An open letter to the council (From Bournemouth Echo)

An open letter to the council

5:54pm Wednesday 15th July 2009 in

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The North Bournemouth Countryside Volunteers want to express our concerns as to the future management of our valued countryside sites in Bournemouth.

The North Bournemouth Countryside Volunteers originally sent a letter voicing their concerns to the council as it appeared that a Countryside Officer who was leaving her post was not being replaced.

After many weeks without a response I contacted the council who told me they did not consider that the letter had needed a direct response.

I was by then in contact with a volunteer from Hengistbury Head who expressed similar concerns regarding the management.

With help from Councillors, we all presented our concerns before a Children and Families Services Scrutiny Panel on 23rd April this year.

An overview of the proposed structure regarding the Countryside Service was presented to us but has failed to answer our concerns.

It is obvious in this current economic climate that services will be affected but many of the sites we are associated with are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and therefore Bournemouth Borough Council have a statutory obligation under European law to properly maintain these very special areas.

Due to budget restraints and therefore low staffing levels this obligation is not in our view being maintained.

We therefore feel this must be brought into the public domain to make them aware of the situation. Bournemouth Borough Council must make more funds available long term to ensure that their statutory obligations are met and therefore secure these wonderful sites for future generations to enjoy.

Our nature reserves have been green corridors for migrating wildlife for millions of years and refuges for wildlife against the pressure of development and aggressive agriculture. Many rare species are present such as Smooth Snake, Sand Lizard and Dartford Warbler.

These sites also provide great value to humans for recreation purposes such as walking, seeing the joys of nature or just chilling out, and their importance as Green Belt to preserve them against over-building. Proper management is also needed against improper use such as arson.

The present grazing schemes as a “natural” management regime has helped maintain levels of ground cover but again needs careful management and the need to ensure these animals are well cared for. The animals provide great interest to children and adults alike and help to bring more visitors to our sites.

Councillor Beverley Dunlop was quoted when the Council designated Bournemouth’s 10th nature reserve at Boscombe Chine as follows –

“We now have 10 Local Nature Reserves in Bournemouth which are a key part of the strategy to make the borough greener and ensure that the town’s wildlife is protected for future generations.”

In conclusion, I would say that to achieve your strategy a dedicated Countryside Service is required with proper funding and staffing levels. This is not what is being presented to us at present.

Regards

Geoff Budden, Chairman, Friends of Kinson Common

Mr & Mrs Ray & Judy Hewitt- Chair/Secretary -Friends of Turbary Common.

Mrs Pat Wright Co-Chair –Redhill Common Conservation Volunteers

Mr Alan Keeping- Chair-Bournemouth Conservation Volunteers

Mrs Anne Millward-Chair –Stour Valley Supporters

Mr John Cresswell-Volunteer-Hengistbury Head.