Issue - meetings

That the presentation be noted.

The Chair introduced Nick Thomas and Anthony Randles of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and invited them to deliver a presentation on the work of NRW in Flintshire.  The main features of the presentation were:

·         Who we are

·         Our purpose

·         Landowner and Land Manager

·         Outdoor Recreation

·         Designating Authority

·         Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Flintshire

·         Flintshire Coastal Tourism Potential Challenges

·         Potential for a Dee Estuary Regional Park

·         Species Management / Alien Species Legislative Update

·         Fisheries Management

·         Partnership Work

·         Water Framework Directive

·         Environmental Regulation

·         Incident Management

·         Fly Tipping

·         The River Dee

·         Flood Risk Management

·         Environmental Bill

Mr. Thomas spoke about the wide remit of NRW and described Flintshire as unique in terms of the urban areas and significant wildlife interest.  During an overview of partnership work, he highlighted the role of the Halkyn Mountain Ranger and close links between NRW and the Countryside team on improvements to the Wales coastal path.  He cited the potential for joint working on a possible Dee Estuary Regional Park which would not only be an opportunity to enhance recreation but could also help to benefit the environment (ie  removal of eyesores) which in turn could improve employment opportunities (eg  tourism, light industry etc) and hence improve the prospects for the Estuary’s communities.  However, he raised concerns about the annual joint working partnership with the Countryside and Environment service in view of the intention by Welsh Government (WG) to allocate funding to local authorities through the Revenue Support Grant.  He also advised that more funding would be required to support the Dee Invasive Project to tackle various invasive species and that officers were currently considering the implications of the European Directive.

Mr. Randles provided explanation on the setup of his team and gave an update on progress with the second cycle of the Water Framework Directive.  He spoke about a range of improvements which had been carried out on the River Alyn, together with the various workstreams covered by Environmental Regulations.

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the potential for more improvements at Wepre Park and the idea of a Dee Estuary Regional Park.  He asked about the emphasis on more partnership working and the impact on NRW in relation to the Euro funding available for rural communities.  Mr. Thomas spoke about eligible areas under the Rural Development Plan, the need to submit bids at an early stage and the commitment from NRW to work in partnership to deliver objectives.  In response to a question on cockling, he said that the beds were opened between July and December, and explained the consequences from the difficult conditions this year which had resulted in low stocks and the potential impact on next year.  On the Coastal Defence Survey, he shared concerns about the erosion of sand dunes at Talacre, but highlighted the challenges of resolving this satisfactorily, as evidenced previously.  On the subject of fracking, explanation was given on the role of NRW in issuing licences which met the necessary criteria  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43