To provide the opportunity to members of the public attending the meeting to ask questions of the statutory partners.

Led by: All

To provide the opportunity to members of the public attending the meeting to ask questions of the statutory partners:

Helen Hamilton: The EA was asked for its opinion on a recent court judgement relating to abstraction licences impacting the Norfolk Broads. It was the finding of the court that the review from 2010 used to inform the EA decision was not acceptable. It was also asked if the judgement would change the EAs approach to the Wye.

ACTION: Martin Quine explained he was not familiar with the case or judgement, but would seek a response on the matter from colleagues.

Andrew McRobb (AM): Why did the NRW change its mind over impact of chicken manure from poultry units on the river?

Ann Weedy: It was not really change of mind, SAC rivers report showed data, evidence report did not establish a direct link. Latest document is about objectives and not an evidence-based report

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Andrew McRobb: Asked about total P within the catchment area. How do we stop adding to it and why aren’t we stopping it? Why are we not lobbying government?

Chair: It’s not within the gift of the board and we are lobbying government.

Richard Tyler: I understood that external people could join TAG, but have not heard back yet. What is the board‘s view. Is external input welcome?

Rachael Joy: There is perhaps too much public involvement and engagement in the work of TAG and there was not the space for the regulators to have conversations about what they can and can’t do. TAGs need to be a private space where work and discussions can take place. TAG can’t have people with commercial/bid/enforcement interests in that domain and Herefordshire had considered withdrawing from TAG because of the governance and information security conflicts this creates.

Richard Tyler: Then from the outside how do we comment on those groups?

Rachael Joy: NMB has a space for public for questions, but there has to be a protective space for statutory agencies to hold appropriate discussions.

Richard Tyler: I was disappointed with the response on the WPZ zone in Wales

Ann Weedy: We do have the ear and support of the minister and the Welsh government. There are new laws and controls coming in that will hopefully create improvements. A WPZ could take time to have an impact, but is still not off the table and could be reconsidered further down the line.

Richard Tyler: Has the Shobdon Wetlands project been shelved as reported in the Hereford Times?

Rachael Joy: Herefordshire Council will follow that up with Martin Quine at the EA before saying anything further on that subject.

Alison Caffyn: Are any of the working groups looking at issues around reducing the number of birds in the catchment and discussing alternative options or routes out of the poultry farming industry for those looking to exit?

Hayley Fleming:  Will take that back to the TAG group.

Christine Hugh-Jones: If you look at the new core management plan it seems the ecology of the river is failing, if this is not a forum for looking at the general health of the river for us public observers, where does that leave the future of the Wye?

Chair:  It is the nutrient management board and does have a remit it can’t stray too far from.