Policy number 5

Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council

Lake Policy

1. The purpose of this policy is to define the use, management, and future development plans of the Eric East Memorial Lake, to be known in this document as The Lake.

2. The Lake and the land is an area of former quarry works. The Lake was acquired by the parish council in June 2015 from Lafarge Aggregates Ltd.

3. The land and lake cover an area of approximately 6ha, with the lake approximately 4ha and the land 2ha. Around the lake are several small plantations of native trees, which form a mixed young woodland. The Lake has a small island with a few trees, and is host to several different species of birds, including cormorants. There is clear vehicular access to the land, along a grassed track, which comes off Eagle Lane, where there are lockable vehicle and pedestrian gates.

The lake is shown on OS maps and is located at grid reference SK 900 663.

Purpose

4. The purpose of the Lake is for the benefit of the parishioners of the village of Thorpe on the Hill. The Lake will be managed by the parish council during its ownership. The Lake will be used as an amenity for activities which have a low impact on the local environment, a place of quiet recreation and active learning based upon exploration, enjoyment of the natural environment and ancillary purposes. For example, activities including walking, bird watching and quiet contemplation of the views.

5. There are general rules relating to all users of the lake and these are shown at Appendix A.

6. Licence Holders – Licence agreements will be issued at the discretion of the Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council for a limited time and for specific uses. When Licences are established and reviewed, they will take into account the views of the parishioners as to the extent of the additional uses made of The Lake by licence holders.

Management of The Lake

7. The parish council will appoint a committee to manage all aspects of the maintenance of the land and lake. Any maintenance activities will be carried out by qualified contractors approved by the committee. Where appropriate the parish council will allow volunteers to carry out certain activities, including maintenance, but all volunteers, activities, equipment and training must be approved by the parish council, and in accordance with any established volunteer policy of the parish council.

8. The parish council are responsible for Health and Safety Risk Assessments, but delegate the management to the committee. A report on findings will be presented to the parish council meeting following the completion of the Risk Assessment and any measures to mitigate that risk will be implemented.

9. A record of any reported accidents or incidents shall be kept by the Parish Clerk, a review of safety will be carried out and any appropriate measures to prevent further incidents or accidents will be made and recorded.

10. The parish council will maintain its own public liability insurance cover and will ensure that any activities carried out by licence holders are only undertaken when licence holders have put adequate insurance in place, covering both their own members and public liability risks. Copies of the insurance cover of licence holders will be held by the parish clerk and it is the licence holder’s responsibility to supply updated copies of that insurance annually, on or before the review date. If licence holders fail to maintain adequate coverage, or to provide the Parish Council with proof of such, licences will be suspended temporarily or revoked if necessary, as per the terms of the licence.

11. The parish council will monitor lake use by parishioners and licence holders and will evaluate if the current arrangements for its management are suitable and if not, they will commission a review. Any recommendations for change will be carefully considered and may affect the development of The Lake.

Development of The Lake

12. The parish council committed to keep The Lake in a state that meets its purpose as stated above. However, there may be areas of The Lake that the parish council wish to develop in line with parishioners wishes, including the Neighbourhood Plan, whilst minimising any diminution of the original purpose.

13. The parish council will scrutinise and approve a short, medium, and long-term development plan produced by the committee.  

Communication with Stakeholders

14. The parish council will communicate any major changes to the use and or development of The Lake in accordance with the parish council’s Standing Orders or policies.

Review of Policy

15. This policy will be reviewed at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

Adoption

16. This policy was adopted by the Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council on 6 August 2020