Letter to Robert Largan MP from BCA Trustees

Dear BCA Members

I am sending you a copy of an urgent letter that I have sent to our MP Robert Largan on behalf of BCA Trustees.

With all that has happened as a result of the mini budget last week, you might not be aware that the UK Government announced a number of measures that, if implemented, will have an extremely detrimental impact on our ability to protect and enhance wildlife in England. The measures include:
The creation of large "Investment Zones" in which planning and conservation regulations will be largely pushed aside to favour development (Derbyshire County Council has been named as one of 38 local authorities around the country where an Investment Zone could be established).
Using the Retained EU Law Bill to abolish the Habitats Regulations 1994 - the strongest wildlife legislation in the UK that protects the very best wildlife sites and habitats and the most threatened species
Putting on hold of the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) and potentially replacing it with old style area-based payments which have been proved to be highly ineffective - the government had been working on this new agri-envorionment incentive scheme with farmers, landowners and conservation bodies for many months and it was being held up as a world leading scheme.

These proposals have prompted an unprecedented level of objection from almost all of the national charities involved in nature conservation including The National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, World Wide Fund for Nature, The Rivers Trust, Plantlife and The Woodland Trust, all of whom are urgently campaigning against these changes.

These proposed changes would make it much harder for BCA to object to or influence proposed developments that might threaten important wildlife sites or species in our area.

As a non-political organisation, we are not seeking to make any party political point here; rather we are standing up for the interests of the natural environment and its wildlife, which otherwise do not have a voice in these matters.

You may already have written to Robert Largan about this issue, but if you have not, Trustees would encourage you to consider doing so.
Please feel free to draw on our letter if that would be helpful.

You might like to see the press release from the CEO of the National Trust - see link below

Further detailed information can be obtained from the RSPB and WILDLIFE TRUSTS - see link below

Yours sincerely


Peter

National Trust Statement

RSPB

WILDLIFE TRUSTS

BCA Letter to Robert Largan

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious local charity to manage and preserve Buxton’s community woodlands for nature and for people.

Role details

Job title: Woodland and Country Park Manager
Location: Buxton, Derbyshire
Salary: £27,000 – £33,000 p.a. salary will depend on experience of appointee.
Contract type: Full-time, permanent role
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 5th October 2022

About us

Buxton Civic Association (BCA) is a registered charity established in 1967 to conserve the human and natural environment of Buxton.

We currently manage nine woodlands around Buxton (77ha), including the 40ha Grinlow wood. This SSSI with high quality limestone flora in the glades and industrial archaeology was designated Buxton Country Park in 1970.

All the woods are managed for wildlife conservation, recreation and landscape. They are permanently open to the public.

BCA also own and manage Poole’s Cavern show cave visitor and educational attraction and host Buxton’s Go Ape high wire adventure course at Buxton Country Park.

About the role

As Woodland and Country Park Manager, you will be responsible for managing all our woodlands including Buxton Country Park to benefit wildlife, landscape, and visitors.

The Woodland and Country Park Manager will;

• Review and update management plans for all of our woods
• Produce a work plan and regular reports
• Undertake ecological and woodland survey work with other staff, volunteers and contractors
• Implement the management plans and undertake or supervise practical work to improve the woodland habitat and manage any health and safety issues
• Ensure woodland infrastructure such as paths, steps, walls and gates are maintained
• Liaise with external bodies such as Natural England and the Forestry Commission to gain appropriate permissions for works
• Manage the woodlands budget, including appointing and supervising contractors
• Work with the Stronger Roots Community Engagement Officer to develop the educational and community uses of the woods
• Manage the Conservation Volunteers Group and further develop volunteering opportunities
• Provide a wardening presence in the woods and help resolve issues with different users of the woods
• Be responsible for health and safety across all woodland works, tools and vehicles
• Manage the Woodlands Assistant to achieve the above
• Work closely with and prepare reports for the BCA Woodlands Committee and Woodland Management team
• Be part of BCA’s Senior Management Team

How to apply

Before applying, please read the documents attached to this page;

– Job description (which includes the person specification)
– Background to the BCA woods
– Application form

To apply, please download and complete the application form, and then email it together with your CV to Will.Ward@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk by the deadline of end of the day on Wednesday 5th October 2022.

We anticipate holding interview for the role w/c 17th October.

If you have any questions related to the application process, please email Will.Ward@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

Email Will Ward

Woodland and Country Park Manager job description and person specification

Background to BCA Woods

Application Form (Word Document)

Recruitment prospectus for CEO for BCA