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Minutes of Steering Group Meeting
Present: David Lumb, Adrian Coltman, Martin Calvert, David Miles (chair), Josh Cohen, Hazel Gregory (minutes).
Treesaw, Adam, Carol, Steve, Mike, Carolina, Christian. 2. Minutes of the Meeting Held 29th January 2026 Agreed as a true record.
Adrian suggested for April action morning: dead-hedging to prevent area near bottom of lake being used as an informal lay-by. DM suggested repair to existing dead hedge on the path down to the lake viewing platform where stakes keep being removed. 5. Green Fair FGVW Stall/Volunteers Adrian is in favour of having a stall and opening Beck Pasture. He's available on the day, and willing to co-ordinate. Merch and displays are now in Simon's garage. The willow deer is Beck Pasture has naturally disintegrated. DM suggested making a new deer to replace it, partly during the Green Fair. Has someone willing to make it, with participation of others at the fair. Adrian suggested a fox would be an appropriate alternative if we didn't want another deer. Agreed to go ahead with the deer sculpture with costs split between FGVW and the Green Fair. David advised the group about the sound sculpture installation relating to the proposed culvert-opening. Sounds are being produced by sound engineers from Leeds Uni. Also reported that permission has been given for Bath House opening at Green Fair. 6. Meeting CEO Leeds City Council (Ed Whiting) FGVW reps have been invited to attend meeting at Tropical World on Wed 18th March at 10am. SC, DL and HG can attend. Sounds like just an opportunity for us to briefly share a few priorities - trustees are compiling a short list of these, but will also highlight some positives. Adrian suggested asking about more Ranger input/participation in FGVW activities. This will be followed at noon by a meeting with councillors near the crossroads, to discuss the water pollution. HG to invite Rachel Peto from water sampling group to this. 7. Project to Refurbish Footpaths Wades have awarded £6,000 which will make up most/all of the 10% contribution needed from us in order to apply for the grant from FCC. This grant will be spent on Footpath C, parallel with Allerton Grange Way, as it's the longest stretch and includes the installation of a new footbridge, so will be the most expensive. Adrian agreed, observing that this path is the oldest and in worst repair. Leeds Coppice workers will give input on the management of that part of the wood. Application deadline is 20th May - David M is meeting Vicky Nunns and Groundwork later this month to plan this. We are dismayed that the water has drained out of the new channel - it appears the clay which was dug from the site to line the channel was not adequate in preventing drainage. The proposed solution is to line with bentonite clay, which is guaranteed to self-plug any holes. RSC have some retained funds from stage 3, which cover the costs of both the bentonite and the planting. However, RSC have too much work on at the moment, and there is an issue of how it will be paid for. This is frustrating in terms of it approaching an optimum time of year to do the planting. We queried whether this money could be paid to another company - DM will approach RSC again first. Josh offered to take Carolina to look a the wetland as she has some expertise in this area. The Catholic Church property manager stated they definitely will not sell this land to FGVW, and that they intend to sell it in the distant future when they believe a profit can be made. It was clear that they have no interest in the state of the field in the meantime. They are willing to lease it to us for 10 years at a peppercorn rent as long as no trees are planted, but the Trustees feel this should not be pursued. DL feels that allowing it to develop in a wild manner may be a positive thing. Martin observed it will eventually become a woodland. DM suggested a Plan B which the Group agreed to pursue. 23rd March 2026. Simon will feedback to councillors on March 18th 2026. Aqua project (York University) blitz testing will now take place in the summer. See Action Mornings (above).
14. Dates of Next Meetings (Provisional)
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