Scrutiny

The stags could have been watching events on the horizon where some distance away a group of hinds was prominent on the skyline. A rather lazy interest in March. In October the interest would have been more serious. Those interested in the future of this area of countryside, its character and wildlife, could do worse than apply some scrutiny to the South West Community Assembly meeting on Thursday this week at Tapton School on Darwin Lane. On the agenda is a report that recommends to councillors that the Sheffield Council explores with the Eastern Moors Partnership (RSPB/NT) the possibility of leasing the whole of Burbage Houndkirk and the Hathersage Moors to that newly formed organisation.

Why should I be concerned about this?

First, as a citizen who believes in accountability and proper local democracy, I see an attempt to push something through that should properly be part of a community decision in which people who use these areas have an opportunity to participate in the process and contribute to a debate. There is not just one way of approaching the management of these moors and it's clear officers wish to fast track the RSPB plan with a minimum of engagement with local people. Officers in public authorities do not enjoy consultation especially genuine consultation - it removes some of their power and room for manoeuvre...... (contd)

Secondly RSPB is a single interest group and known to target certain outcomes in terms of bird species. They have little or no interest in landscape and a more natural vegetation.

Thirdly the grouse moor model of local upland management should by now have played itself out in public land in this area. The reason it persists is, I think, because of the complex and problematic relationship between the conservation industry and the farming industry: each is powerfully institutionalised alternately feeding off and shadow boxing the other that there is little room left in the arena for an independent view. Well here should be an opportunity for the people to have their say. The moors belong to Sheffield - that's Sheffield people - and by virtue of that we should have the major say. It's time for a more natural and less shackled, less top down and prescriptive management of the moors.