< Go back to Minutes menu
Minutes of Steering Group Meeting
29th February 2024
Present: Martin Calvert (Chair), Adrian Coltman, David Lumb, Theresa Williams.
1. Apologies for Absence
Adam & Carol Bull, Steve Jones-Blackett, David Miles.
2. Minutes of the Meeting Held 11th January 2024
Agreed as a true record.
3. Matters Arising
4. Action Mornings
- Sunday 18 February 2024
Both sets of steps in "Hilda's Wood" were cleared, hedging was planted on Gledhow Valley Road, work was done in "Adrian's Meadow" to cut back overhanging branches and encroaching bushes, and litter was picked.
- Sunday 10 March 2024
Work will include clearing and painting the bath house railings, footpath clearing, step clearing and litter picking.
Volunteers to meet at the bath house on Gledhow Valley Road.
NOTE: Adrian Coltman is not available and there is doubt regarding Steve Jones-Blackett's availability. The clash with Mothers Day is an unfortunate oversight. Because of these factors there is a possibility that the Action Morning may not go ahead. Volunteers should stand by for confirmation via the usual channels.
5. Retirement Gift for Joan & Mervyn Clayton
All agreed that a gift should be given to Joan & Mervyn Clayton to show appreciation for their huge contribution and dedication to the Group over many years.
6. Trustees Update
- The Trustees want to have 2024 as a year concentrating on finishing off existing projects and running Action Mornings.
- There is a need to have new folk stepping forward for roles at Action Mornings.
- The road closure event will need a lot of volunteers.
- The Trustees are keen for this to be a year of consolidation and stability.
7. Gledhow Lake - Phase 2 Update
The majority of the outstanding work is being completed this week or next week. This includes installation of the Beck Pasture pond liner and repairs to the gate and board walk.
Leaky dam repairs and limited planting up of wetlands (most planting and new fascines) will be done late March or April.
Two new interpretation boards are now in place and the lake board has been repaired.
The only other project in progress is the plan to clear the bamboo near the junction of Gledhow Valley Road and Gledhow Lane. This should have a confirmed budget soon. Funding applications and the consent form to Leeds City Council Flood Risk Management (FRM) to carry out the work are being submitted. The Group is expecting to get a decision on funding applications by the end of March.
8. One Day Closure of Gledhow Valley Road
The event will take place on Sunday 14th July 2024.
Draft closure letters for residents have been produced. We are awaiting feedback on these from local councillors and Group members.
Local councillors are very supportive of the day.
The Group has submitted a request for 1K of extra funding for the event to Wade's Trust. This would bring the project total budget to 6K.
Stalls will be on the FunDay field. There will be events on Gledhow Valley Road but no stalls.
Last meeting saw detailed discussion regarding partial/total road closure.
There will be an FGVW presence in Beck Pasture.
David Miles and Jill Darlington will be managing the event. David Lumb has offered to help find materials for the day.
9. Succession Plans for FGVW
Succession plans for FGVW Action Morning management and the Steering Group are a cause for concern.
Action Mornings need a minimum amount of supervisors for safe working. The Group needs a marketing exercise to recruit officers and supervisors for Action Mornings. It seems to be a generational issue. The event in July could be a vehicle to recruit if we provide job descriptions and skills needed to potential recruits.
10. AOB
- Gledhow Valley Conservation Area Group (GVCAG) have offered FGVW £250 to cut back the area round the pond next to "Audrey's Meadow". The offer was declined because the area is managed annually in a sustainable way.
- "Mrs Hood's Steps" need further attention to replace handrails and posts and repair the steps themselves.
- The Group will consider using recycled plastic path edging in wet areas.
- We need to purchase some hand tools, drill, hammer, saw, screws and nails.
- The Group has had a request for a memorial bench in an area with a view of bluebells. A location by a path near the corner of Gledhow Lane was suggested.
- Hedge planting is going well. Three sessions with Gledhow Primary School have been booked for March. Reimbursement for hedging costs have to be submitted to The Tree Council by the end of March. It would be helpful if we could do some more planting at the next Action Morning.
- Potential de-culverting of Gledhow beck. FRM have started to supply information on this to allow us to determine its feasibility. This would need Steering Group discussion and Trustee approval as a new project. Karen Dunton at Sweco is advising on this as well as on the wetland project.
- Water monitoring: Two workshops with Leeds and York Universities are taking place in March. On 4th March there is a workshop to set research priorities for Citizen Science water quality monitoring projects in Yorkshire. On 18th March there is a celebration of Citizen Science projects in Yorkshire. Both events are open to anyone interested.
- David Miles has made contact with Friends of Roundhay Park/REAP Citizen Science project to look at how we can work together to bring about improvements in water quality locally. They are making a film about water monitoring and have asked if we want to be involved.
- Cllr's Jane Dowson and Lisa Martin have decided to nominate FGVW for the King's Award for Community Service national award. More information to follow.
- We are still waiting to hear if we have reached the final two projects nominated nationally for the prestigious Ashden Award for UK climate innovation.
11. Dates of Next Meetings (Provisional)
- Action Morning - Sun 10 Mar 2024
- Steering Group Meeting - Thu 4 Apr 2024
- Action Morning - Sun 14 Apr 2024
- Action Morning - Sun 12 May 2024
- Action Morning - Sun 16 Jun 2024
|
