulated a draft document for the West Midlands Geodiversity website – top 10 sites in Staffordshire. He requested images and suggested changes to the text by the end of week. Action: SRIGS members.
The group discussed the possibility of using these materials within the SRIGS website.
13.Proposed "Strategic Sites" within the Minerals Core Strategy (RIW)
RIW reported that he has received information on a series of "strategic sites" that are to be developed or expanded as part of the county's Minerals Core Strategy. The group has been asked to identify opportunities for and threats to geoconservation within minerals core strategy. He circulated the map of proposed sites and suggested the group discusses this at the next meeting. CS offered to generate a GIS map that would highlight strategic sites that might affect existing SRIGS sites. Action: CS.
14.Hamps & Manifold walk with the Northern Branch of the GA, Sunday 27th April
RIW briefly reported a request for help at a forthcoming meeting of the North Staffs. Branch of the Geographical Association that will follow the northern part of the Hamps and Manifold trail from Hulme End.
15.AOB
PJC to settle outstanding accounts.
16.Date of next meeting.
June 17th 2008 7pm
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