Gateshead Wildlife Management

[chris sharp]

Members,

The below may be of interest to TBC members

Gateshead Council are currently consulting on a proposal to disband the countryside management team. An E-Petition has been set up on the Council's website which currently has 1025 signatures, the wording of the petition is copied below, if anyone would like to sign the petition (it is not necessary for you to reside in Gateshead)  it can be found here:


https://consultation.gateshead.gov.uk/KMS/EpetitionHome.aspx?loggingIn=tempVar&strTab=Epetitions&noIP=1&SessionId=RBN3WKB57P






Save the Countryside Management Team
We, the undersigned, urge the Council to dismiss proposal CBS12 in the Budget Spending Proposals Report viz: "to withdraw direct staff support from countryside management and develop the involvement of a major trust ... or close if this is not possible". If approved this proposal would have a serious impact on the countryside, the wildlife and the health and well-being of the people of Gateshead.


The Council has a statutory responsibility in respect of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites to further their conservation and enhancement. How can this responsibility be fulfilled without the knowledge and technical expertise of the Countryside Management Team ? There will be a substantial impact on sites with no management: statutory sites will fall into decline and degradation, litter and vandalism will grow quickly, sites will become insecure. Green flag and other award-winning sites will fall into non-compliance.

The Countryside Strategy's aim is to "conserve, educate and promote our countryside for the benefit of people and wildlife". The Countryside remains open at all times and cannot be closed. Many thousands of people will continue to visit, require information, demand events and school services, access to visitor centres and hides. They will require a safe environment in which to walk and not be subjected to anti-social behaviour. Sites cannot be left without management.