1. Apologies
None … a full complement!
2. Election of Chair
Paul Sinnadurai (EN) had left London, and the Chairs position
was now vacant. Mathew Frith (LWT) agreed to stand and was elected
unanimously.
3. Minutes of last meeting
Agreed
4. Matters arising
Outstanding actions:
RD to seek advice from Colin Plant regarding moths … AOB item
Species statements … AOB item
Bat action plan … a written request to London Bat Group has received
no response. DD stated that a London-wide, maybe generic plan,
should be favoured which can adopted by each borough LBAP.
ACTION: MF to pursue with Pete Guest of LBG
Making the links … no response to DDs paper
ACTION: All to consider for next meeting
5. Report from last Steering Group meeting,
02:02:00
JF reported that the StGp endorsed the list of habitats and species
from this Group … a case of rubber-stamping.
StGp agreed to set up a web-site, JF to pursue with aim of putting
the audit on it. There will be a holding page as soon as possible.
Dave Dawson raised issue of data capture, that there needs to
be an established discipline in terms of data submitted and sources,
especially if updating audit. Also will need to make sure that
audit versions are dated if updating is to regularly occur.
Alister Hayes (LB Bromley, SE LBBF rep) presented a paper (co-authored
with MF) on the cultural element of the BAP, and work is now in
progress to further develop this.
6. Lists of potential partners for workshops;
progress reports
Canals
MM reported issue of 50 miles of canals within region, 26 miles
in London cutting across 15 local authorities. Has made initial
contacts. MF raised issue of the future of the London Canals Committee,
which seems likely to be affected through the establishment of
the Greater London Authority. MM reported difficulty in pinning
down individuals.
Tidal Thames
CD stated that the potential partnership was massive … over 1500
people currently listed on the TGP database. A working group will
be set up, which will move away from a purely biodiversity approach,
and look at agriculture, waste, and other issues as well. The
working group is to be large but workable, and will need to incorporate
both Kent and Essex representatives.
ACTION: CD to pass names of working group to JF.
Wastelands
JF reported that through the London Wastelands Forum, Annie Chipchase
is in the process of drawing up a list of potential partners.
Woodlands
Jeremy Dagley (CoL, Epping Forest) has agreed to be initial contact
in discussion with Alister Hayes (LB Bromley), Meg Game (LEU)
and others. JF also raised the issue of the Forestry Commission,
which appears to be gathering woodland managers in London in preparation
of its own business plan.
ACTION: JF to liaise more closely with Forestry Commission.
Heathland
Jenny Bowen reported that they were lucky to have the initial
London Biodiversity Partnership audit compiled by Alex ColÚn (now
LB Redbridge). The partners are primarily London boroughs covering
28 sites, along with the LEU, LWT, golf courses, and the Commons
Conservators. It appears that there is either existing restoration
or no work occurring on the ground, but there is significant room
for awareness-raising.
ACTION: JB to pass details to JF.
Private gardens
MF reported that London Wildlife Trust were going to be adopting
a broad-brush approach. No progress has yet been made apart from
identifying potential partners such as the Royal Horticultural
Society, garden centres, and suppliers. BioRegional in Sutton
may be interested, and RD reported the FFPSs Good Bulb Guide
as a useful resource.
ACTION: London Wildlife Trust to pass details to JF.
Chalk grassland
MF reported that a list of potential partners for a core working
group would include the London boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and
Sutton, the Corporation of London, Downlands Countryside Management
Project and English Nature. FRCA have agreed in principle to advise
and feedback, but because of staff constraints would be unwilling
to attend meetings. A wider group would include the boroughs of
Hillingdon and Lewisham, Kent and Surrey Wildlife Trusts, and
local community and recording groups.
ACTION: MF to produce list of potential partners to JF.
Bats
JF … see earlier action point.
Water vole
RH stated that the EA will take the lead, probably in partnership
with London Wildlife Trust. No officer within the Agency has been
identified as yet, but Rob Strachan is a possibility.
Black redstart
JF reported that RSPB had produced a SAP, and SG stated that
this was a short, probably internal document, but which needed
clarification. This had been produced in consultation with LWT.
An interim draft SAP has been produced by Dusty Gedge (lead contact),
but requires further work.
ACTION: SG to qualify status of RSPB SAP.
Sand martin
RB reported that a number of partners had already been approached:
Derek Coleman (BTO), EA, Steve Crosby (TWU, Kempton Park), Mike
Dennis (LNHS), Tim Hill (LVRPA), Annie Chipchase (LLP), Dusty
Gedge, Jim Gooch (RMC Aggregates), Chris Corrigan/SG (RSPB), Mike
Pollard (Rye House Marsh), Ron Foster (Redlands).
ACTION: RB to produce list of potential partners to JF.
Grey heron
JF reported that Derek Coleman is keen to be an initial contact.
ACTION: JF and Derek Coleman to prepare questionnaire
for landowners.
Adder
JF (on behalf of EN) reported that there are c4 in-bred populations
within London, and that work will probably need to involve the
London Amphibian & Reptile Trust, London Wildlife Trust and
local authorities.
Stag beetle
MF is to ascertain the role of Peoples Trust for Endangered Species
in London, given its location in the capital and lead partner
status at the national level.
ACTION: MF to produce list of potential partners to JF.
Black poplar
MF reported that he had identified a potential lead contact …
Alan Holmes (LB Redbridge) who attends the Bucks BP Working Group.
JF reported that Ken Page (Surrey) and Ken Adams (Essex) may also
be useful contacts. MF has been invited to the next meeting in
April, but cannot attend (JF to attend in absence).
7. Initial contacts for selected species
Tower mustard
JF reported that Plantlife are not keen to be a lead partner,
and that Thames water are happy to use their land as a test site.
A DETR/Plantlife report in April is to list distribution and identify
restoration sites in the UK, some of which are in London.
Mistletoe
JF reported that Plantlife and Common Ground had both turned
down role of lead partner. RD suggested that BSBI and the Royal
Parks should be approached. DD suggested that schools may provide
an opportunity to obtain new records.
House sparrow
JF reported that Helen Baker (LNHS) is unable to take role as
lead contact, but is willing to provide advice and data. DD said
that he would lend support, but that we have to be careful about
our approach. MF reported that LWT maybe in a position to take
this further as and when resources permit.
8. Species statements
JF referred to the accompanying paper, which attempted to clarify
the role and format of species statements. There was general agreement
that some species would require a stand-alone document, others
simply a paragraph within a Habitat Action Plan. The categories
defined in the accompanying paper were generally thought to be
reasonable. It was not thought advisable to produce a separate
Action Plan for species that depend on the built environment.
As a result the discussion, pellitory-of-the-wall was removed
from the list of species statements. JF offered to write Species
Statements, but specialists should be found to do so wherever
possible.