Exmoor Trust Christmas Progress Report 2007

 

The second half of the year had been one of mixed fortunes but I think we have set the scene for a most impressive start to 2008. Inevitably the background issue is one of funding and with a population of just over 11,000 the Exmoor National Park area does not warrant competitive political leverage. We were hopeful that the Exmoor Capital Funding Alliance might be able to bring unity between all our statutory authorities in recognising the dichotomy which makes the case for special treatment for a national park. The Park Authority plays an active role in the conservation and restoration of our precious assets - which are held in trust not only for the small population within the park, but also as a national treasure. Sadly the squabbling between statutory authorities seeking to obtain their own priority funding from the newly announced Rural Development Programme will probably mean that Exmoor will be left to gather up the crumbs under the table. Local Action Groups throughout the South West will bid for a slice of the £28m available over the next 7 years.

 

Local Action Plans, which have to be delivered by year end, face a bizarre programme to meet the deadline - partnerships agreed and outline plans made in barely 6 weeks. We have suggested that Exmoor accepts the challenge of demonstrating 'Micro Generation of Electricity in Sensitive Rural Areas', probably under the catch phrase E4Exmoor. We are advanced in planning a second major forum, following our highly successful 'Broadband for Exmoor', and hope to be able to bring together the varied providers of micro energy production systems from hydro, through wind and light, to thermal exchange. But we intend to bring planners,sponsors, and support funders along with people who have already installed systems. This event will take place in the Spring probably at Ralegh's Cross Hotel. If anyone is interested in pre-registering an interest in attending please let Archie McIntyre know on : a.mcintyre1@btinternet.co.uk.

 

The future of support for farming is undergoing radical change with many farmers uncertain of which options of the new funding arrangement are most beneficial and all are in doubt whether there are sufficient funds to provide for present schemes as well as the new proposals. A welcome alliance of farming interests from the 3 moors of the south west has been formed to represent the particular issues affecting farmers in these areas. The greatest threat is the decline in the number of farmers with the skills to manage the hills. Sadly the Environmental Schemes which attracted 80% of hill farmers are now due to close and, worse, that the capital grants part

of the scheme which helped fund essential maintenance is already exhausted.

 

A recent survey has indicated that 43% of hill farmers have already reduced their breeding beef herds and will increasingly concentrate on cattle less suitable for the moors. This will mean the slow disappearance of the hardy breeds of hill stock and threaten the tradition of common grazing and hill farming.

 

The growth in the number of local committees seems exponential and we are now represented on : Dunster Working Group, ENPA Consultative Forum, ENPA Management Plan Implementation Board; Exmoor Ancient Woodland Project; Moorland Initiative Board; and the National Mapping Programme. If anyone has a particular interest and wishes to help our representation please let me know. Together these committees, which also sometimes spawn sub committees, represent a lot of bureaucracy but there are signs of some, if slow, progress. We are now moving to deliver more of the Dunster Action Plan and funding has been arranged to provide for a Project Officer to work on the more challenging parts of the plan over the next 3 years. The bid for in excess of £1m to improve the management of the moorland has been presented to the English Heritage Lottery Fund and we hope to have an indication of prospects before year end but the final decision is not expected until next April.

 

Against this there has been little or no progress on the development of the Design Guide for Exmoor, and we still looking forward to progress the implementation of a coherent plan to improve engagement with tourists - possibly by the introduction of two Interpretation Centres. But of continuing greater concern is the lack of progress in delivering affordable housing. Until now the trust has supported the various options for home ownership but the gap between income levels and housing costs has widened. We therefore look to see greater provision of social or rented housing in the park area.

 

The number of applications for grant funding has fallen this year which, although a relief as we have not significantly increased our capital reserves, still means that we are not reaching out as well as we should. Nevertheless still to appear in the local news media are our grant to Active Exmoor for a new canoe trailer; the largest grant ever to help fund the moorland improvement programme; help for the Exmoor Youth Project, and a contribution to the development of the memorial gardens in Lynton. Our proposal to sponsor an Exmoor Hedgelaying Competition has been accepted by the local NFU and we hope will soon be under way.

 

I thank all the trustees and friends who have helped through the year and ask you all to continue to support our work. In keeping with the seasonal spirit I suggest that donations made to the trust are an excellent way of supporting a wide range of projects across the Greater Exmoor Area and I hope you will all encourage your friends to be generous.

 

We are keen to keep our administrative records up to date and I ask that those who have changed their address, email, or telephone number, as well as those planning to change these details, to let Enid Mantin know: email : enid@mantin.wanadoo.co.uk.

 

My Trustees join me in wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Edwin Beckett

Chairman