Councillor Innes Nelson and Councillor David Wilson (both Inverclyde Council); Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor Tom Begg and Councillor Andy Doig (all Renfrewshire Council); Ross Anderson (Scottish Rural Property and Business Association); Donald Cochrane (Scottish National Farmers Union); Ian Dippie (Save The Gretas); Tabby Lamont and Scott Shanks (both RSPB Scotland); Kerry MacKendrick (Lochwinnoch Community Council); Graeme Randall (Sport Scotland); Sybil Simpson and Nigel Willis (both Save Your Regional Park); and Gordon Smith (Visit Scotland).

Councillor Nelson, Chair, presided.

F Carswell, Interim Park Co-ordinator (Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park); and F Carlin, Head of Planning and Housing Services, Susan Jones, Assistant Regeneration Manager and Elaine Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Renfrewshire Council).

Roger Hissett (Scottish Wildlife Trust – Ayrshire Branch).

The Chair intimated that there was an additional item of business in relation to North Ayrshire Council which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting.  The Chair, being of the opinion that the item which is dealt with at item 2 below, was urgent in view of the need to advise members of the position, authorised its consideration.

The Lead Officer advised that at a meeting held on 12 February 2020 North Ayrshire Council considered a report which sought approval to withdraw from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

At the meeting it had been agreed that North Ayrshire Council would serve notice to withdraw from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Joint Committee and that officers would agree the date of North Ayrshire’s withdrawal from the Joint Committee with Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils.

DECIDED: That the decision taken by North Ayrshire Council be noted.

(i) Roller Skiing

DECIDED: That contact be made with Susan Jones, Renfrewshire Council regarding this matter.

(ii) Minute of Agreement

DECIDED: That it be noted that this matter was being progressed.

(viii) Revision of Boundary of Regional Park

DECIDED: That the matter be noted.

(iii) Conference on Regional Parks by SCNP

DECIDED: That Ross Anderson circulate this information to members of the Consultative Forum.

(iv) Damage to Upland area of Regional Park by Fires

DECIDED: That the position be noted.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 6 September 2019.

 

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

Forum members discussed the following matters in relation to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park:

(i) Proposal to Establish Report by Park Manger at all Consultative Forum Meetings and Regular Updates from Development Projects within the Regional Park

DECIDED: That the Interim Park Co-ordinator provide an update report to all meetings of the Consultative Forum.

(ii) Possible Upgrading of New Path from Greeto Bridge to Blair Park to Core Path Status and Development of a Link at the Blair Park end of the Kelburn Windfarm track

DECIDED: That it be noted that this was a matter for North Ayrshire Council.

(iii) New Projects since last Meeting and Rewilding Proposals

DECIDED: That Joe Greenlees and Liz Parsons be advised to make contact with the Interim Park Co-ordinator.


(iv) Resignations and Replacements of Chair and Vice Chair

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that Renfrewshire Council would make a nomination for the position of Chair of the Joint Committee at a Council meeting scheduled to be held on 27 February 2020; and

(b) That it be noted that the nomination to the vacant position of Vice Chair of the Joint Committee was a matter for North Ayrshire Council.

(v) Funding by Partner Councils in this Financial Year and the relationship to the Regional Park

DECIDED: That it be noted that the decisions regarding funding of partner councils rested with each individual Council.


(vi) Planning Approval of Large Wind Turbine in the Wild Land Designated Area of the Regional Park

DECIDED: That it be noted that, on behalf of the Consultative Forum, the Chair of the Consultative Forum would submit an objection to this planning application to North Ayrshire Council.

(vii) Friends of Clyde Muirshiel

DECIDED: That it be noted that members of the Consultative Forum had drafted a constitution and development plan and that to date there were no office bearers identified.

(vii) Consultative Forum Meetings

DECIDED: That, in future, meetings of the Consultative Forum be rescheduled and not cancelled.

(viii) Green Belt Areas Adjoining the Regional Park and Burnfoot application in Regional Park

DECIDED: That the update provided be noted.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Consultative Forum would be held at 10.00 am on 19 June 2020 within the offices of North Ayrshire Council and that members would be advised of any venue change.