Issue - meetings

Gillian Camm introduced the report and highlighted key points:

·       The Committee faced a number of issues, specifically around funding.

·       The governance review started with consulting a number of stakeholder groups.

·       The  Committee developed two questionnaires and from this developed a set of draft principals and a draft work plan which were ratified at the Extraordinary Downs Committee meeting on 20^th May 2022.

·       The Work Plan sets out priorities for the Committee and will inform agendas for future meetings.

·        There were issues around Committee turnover and continuity which the Committee would work to address with ensuring there are sufficient handovers to new members.

·       There were lots of ideas for the Committee to generate income for the Downs with the suggestion of accessing grant funding and support from charities.

·       There was a proposal for a Downs Coordinator role which would be self-funding to support the work of the Committee.

·       The Public Forum function had been reviewed recently with the intention of opening up a dialogue and more involvement from Committee members.

The Committee ran through the recommendations in the report and discussion points are as follows:

·       The Chief Executive had been briefed on the proposals.

·       The Downs Coordinator role would work on generating funding for the Downs.

·       It was noted that there were big risks associated with changing the Downs Act 1981 which would be time consuming and costly.

·       A Member noted that costs were bring incurred for legal advice as the Act requires certain changes to go to the Secretary of State which was costing the taxpayer.

·       It was noted that the responsibility for the management of the Committees was with Bristol City Council.

·       It was noted that Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge were already doing lots of the work that would be required from the TrustCo but this would not be exclusive an Committee would work with a wide range of organisations and stakeholders.

·       It was noted that the Events & Finance Sub Committee was seen to be making decisions not heard by the full Downs Committee in public and it was suggested that these items be ratified at the Downs Committee meetings to improve transparency.

·       It was noted that the Committee were trialling a new Public Forum approach currently.

·       It was noted that the Downs Coordinator role would be an internal secondment for 6 months. This would be a high level, part time role for 2 days a week.

The Chair suggested that the Committee approve the recommendations as set out in the report and put the decision to a vote which found that all Members present, were in support of the decision to approve.

RESOLVED; That the Committee approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Chair thanked Gillian Camm and acknowledged her hard work on this report.