Brill Common & Village Green Advisory Group Meeting Report
november 25th 2024 5pm

Attendees

Alex Cruickshank (AC - BBOWT – Chair) Pat Stone (PS - BVHC), Dave Munson (DM - Common Volunteers), John Cable (JC - Walks Committee), Roger Stone (RS - Friends of Brill Common), Emi Slater (ES - Brill Parish Council – Common Rep), Tim Patrick (TP), Liz Cotgreave (LC – The Walks), Liz Springs (Brill Parish Council)

Bobs Damerell (BD – Minutes), Huw Rowley

Apologies: Christine Bailey (CB – BVCH)

Winter Programme (feedback from walk with Alex)

S20 – Common Volunteers – So far there have been three sessions clearing Himalayan Balsam and are currently doing very well. There are more sessions scheduled and the clearance should be finished by Christmas weather permitting.

FOBC – Started clearance on South Hills but have been unable to carry out significant clearance due to members illness and combining the work with that of the Herd as well.

Ragwort – The Clerk to Check if Bucks Council will collect and incinerate Ragwort.

Sycamore! (Huw etc) 

ES updated the group that the Parish Council has initially committed up to £1,000 towards the removal of sycamore from The Common.

Huw Rowley has attacked and removed some of the smaller sycamores with his mattock, but would require a bigger mattock to be able to remove the bigger specimens.

The Group agreed to ask Tim Ludlow if he had the equipment (eg a digger) and if he would be willing to dig out the larger Sycamores. 

Cllr Slater updated that the Parish Council had approved the removal of a sycamore on the Lawns as following sight of the surveyors report the trees proximity to the house will cause potential damage to foundations if left in situ.

The group unanimously agreed not to plant any further trees in the Walks. 

The Walks

Dogs off the Lead - The increase of dogs off the lead in the Walks has started to cause low level concern and that all residents should have dogs on the lead.

Sheep – The group was very supportive of the Management Programme drawn up by AC but this also requires further and closer contact with the Shepherd regarding the times and when the sheep or Rams are placed on the Walks. ES & BD to visit the Shepherd to discuss the grazing license and timings for sheep on the Walks

BD to investigate further the legalities of sheep and fencing on the Walks as it is designated Village Green.

Garden Waste on The Walks - Composting system in the village - ideas? The group agreed a standard letter should be sent to residents who deposit garden waste on the Walks or Common.

Encroachment down Tram Hill

BD has a possible meeting on 7 December 2024 to discuss the Encroachment at Cuckoo Close Farm.

Heritage Lottery Grant for a Ranger for management of the Common

ES reminded the group of the purpose of the application and that it is currently the second week of the eight-week consideration period before ES is notified of the decision. There is a hope the outcome will be received before Christmas.

Signs to stop parking on the Village Green

The Group were in support of the use of no parking signs on the Village Green and on cars parked on the Village Green, particular during school drop off and pick up to try and ease congestion at these times and protect the Green.

LS stated she was working on these signs and would continue to do so to have these implemented as soon as possible.