River Corridors Group - Terms of Reference

Purpose: -  To implement a co-ordinated plan of river bank habitat improvement works, aimed primarily at reducing sediment and nutrient inputs to Bassenthwaite Lake.

Activities: -

·           Prepare and review an action plan based on priorities set out through the 2004 catchment geomorphological survey

·           Conduct a programme of fencing of river corridors

·           Conduct a programme of river bank habitat improvements works to reduce siltation using appropriate techniques to find the most natural practical solution

·           Arrange and manage further research where necessary

·           Arrange and manage appropriate funding to support these activities

Communications: -

The Task Group will communicate with the following audiences:

• The Partnership Group – A Natural England representative will sit on both the Task Group and the Partnership Group and be responsible for two-way communication between both groups. Minutes of both meetings will be circulated to both groups
• Parent organisations – Each representative will be responsible for formally communicating within their parent organisations
• Stakeholder communications – Task group members shall ensure effective communications take place with all stakeholders at key stages of all projects
• Other Task Groups – The Chair will be responsible for contact with other Task Groups on issues of joint interest (e.g.  Bassenthwaite Reflections projects and the Alien Species control programme)
• Farmers – Persons from the task group will be nominated as the contacts for individual farmers
• The public – The group will be responsible for ensuring that the public is informed as appropriate through the BLRP Communications Officer (Karen Barden)

Accountability: -

Natural England will be responsible for the delivery of river corridor improvement through agri-environment schemes.

Natural England will be responsible for reporting to the Partnership Group.

Resources: -

A major source of funding for river bank habitat improvement works is from the Government's agri-environment schemes run through Natural England.  An account is also held with LDNPA to hold funding for river corridor works. It is managed by the LDNPA representative.  Habitat Improvement Funds are also held by the Derwent Owners' Association and are used to "top up" (usually 20%) other funding streams.  The group agrees priority schemes and budget spend.  All partners to identify other possible funding streams when possible.  All partners to commit staff time to meetings and implementation

Membership: - 

Name	Organisation	Start date	Finish date
Jane Lusardi (Chair)	Natural England
Jack Abernethy Vice Chair)	Derwent Owners Association
Chris Addy	Environment Agency
Pete Barron	Lake District National Park Authority
Val Edmondson	Lake District National Park Authority
Harry Kay	Natural England
David Calvert	Keswick Anglers
John Garner	Natural England
Maurice Pankhurst	National Trust
Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer	Natural England