The Friends of Lever Park

Minutes of the Meeting between United Utilities and the Friends of Lever Park on 23 April 2009 at Rivington WTW

Attendees:

United Utilities: Martin Padley – Head of Environment & Community

Neville Kidd – Central Area Catchment Manager

Frances Cooper – Assistant Land Agent

Friends of Lever Park: Bob Dootson – Chairman

Phil Johnson – Vice Chairman

Tony Johnson

[Note: Comments in red are our additions to the original minutes]

1. Aims, Objectives, Scope and Membership of the Friends of Lever Park

MP asked whether that geographic aims of Friends of Lever Park (FOLP) had changed, given the recent comments on the FOLP website on matters extending beyond Lever Park – including the Terraced Gardens and Rivington Water Treatment Works (WTW). BD explained that the main focus was Lever Park, but that their interests extended to the surrounding area. MP asked for an idea of the extent of the interest. TJ said that he believed that the FOLP were interested in activities in Lever Park and the surrounding area (which included Rivington and Anglezarke). People associate Rivington and Anglezarke as all encompassing and think Lever Park covers this wider area.

MP asked whether the focus of FOLP had changed, in line with recent comments on their website, from one that opposed the original planning decision to one that opposed Go Ape, UU and Chorley Council. BD explained that FOLP were not originally opposed to Go Ape. PJ added that the parties were joined by association. PJ stated that in his opinion the granting of permission to Go Ape and subsequent activities were “not legitimate”. NK noted that previous forestry thinning operations were performed with no complaints. TJ responded by saying that in the past woodland management work had followed consultation through WPMs. NK said( and) that objections only began when Go Ape were involved. PJ described FOLP as self appointed watchdog of Lever Park.

MP noted that all 14 posts to the FOLP in the last month were by two people and that all of the 76 comments (positive to FOLP) were posted by 14 people, with five individuals posting 72%. MP asked how many members were involved with FOLP. BD believed that 120 people attended meetings. BD confirmed that the number of members fluctuated and that they were typically over the age of 50. BD emphasised the 300+ on the march in protest at Go-Ape/CBC, also the mass protest 10yrs earlier re Blue Planet venture.

BD believes that Mr Padley should concentrate more on the real issues, and not web site statistics.

2. Minutes from the last meeting

MP stated that it was not formally agreed to take minutes at the last meeting. Mr Townsend took down a total of five lines, from which he subsequently produced a very detailed set of minutes, posted on the FOLP website. MP had compared the minutes to his notes and found them to be only 42% accurate. In addition, they included comments not discussed at the meeting and were very selective on some topics – for example Mr Townsend and Mr Dootson’s statement that “the proposed charging for car parking was reasonable and fair” were excluded from the minutes. BD stated that he didn’t agree with charging because this would lead to more off road parking problems, and that UU should address the issue regarding speeding and dangerous parking.

BD believed that Mr Townsend was solely accountable for his own actions. MP did not agree and believed that as Mr Townsend had represented FOLP at the meeting, the accuracy of these minutes was a matter for FOLP and Mr Dootson, as the Chairman of the group. MP will write to BD detailing the points of inaccuracy. ACTION MP

In order to ensure that this position did not recur, FC was present to take the minutes.

BD stated that unlike UU staff, he is unpaid and will not be told by Mr Padley or anyone else what he should or should not do, and that if he wanted an explanation he should contact Mr Townsend directly.

3. Go Ape

MP noted that Go Ape had reported a very successful opening with record visitors over the first few weeks. NK reported that Go Ape appear happy with performance.

BD had read the article in the Chorley Guardian and decided to cross check the reported numbers with the Go Ape website. BD believed that the figures on the website did not reflect the figures published in the newspaper article. (This definitely down played as BD quoted figures). BD suggested that the article in the Chorley Guardian looked like a PR exercise. NK said more trees would be felled in the future to accommodate Go-Ape and ‘maintenance and safety’!

4. Traffic Management, including Car Parking

MP reminded the group that they had discussed this matter in some detail at the last meeting. MP stated that a new car park is still under consideration.

NK noted that the traffic present in Lever Park on Easter bank holiday weekend was a good indicator to the need for further car parking. BD agreed that there were problems with traffic, but had an issue with the use of pay and display in all car parks. BD believed that if pay and display is installed the problems will not be solved.

TJ asked if the environmental assessment had been conducted. NK confirmed that the assessment is still to be undertaken.

MP noted that a UU employee of many years had contacted him to state that in his opinion, the area is no worse than it was 15-20 years ago. This was greeted with amazement and the statement was utter rubbish without supporting facts. Particularly traffic surveys on Lever Park etc.

BD believed that the most problematic area is the double bends near the primary school, caused mainly by ladies picking up and dropping of their children in an inappropriate matter. BD and TJ were concerned that there may be an accident. NK asked if the FOLP had raised these concerns with the Council. BD that it shouldn’t be up to the FLP to solve the traffic problems

5. Management at Lever Park, including Footpaths, Bridleways, Litter, Flooding and Toilets

5.1 Footpaths/Bridleways

TJ mentioned footpaths and bridleways at the last meeting, but was concerned that his concerns were dismissed to LCC. TJ believed that the partnership between UU and LCC does not seem to be working anymore.

NK noted that the budget available from LCC for maintenance has many demands and is focused on well used rights of way. NK asked that if TJ believed there to be footpaths with particular problems, he should write to NK. NK undertook to discuss any list from TJ to the partnership. TJ agreed to send in path numbers of particular problem areas. Footpaths have already been raised with LCC and ongoing, but waiting for wet weather to highlight the problem areas.
ACTION TJ

5.2 Litter

BD believed that litter had increased after the arrival of Go Ape. NK stated that Go Ape litter pick in the area they occupy and that bins are being installed in the stockades for customers and staff to use. In addition, Go Ape had requested a commercial bin from the Council for their refuse.

BD stated that this only happened because FLP contacted the Council’s planning dept

NK stated that litter bins were initially taken out of Lever Park to encourage people to take their rubbish home, as done successfully in other areas – e.g. the Peak District.

BD spoke in length regarding areas were litter was being left

BD also mentioned the lack of bins for dog muck in Lever Park. NK noted that the provision of bins does not always work and used the example of Clowbridge Reservoir, where dogs had to be banned to solve the problem. BD asked if there were any plans to ban dogs in Lever Park. MP confirmed that there were no plans to ban dogs in Lever Park.

BD thought that the issue was being avoided, and the issue of banning dogs in Lever Park was never mentioned by him.

5.3 Toilets

BD had received a complaint from a lady who witnessed a member of Go Ape staff urinating behind the blue cabin. This lady challenged the Go Ape staff member on the issue. NK confirmed that Go Ape have been informed about this incident and are taking action. BD believed that this is an issue with stag parties at other sites. BD had asked Go Ape about the issue and they said it would not occur on this site.

6. Friends of Lever Park Meeting Signs

At the last meeting, UU had agreed that FOLP could erect signs, detailing their next meeting, within the park – on condition that UU saw the text in advance and that they were removed within 24 hours of the meeting having taken place. MP reported that he had received complaints about “Friends of Lever Park meeting signs littering the Lever Park area and footpaths”. MP had explained the position to those complaining.

BD expressed surprise at this and reported that the FOLP knew how many signs were erected and that all were removed within 24 hours of the meeting.

MP confirmed that there was no problem with the signs, provided the above conditions are adhered to. However, this will be kept under review, subject to any further complaints.

BD asked who had complained , the answer being “a councillor”.

BD stated that unless they can name the person, then we should ignore it.

7. WPM Partnership Working

TJ was concerned that the partnership is not working as well as it used to. NK believed that the partnership is working well, a view he believed was shared by the other partners. NK suggested that TJ contact LCC if he believed that there was a problem.

TJ was also concerned that swallows are being excluded from the camping barn. NK reported that this building was now with United Utilities Property Solutions. Mentioned that it was WPMs money that funded this camping barn with swallow loft conversion and asked would any money be paid back. TJ asked where the kestrel boxes had been located. NK was not sure of the location, but would find out. ACTION NK.

8. Deer at Rivington

PJ was concerned about that lack of information on the recent culling of Deer at Rivington WTW, which they believed could have gone unnoticed. MP questioned the FOLP involvement. PJ confirmed that the FOLP were not directly involved and TJ reported that the FOLP had been approached by the Bolton Evening News.

PJ stated that he was outraged that the deer were shot when no other options were considered. MP explained that seven deer had been present on the site. These deer constituted a risk to water quality, as they carry Cryptosporidium. As a result, the Company’s Chief Scientist had instructed that they had to be moved. MP noted that it is a legally binding duty on the Company to effectively manage the risk to drinking water quality, which in this case was associated with treated water storage.

MP noted that the risk arising from deer upstream of the WTW is effectively managed by the water treatment process. TJ asked whether the treatment works removes Cryptosporidium. MP confirmed that the process at Rivington WTW was effective for the removal of Cryptosporidium.

MP reported that far from not considering alternative approaches, UU employees had spent two weeks trying to remove the deer from site in a humane way. This included herding a number out of the site boundary and that out of the seven deer originally on the site; four had been moved away humanely.

PJ accepted that there was a risk to public health and asked why the deer had not been darted and moved. NK confirmed that this had been seriously considered, but that this method had been tried previously but had not been successful – potentially causing a very stressful death. BD was not convinced that UU tried all possible options. MP asked which option UU had not considered. No further options were identified.

BD stated “back off” and let the atmosphere cool down. In other words “calm down”

In order to prevent deer returning to the site, NK confirmed that all staff are being asked to wait as the gate closes at the site entrance before moving off and that operations staff are asked to close the dam gates when accessing the dam.

BD asked about the risk from rats and rabbits. NK confirmed that if this becomes an issue it will be addressed.

BD stated that ultimately he did not agree with the actions taken by UU.

TJ asked about dead stock in water courses. NK confirmed that all precautions are taken to minimise the risk of stock getting into water courses TJ raised the responsibilities of the landowner to remove bodies as per DEFRA guidelines. FC knew the problem had been raised months earlier with UU.

9. Rivington Terraced Gardens

BD asked for an update on the site, which he felt looked very bare and rundown. NK confirmed that the Rhododendron present at the Terraced Gardens had to be taken out under DEFRA orders and must be controlled for the following 3 years after removal.

TJ believed that mountain bikes are a notable problem in the Terraced Gardens, straying off paths. NK noted that straying off bridleway/access routes can be an issue.

TJ asked whether there were any plans to renovate the area. NK confirmed that the plan is to return the area to oak woodland and maintain the features within the gardens.

TJ said as the Gardens are designated, protection is needed and consultation required on their future.

10. A.O.B.

BD asked why Rivington reservoir levels are so low at the moment. MP confirmed that this was due to the recent dry spell. The levels had not been reduced for maintenance reasons.

BD reported that he had heard rumours of a 12 mile road race (not Iron Man), with 1000 entrants starting from Lower Barn. NK was not aware of this and will investigate.

TJ stated that he had received a leaflet from the RSPB, regarding the Company’s SCaMP scheme. TJ asked what this will involve locally. MP confirmed that the proposed SCaMP scheme is aimed at addressing historic land management practices, for the benefit of biodiversity and water quality, subject to receiving support from the Regulator. MP will provide additional information to TJ. ACTION MP.

TJ asked if the income received by UU from Go Ape will be used in Lever Park. MP confirmed that the costs of Lever Park exceed the income received from activities within the park, including Go Ape.

BD stated that he felt that Jerome Mayhew’s comment “that Go Ape is directed towards the middle to upper class”, does not encourage local people. BD felt that this was with odds with Go Ape’s aim of providing an attraction for local people.

BD noted that the wall near the reservoir is deteriorating and that it was nearly at ground level in some places. BD reported that Paul Whittingham had suggested that Go Ape put some of their staff on a dry stone walling course to repair the damage to the wall in off peak times.