Malvern Hills Conservators
Annual Report 2001
 CHAIRMANS FOREWARD The Chairmans Annual Report to the Board on 8th November 2001 |
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I promised last year to concentrate on forging partnerships to facilitate the work of the professional staff and to increase available resources. The effectiveness of partnership working was proved during the foot and mouth disease crisis when it was possible for the Conservators to be among the first landowners in the country to be able to reopen their land to the public. Even so the unprecedented closure of the Hills had a profound effect on the local community and businesses which came to realise what a vital role the Hills play in the health and wealth of the area. This realisation undoubtedly played an important part in the success of the launch of the Realising the Value of the Malverns Partnership in October. Foot and mouth disease could not have come at a worse time for the introduction of the shepherd in January, together with his flock of Cheviots, but in spite of the long interruption the effect of the flock on the Hills is already apparent and its effectiveness proven. The committee system is working well and while there is a greater interest in the work of the Land Management Committee, I feel that this will change as the scope and importance of the work of the other committees increases. The committees have discussed a large number of policies over the year thus allowing more delegation to the staff who can now work within these guidelines. Liaison and co-operation between committees has been excellent as had been demonstrated recently with the tree survey. Traditionally the finances of the Board have relied upon precepted income and car parking revenue but this is now rapidly changing and the coming years should see the total income from grant and other external sources eclipsing that of the precept. Application for such funding is however a slow procedure and it may be some time before approval of the Heritage Lottery and Stewardship bids is received. A valuable 1.4 hectare field at Broomy Hill, Castlemorton has been acquired during the year and negotiations are proceeding for more land at West Malvern. However whilst resources for the purchase of land remains healthy those for its subsequent management are a matter for concern and it remain to be seen whether the Charity Commission will accept that we may use our capital resources to undertake major works on our land. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will require the Board to charge a set percentage of the value of any property where a legal easement is requested confirming vehicular access to a property over the Board's land. The request to the Charity Commissioners to charge a fee less than that which would be set out in the Act has been turned down. Tasks to be considered during the coming year include the completion of staff establishment envisaged following the management review three years ago, progressing grant schemes, finding more projects to follow the Easier Access Trail, improving facilities for visitors, building on the valuable experience gained at the Three Counties Show, working towards the provision of a Recreation Strategy, strengthening the voluntary sector contribution to the Conservators' work and drawing up costed work programmes and estimates for each committee. Although much had been achieved there is a great deal more to be done to protect the Hills and to give visitors the best possible experience. The task is much easier now that an excellent relationship had been forged with the local press whose co-operation is so vital to the success of the Board's work. In addition to our external partners I would like to thank the volunteers, staff and Conservators, in particular those who have worked hard on projects including the Three Counties Show and the Easier Access path. I hope for your continued support in the coming year to tackle the enormous amount of important work still to be done. Richard Graves Chairman of the Board  "Looking at the Beacon" from an original pastel by Jacqui Elliot-Williams |