July 13th 2026

Written By Brill Parish Council

Attendees

Alex Cruickshank (AC - BBOWT – Chair) Pat Stone (PS - BVHC), Roger Stone (RS - Friends of Brill Common), Tim Patrick (TP), James Tuffley (JT - Brill Parish Council & CVols), Jon Cable, Fiona Bennett-Meere (Wildlife & Community Ranger; Minutes)

Apologies: Bobs Damerell (BD)

Matters Arising

  • Possible new dog poo bins – The group have recommended two new locations for these of North Hills. FBM to send this action to PC and Bobs before meeting.

    Bring meeting forward by 2 weeks each time, to align with PC meeting 

    PC Process from BCVGAG meeting – what is this in terms of what do they need from the group to raise at PC meetings and action points raised. BD to action

    PS & BCVH on agenda– Please make sure they are on the agenda each time

Update from Alex

  • Joined by TP and RS, AC has started carrying out Rapid Grassland Assessments

  • He is using 10 positive indicator species and some negative ones

  • Several more to be carried out by anyone who is interested, but FBM agreed to support RS in this and hopes TP will also join them

  • Will be able to look at trends over the years

  • JT asked if any previous records to compare to – AC said no – FBM will look at results from other types of surveys carried out previously, and put this in into something tangible and relay to everyone

Report from Wildlife & Community Ranger

  • FBM has had several weeks off for family reasons and so hasn’t been around as much, so chose to not give a thorough update

  • Hartwells can be used for conservation events

  • Ponds in walks and on common were surveyed and GCNs found

  • Funding may be available to re-dig an existing pond on the common but will not be available for the walks as newts are present.

  • The Hedgehog talk was a success with around 40 people in attendance

  • Information boards – any ideas from the groups etc / locations would be welcome (FBM to email group to ask for their input and look at costs again). RS asked about boards too

Report from the Common Volunteers

  • New mower has been purchased and initial training sessions and use are underway

  • Started pulling ragwort. Agreed that ragwort can be left if cinnabar moth caterpillars are feeding on the plant. Agreed to go back later and pull

  • Sycamore seedlings pulled – is there the option to fell the tree to prevent further seedlings? FBM to look into

  • Carried out scrub clearance and fencing at Hybanks

  • Advertise ragwort pulling community day – August 1st – JT and Hannah HH

  • What is the lifecycle of cinnabar moth – put together and info sheet - FBM

Report from TP

  • TP confirmed that the goats have been moved – struggled with the heat

  • Also confirmed he helped with the fencing at Hybanks

  • He has also used the new mower to make considerable progress in cutting areas in the Walks

FOBC Report

  • RS explained how they hadn’t been able to do much flailing and subsequent picking up due to inclement weather

  • Cleared tree from Span green

  • Asked FBM about information boards (notes above)

John Cable

  • Updated group on butterfly transects/ surveys

  • Record year for butterfly numbers but less diversity of species recorded

BVCH

  • Herd will be moved on the 19th July to the area close to Hartwell Barn

  • Currently staying with 7 cows

  • Mentioned possible water leak to the trough near Hartwell’s Barn

  • Is the meter in the track – BD to check

  • No Fence funding was brought up by PS and her dismay at the new mower being purchased, and that the no fence hadn’t been discussed any further. Expressed concerns that their funding and what was owed to the BVCH had been spent elsewhere

  • JT explained that this was not he case and that the group needed to put together a solid proposal to ask for funding, outlining specifics; such as how many collars at “X” amount and how many batteries at “X” amount would be required. PS to action this and send to the council for their consideration

Autumn/ Winter Works and Plan

  • Monday July 20th at 10am, by the Windmill, scrub mapping walk and mapping with AC

  • JT suggested all previously cut areas of scrub could be cut again to keep on top of the regrowth

Encroachment

  • Any new areas to bring to the Parish Council

  • PS mentioned Number 6 North Hills and the presence of the motorhome always on site. Can we look into this – FBM to mention to BD

  • PS mentioned old roof tiles in the hedgerow at the Blissets – can these be removed. FBM to look into this

HLS Agreement / SFI

  • New agreement for 2027 for 5 years. AC explained how we are waiting on an update from Natural England and in the queue. It will include Span Green.

The Walks

  • Grass cutting -The new mower has been out in action being used to cut large areas of the walks

  • Question raised about the cutter left in the walks and that it should be used or sold. Can we follow up on this – JT to discuss with Andy Fisher

  • PS raised the question of using the BCVH tractor – JT assuaged her concerns and mentioned that this was still an option for the PC to purchase this and was on Andy Fisher’s agenda – send this to AF to action and get back to P

AOB

  • PS mentioned No Mow May and that Paul Honor had cut his grass early. JT has subsequently found correspondence with the former, who cut the grass on June 1st. No action needed

Action Log

Based on the above report and circulated with the minutes

Brill Parish Council
Next

April 13th 2026