The Highwood Management Conference was scheduled to discuss the annual update from the Countryside Service, including work at Southlake Reservoir, and an update on Bulmershe Park. The meeting was also set to consider the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and review the Conference's Terms of Reference.

Countryside Service Report

The Conference was scheduled to consider the annual update report from the Countryside Service, which included details on management tasks, general rangering, and volunteer involvement. The report highlighted ongoing work at Southlake Reservoir, including a 10-year inspection and flood survey works. The report noted that the reservoir's dam was not compliant with Environment Agency regulations for a category A dam, identifying the need for an additional spillway facility to be designed and constructed by 2034.

The report also detailed a Vegetation Management Plan for the dam, aiming to transform it from a woodland to an open parkland feel by retaining mature trees and replacing dense undergrowth with grass. This change was anticipated to cause concern among local residents, with plans for an engagement process to be undertaken in the autumn. General management tasks included footpath maintenance, litter picking, and addressing incidents of fly-tipping and illegal camping. Significant volunteer involvement was noted, with contributions from the Friends of Highwood group, conservation volunteers, and the Southlake Angling Club, who reported investing approximately 153 days in site maintenance and water quality monitoring. Future plans for the winter included rhododendron and laurel control, scrub removal, and the implementation of the first phase of works proposed in the Reservoir report, following consultation with residents.

Bulmershe Park Update

An update on activities at Bulmershe Park was scheduled for consideration. This update was expected to detail the maintenance responsibilities of Woodley Town Council, which includes grass cutting and litter picking, and Earley Town Council, which is responsible for tree maintenance. The report was also to note that Wokingham Borough Council had undertaken tree planting in the park in recent years.

Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Conference was scheduled to receive an update on the development of the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This strategy, led by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, is a spatial plan aimed at nature recovery across England. The report was expected to outline how the LNRS was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including landowners, public bodies, community groups, and the public. It was also to explain how priorities and measures for nature recovery were agreed upon and used to create a local Habitat Map, which informs delivery mechanisms such as Biodiversity Net Gain¹ and habitat management guidance. The proposed wildlife corridor adjacent to Southlake was identified as a potential opportunity within this strategy.

Terms of Reference

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Conference's Terms of Reference and potential changes to its remit. A report was to be presented, highlighting that Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is the freehold owner of Highwood and Bulmershe Park. The report was expected to outline WBC's responsibility for managing, maintaining, and developing Highwood for public use, and the shared management and cost responsibilities of Woodley Town Council and Earley Town Council for Bulmershe Park. It was also to note that WBC cannot dispose of Bulmershe Park without the agreement of the two town councils. A suggestion was to be made to seek agreement from Wokingham Borough Council, Earley Town Council, and Woodley Town Council for Southlake to be included within the remit of the Conference. Additionally, it was proposed that from 2026 onwards, the Conference should meet twice annually, in the spring and autumn.