The key points included:

1. The SOG has met in November and December.
2. Two technical groups were set up.
   1. One is a task and finish group which focuses on existing nutrient lost tools.
   2. The second focuses on evidence and data which needs to be brought together from groups such as NE, EA, Herefordshire Council etc. to find out what the gaps are and make that evidence as accessible as possible.
3. It was added that EA is working with a team from Lancaster University to help deliver what the agency cannot. A lot of data has been accumulated from citizen science and other research institutions.
4. Some of this work will be aligned to the development of the Diffuse Water Pollution Plan (DWPP).
5. An indicative timeline of what that process will look like will be shared with this group as soon as it is available to do so.

It was asked whether the EA’s involvement with Lancaster University has been a permanent engagement.

1. Martin Quine confirmed that EA are continuing to work with Lancaster University since the initial report was released. The Phase 2 report has been committed to following the Phase 1 report. Funding will be made available for Phase 3.
2. Much of the RePhoKUs report is based upon modelling and work with the Lancaster team will help better understand it from the actual catchment in terms of sampling and understanding the role that Legacy P, for example, plays.
3. Therefore, work is ongoing as to how the next phase of research will look like and it is important that the findings of those reports help progress future work.

It was asked whether the Phase 3A report has to happen before any firm plan of action can be recommended by the EA as part of the SOG.

1. Martin Quine noted that data and evidence could be collected forever because it is iterative and does not necessarily stop.
2. The data which comes in is used and helps to prioritise where in the catchment and EA uses its own data from the sondes and the water quality monitoring regime as well as monitoring as part of citizen science.

On the Diffuse Water Pollution Plan, it was asked what the indicative timeline looks like.

1. It was confirmed that March 2025 is when EA aims to have the DWPP completed.
2. The indicative timeline is about the steps that happen in the next twelve months towards March 2025.

The Chair asked if landscape recovery bids would be looked at.

1. It was confirmed that they would be and that it has the potential to bring about another benefit to the catchment.

It was added that an integrated plan would be very helpful as well as a concept around multi-level governance and how the interactions between national, regional and local actors operate.

The Chair suggested that a timeline would be worth considering and would help the board to know how to agenda items going forward. Partners and members of the board can also be better aware of the work that is being done and can be referred back to the SOG so that they are cited on everything that is happening when working on the plan.