Agenda and minutes

AGREED

That Councillor Ray Wootten be elected as Chairman of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum for 2018/19.

COUNCILLOR RAY WOOTTEN IN THE CHAIR

The Chairman took the opportunity to welcome everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

The Chairman also thanked officers for making the arrangements for the meeting to be held at the Storehouse, Skegness.

AGREED

That John Law be elected as Vice-Chairman of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum for 2018/19.

Apologies for absence were received from William Cross and Councillor G Waller (Rutland County Council).

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2018 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that he had attended the 75^th Anniversary of the Dambusters' flypast at the Eyebrook Reservoir on 17 May 2018.  The Chairman advised that he had thoroughly enjoyed the event.

It was advised that a further meeting would be arranged in November 2018 to discuss access for walkers at the Eyebrook Reservoir with the leaseholder. 

(To receive an update from Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) concerning the consideration of the reorganisation of Local Access Forums for Lincolnshire County Council)

Consideration was given to a report by the Team Leader for Countryside Services, which invited the Forum to consider alternative options for the organisation of Lincolnshire County Council's two local access forums.

It was advised that a review was being undertaken on the future structure of the forums in Lincolnshire.  The reason for the review was that since 2003 the Countryside Service had seen a reduction in the staffing resource available to support the forums; membership of the forums had reduced over recent years (there were currently 14 vacancies across both forums); and it was becoming increasingly difficult to achieve a balance of members, both geographically and in terms of representation of users, landowners and other interests.  There was also particular value in Lincolnshire County Council operating one local access forum, as future items for consideration would be based on countywide matters, rather than geographically north and south.

Shropshire Council was cited as a good example of an authority which had recently reformed its local access forum as the Shropshire Great Outdoors Strategy Board – details of their set up could be found at http://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/ . 

The County Council sought advice from the Forum as to the proposal to:

a)de-merge the two local access forums in Lincolnshire;

b)reconstitute a Lincolnshire Local Access Forum;

c)   to contact North Lincolnshire Council for a view on a sole pan-Lincolnshire LAF or whether a merger with North East Lincolnshire Council was a more viable option.

During consideration of the report the following points were noted: -

·    There would be one central meeting point for the  proposed Lincolnshire local access forum, rather than the meeting moving around the county;

·    The benefits of Lincolnshire County Council operating a single local access forum for Lincolnshire were discussed;

·    The rationale for including North East Lincolnshire Council in the proposed single Lincolnshire local access forum was discussed;

·    The challenges with recruitment were discussed.  It was suggested that to increase participation with young people, that a member be sought from the Lincolnshire Youth Council.

The Forum requested that the Public Rights of Way Officer of Rutland County Council gives consideration to the arrangements for its own local access forum covering the Rutland area.

AGREED

(1)  That it be recommended to Lincolnshire County Council the establishment of a single Local Access Forum for Lincolnshire which may, or may not include North East Lincolnshire Council depending on the decision of North East Lincolnshire Council.

(2)  That the Public Rights of Way Officer of Rutland County Council be requested to give consideration to the arrangements for its own local access forum covering the Rutland area.

(To receive an update from Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) on the North Hykeham Relief Road – Scheme Engagement)

The Forum was advised, that subject to funding being received, the North Hykeham Relief Road would form part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Highway and link the completed Lincoln Eastern Bypass (at the A15 Sleaford Road) with the existing Western Bypass (at the junction with Newark Road), creating a complete ring road around Lincoln.

It was noted that the plans were looking to establish 'non-motorised user' routes, incorporating traffic-free cycle paths and bridleways. Further to this it was suggested by a member that a 5m wide bridleway would be ideal.

It was suggested that a further update was provided to the Forum at the next meeting, should there be information to provide.

AGREED

That the verbal update be noted.

(To receive a report by John Law)

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 & Rutland;

·    Nineveh Charitable Trust's visit;

·    Dementia friendly walks – Rutland;

·    Funding bids;

·    Other sponsorship deals;

·    Choice Unlimited Events – Rutland & Lincolnshire;

·    Changing Places Toilets; and

·    Visit England – Promoting Accessible businesses, increasing tourism and visitor spending.

The Forum was advised that the route for the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve had not yet been checked, owing to the current workload of the sub-group.  The poor conditions of the road leading to the carpark were discussed and the Forum was advised that the Team Leader for Countryside Services would highlight the Forum's concern over the condition of the road, in the hope of getting its priority status increased.

Funding bids and sponsorship deals were discussed by the Forum, in particular how they could be secured.  It was noted that Irwin Mitchell had agreed at the Spalding Choice Unlimited event to print leaflets for free for the Mount Group Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the Bradgate Park Trust.  Irwin Mitchell would also like the have the opportunity to print free leaflets of all RDA groups in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. It was agreed that the Chairman of each Forum would send a letter, as drafted by the Vice-Chairman, to each of the Lincolnshire RDA groups offering this opportunity. 

It was advised that in relation to Changing Places Toilets, Anglian Water had responded to the Forum's letter advising that they had a small amount of funding available to update the toilets at Rutland Water.

AGREED

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Team Leader for Countryside Services be requested to highlight the Forum's concern relating to the condition of the road leading to Ashing Lane Nature Reserve to Lincolnshire County Council's Highways Department.

(3)  That a letter be sent to each of the Lincolnshire RDA groups advising of the opportunity to have free leaflets printed on each of the RDA groups by Irwin Mitchel.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law)

AGREED

That this item be deferred to the meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 24 October 2018.

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

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 151 outstanding DMMOs, 12 were actively being worked on.

It was highlighted that a Public Inquiry had been held on 25-26 July 2018 in respect of Case 182 – Coningsby and was now awaiting a decision from the Secretary of State.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

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

It was reported that the case at Clipsham was awaiting a date for a Public Inquiry.  

AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

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

It was advised that with regards to File 329 – Market Deeping and Deeping St James, a public inquiry would be held at Odd Fellows' Hall, Market Deeping on 21-22 August 2018.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

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

It was requested that the Forum receive an update on St George's Barracks Country Park – Public Consultation at its meeting on 24 October 2018.  It was also requested that the Public Rights of Way Officer emailed the Forum's Secretary the maps from the consultation for circulation via email.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

The Forum was advised that the Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that work would be undertaken in January 2019 on a revision to the Lincolnshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan. 

AGREED

That the update be noted.

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

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

It was advised that the ROWIP was a sub-document of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and both would be presented to Cabinet at the same time. Furthermore, it was noted that the LTP was currently being revised following the public consultation on St George's Barracks, North Luffenham. 

AGREED

That the update be noted.

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

AGREED

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

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

·    January 2019 at 2.00 pm – Grantham (Exact date and location TBC);

·    April 2019 at 2.00 pm – Stamford (Exact date and location TBC).