SUSSEX DOWNS CONSERVATION BOARD
The Annual Meeting of the Board will be held at 2.15 p.m. on FRIDAY, 7TH JULY, 2000 at the CIVIC CENTRE, SHOREHAM-BY-SEA
MIKE KENDALL
Clerk to the Board
A G E N D A
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 7th April, 2000, herewith.
(a) Countryside and Rights of Way Bill - With reference to minute 128, to note the announcement by Mr. Michael Meacher, MP, Minister for the Environment, that the Government will bring forward amendments to the Bill for the proper protection and management of AONBs. A DETR press release and Parliamentary Questions are attached for information.
3. Urgent Matters
Members are asked to raise any urgent matters at this stage and not at the end of the meeting. The Chairman will decide whether the Board should discuss any items so raised but asks members to give him prior notification of such matters unless urgency prevents it.
4. Membership of the Board
To report that Mr. David Stevens has been appointed a Member of the Board by Eastbourne Borough Council in place of Mr. Maurice Skilton.
5 Appointment of Vice-Chairmen
The Board's Constitution provides for the appointment of two Vice-Chairmen and Members are requested to make the appointments. The current appointments are Mr. Elliott and Mr. Skilton (who is no longer a member of the Board)
6. Appointment of Committees
The Board is requested to appoint Members to serve on the Executive and Planning Committees and the South Downs Working Party for the ensuing year. The present membership of the Committees, which reflects the political proportionality, is set out below:-
Executive Committee
Lord Renton (Chairman), Mr. Betteridge, Ms. Bloom, Mr. Bryant, Mr. Clark, Mr. Dingemans, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Fitch, Mrs. Morrish, Mr. Streeter, Mr. Wallis, vacancy
Planning Committee
Mr. Reed (Chairman), Mr. Brown, Mr. Betteridge, Mr. Buck, Mr. Burden, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Duncton, *Mr. Elliott, Mr. Millmore, Mr. Neighbour, Mr. Rose, Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Tidy,
*Vice-Chairmen are non-voting members of the Planning Committee.
South Downs Working Party
Mr. Dunn, Mr. Dyason, Mr. Elliott and Mr. White.
To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 6th June 2000 herewith. The items marked with an asterisk have been included elsewhere on the agenda.
(a) To receive a copy of a letter from the Countryside Agency confirming the Agency's present position with regard to planning matters in National Parks (minute 118 refers)
(b) Clerk to report orally on replies from local authorities on funding arrangements for the Sussex AONB after 2001 (minute 119 refers).
8. The Future Management of the South Downs
Marian Spain, Countryside Agency, will report on the Agency's Mission Statement for the South Downs and on the timetable towards the possible designation of a National Park on the South Downs.
A report by the Sussex Downs Officer herewith sets out the Draft Business Plan for the South Downs 2001/2004 for approval.
10. Agriculture in the South Downs
To receive a presentation on the role and activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the South Downs relating to land use and agri-environment schemes.
11. Marketing of South Downs Lamb
The Sussex Downs Officer will give an oral report on the progress towards the marketing of South Downs Lamb.
12. Analysis of the Board's Planning Role
To receive a report by the Honorary Planning Adviser on the role of the Board with regard to planning matters in the Sussex Downs AONB.
13. South Downs Way Management Strategy
A report by the Sussex Downs Officer herewith introduces the South Downs Way Management Strategy which the Board is asked to endorse.
14. Tourism without Traffic
A report by the Sussex Downs Officer herewith outlines progress in relation to the Transport 2000 initiative in and around the Downs east of Lewes.
15. Water for Growth - A Fair Share
A report by the Sussex Downs Officer herewith deals with the Environment Agency's regional water strategy consultation document.
16. Jigsaw Project
A progress report by the Sussex Downs Officer herewith on this millennium project
being undertaken by the Board in association with parish councils in the Sussex Downs.
17. Outturn Expenditure 1999/2000
A report by the Treasurer gives details of the Board's final accounts for the financial year 1999/2000.
To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 8th May 2000.
The draft Annual Review of the activities and achievement of the Board in 1999/2000 is attached for approval.
21. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Board will be held at 2.15 p.m. on Friday 13th October 2000 at Eastbourne Town Hall.
