Issue - meetings

To consider Spelthorne Borough Council rejoining membership of Colne Valley Regional Park.

The Committee considered a report proposing that Spelthorne Borough Council re-joined as a member of Colne Valley Regional Park (CVRP) through a formal agreement and that the subscription fee was funded by the Green Initiatives Fund through a formal bid at the next Committee meeting.

Staines Moor, other significant green spaces, and water reservoirs form part of the Colne Valley Regional Park and contribute to the borough’s landscape and local biodiversity.  Re-joining as members would allow a more co-ordinated approach to improvements and projects undertaken and complement the Local Plan.

One member specifically commented that they supported the proposal to re-join the CVRP but advised that it had been agreed by the Climate Change Working Group that a formal bidding procedure should be put in place for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund.  As membership was not time pressured, he suggested approving the request to re-join CVRP with funding obtained from the Green Initiatives Fund should a bid be approved, or from another appropriate source if necessary.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not to join the CVRP, which would limit opportunities to fund schemes associated with improving Staines Moor and the River Ash.

The Committee resolved to agree to Spelthorne Borough Council re-joining as a member of the Colne Valley Regional Park through a formal agreement, funding to be provided from an appropriate source.

Reason for decision:

Parts of the Borough are located within the Colne Valley Regional Park.  The Park provides funding to its members to carry out initiatives and projects aimed at improving the local natural environment.  This can include biodiversity projects or initiatives aimed at improving green infrastructure networks in the Borough.