Agenda item

The Wye Valley National Landscape Annual Report for 2024/25 was received with thanks.  The report included a comprehensive record of progress against the work programme.  In doing so, we noted:

·        The creation and development of the Ffermio Bro programme on the Welsh side and that FiPL, the Farming in Protected Landscapes funding on the English side, was in its fourth year.

·        There was some turnover of staff, which created a little delay in some projects, but it has been possible to mitigate the impact and successfully recruit new staff.

Final budget figures will be presented at the next meeting in November.

Following presentation of the report, questions were invited from Committee Members:

·        Referring to invasive species and the interventions to combat them, a Committee Member was disappointed to read that only 40% of sites showed a decrease in abundance of Japanese knotweed where glyphosate has been injected or sprayed and queried plans to tackle such species.  It was responded that this monitoring outcomes is based on a subjective assessment by the contractors on site and more objective monitoring would be preferred.  The team will be checking whether there are anomalies in the methodology and if different contractors are assessing it differently. Secondly, the team will be checking that the overall programme is effective enough. It was noted that the number of sites is increasing which may be skewing the statistics.

·        An update on the collapse of the footpath on Wyesham side of the Wye Valley Walk and any repair plans was requested. It was responded that a contractor is being engaged to assess the previous work with a view to progressing repairs if feasible and in discussion with Monmouthshire Rights of Way Team.  A further section at the bottom end of the showground is of concern which could involve major disruption and diversion. The consultant will consider this stretch too.  Updates will be provided on both sections of the footpath.  It was noted that a style is broken and needs repair. Concern was also raised about the roadside section of the Wye Valley Walk between Redbrook and Monmouth.

·        It was queried what the future options for Redbrook Bridge are.  It was responded that ten years ago it was estimated that approximately £2M would be required to refurbish the bridge which could be inflated to as much as £5M at the current time. Gloucestershire County Council has been contacted and advised that there is some capital money this year to assist progressing the schemes. Restoration of the Wireworks Bridge involved major, costly engineering works so it is a question of securing adequate resources.  Lydbrook Bridge also needs approximately £2M spent on it.

·        A Committee Member queried the section of the report referring to Audit and repair and/or replace Overlooking the Wye infrastructure &/or design & install new as appropriate. It was confirmed that the audit was initiated and a proposal submitted to Swansea University as an undergraduate project to it, but no students came forward to deliver the project. This is still a job that needs to be completed. 

·        A Committee Member was happy to note that 130 young people have engaged in activities and 60% of those children had special educational needs.

The Team was thanked for its work over the year.