MINUTES for the meeting held on Monday, 21st. July 2008 at the Civic Centre, Barnstaple.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. R. Day, Chairman, (Instow PC and CPRE), Mr. T. Pratt, Vice-Chairman, (NDYC), Mr. P. Fronteras, (Westleigh PC and MVS), Mr. S. Brown, (MVS), Cllr. P. Hames, (Northam TC), Mr. W G Cox, (Bideford A.R.C.), Mr. J. Breeds M.B.E., (MoD, N.E.), Mr. S. Shambrook, (RMB Chivenor), Cllr. W Silver, (Fremington PC), Mr. J. Lee, (NDDC),Mr. J. Gillett, (Natural England), Mr. D. Graham, (RM Instow), Dr. M. Ford, (Braunton Countryside Centre), Cllr. T. Johns, (Bideford TC), Mr. P. Siddall,(EA), Cllr. Mrs M. Shapland, (Braunton PC), Mr. C. Hassall, (Rolle Canal Society), Capt. R. Hoad, (Harbour Master, Bideford), Mrs. A. Humphris, (Hon. Sec.).

1.APOLOGIES for ABSENCE: Dr. M. Moser, (Biosphere Reserve Partnership), Mrs. W. Dale, (RNLI), Mr. R. Jones, (Fremington PC), Mr. R. Butler, (UK MAB, AONB), Mr. C. Squire, Mr. B. Nicholls, (ND Waterski Club), Cllr. G. Holder, (Ashford PC), Mr. A. Atkinson, (ND Sea Anglers), Ms. C. Jones, (DWT), Mr J. Hartnoll, (Braunton Marsh Commissioners).

2. MINUTES of PREVIOUS MEETING: Monday, 21st. April, 2008.
Steve Shambrook proposed and Paul Fronteras seconded the adoption of the minutes, and members voted unanimously to adopt them.

3.MATTERS ARISING from the Minutes:

(a) Estuary Report: Including:
• TTEF Newsletter - 21stApril, 2008:

TDC: Appledore Churchfield Slip – Launching – 2008 Season:
The Chairman had no updated information on this season’s registration of Fast Leisure Craft, and the issue of stickers, as Ben Totterdell, who was administering the Registration Scheme has left the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service, and his successor has not yet been appointed.
Simon Toon of TDC is on holiday so no further information at present.

All other items in the Newsletter (21.4.08) were for information or are included later in the Agenda.

• TTEF – Newsletter – 2nd. June, 2008:
No matters arising that were not covered in later Agenda items or were items for information.

• TTEF – Newsletter – 28th. June, 2008:
Finding Sanctuary: Role of Estuary Partnerships in Regional Marine Protected Area Planning:
In this Newsletter, the Chairman had explained the role of Finding Sanctuary and that the data collected by them would be used by the Marine Management Organisation, to be set up under the Draft Marine Bill, in the designation of Marine Conservation Zones. She was later contacted by Tom Hooper of Finding Sanctuary, who wished the Chairman to make clear to members, that the information collected by Finding Sanctuary will be used in making recommendations to the Secretary of State and not the MMO. The role of the MMO is not yet defined.
Finding Sanctuary is now thinking about organising a “surgery” for North Devon. They are looking to book a location to run a surgery from Friday lunch time until Saturday evening. Staff could be available to meet people and to record information about areas they use and value, and to respond generally to queries and to hand out information.
Finding Sanctuary envisages that this exercise will take place in the autumn, and are looking to TTEF members to help in how this could be achieved. Members were asked if they had a suitable event being planned.
Shaun Lewin of Finding Sanctuary will be contacting the Forum in the near future to check if he has a complete data set for the Taw Torridge Estuary.

White House: Access for Launching:
Simon Brown (MVS) reported that they had met with John Hartnoll of the Marsh Commissioners, to discuss helping with behaviour on the water in the area of the White House. They are to liaise with John Hartnoll, but they had not yet been on the water.

Appeal by Notts Contractors Ltd. Transfer Station, Yelland Power Station Site:
On 29th June 2008 the Chairman sent in a further copy to the planning Inspectorate of the original comments the Forum made on 1st July 2007, which sets out clearly the TTEF position on this matter.
The Chairman had received a report from a member of the public that it is alleged that Q-Plant have secured the contract to remove 100,000 tonnes of material from the new Bideford College Site to the Yelland Power Station Site. The work is due to start next week.



The Chairman had contacted the planning directorate at Devon County Council for more information. Mrs. Jackie Reffell, Assistant Development Control Officer for DCC has notified the Chairman that she is looking into this contract and will visit the site to meet Mr Kevin Davies. She stated that no waste material should go onto the ash bed site until the owners have the licence to close the old badger sett, but that material could be taken into the transfer station.
Mrs Reffell has promised to update the forum following her meeting with Mr. Davies.
The Chairman had copied all of this information to NDC, the EA, the NDCCS, Fremington PC and Instow PC.
Instow PC had since contacted the Chairman to express its extreme concern about the number and speed of the heavy lorries that will be travelling through the village on a regular basis between Bideford College and the Yelland Power Station Site.

All other matters in the Newsletter (28.6.08) were either information items or covered later in the agenda:

• Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 21st. April 2008:

Taw Torridge as a Wildlife Corridor:
The Chairman had written to Torridge District Council in support of Northam TC to ask for the Taw Torridge Estuary to be included as a Wildlife Corridor in the TDC plans.

Knapp House: The Chairman reported that:-
The EA carried out a visual inspection of the flood bank on 25th. June 2008.
It has been identified that strengthening work is required to prevent further breaches occurring and that some additional works are necessary in the location of the original breach. With regard to the size of the bank, a potential refinement of the design and saving of material could be achieved by a more detailed analysis. The EA reported that:
o The width of the bank is in excess of the width normally required.
o The profile of the original bank slope is inherently unstable along its full length and, historically, stone revetment has been provided to prevent slippage and erosion.
o Where the breach has been repaired, the stone revetment has not been replaced.
o The profile of the landward bank slope is steeper than you would expect
o It would be possible to reduce the crest width and the gradient, and to use the excess material to repair the short section of the bank on the southern boundary, which is unstable and susceptible to breaching.
o There is no evidence at present of any failure of the bank occurring.
The Environment Agency has had discussions jointly with the landowner and with Lewis Andrews of TDC.
Phil Siddall (EA) was asked to take back to the EA, the forum’s concerns on this matter.
This item is to be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Braunton Burrows Files in Braunton, Bideford and Barnstaple Libraries: The Chairman reported that the Files had been updated recently.

Appledore: Planning Application for a bell on Appledore Quay:
Peter Hames, (Northam TC), explained that a Planning Application had been made for a mechanism to indicate the incoming tide to be placed on the Churchfield Slipway. He said that Northam TC had recommended that a delay until local people had been consulted.
The Harbour master suggested that this had not been thought through sufficiently, as although it was only a “murmuring sound” it would operate on spring tides early in the morning. It also could be mistaken for a navigation sound.

Bideford Harbour Authority:
The Chairman had been informed that Meetings of the Bideford Harbour Authority are open the Public, and that the next meeting will be on Wednesday, 30th July. The Chairman will attend the next meeting as a member of the public, in order to try to forge closer links between the Harbour Authority and the TTEF. David Graham and Roger Hoad are already members of the Committee.

Report from Bideford Harbour Master and Taw Torridge Estuary Pilot: Captain Roger Hoad:
Roger Hoad reported that Bideford Harbour continues to be quiet with large commercial shipping. The reasons given by the clay company and shipping agents are the high cost of fuel and the high charter rates for ships.
Enquiries have been received for the importation of 50,000 tonnes of china clay waste for use at the new College project at Barnstaple by contractors bidding for the job.
Appledore shipyard is on stream to launch its 90 metre super yacht hull later in the year, and is advanced in its plans to build huge sections for an aircraft carrier order from the MoD
Bideford Harbour Committee is due to meet on Wednesday 30th July at Riverbank House.







After its last meeting the following was decided:
 Approval was given to allow an operation of a ‘Tea on a Tug’ enterprise at Bank End subject to conditions.
 The harbour Master discuss the renewal or otherwise of the licence to moor the large vessel ’Hindostan’ within the Harbour at Bank End.
 That the Harbour Master investigates the possibilities of alternative cargoes into the port.
 Local Sea Cadets were given approval to lay pontoons for the mooring of their boats at Bank End.
 Approval for certain increases in Harbour Charges was given.
 That approval for the purchase of a replacement Harbour Crane is given.

Bideford Quay has hosted several successful farmers’ markets so far this season, as well as a car show and Bideford Water Festival.
The local fishing fleet still awaits completion of its new facility at Bidna, Appledore.
Very small amounts of river sand have been landed for local farmers during April.
Babcocks shipbuilders have commenced ‘plough dredging’ of the approach channel to the shipyard.
The Harbour Master’s efforts to improve the river have received a boost from an offer by Sean McKay of the Environment Agency to help clear up a section of the river at East the Water.
The Kathleen and May is away at present at a Tall Ships Festival at Brest.
Seawind / Barclay Curle at Bidna continue to be busy with large pleasure and commercial vessels on the slip.
Major works on the Long Bridge at Bideford are due to commence before the end of the year.
The full report can be seen on the website: www.ttef.org.uk

Mussels in the Estuary:
Phil Siddall (EA) reported from Paul Carter (EA) that there is to be a prosecution over unsafe mussels being transported from Yelland Quay.
Paul Fronteras reported that there is to be an article in Bideford Buzz on the publication of ‘A Field Guide to the Taw Torridge Estuary’ by Chris Preece.

(b) North Devon’s UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve:
John Breeds MBE, Braunton Burrows Education Warden – Core Area Report: Covers period of January to July 2008.
1. Biosphere Volunteers:
A total of 104 volunteer work days have taken place this year.
2. Rare Species:
The small blue butterfly last seen in 2004 has returned – active management is essential to ensure the survival of this nationally declining butterfly on Braunton Burrows, one of only 2 known colonies in Devon.
3. Monitoring:
The monthly water table readings in 18 sites on the Burrows and rainfall readings at the White House were continued.
11 rabbit counts show no significant change in numbers.
4. Education Walks / Events.
A programme of 22 guided walks and other activities has again been organised. The launch of the programme was delayed awaiting resolution of the hoped re-opening of Sandy Lane car park, as this did not take place the venue for many events was changed to Broadsands car park.
5.Vandalism:
The gates into Sandy Lane car park were burst open in early June and since January 4th. Padlocks on the American Road gate have been rendered unusable. Vehicles have continued to park on Crow Point and beach.
6. Dogs:
The continual daily use of the Burrows by dog walkers has escalated to an unacceptable level. This is adversely affecting not only the flora and the fauna but is also detrimental to the quality of visitors’ experience of the site.
7. International Links:
On July 15th. Australians Steve Poole, co-ordinator of emerging Noosa BR, Queensland and Russell Stewart, chair of an environmental group from the Great Sandy BR were shown parts of the Burrows.
8. Sandy Lane car park closure:
The sudden closure of Sandy lane car park in early January resulted in the removal of the dog bin service, followed by much vehicle congestion and confusion.
9. Safety:
The hazard of invasive bramble trailing across well established footpaths following 2 years without mowing is an increasing concern on guided walks.
10. Funding:
Funding for the financial year 2008/2009, the last year of the education warden contract, has been reduced by 35%. Reductions/adjustments to the work programme have been made to take this into account.
A copy of the full report can be seen on the TTEF web site: www.ttef.org.uk
The Chairman congratulated John Breeds on being given an RSPCA Award for rescuing a seal.





Report from Justin Gillett – Natural England:
Justin Gillett said that he was aware of John Breeds concerns and they were echoed by Natural England.
There was a conservation interest as the Public Service Agreement Targets in SSSI sites for 2010 included Braunton Burrows. This was a large site and unfavourable status at present. Therefore efforts are being made to make the scheme work on this. Negotiations are in progress with Devon Christie Estates on this.

(c) North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership:
Explore Braunton Project: Katie James:
A copy of the written report on Explore Braunton was handed out to members.

From this report it was suggested that there was to be a Development of an Interpretation Board / Parish Map.
Marguerite Shapland (Braunton Parish Council), expressed concern that not enough negotiation had taken place over the Interpretation Board / Parish Map. She said that lots of research had been done by the Parish Council which could be used on the Boards.
The Chairman is to contact Dave Edgecombe to ask him to contact Braunton Parish Council on this matter.
A copy of this report can be found on the TTEF Website: www.ttef.org.uk

(d) Sandy Lane Car Park, Braunton Burrows:-
In John Breeds Report, he expressed great concern over the situation at the car park, its closure, the removal of the dog bins and confusion over lack of information.
The Chairman asked Jerry Lee, NDDC Liaison Officer, to take back to the council the Forum’s concerns on this matter and to ask for enquiries to be made. She asked that any progress on the matter should be sent to her as soon as possible to go into a Newsletter.
The Chairman is to write to NDDC, the Christie Estates, the Marsh Commissioners and the AONB on this matter.

(e) Draft Marine Bill: Update:
The Chairman and Vice-chairman had put together a response to the Draft Marine Bill following a subcommittee meeting on 18th, June 2008. Copies of this response were handed out to members in the information pack.
The Chairman had gathered information from discussions on the Bill at Devon Maritime Forum’s conference, at the Devon Estuaries Officers’ Meeting in Plymouth. She had also represented the forum on a working group to put together the Biosphere Reserve’s evidence on the Draft Marine Bill for the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The Chairman was concerned with one point in the draft BR evidence submission to the Joint Parliamentary Committee which stated that Taw Torridge Estuary had a dedicated officer and an up to date Management Plan.
The Chairman has now contacted the key players nationally, regionally and locally to ensure that the correct position is well understood, our Management Plan is out of date and there is no provision for it to be updated and that we have no dedicated Estuary Officer.
A copy of the TTEF response on the Draft Marine Bill to DEFRA was given to members in the information pack.

TTEF Steering Group: Tony Pratt, Chairman of the Steering Group, to report:
Copies of the Meeting Notes were handed out to members.
Tony Pratt reported on the discussions. The Steering Group had agreed that they would recommend that:-
 The Management Committee would consist of the following elected Officers; Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
 The number of Standing Committees would be reduced to two; (1) Consultation and Planning and (2) Administration and Finance.
In order to set up the new committee structure it would be necessary to amend the constitution of the Forum.
It was agreed that at the next Steering Group meeting the following would be discussed:-
• Feedback from the next TTEF meeting, including changes to the Constitution.
• The criteria and job description for a new Chairman.
• A mechanism for finding new candidates for a Chairman.

The Members were asked to give the change of the Constitution some thought and the Steering group suggestions would be sent out to members before the next Forum Meeting for their consideration.

(g) Northam Burrows: Update on DCC’s Investigation into the Disused Landfill Site:
The investigations into the disused landfill site are now being carried out, and results are awaited.
The Chairman will circulate the results to members when they are received from DCC.
Cllr. Johns, (Bideford Town Council), reported that there were growing concerns in Westward Ho! over the Pebble Ridge.


As DCC was no longer recharging the Ridge and leaving it to its own devices, there were fears of the possibility of a breach. He said that the management of the Ridge had been undertaken by the locals over the years by potwalloping, but that had been stopped due to health and safety issues. He suggested that seemed to be a “passing of the buck” and therefore no-one was able to make a decision in order to make the Ridge safe.


(h) Bathing Water Quality:
A copy of the Update of the Results so far for the 2008 season was handed out to members.
The Chairman reported that Saunton and Westward Ho! Were still in line for the Guideline Standard and Instow is just hanging on for the Imperative Standard.
In the Newsletter of 2nd June 2008, it was reported that the Imperative failure at Instow was caused by cattle and not by any problems with the sewage system. The environment Agency is stepping up its monitoring upstream of Instow as a result.


(i) TTEF Membership:
Copies of the Updated Membership List and Constitution were handed out to members.
i. Appledore Mooring and Boat Owners’ Association: At the last TTEF meeting the Chairman reported that Mr. Peter Reveley of the Appledore Mooring and Boat Owners’ Association had contacted the Chairman with a view to the Association becoming a member of the TTEF. As requested by the Forum, the Chairman contacted Mr. Reveley for a copy of the Association’s Constitution.
A copy of this Constitution was handed out to members.
It was decided by members that more information on their Constitution, membership and detail was required before a decision could be made by the Forum.
ii. Braunton Countryside Centre.: The Chairman announced that the membership of the Braunton Countryside Centre had been revived with the Trustees’ appointment of Dr. Maggie Ford to represent the Centre’s interest on the TTEF
iii. Maritime and Coastguard Agency: The MCA is a TTEF Member, but the MCA does not pay subscriptions to other organisations. Despite this, and because of the MCA’ importance to the TTEF, they have been counted as one of the member organisations, and they are kept informed of everything the Forum does. The Chairman and Roger Hoad are to liaise with the MCA over TTEF Membership.
iv. North Devon Civic Society: The Society had terminated its membership of the TTEF, but the Chairman had met the new Chairman, Philip Milton. Mr. Milton is now recruiting new members to the Society, and has promised to look again at the Society’s membership of the TTEF.
v. Westward Ho! 1716 Committee: Alistair Barclay of the 1716 Committee had contacted the Chairman asking if the Committee could join the TTEF. The committee has an interest in looking after the welfare of Northam Burrows. The Chairman has requested a copy of the Committee’s Constitution and will circulate to members when they arrive.
vi. CoastWise North Devon: The TTEF does not have any organisation representing the educational aspects of the Estuary. The Chairman is to make tentative enquiries.
vii. North Devon Jet Ski and PWC Club: The TTEF has had no contact with this club for more than a year. The Chairman is to ascertain whether the club is still functioning.

(j) Joint NDC/TDC Local Strategic Partnership Delivery Board:
The LSP Delivery Board has been much involved in the Local Area Agreement, and now the Sustainable Community Strategy
(k) District Council Liaison: Jerry Lee (NDC) reported that the Sustainable Community Strategy is a joint strategy put together by NDC/TDC/DCC and stakeholders. A draft is being prepared to be ready mid August, to be submitted to LSP Board on September 18th. Tony Pratt is to represent the TTEF at that meeting.
Jerry Lee also mentioned the Boundary Committee’s current work on the Structure of Local Government and how that might impact on how the Forum will work with Local Authorities in the future.

4. Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Areas of General Navigation in the Taw Torridge Estuary:
There have been several communications with the MCA in Southhampton concerning whether the MCA is responsible for the Area of General Navigation in the Estuary outside the Port of Bideford.
Following these communications and the assistance of Roger Hoad, Bideford Harbour Master it is now confirmed that the MCA is the responsible body in the Taw Torridge Estuary outside the Port of Bideford.
A copy of the MCA’s response was handed out to members.
The Chairman had been in touch with Derrick Jones, the new MCA Head of Unit in Bideford, to arrange an appointment to meet him, along with Roger Hoad on Tuesday, 29th July 2008.
The Chairman will report back on the outcome of this meeting.
Thanks to Paul Fronteras, the HM Coastguard Safety Identification Scheme Form CG66 is now on the TTEF web site.
This Form CG66 is the safety form mentioned in the Moorings Code of Conduct.



5. Consultations for the period, including:-
 Defra: Draft Marine Bill.
 EA: Managing Flood Risk – North Devon Catchment Flood Management Plan.
 ENTEC: The Financial Benefits to Working in Partnership at the Coast.


A full list of Consultations and all the websites of same were listed in the TTEF Newsletter circulated to members.
The Chairman asked if there were any responses from members to let her know.

6. Urgent Matters Brought Forward by the Chairman: None.

7. Correspondence Received: All recorded in the Newsletter.

8. Agenda Items proposed for the Next Meeting:
 Derrick Jones, MCA, to talk about the MCA’s role in the Estuary.


9. Any Other Business:
• Natural England: A copy of Chris Davis’ DVD of Lundy was made available to members.
• Paul Fronteras: MVS. Publicised Ilfracombe Rescue Day on 13th August.

10. Dates and Venues of Meetings for the Forthcoming Year:
Monday, 20th October, 2008 at the Civic Centre, Barnstaple at 7.00 p.m.
Monday, 19th. January, 2009 at Bideford Town Hall (AGM) at 7.00 p.m.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.