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Conservator Meetings and Circulars

Meetings Information

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Historically, the Body of Conservators have met quarterly, with the public invited, the purpose of these meetings was to discuss all the key strategy and business of the organisation. The more sensitive detailed work was carried out in committees or in closed meetings. Consequentially only a small number of these voluntary Conservators took the burden of more frequent meetings and the key decision making tasks, leaving the rest of the body without a full understanding of some of the key challenges the organisation faced. 

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As the Conservators began to understand the seriousness of the challenges faced by the organisation, they decided that significant changes needed to be made with this process. And in 2024 began holding meetings as and when they were required, however committee meetings were still taking place. Due to the level of administration required for each meeting, and the continuing pressure on those who were involved in the vast majority of the key meetings, this system still created inefficiencies in the decision making process.

 

In 2025 Conservators made the decision to dissolve the many Committees, replacing them with 2. The Conservators Committee, for all appointed Conservators and the Executive Committee, with 3 members including the Chair. The goal was to create an engaged and informed governance structure more suited to respond to the current challenges. 

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The Conservators Committee now meets on a bi-monthly basis, or when necessary. The Executive Committee are engaged as and when required. â€‹â€‹

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Circulars and Meeting Updates

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The Conservators have been aware that for some time river users have felt that they have not had enough information on the Conservancy, its challenges and how it is addressing them. To this end Conservators have agreed that a meeting summary should be provided to the public as well as a bi-monthly circular when no meetings have been held. A lot of work is going on including addressing the short, medium and long-term viability of the organisation. It should be noted that matters can move both swiftly and frustratingly slowly at times, however the Conservancy must operate within the governance structure as laid out in the Acts as far as possible. 

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Please see below for the latest meeting notes and Circulars.​

21/05/2024 LOCK CLOSURE INFORMATION

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Due to safety concerns regarding the structural integrity of the lock islands at Baits Bite and Jesus Green, the decision has been taken to temporarily close the locks until further notice. More detailed structural investigations will be undertaken and a plan for remedial works developed urgently. The Conservators are engaging with the Environment Agency and Local Authorities to seek a coordinated approach.

 

Further information: The Conservators of the River Cam are responsible for the navigation (the river) from Mill Pool in Cambridge to Bottisham Lock (Waterbeach) and the locks in between, namely Jesus Green Lock (JGL) in Cambridge and Bait’s Bite Lock (BBL). ​Each lock has an island between the lock chamber and the sluice and weir structures, which it supports. At both Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock, the Conservators own the lock and lock island, while the Environment Agency (EA) own and operate the sluice and weir. In addition, the lock islands support footbridges and public right of way in these locations, which are managed by the relevant Local Authorities.​

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Following observations of cracks in both lock islands, early in 2024 the Conservators of the River Cam commissioned structural surveys.​ The consequent reports identify significant structural fragility in the lock islands and a need for reinforcement work in the short to medium term.​ The Conservators have collectively reviewed the reports and are urgently drawing up a detailed risk assessment, commissioning more detailed surveys, and developing a project plan for remedial works.

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