Brill Common & Village Green Advisory Group Meeting Report
March 13th 2023

Present: Chair – Alex Cruickshank BBOWT, Emi Slater ( Parish Council), Liz Spring (Parish Council), Tim Patrick (FOBC) , Jon Cable (The Walks Committee) , Dave Munson (The Common Volunteers) , Pat Stone – BVCH and grazing Commoner, Roger Stone – FOBC. 

Formal minutes will be taken from the next meeting by Bobs Damerall as Parish Clerk. On this occasion an informal record of our discussion was taken by Emi Slater.

1. Funding changes new ELMS, Future HLS etc

Alex reported back on funding meeting with Philip Miles (attended by Emi Slater, Bobs Damerell, Liz Springs, Alex Cruickshank this morning in the PC office) with Ceres who have been employed by DEFRA to advise landowners in the UK on the new funding schemes. Philip will come back with a report on the funding available specific to Brill. Most likely we will apply for a further Stewardship agreement which we will need to prepare over the next year. Discussion of Animal Health & Welfare grant and whether BVCH should apply for it as well or not. Much discussion needed with all groups as to what we can apply for over the coming months. No conclusions made until we have received report from Philip and further discussion needed.

Action: PC/Bobs to wait for Philip Miles report and then continue to consult with Alex and Volunteer groups to start building the next application over the next 2 years. Deadline April 2025.

2. Draft Action Plan

Dave M reported on work done by Comm Vols which was in line with the management plan and as suggested  Alex’ draft work plan send round earlier this year. 

Action: Dave M and Roger S agreed to send Alex summary of what work has been done so far (by the Common Vols and Friends of BC) so we can keep a record for comparison – cc Emi in.

3. Span Green

Suggestion that railway sleepers would solve the problem on Span Green but not all keen as need a longer term better solution.

Suggestion to abandon 6b in draft plan sent out. Span Green is footpath not a bridleway therefore the group decided not to precede further.  All agreed if the riders prefer not to go on road they could help contribute to the clearance of a pathway. Suggestion of possible use of the PC’s flail mower in September/August to flail right through Span Green. Discussion about  best to do with Span. Alex advises that Bucks CC should take responsibility for the footpath and the mess it is in. 

Action: Emi report to PC and Bobs re Bucks County CC to do something about Span Green drainage on the Bucks CC footpath. Check with Hannah first as she ROW representative on the PC. 

4. North Hills/Scrub Clearance 

Target for North Hills – comparison of targets. Alex has lumped Scrub and brambles together. Scrub means small trees as well as brambles. Discussion about size of trees. 

Action: In order to achieve targets in management plan we need funding to do a restoration project on North Hills – scrub removal project in late summer. More resources needed for scrub removal. Emi and Alex to discuss and report back to PC. 

5. Encroachment

Discussion about 2 vans parked permanently on Windmill Car park and then moved around the village & parking on the green?? Parents parking on the green. 

Discussion about Span green crossroads chalk path (see photo from Emi)  – opinion that it is not particularly an encroachment so not perhaps a problem – as the chalk will just fade in. Further discussion on PC encroachment policy. Liz reported on work so far and progress made. Emi and Liz reassured group the PC taking it very seriously and working on system that will be in place long term. 

Action: Group suggests small “No Parking” sign – no parking on the Green just to see if it will make any difference. Emi & Liz to report to PC.

6. Farmer Cluster

We get brownie points for getting funding/access for bigger project funding. We have already benefitted from Bird Seed project. Buckets and seeds received from Natural England. 

Action: Dave M and Tim P to put up bird feeder at Hartwell’s Barn and Jon C and Tim P to continue scattering seed along hedgerows in HB to fill hungry gap. Liz S to attend next Farmer Cluster BoR meeting. 

7. Hazardous Tree survey 

Emi reported on Nick Dunbar, Whole Tree Company – Ash Dieback – report to come. Discussion about planting of trees in place of ones that die as we go along.

Action: Emi to send report round to all when complete. 

8. Pond in The Walks

Tim pollarded the willows by the pond. Question about 3 year pollarding of trees by the pond. Perhaps we do it too often?? Dogs swimming in the pond? Funding about restoring ponds – get a survey done of both ponds – cleaned and dredged – lining was taken out of pond – clay lining was taken – yes fencing ponds to protect wildlife is what the group think should happen. Discussion about “run your dogs loose” places that people could take them to as an alternative. Suggestion to fence pond, put up wildlife sign in the future. 

Action: First step Emi, Liz and Alex to discuss Pond survey options and report to PC. 

9. The Goats

The goats were put on the Common 8 years ago – after the HLS was applied for – that is why they are not included in the management plan. Pat S renews Tim P’s grazing licence every two years. Discussion about including them in next plan?

10. The Walks Committee

Discussion that we need more about what their plans are. How useful is it to have so many Vol groups? Jon reported Tree planting, pollarding and Bench has happened since our last meeting. Emi apologised for forgetting to tell PC about bench put in honour of Pete Davis and Pete Bugg. Tree planting had been approved by PC.

Action: Jon to ask Walks committee to write a yearly plan of action and send to group (email to Alex and Emi).

11. South Hills

Broken glass found in the dip in South Hills – something (badgers?) has disturbed it and broken glass now exposed. Terry Russell reported it. Suggestion from Alex that we need to get contractors to look at it and also remind Bobs about mattress that Ilona showed him. 

Action: Liz to report to Bobs and PC. And ask Hannah to put on PC database and Bobs to action.

12. Licence for Sheep on The Walks

The Walks Committee – Defra asked this morning if Sheep on walks at a licence?

Action: Jon C to ask Walks Committee what agreement sheep people have so we know for future funding.

13. BPS

Coming to an end. 2028 it goes down to 0. So discussion needed about what the future holds in terms of grazing. The future!? The goats? The cows?

14. AOB

HB – could Saunders Field be a holding ground for cows? Too many badgers in there so TB might be an issue – not enough grass for them in the winter . 

Date of Next meeting: June Monday 5pm 19th June 2023 at the Parish Council office