Thames Strategy East: 22nd May 2002

Date: 22 May 2002

Summary of Thames Strategy - East meeting 22nd May 2002

Attendees
Kevin Reid (Chair) - Greater London Authority, Paul Buckley - Dartford Borough Council, Peter Massini - English Nature, Richard Copas - Environment Agency, Tony Chadwick - Gravesham Borough Council, Ben Thomas - London Borough of Bexley, Peter Heath - London Borough of Havering, Nick Lynch - London Borough of Lewisham, Sarah Coady - London Borough of Southwark, Eno Amooquaye - London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Neil McClellan - Port of London Authority, Jane Fielden - Thames Estuary Partnership, Vanessa Fry - Thames Estuary Partnership and Alex Nickson - Thames Gateway London Partnership.

Actions from the Previous Meeting

Alex Nickson confirmed that he had modified the TS-E Project Brief taking into account the recommendations given by English Heritage. Vanessa Fry agreed to keep a note for the future that the area outlined by the Boroughs would be an indicative boundary for consultants to work within.

Landward Boundary

With the exception of Thurrock and Barking & Dagenham, landward boundaries from local authorities had been collated by the TEP and provided a clear indicative boundary for discussion at the meeting. Each borough clearly defined a perimeter continuing on from the neighbouring borough. A boundary from which the consultants may work has now been mutually confirmed and will be further consolidated with the contributions of Thurrock and Barking & Dagenham.

Partner Commitment

Funding - Kevin Reid noted that there were still a couple of question marks concerning funding, but that the level of commitment means the group can start developing the Strategy. Tony Chadwick informed the group that there was no money available for the project from Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils, although a lot of work underway could be fed into it.

Officer time - It was noted that the development of TS-E would require more officer time at the outset than other Thames strategies. It was agreed that the Countryside Agency should be approached in relation to TS-E.

Literature/relevant documents - It was noted that some information had been supplied. It was requested that other documents containing local information details should be sent to the TEP.

Approach and Timescale

It was explained that the project time-scale had been broken down into outputs, with the first stages leading to the production of a draft appraisal highlighting key issues by month 6. Concern was raised on the length and timing of consultation and the risk of receiving critical feedback post-draft. It was agreed that public consultation should be based on existing consultation mechanisms. It was agreed that the timeframe should include a more rigorous, technical and subject based consultation with local groups. Joint meetings should be considered where appropriate and the consultation period should be extended to 3 months. AN offered to speak to his contact at Groundwork to confirm the consultation timescale.

TS-E Project Management

It was confirmed that the TS-E Steering Group (SG) would aim to meet monthly and then report back to the wider group. Neil McClellan offered to be the representative for the Port of London Authority. It was agreed that Dartford and Gravesham would liaise with Thurrock to discuss and confirm an outer estuary local authority representative for the SG. It was noted that there had been no responses to the secondment opportunity as TS-E Co-ordinator. Alex Nickson noted that he would be interested in the position, but it would need to be part-time. It was noted that guidelines for a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to support the development of TS-E would be available towards the end of June.

Action group members agreed to move ahead immediately with an internal advert for a part time/secondment post within the Boroughs, UCL, English Nature and the Environment Agency. To provide a financial budget breakdown for the delivery of TS-E, the TEP offered to provide a summary to be distributed together with a draft job advert for comment.

Date of next meeting

It was decided that the TS-E SG should meet quarterly. First meeting due to be held on Tue 25th June, 10am. Next TS-E Action Group meeting: Tue 30th July, 10am.