Agenda item

To receive the report of the Park Ranger.

With the express permission of the Chair, agenda items 7,9 and 10 were brought up the agenda.

The Committee received the report and verbal update of the Park Ranger.

Members thanked the Park Ranger for the work he has carried out in the past few months since joining the council.

Members heard about the various projects outlined in the report and the Ranger was able to provide proposed costings for each.

Members were all in agreement with the projects to add wildflowers to the two roundabouts either end of Curbridge Road, the engagement of Oxford Brookes University students to carry out Invertebrate studies, the plan to apply for Local Nature Reserve recognition, improvements to the river and lake banks as well as the potential introduction of events at the country park such as QR codes with visitor and nature information and establishing Geocache locations. Approximate costings were provided, and it was agreed the items should be undertaken in a phased approach throughout the year.

The Committee discussed the establishment of a Forest School however they were concerned about possible vandalism, but the Ranger confirmed that most of the equipment such as cooking equipment and ropes are brought in for each session, so little would be left on site. The site would be accessible to all originations and would re-purpose the area that was previously used by the Wild Witney Group. All Members agreed for this to be established.

Resolved:

1.     That, the report and verbal update be noted and,

2.     That, the projects suggested by the Park Ranger should proceed and,.

3.     That, un-funded items should be included in the 2023/24 budget.