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

41.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

The Secretary to the Forum advised that apologies for absence were received from Rosemary Harris.

42.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 January 2018 pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Minutes:

AGREED

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2018 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

43.

Actions Arising from the meeting held on 24 January 2018

Minutes:

There were no actions arising from the previous meeting.

44.

Countryside Land and Business Association - Presentation

(To receive a presentation from the Countryside Landowners Association)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a presentation from Tim Woodward (Countryside Land and Business Association), which covered the following areas: -

 

·    What is the Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA);

·    CLA Structure;

·    What does the CLA do?;

·    Access to the Countryside;

·    Public Access to the Countryside;

·    Typical issues and areas of concern; and

·    Specialised technical advice on access matters.

 

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

 

·       Hare coursing was highlighted as a serious issue of concern across rural areas of the Country and its impact on farming; countryside access; and policing were discussed;

·       It was noted that the farming community had implemented a system called Farm Watch, similar to Neighbourhood Watch, to alert one another of antisocial or illegal activity.  It was advised that CLAs general advice was not to approach anyone undertaking illegal activity but to report it to the Police immediately;

·       Dog walkers and horse riders also provided a vital role in reporting and acting as witnesses to illegal activity;

·       The CLA wished to develop its relationships with Local Access Forums across the country. It was therefore suggested that a representative of the CLA attending the meeting of the Forum on 24 October 2018 to provide a further opportunity to network.

 

AGREED

 

(1)  That the presentation be noted.

 

(2)  That a further update be presented to the Forum at its meeting on 24 October 2018.

45.

Update on the Eyebrook Reservoir - Access for Walkers

(To receive an update from Councillor Ray Wootten (Chairman) and John Williams)

Minutes:

A verbal update was provided by Councillor Ray Wootten (Chairman) and John Williams (Forum member), who advised that they had recently met with a representative of Fishery Management UK Ltd to discuss access for walkers at Eyebrook Reservoir.

 

It was advised that the Fishery Management UK Ltd had developed an application form for walking groups to complete, should they wish to walk around the reservoir.  However, the Fishery Management UK Ltd had advised that any walking groups wishing to walk around the reservoir would be required to have their own insurance.

 

A further meeting would be arranged in November 2018 to discuss the matter further.  Councillor Gale Waller indicated that she would also like to attend the next meeting. Councillor Gale Waller also advised that in previous years the reservoir had opened to the public twice per year but this no longer appeared to be the case.  It was agreed that this would be raised at the meeting in November 2018.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

46.

Recruitment

(To receive an update from Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) on the appointment to vacancies on both Local Access Forums)

Minutes:

In the absence of the Team Leader for Countryside Services, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the meeting scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

 

The Secretary to the Forum advised that there were currently six vacancies on the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum and a similar number on the Mid-Lincolnshire Local Access Forum.  It was therefore suggested that a combined recruitment process was undertaken, potentially advertised through the County Council's publication, County News.

 

AGREED

 

That the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Forum on 11 July 2018.

47.

Ashing Lane Nature Reserve

(To receive a verbal update from Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) concerning Ashing Lane Nature Reserve (last discussed by the Local Access Forum on 25 October 2017))

Minutes:

In the absence of the Team Leader for Countryside Services, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the meeting scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

 

AGREED

 

That this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

48.

Roads and Rights of Way

(To receive an update from Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Minutes:

In the absence of the Team Leader for Countryside Services, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the meeting scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

 

AGREED

 

That this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

49.

Countryside for All pdf icon PDF 184 KB

(To receive a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman) which provided an update on the work of the Countryside for All Sub-Group.

 

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

 

·       Countryside for All Routes - Lincolnshire and Rutland;

·       Nineveh Charitable Trust's Visit;

·       Dementia Friendly Walks – Rutland;

·       Funding Bids;

·       Choice Unlimited Events – Rutland and Lincolnshire;

·       Changes Places Toilets;

·       Visit England – Promoting Accessible Businesses, increasing Tourism and Visitor Spending.

 

The 2018 Countryside for All leaflet order form summary was attached at Appendix A to the report.  The Vice-Chairman continued to find a business that was interested in sponsoring the route leaflets.  Beeswax Dyson Farming Limited was suggested as a potential business to pursue.

 

The Vice-Chairman advised that he was seeking volunteers from the Forum to assist with the Forum's table at the Choice Unlimited Event in Spalding on 15 May 2018.  Anyone interested in volunteering was asked to contact the Vice-Chairman.

 

The Chairman confirmed that he had received a reply from Anglian Water acknowledging the letter sent from the Forum on the issue of Changing Places Toilets.  The Chairman also advised that he had received a response from South Kesteven District Council advising that it would bear the Forum's request in mind, should there be any plans for new developments or building renovations.

 

The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his comprehensive report.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

50.

Definitive Map Modification Orders - Ongoing

50a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 149 KB

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

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council, which provided an update on the progress of the Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) currently being progressed.

 

It was reported that of 150 outstanding DMMOs, 12 were actively being worked on. 

 

In response to a question on Case 2 – Ancaster, it was advised that the Parish Council would be kept informed of any progress and therefore there was no requirement for the Parish Council to do anything at this stage.

 

AGREED

 

That the report be noted.

50b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 39 KB

(To receive a report by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council, which provided an update on the progress of the Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) currently being progressed.

 

The Public Rights of Way Officer advised that there were six ongoing cases, four of which were active.  It was reported that the case at Clipsham was awaiting a date for a Public Inquiry.

 

In response to a question, it was advised that the proposed policy to only accept applications for public path orders that demonstrated (significant) public benefits, as contained within the draft version of Rutland's second Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) which was still awaiting Cabinet approval, would not affect DMMOs.

 

AGREED

 

That the report be noted.

51.

Public Path Orders and Progress Report

51a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 100 KB

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

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council, which provided an update on the progress of Public Path Orders.

 

It was requested that in future, the Forum received in addition to the report the full spreadsheet detailing the latest position with regards to the Public Path Orders.

 

AGREED

 

 That the report be noted.

51b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 37 KB

(To receive a report by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer))

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council which provided an update on the progress of Public Path Orders.

 

The Public Rights of Way Officer explained that the order in Langham would likely be abandoned unless an alternative route could be agreed with the landowner.  It was advised that the application at Clipsham appeared to affect land not owned by the applicant and that the temporary division that was in place had long expired. 

 

AGREED

 

That the report be noted.

52.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan - Update

52a

Lincolnshire County Council

(To receive an update by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Minutes:

In the absence of the Team Leader for Countryside Services, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the meeting scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

 

AGREED

 

That this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 11 July 2018.

52b

Rutland County Council

(To receive an update by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer))

Minutes:

The Forum was advised that the Rutland Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) remained in draft form awaiting approval by Cabinet.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

53.

Dates and Times of Future Meetings

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

 

-   11 July 2018 at 6.00 pm – The Storehouse, North Parade, Skegness

-   24 October 2018 at 6.00 pm – Rutland County Council, Oakham)

Minutes:

AGREED

 

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

 

·    11 July 2018 at 6.00 pm – The Storehouse, North Parade, Skegness;

·    24 October 2018 at 6.00 pm – Rutland County Council, Oakham.

 

 
 
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