United Utilities - please challenge shoot leases decision

[Old Pultney]

A better approach might be for a few thousand folk to buy a few shares in UU and "attack" from within!

Brilliant idea!

 

[opticron1]

Following a conversation with the chief executive of United Utilities, Louise Beardmore, we are encouraged that she has pledged to undertake independent reviews of the 23 shoots that would have been affected by the original decision.

BASC statement on shoot leases on United Utilities land

BASC last night had a constructive conversation with United Utilities' CEO, Louise Beardmore, regarding shoot leases on the company's land.

basc.org.uk

I was pleased to read this on the BASC twitter feed Conor..... however - and this is probably due to living in the peoples republic of Alba where "independent reviews" tend to mean kicking a can down a road and changing nothing at all! - I hope we/BASC/CA etc keep the pressure up on UU as I fear they'll just turn it into a tick box exercise and continue with their original plan to get rid of shooting to please the RSPB (sorry ....shareholders!).
I worry that UU will continue to play lip service to everyone in the vain hope of avoiding having to take responsibility for being one of the biggest polluters in the United Kingdom!

 

[Cragman]

I've emailed three times and had two 'stock' or 'cut and paste' answers.

The second email I 1. asked them what evidence they had to influence their decision (we know it is not evidence based) and 2. I Googled who the UU board were and CC'd in some Board members in as the current CEO seems to fighting her own agenda apparently.

I focused on the effect it would have on rural communities (keepers redundancies, part time work, local pubs and hotels) and also the rare ground nesting species inc Hen Harriers that are thriving on their leased moors.

The RSPB are becoming very influential in UU estates here in the Forest of Bowland and in the Lakes. And we know right at the top of the RSPB's agenda is to get driven grouse shooting banned. They then would like to take the management of those moors over. We all know how that spells the death knell for rare ground nesting species from what we have seen from the likes of their Geltsdale and North Wales reserves.

UU have opened a 'shop' on the high street at Windermere. If you are in the area please pop in and ask them what evidence they used to make this decision.

Yes, they manage some of the catchment area near where I am in Saddleworth and would love to get hold of the two adjoining moors…which are privately owned and shot over. On some of the catchment they manage for UU there is a pheasant shoot of which the sporting rights are owned by the local farmer who runs the shoot. It must bother them greatly that they’re powerless to do anything