Agenda and draft 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

37.

Public Forum

Minutes:

The Chairman, as per the Forum's Terms of Reference, provided those members of the public who were present with the opportunity to make statements or ask questions.

 

A member of the public sought information on progress being with the reinstatement of the rights of way between Kings Street in Langtoft through to Market Deeping. 

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services at Lincolnshire County Council advised that the route had been obstructed since the gravel work had commenced, with no condition for it to be reinstated.  Work was continuing and it was hoped a resolution would be found, however it was anticipated that this might not be immediate.

38.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Forum and advised that this could potentially be the last meeting as a joint local access forum, Minute 42 refers.  The Chairman took the opportunity to thank all of the officers who had supported the work of the Local Access Forum; and his current and former Vice-Chairman. 

 

Apologies for absence were received from William Cross and Andrew Norman (InvestSK).

 

The Chairman also thanked Stamford Town Council for allowing the Forum to use its town hall for the meeting. 

39.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2019 pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Minutes:

AGREED

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2019 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

40.

Actions arising from the meeting held on 16 January 2019

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that he had written a letter of thanks to the contact officer at Fishery Management UK Ltd, as referred to in Minute 30 of the minutes from the meeting held on 16 January 2019.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised the Forum that the meeting with Network Rail on the network rail crossing at Tallington, as referred to in Minute 34a, had been postponed.

41.

South Lincolnshire Walking Festival - September 2019

(To receive a verbal update from Andrew Norman and Dominic Fieldhouse of InvestSK concerning the South Lincolnshire Walking Fesitival)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to an update from Dominic Fieldhouse (InvestSK) on the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival in September 2019.

 

South Lincolnshire Walking Festival was co-ordinated by Heritage Lincolnshire, a local charity.  Although the festival was heavily reliant on volunteers, the festival relied upon the income from charges for walks and donations in order to cover the costs of running the festival. 

 

The Forum was advised that following the success of the previous festivals, plans were being made for the fifth festival.  The festival would run between Saturday 28 September – Sunday 27 October 2019, with walks taking place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  The launch event would be held at Grantham House on 28 September and the final event at RAF Metheringham Airfield Museum on 27 October 2019.

 

The walks would either have a small cost attached to them or they would invite voluntary donations towards the Walking Festival or other local good causes.  If a walk carried a charge, it would be clearly marked.  The following apply to all charged walks: £2 for 0 – 3 miles and £3.50 for over 3 miles.  Under 18's would go free. 

 

The walks had previously generated in the region of £10,000 secondary spend in the local community.

 

It was highlighted that the following walking festivals had been arranged in Lincolnshire on the following dates in 2019: Lincolnshire Wolds from 18 May to 2 June; North Kesteven from 13 to 27 July; and as part of the Stamford Georgian Festival from 22 to 29 September.

 

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

 

·       The future of the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival beyond 2019 was not yet known, owing to concerns over future funding.

·       Heritage Lincolnshire was aiming to obtain sponsors for the walking festivals.  

·       The ways in which the festival would be promoted were discussed, and it was suggested that the Walk Magazine of the Ramblers was utilised, along with the Rutland and Stamford Mercury; parish council magazines/websites; and the National Trails website.  It was important that leaflets were available in an accessible format, to assist those with sight impairment. Further to this, it was requested that information on the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival be sent to the Public Rights of Way Office at Rutland County Council so that he could make arrangements for the information to be sent to all parish council clerks.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

42.

Future of the Local Access Forums

(To receive a verbal update from officers)

Minutes:

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that a pre-decision report would be considered by Lincolnshire County Council's Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee on 29 April 2019 concerning the revision of arrangements for Lincolnshire's joint local access forums. 

 

The Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT was scheduled to make a decision as to the future arrangements for local access forums in Lincolnshire in early May 2019.  The report recommended a reduction in the number of Local Access Forums covering Lincolnshire's area to one, which would be a Joint Local Access Forum with North East Lincolnshire Council covering the whole of the administrative areas of Lincolnshire County Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. The report also included a recommendation on how this would be achieved.

 

The Public Rights of Way Officer advised that once Lincolnshire had served notice under regulation 18(2) of the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 to Rutland County Council terminating the functions of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum in respect of Lincolnshire County Council's area, Rutland County Council would then be in a position to start making the necessary arrangements for the forum that it would maintain.  It was anticipated that it would be renamed and the terms of reference be updated.

 

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank representatives of Rutland for their contribution at the Forum and also officers at Rutland County Council for hosting meetings on an annual basis.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted. 

43.

Countryside for All pdf icon PDF 96 KB

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

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;

·    Dementia Friendly Walks – Rutland;

·    Choice Unlimited Event – Rutland; and

·    Rutland's Lottery Application.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that the potholes at Ashing Lane Nature Reserve, Dunholme, would soon be rectified by the Highways Department.  Although this would not help the ruts in the road, it should make it easier to drive a vehicle down the lane.  The Forum was pleased with the progress that had been made and thanked the Team Leader for his assistance.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

44.

Definitive Map Modification Orders - Ongoing

44a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 311 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

It was reported that of 151 outstanding DMMOs, 22 were actively being worked on. Appendix A provided information on the 22 cases.  It was noted that those in bold type were currently with the Secretary of State for determination.

 

It was explained that some of the cases had been on the list for several years, owing to a combination of factors.  Some of the cases had been problematic and it had proved complex in terms of progressing them; the Planning Inspectorate was inundated with cases for determination; and there were limited resources at Lincolnshire County Council to progress cases.

 

It was highlighted that where applicants were not content that their case had not progressed, an appeal process was available at Lincolnshire County Council.  Further to this there was also the option of a statutory right of appeal, which involved writing a letter to the Secretary of State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 40 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 progress with DMMOs.

 

It was reported that of the five outstanding DMMOs, it was anticipated that this number would reduce by the end of the 2019, as soon of the cases were close to resolution.

 

It was noted that the Planning Inspectorate had advised that it had identified a technical issue with the order for the case at Langham.  The paperwork for the order would be resubmitted, which would rectify the issue.  In response to a question, the Forum was advised that it was unclear what delay this would cause and whether further public engagement was required.

 

It was advised that the rearranged Public Inquiry for the case at Clipsham was scheduled for September 2019.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

45.

Public Path Orders and Progress Report

45a

Lincolnshire County Council pdf icon PDF 448 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.

 

The Forum was reminded that the County Council had a power to divert, extinguish or create public rights of way either of its own volition or following an application to do so from the public. The Council may also enter into agreements with landowners regarding the dedication of public rights.  A summary of ongoing cases were detailed within the report.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

45b

Rutland County Council pdf icon PDF 38 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 progress with Public Path Orders.

 

It was advised that a planning application was expected to be submitted at Clipsham.  In response to a question, the Forum was assured that the bridleway at Clipsham would not close.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

46.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan - Update

46a

Lincolnshire County Council

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

Minutes:

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that work had commenced on a revision to the Lincolnshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

 

The Team Leader was liaising with the County Council's Community Engagement Team regarding the proposed engagement with parish councils and user groups later in 2019, once the draft revised plan was available for consultation.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

46b

Rutland County Council

(To receive a verbal update from Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer))

Minutes:

The Forum was advised that the Rights of Way Improvement Plan was awaiting formal adoption by Rutland County Council (ROWIP). 

 

As the ROWIP was an appendix to Rutland's Local Transport Plan, which had been delayed owing further work being required, it was unlikely that the Local Transport Plan and ROWIP would now be formally adopted until after the elections in May 2019. It was confirmed that no further work was being undertaken on the ROWIP.

 

AGREED

 

That the update be noted.

47.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

In response to a question, it was advised that Andy Savage (Senior Countryside Officer, covering South Kesteven and South Holland) could assist a member of the Forum with updating his village's rights of way guide and to discuss issues with stiles.

 

A member of the Forum circulated a note on the Woolfox Garden Village concept, following an exhibition on the concept which he had attended on 12 April 2019. The Forum was advised that a planning application had not yet been submitted.  The Forum agreed to note the information which had been shared and to be mindful of forthcoming planning applications.

 

AGREED

 

That the information shared be noted.

 

 
 
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