Agenda item

Report of the Director for Neighbourhoods

Councillor Combellack, (Ward Councillor for Neville and Langar) addressed the Group, expressing her support for the Council renewing its Access Agreement. Councillor Combellack explained her concerns regarding the loss of water along some stretches of the Grantham Canal and the urgent need for appropriate repairs, dredging and maintenance that is required to prevent further water loss. Councillor Combellack advised how waterways have evolved particularly during the recent Covid Pandemic as a provision for relaxation and wellbeing and why waterways are important for blue prescribing as they provide a valuable aid for mental health and wellbeing, including the biodiversity of wildlife the canal attracts.

The Communities Manager explained how the Council has worked with the Canal and River Trust over the years, with particular focus on the Access Agreement between the Borough Council and the Canal and River Trust for the Grantham Canal, which was set up on 1 April 2003 for 21 years, thus expiring on 31 March 2024.

Mr R Erwin-Jones, Strategic Programmes Manager for the Canal and River Trust delivered a presentation that emphasised the extent of the waterways across the whole of the East Midlands and highlighted the Rushcliffe District – Trust Navigations including the River Trent, Upper Trent, River Soar and Grantham Canal.

Mr Erwin-Jones provided information on the national income that the Trust receives, which is in the region of £215.4m from various sources including; Defra, investment and property, Boat licence and mooring fees, utilities and water development and third party income from charitable investments and donations. In addition, Mr Erwin-Jones provided a detailed breakdown of the annual investment on the Grantham Canal totalling £195,448.60, of which the Borough Council provides £40,000 from the Access Agreement.

Mr R Bennett, Heritage and Environment Manager for the Canal and River Trust continued, providing information on the annual costs for vegetation management, including; towpath cutting, hedgerow maintenance, tree works and clearance, aquatic read and invasive plant removal, which he advised was in excess of £34,100 annually through specialist contractors.

The Group were advised that towpaths are subject to a rolling programme of repairs including reactive works such as wind damage and fallen trees, removal of fly-tipped items and occasional fencing.  Vegetation is generally cut between the months of April to August allowing for a front and rear fringe along the bound surface path to create a natural habitat along the towpath, and extra cuts made around benches, signs and bridge approaches and locks. Hedgerows are also maintained and trimmed annually to allow the safe access width along the towpath, including hedge-laying which provides long term biodiversity improvements and skills and volunteer/community engagement.

In respect of leaks and water management Mr Bennett explained that unfortunately leaks do occur and that water resources are limited, Kinoulton being particularly affected in recent years. In addition, Mr Bennett advised that some sections had long been dry and had created terrestrial habitats at Cropwell Bishop. Concluding that Leaks are repaired, but unfortunately new ones will appear.

Ms L Beaumont, Partnerships Manager for the Canal and River Trust presented information on the Rushcliffe voluntary groups involved highlighting the importance these groups and individuals provide in supporting the Canal and River Trust’s programme of improvements.  Ms Beaumont also advised that the aim of the trust is to encourage more people to use the waterways by educating users of the benefits of waterways on health and wellbeing including safety awareness. The Group were provided information in respect of wellbeing activities and the funding streams accessed so far, including the Thriving Community Fund and GreenSpace, adding that the programme is looking to sustain delivery into 2023/24, with further improvements at Gamston, Cotgrave and Cropwell Bishop as well as Holme Pierrepont and Hazleford Lock.

Ms Beaumont advised the Group of the Trusts slogan ‘Making life better by water’ and highlighted some of the health and skills benefits the canal provides within the communities it serves, giving examples as follows:

·       Improved mental and physical health

·       Improved nature connectedness

·       Reduced social isolation and loneliness

·       Improved social cohesion and civic mindedness

·       Acquisition of knowledge and skills

·       Increased confidence

·       Pathways into volunteering and employment

The Group noted the Canal and River Trust is in its infancy, celebrating just 10 years as a charity.

Members expressed the concerns of residents and the anger that’s felt about the loss of water and that the Access Agreement should not be used entirely on maintaining the towpaths, but that the Trust needs to address the leaks and blocked culverts to maintain the flow of water. Members added that they are aware of the lack of funding and that there was a need for the Council to examine the Access Agreement and to consider a detailed programme of where the money should be spent.

In response, Mr Erwin-Jones stated that he recognised Member’s frustrations, but advised that the canal’s classification as a remainder waterway means that large scale funding is not an option, and the Trust is only able to make small patch repairs with the limited resources it receives. Mr Erwin-Jones added that the Trust is exploring options to generate income at the north end where the canal meets the River Trent. Ms Beaumont added that vegetation works are essential to make the towpaths safe for public access, adding that there had been a noticeable increase in footfall during the Covid pandemic which has continued.

Members advised that the Trust raised its profile within the local communities, and suggested they contact community groups to explore if there is any voluntary support or funding available or for the Trust to consider fundraising for specific projects to raise the profile of the charity.

Mr Erwin-Jones explained that the process for improvements is complicated and that the Trust were willing to work with the Council to find solutions to some of the Members concerns, adding that low levels of water are being reported across the whole canal network and with the rising temperatures experienced recently the situation can only get worse.

It was noted that In respect of volunteers and fundraising the Trust confirmed it would look to increase voluntary support and promote the charity.

Ms Beaumont added that the canal is a beautiful asset even without water and needs to be protected for future generations.

Members asked what was being asked of by the Council in providing the Access Agreement and whether officers could explore alternative arrangements between now and when the agreement expires in 2024. Members suggested a further report to update the Group on the arrangements for the new access agreement be added to the scrutiny Group Work Programme before the od agreement expires.

The Communities Manager explained that the current agreement covers the towpath maintenance and improvements and emphasised the importance of green and blue infrastructure on communities, highlighting the benefits of health and wellbeing activities the waterways provide.

In concluding the Trust board members expressed their appreciation for inviting them to the meeting to present what the charity had been working on under the current Access Agreement and thanked the Council for their continued support. The Trust also acknowledged the comments and suggestions made by the Group.

It was RESOLVED that the communities Scrutiny Group:

a)    Noted the presentation and the work undertaken by the partnership with the Canal and River Trust and the work undertaken by the current access agreement

b)    Made comment on future arrangements for when the current agreement expires in 2024

c)     Requested that a further report be brought to Communities Scrutiny Group before the current agreement expires in 2024