Agenda and minutes

Venue: Court Room, Stamford Town Council, Town Hall, St Mary's Hill, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DR. View directions

Contact: Cheryl Hall  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

42.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor William Cross, Mr Andrew Childs and Mrs Barbara Smitheringale.

43.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Local Access Forum held on 25 January 2017 pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Minutes:

AGREED

 

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2017 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

44.

Actions Arising from the meeting held on 25 January 2017

Minutes:

The Chairman reported that there were no actions arising from the meeting held on 25 January 2017.  However, it was highlighted that an additional note had been added in relation to minute number 39 due to the receipt of further information following the meeting.

45.

Countryside for All pdf icon PDF 367 KB

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) in relation to Countryside for All)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from the Vice Chairman of the Local Access Forum which provided an update on the work of the Countryside for All Sub-Group.

 

The report provided Members of the Forum which an update on the following areas:

 

·         Countryside for All Routes

·         Dementia Friendly Walks

·         Choice Unlimited Event

·         Funding Bids

·         Accessibility Ambassadors

·         Lincolnshire Health Related Walks from April 2017

·         Sensory Trails and Green Spaces

·         Disability Sub Group Change of Name & Logo

·         Gruffalo Spotters Trail

 

It was reported that in relation to the issues regarding the track joining the Grantham Canal, the Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that work had been undertaken to find out who owned this land, and it had been confirmed that this was owned by Lincolnshire County Council's Highways department.  An e-mail would be sent to follow up and to discuss what improvements needed to take place.

 

It was reported that the Woodland Trust were willing to attend a meeting of the Forum in order to give an update on access definitions.  The Vice-Chairman also advised that he would be meeting with one of the managers on 19 April 2017, and would report back to the Forum on the outcome of that meeting.

 

In relation to I-Spy in the Countryside, it was reported that since the last meeting various organisations had been approached regarding funding, and notification had been received that Leicester City Football Club were not able to assist with funding this year, and so funding was still being sought.  It was commented that there were still some booklets left over from the Rutland event, and if the Forum was in agreement, the Countryside for All Sub Group would like to use these at the event in Leicester.  Ideally, the Sub-Group was looking for a long term partner.  It was queried whether Lincolnshire County Council would be willing to fund the cost of the folders which it was believed would be around £900.

 

It was reported that there had not been sufficient interest in the Accessibility Ambassadors at this time, and so it had been agreed to put this on hold in Lincolnshire and just focus on Rutland and Leicestershire.

 

There was disappointment that there were no Gruffalo trails in Lincolnshire at this time, and it was clarified that this was an augmented reality app for mobile phones which was aimed at children.

 

In relation to the Lincolnshire Health Related Walks from April 2017 it was queried whether any progress had been made with the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG's), and the Forum was advised that contact needed to be made with the district councils again, as they had not contacted the Forum's Secretary as requested with a list of volunteers.  The Chairman advised that South Kesteven District Council had a volunteer co-ordinator and he would pass on the contact details to the Vice-Chairman.  It was also reported that the Lincolnshire Co-op had funded what was believed to be a permanent post to co-ordinate Walking for Health across the County.

 

A discussion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Generic Advice to Planners pdf icon PDF 177 KB

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) in relation to generic advice to planners)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by the Vice-Chairman which provided the Forum with the opportunity to consider some generic advice/response agreed by Leicestershire Local Access Forum to be given to planning authorities and/or developers.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services highlighted that this was an issue which needed to be picked up as there were long standing members of staff leaving authorities, and staff replacing them would not necessarily have the same level of knowledge or awareness around public rights of way issues.  It was hoped that meetings with planning officers at district level could be arranged to discuss how public rights of way should be treated in large scale developments.  It was suggested that time was right for the two forums to come up with a joint response.  However, it was noted that early engagement between the planning officer and the developer was essential.  It was suggested that this was something to consider for the next meeting.  The Team Leader for Countryside Services offered to draft a brief version of what Leicester had produced for Lincolnshire and suggested that the Mid Lincs Access Forum should also add their signature to it so there was a co-ordinated response for the whole county.

 

A discussion also took place regarding recent changes to access to the walking routes around the Eyebrook Reservoir which seemed to have taken place.  It was requested that Mr John Williams look into this further and update the forum at the next meeting.

 

AGREED

 

1.    That the Team Leader for Countryside Services draft a brief document similar to the one produced by Leicestershire Local Access Forum.

2.    That Mr John Williams update the Forum at its next meeting regarding access for walkers to the Eyebrook Reservoir.

 

 

47.

East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the recent meeting of the East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting)

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his attendance at these meetings.

 

The Vice-Chairman provided an update on the meeting and advised that the minutes from the recent East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting would be circulated in the next few weeks.  Members were advised that there were no other issues to report on other than what was already on the agenda for this meeting.

 

AGREED

 

            That the Forum's Secretary be requested to e-mail the minutes from the recent East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting, once they were available.

48.

Bennerley Viaduct pdf icon PDF 130 KB

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the Bennerley Viaduct)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman provided an update in relation to the Bennerley Viaduct project.  The Forum was advised that this was a project being taken forward by Sustrans involving Nottinghamshire County Council and were looking for support from Local Access Forums.

 

It was reported that the aim was to restore the Viaduct and bring it back into use as a walking and cycling trail.  It was queried whether it would also be for use by horses, it was clarified that it had been deemed unsuitable for horses due to safety reasons as it was considered dangerous if the horse was able to see over the parapets.  This reasoning was accepted as horses could be scared of heights, and the modification required to make the trail safe for horses would require a parapet of at least 1.8m which would obstruct the views and affect the purpose of restoring the viaduct for a trail.

 

It was commented that it was hoped that if the Local Access Forum gave support to this project, then the support would be reciprocated by Nottinghamshire when necessary.  In closing, it was commented that this was a good project and would benefit a lot of people as well as providing accessible tourism.

 

It was also noted that the Mid-Lincs Local Access Forum were also willing to offer their support to this project.

 

AGREED

 

            That the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum support the Bennerley Viaduct project.

49.

Permissive Access pdf icon PDF 255 KB

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the Permissive Access)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman provided an update in relation to a suggested letter for MP's to send to Lord Gardiner relating to permissive access.  It was commented that it was felt that this was something which needed to be done.   However, the Vice-Chairman did not currently have the capacity to undertake this task.   It was noted that there had been two previous reports to the Forum regarding Permissive Access and it was queried whether it would be helpful if they were re-circulated.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that nationally this was an issue and was being raised within the profession.  It was thought that pressure for change could come from elsewhere, and it was not something that Local Access Forums would have to take on.  It was expected that it was an issue which would be on the national agenda in the next couple of years.

 

The Vice-Chairman advised that he would revisit this issue if some capacity became available.

 

AGREED

 

            That the update be noted.

50.

Definitive Map Modification Orders

50a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 105 KB

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services clarified the reasons for the order relating to Castle Bytham being reclassified. 

 

AGREED

 

            That the report be noted.

50b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 10 KB

(To receive a report by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer, Rutland County Council))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council.

 

Clarification regarding the route of the bridleway in relation to the order in Wardley was provided.

 

A discussion was held regarding the issue of some landowners fencing in paths at the edge of fields and possible legal and maintenance issues for local authorities.  The Public Rights of Way Officer agreed to circulate a report which had been previously written regarding these issues.

 

AGREED

 

1.    That the report be noted.

 

2.    That the Public Rights of Way Officer arrange for a previous report on the fencing in of paths to be circulated to the Forum.

51.

Public Path Orders and Progress Report

51a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 94 KB

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

 

 

A concern was highlighted by the Chairman regarding a path at Great Gonerby which was not recognised by the County Council.  The Chairman was advised that if the path was recorded on the definitive map, then it would be the responsibility of the Council.  However, if it was not recognised that would suggest that the Council was not responsible for the path.  The Team Leader for Countryside Services requested that the details of the path be forwarded on to him and he would look into it further.

 

AGREED

 

            That the report be noted.

51b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 10 KB

(To receive a report by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer, Rutland County Council))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council.

 

It was highlighted that the Order in relation to Hambleton was expected to be published on 6 April 2017.

 

AGREED

 

            That the report be noted.

52.

Dates and Times of Future Meetings

(Future meetings of the Local Access Forum are scheduled to be held on the following dates and times: -

 

12 July 2017 at 6.00 pm – Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve

25 October 2017 – 6.00 pm – Rutland County Council)

Minutes:

AGREED

 

That future meetings of the Forum be held on the following dates, times and locations: -

 

·         12 July 2017 at 6.00pm – Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve (AGM)

·         25 October 2017 at 6.00pm – Rutland County Council

 

 

A discussion took place regarding an issue which had been raised regarding cyclists racing on bridleways.   However, it was understood that this issue also related to an ongoing case, and so it was suggested whether this should be referred to the next meeting of the Forum to be looked at in more detail.  The Chairman advised that he would make some enquiries at the next Police and Crime Panel regarding a Police view on this offence.

 

 
 
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