Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, it was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That Richard Graham be elected Chairman for this meeting only.

The Forum's attention was drawn to the publication of a book called "Lost Ways". Officers stated that the South Lincolnshire Local Access Forum had established a working group to examine lost ways in the county using guidelines detailed in the book. In due course, the outcome of the work of the working group would be reported to this Forum.

Apologies for absence were received from Nicola Hardy, Sandra Harrison, Alison Healey and Ray Shipley.

RESOLVED     

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Mid Lincolnshire Local Access Forum held on 28 October 2014, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the replacement of the words "was of national importance and well used, e.g. the Viking Way" by the words," by the words "could demonstrate significant public benefit", in paragraph four of minute 29.

Richard Graham stated that the minutes of the Task Group set up to investigate access to the Coastal Country Park would not be on the County Council's website as this meeting was not attended by the public and was equivalent to a sub-group. However, he stated that it was anticipated minutes of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Board, who had overall responsibility would be provided to the public on the County Council's website.

Officers informed the Forum that the minutes of meetings of the Task Group would be made available for viewing on the County Council's website.

Officers informed the Forum that the Public Inquiry in connection with the proposed diversion of the footpath at Ballast Hole, Lincoln was due to be held next month. It was noted that the Chairman of the Forum would be representing the Forum and Lincolnshire Fieldpaths Association at the Inquiry. The Forum noted that if the proposal by Network Rail to close the access was refused by the Planning Inspector then Network Rail would be required to manage the existing footpath arrangement.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Officers informed the Forum that over 500 objections had been received and 50 letters of support following proposals by the County Council to install a Non- Motorised Users Bridge across Hawthorne Road, Lincoln, as part of the Lincoln Eastern By-Pass. As a result, the Department for Transport had indicated that a Public Inquiry was required, the date and venue yet to be arranged.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(Presentation by Phil Garner, Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council)

Phil Garner from the County Council's Public Health Department gave a brief description of the role and function of public health which, until quite recently, had been the responsibility of the NHS, until its transfer to upper tier Councils. He emphasised the need for Local Access Forums to help in the dissemination of information on the importance of exercise for wellbeing and public health.

Phil Garner outlined the contacts with Local Access Forums, local authorities, SUSTRANS (cycling) and described the financial assistance provided for projects including walking and access. He added that the County Council had to find £90m of savings over the next four years and resources would not be readily available for projects as had been the case in the past.

RESOLVED

That Phil Garner be thanked for his presentation and that the report be noted.

(Chris Miller, Countryside Access and Definitive Map Manager, will give a verbal update of the budget review by the County Council on Rights of Way) 

Officers informed the Forum that the County Council was required to make savings of £90m over the next four years. The Council's Executive was due to consider the budget on 3 February 2015 and make its recommendations to the full Council on 20 February 2015. The income available for Public Rights of Way was expected to reduce and while the expected cuts to the service would not be as severe as those which had taken place in 2010, changes to the level of service were anticipated. Officers stated that Public Rights of Way had changed from management by Highways to Environmental Services. The new line manager for the service was Sean Kent, Group Manager, Environmental Services.

In response to comments made by the Forum, officers stated that while the responsibility for Byways remained with Public Rights of Way further discussion about the responsibility for Green Lanes was required with highways.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(Item raised by Pete Skipworth)

Considered at minute 45.

(Mandy Sims, East Midlands Local Access Forums' Regional Co-ordinator, has requested that Local Access Forums consider the attached draft response to Government and to respond to her with our comments by the end of February 2015)

The Forum was requested to respond to a draft response prepared by Mandy Sims, East Midlands Local Access Forums' Regional Co-ordinator, in connection with problems with the Definitive Map Modification Order process.

Officers explained the County Council's statutory duty to keep under constant review the Definitive Rights of Way Map and Statement for Lincolnshire and to make orders to take account of events requiring the map to be modified. There were currently over 150 outstanding cases. Cases were added to the list and each case considered in date order. However, the Council did have a Committee called the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee which heard appeals requesting that case should be moved further up the list of outstanding cases.

Officers in response to a comment made by the Forum stated that regardless of whether the original applicant or their successor in title wished to pursue their application, the County Council had a duty to review any evidence they had received and act upon it accordingly. Officers also added that information about Public Rights of Way on Ordnance Survey maps originated from Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way maps.

RESOLVED

That Mandy Sims be informed about the County Council's process for considering modifications to the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way.

(Item raised by Pete Skipworth)

Pete Skipworth enquired whether some Permissive footpaths were closing because farmers were not getting paid to keep them open.

Officers stated that some Permissive footpaths were being closed because landowners were not getting paid for Higher Level Access and the County Council had, where possible, worked with landowners to keep accesses open.

Officers stated that farmers would have received payment to install bridges and gates on footpaths. Further closures of Permissive footpaths were expected and added that with being permissive footpaths and not on the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way the County Council did not have the resources to keep them open. Officers stated that the best opportunity was to demonstrate to the landowner the benefits of keeping an access open.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(Item raised by Pete Skipworth)

(Note: Minutes 42 and 45 considered together)

Pete Skipworth stated that approximately twelve years ago footpath signs existed showing access to Haugh but now they did not exist. He stated that there was a historic church at Haugh which had been a popular destination for walkers since 1908. He requested that the landowner should ensure that the footpaths to Haugh were opened for public access. He added that while he was aware that the footpaths were not high priority he believed the footpaths should be kept opened.

Officers agreed to examine the access issues in Haugh and to involve a site visit with Skegness Ramblers and Pete Skipworth being invited to attend.

RESOLVED

That officers, Skegness Ramblers and Pete Skipworth visit the site to examine the access issues in Haugh and the Forum be updated at its next meeting.

(Roy Denney, Chairman of the Leicestershire Local Access Forum, has requested that the attached response from Leicestershire is drawn to the attention of LAFs in the East Midlands)

The Forum was requested to consider a response prepared by Roy Denney, Chairman of Leicestershire's Local Access Forum, in connection with the consultation on the Department for Transport's Cycling Delivery Plan.

The Forum supported Roy Denney's response and noted that Lincolnshire County Council's Highway's would also be responding to the Plan.

RESOLVED

That the response of Roy Denney, Chairman of Leicestershire's Local Access Forum, to the consultation on the Department for Transport's Cycling Delivery Plan, be supported.

(Roy Denney, Chairman of the Leicestershire Local Access Forum, has requested East Midlands' LAFs to consider the role of LAFs in providing education to raise the standards of behaviour of cyclists using public rights of way. A leaflet produced by Peak National Park Authority is attached for information)

The Forum was asked to respond to a request from Roy Denney, Chairman of Leicestershire's Local Access Forum, to consider the role of Local Access Forums in providing education to raise standards of behaviour of cyclists using public rights of way. A leaflet produced by the Peak National Park Authority had also been circulated with the agenda.

The Forum stated that they had little power to provide education to raise standards of behaviour of cyclists except to advise the local authority of their concerns. However, they accepted that this was a problem in many areas of Lincolnshire. In terms of practical advice it was suggested that perhaps walkers should try and speak to cyclists especially if cyclists did not give advanced warning of their presence. A simple shout of "bike" was suggested.

RESOLVED

That the local authorities be advised of the Forum's views about the problem of cyclists on footpaths and that, in the meantime, Forum members should advise their members for walkers to speak to cyclists who did not give advanced warning of their presence.

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, which provides an update of the Plan)

The Forum received a report from North East Lincolnshire Council in connection with the latest situation of their Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Councillor I Colquhoun stated that the Secretary of State had agreed with the Council's decision to divert Bridleway 91 Ashby Cum Fenby due to the deterioration of the embankment on the footpath at its exist with Barton Street.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by Andrew Savage, Senior Countryside Access Officer, which provides an update of these two plans)

The Forum received a report from Lincolnshire County Council in connection with the latest situation of its Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Officers stated that with regard to ROWIP 1 all monies had been spent and the completion of accesses in the Coastal Country Park was awaited.

Officers stated that with regard to ROWIP 2 there had been no change since the last meeting of the Forum as Public Rights of Way was awaiting the outcome of changes to its management structure following the budget. Officers stated that while they expected a budget for Rights of Way in the future the outcome of ROWIP2 would be considered in the Summer 2015 following the management re-structuring.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, which provides an update of this area)

The Forum received a progress report from North East Lincolnshire Council in connection with their Definitive Map Modification Orders.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by Chris Miller, Countryside Access and Definitive Map Manager, which provides an update of this area)

The Forum received a progress report from Lincolnshire County Council in connection with their Definitive Map Modification Orders.

Officers' comments included that a number of cases were close to completion, North Willingham was about to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, a Public Bridleway had been confirmed in connection with Saltfleetby and Skidbrook following the Public Inquiry and new applications received would have to be prioritised.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, which provides an update of this area)

The Forum received a progress report from North East Lincolnshire Council in connection with their Public Path Orders.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by Chris Miller, Countryside Access and Definitive Map Manager, which provides an update of this area)

The Forum received a progress report from Lincolnshire County Council in connection with their Public Path Orders.

Officers' comments included welcoming Network Rail's construction of a new underpass on the footpath at Heighington with a new diversion being implemented, explained the on-going situation with the footpath at Ballast Hole, Lincoln, the on-going situation in connection with Seabank, Donna Nook and the Environment Agency's involvement and the diversion of a footpath at Tallington and the on-going discussions with Network Rail about the diversion.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(There are normally four meetings arranged in each calendar year. The next meeting is due in April 2015)

2pm on 28 April 2015 at the Festival Hall, Market Rasen.