Agenda and minutes

Venue: Admiralty Suite, Admiral Rodney Hotel, North Street, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 5DX. View directions

Contact: Steve Blagg  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

44.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

None received.

45.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Mid Lincolnshire Local Access Forum held on 19 January 2016 pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Mid-Lincolnshire Local Access Forum held on 19 January 2016, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

46.

Update of action taken on the minutes of the previous meeting

46a

Minute 26 (b) Obstruction of Route from Saltfleet Paradise (Blackridge) to Seaview Access

(Chris Miller, Environmental Services Team Leader (Countryside Services) will give an update on the outcome of his discussions with the Environment Agency on the supposed obstruction of this route)

Minutes:

Chris Miller stated that he had been unable to locate the obstruction of the route from Saltfleet Paradise (Blackridge) to Seaview Access and requested that the Forum should provide these details with a grid reference to him and then he would visit the site to investigate the matter.

 

A member stated that some access gates on the route had been locked. Chris Miller stated that the Environment Agency had been undertaking work in the vicinity of Donna Nook and had sought restrictions to access due to this work taking place.

 

Sandra Harrison agreed to send Chris Miller details of the location of the obstruction(s).

46b

Minute 28 - The County Council's Budget Proposals for 2016/17

(Chris Miller, Environmental Services Team Leader (Countryside Services), will provide an update on the outcome of the County Council's budget proposals for 2016/17 on Countryside Services)

Minutes:

Chris Miller thanked the Forum for responding to the County Council in connection with changes to priorities and timescales of work undertaken by the County Council on Rights of Way.

 

Chris Miller stated that the County Council's Officers' Group had agreed to maintain the current position on the priorities for 2016/17. However, reductions would still be made to discretionary services, e.g. the Parish Paths project. There was a need for the County Council to manage the reduction in the grass cutting service and this was an issue at Parish level with many Parish Councils having already set their precepts and therefore they did not have funding available to offset the reduction in the service provided by the County Council.

46c

Minute 31 - Offer from Network Rail to talk to Local Access Forums about Network Rail's Level Crossing Strategy

(Chris Padley, Chairman, to report back on his discussions with Chris Miller about inviting Network Rail to talk to the two Forums about their level crossing strategy)

Minutes:

The Chairman stated that he was unable to provide an update on this issue because it had been difficult to find the appropriate person to speak to at Network Rail about their level crossing strategy.

 

The Chairman gave examples of two issues involving Network Rail's level crossing strategy. One was in connection with access for walkers on Waterside South in the Stamp End area of Lincoln and at a level crossing in Cherry Willingham. Both involved the lack of communication between Network Rail and relevant bodies affected by their proposals.

 

Officers stated similar concerns following Network's Rail's decision to close a right of way across the railway line at Swinderby and their failure to communicate their decision on this matter.

 

Officers stated that Network Rail's Liabilities Manager played an important role locally but it had been difficult to find out who was responsible for a particular geographical area. Concerns about communication issues had been raised at a national level by the Rights of Way Officer Working Group. Officers stated that the Group hoped to get Network Rail to reduce their use of the Transport and Works Act to avoid public consultation. Officers stated that work was on-going to get a protocol in place on consultation which involved local authorities and Network Rail.

 

The Forum agreed to the officer's suggestion that a joint meeting of the Local Access Forums should be arranged to examine examples of rights of way problems with Network Rail and that a representative from Network Rail should be invited to attend when this matter was discussed.

46d

Minute 35 - Lost Ways

(Chris Miller, Environment Services Team Leader (Countryside Services) to report the outcome of his discussions with Rosemary Harris, a member of South Lincolnshire Local Access Forum, about a training venue for both Forums to identify Lost Ways)

Minutes:

Officers stated that the British Horse Society was no longer able to provide a training venue or presentation for Lost Ways.

 

Discussion between the Forum and officers took place and the following matters were raised:-

 

1. How many people were expected to attend the event? Officers stated that it depended on the size of the venue and interest shown.

2. The event needed to be aimed at people who were prepared to get actively involved and it was suggested that the Local Association of Local Councils could provide a good source of contacts at Parish level.

3. The dissemination of information about Lost Ways was required.

4. It was noted that Parish Councils had an interest particularly as some were in the process of preparing their Neighbourhood Plans.

5. Some Parish Councils had History Groups studying rights of way and this was another source of interest.

5. The end date of 2026 was not far away and it was important that Lost Ways were registered before that date as they could be examined after that date.

6. It was suggested that a small group of interested people could examine this matter in order to produce a blue print which other groups of interested people could then use for guidance purposes.

7. There were some Green Lanes which had no status but they could be used to stimulate interest.

 

The Forum supported the suggestion of a small group of people being set up to examine this matter and an example was given of a Lost Way at Legsby which could be used as a pilot to carry out an investigation. The Chairman agreed to speak to David and Katherine Mills about the Legsby case.

 

 

47.

Report by the Chairman on his attendance at the Local Access Forum's National Conference in Leeds on 1 March 2016 pdf icon PDF 10 KB

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from the Chairman on his attendance at the Natural England Local Access Forum conference in Leeds on 1 March 2016.

 

Comments by the Forum included:-

 

1. Other bodies existed for disabled people in addition to the Disabled Ramblers Association.

2. The Spa Trail was a good example of provision for all ages and disabilities.

3. The Wolds Walking Festival also provided opportunities for the disabled although it was noted that many of the walks were for health purposes.

4. There was a need for more publicity about disabled walks.

5. There was provision for the elderly but not much provision for young people with disabilities.

 

Colin Smith agreed to speak to one of the organisers of the Wolds Walking Festival about the provision for disabled people.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

48.

Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park

(A progress report by Richard Graham and Colin Smith on the latest developments in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from Richard Graham and Colin Smith on the latest developments in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park.

 

Discussion between the Forum and officers ensued in which the following matters were raised:-

 

1. Had all of the bridges been built or refurbished? Officers provided details of the current situation with the refurbishment of bridges in the Park

2. The current right of way which ran along a former railway line in the Park was being investigated, in consultation with the local Town Council and the Wildlife Trust to see if it could be upgraded to a bridleway.

3. It was noted that the English Coastal Path would run through the Park. Officers stated that the proposed route of this Path north of Skegness was not expected to cause any issues but issues with the route of the Path south of Skegness in the vicinity of the SSSI near Gibraltar Point to the Haven had caused issues with the Wildlife Trust.

4. The issues surrounding the route of the Path near Donna Nook involved the potential disturbance of the seal population.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

49.

Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Diversion Proposals pdf icon PDF 10 MB

(To receive a verbal update from Chris Miller (Environmental Services Team Leader (Countryside Services) in connection to the Coastal Country Park Diversion Proposals. Attached is the documentation on the proposed diversions sent by Robin Carr Associates)

 

Minutes:

  

 

The Forum received details of proposed alterations to rights of way in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park being undertaken by Robin Carr Associates.

 

Discussion between the Forum and officers took place and the following issues were raised:-

 

1. Officers stated that it had been necessary to have discussions with local land owners and other agencies and therefore progress on improving rights of way access had not been as fast as had been anticipated.

2. Officers stated that that there was the potential for higher rights of way not being recorded and that these could be Lost Ways. Officers stated that if these routes were discovered they would be investigated when found. In the meantime, there was not a wish to stall progress in the proposals being progressed by Robin Carr's proposals.

3. What were the aims of the project and what issues were trying to be overcome? Officers drew attention in the Consultant's report to examples of proposed improvements to rights of way.

4. Rights of way which either started or finished at Anderby Creek and Huttoft as the main areas of population and popularity were being examined first. Officers stated that consultations between the County Council and land owners on a "give and take" basis was important to avoid Public Inquiries and Richard Graham and Colin Smith had been examining and helping with negotiations in this respect.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the work being undertaken by Robin Carr Associates and the support given by the Access and Recreation Task Group, be noted and supported.

 

 

50.

Countryside for All pdf icon PDF 197 KB

(A report by John Law, a representative on the South Lincs Local Access Forum, in connection with various funding streams for Countryside for All)

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from John Law, a representative on the South Lincolnshire Local Access Forum, in connection with countryside for all routes.

 

Discussion between the Forum and officers took place and the following issues were raised:-

 

1. Which rights of ways were affected by the proposals in the report? Officers stated that the proposals in the report only affected pedestrian rights of way. Also, the proposals in the report were entirely separate to the work of the County Council and was in connection with the current rights of way network.

2. Deborah North expressed a wish to represent disabled people on the Disability Sub-Group established by both Forums.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) That the actions requested by John Law in his report be agreed as follows:-

 

Both Forums should write to the County Council's Environment and Economic Directorate to request:-

 

(1) That the disabled road parking for Hubbard's Hills should be repainted.

(2) That the placement of the signage should be investigated and discussed with both Forums, Nettleham Woodland Trust and the Rights of Way team.

(3) That the major potholes in Ashing Lane should be filled.

 

(b) That Deborah North be nominated to serve on the Disability Sub Group.

51.

North East Lincolnshire Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) pdf icon PDF 9 KB

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, N E Lincs Council, in connection with the latest situation of their Council's ROWIP)

Minutes:

The Forum received a report in connection with North East Lincolnshire's Rights of Way objectives.

 

Councillor I Colquhoun stated that in connection with the reinstatement of footpath 72 (FP72) the Council had received three applications to change the route of FP72. Discussions were on-going with landowners and the Ramblers and a decision would be made in June 2016.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

52.

Lincolnshire County Council Progress of Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) Work pdf icon PDF 216 KB

(A report by Chris Miller, (Environmental Services Team Leader (Countryside Services), which examines the latest DMMO cases only)

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from the County Council in connection with progress of its Definitive Map Modification Orders.

 

Officers stated that in connection with case No. 309 (Ancaster), the Order had now been confirmed. Case No. 182 (School Lane to Dogdyke Road, Coningsby) was controversial as residents' gardens were affected.

 

Discussion between the Forum and officers took place and the following issue was raised:-

 

There was currently no requirement to reveal that a right of way existed when a local land search was carried out. Officers stated that this situation was about to change with effect from July 2016 and that from this date there would be an obligation for the County Council to reveal if a right of way existed following a search enquiry by a buyer's Solicitor.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

53.

North East Lincolnshire Progress of Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMO) pdf icon PDF 9 KB

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, N E Lincs Council, on the latest situation in connection with their Council's DMMOs)

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from North East Lincolnshire's Council on progress of their Definitive Map Modification Orders.

 

Councillor I Colquhoun stated that in connection with DMMO No. 6 (New Clee Sidings (Fuller Street Bridge to Salvesen Road) the resident had originally applied for three rights of way. ABP had objected and there had been a Public Inquiry and the outcome of the Inquiry had been to approve the Northern 1 route. The Council had made the necessary Order for this route but had then received an objection from ABP and it had been necessary for another Public Inquiry. Councillor I Colquhoun stated that he was unaware of the Council's current view of this matter.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

54.

Lincolnshire County Council Progress of Public Path Orders (PPOs) pdf icon PDF 101 KB

(A report by Chris Miller, Environmental Services Team Leader (Countryside Services), which examines the latest PPO cases only)

Minutes:

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

 

Officers informed the Forum that in connection with the level crossing diversion at Whisby, Lincoln, Network Rail had constructed a pedestrian bridge which was accessible for disabled people and were proposing a right of way diversion which was currently being consulted upon.

 

Officers stated that in connection with the diversion of an obstructed bridleway onto an adjacent occupier's land at Blankney the householder had made a financial contribution to the right of way being diverted from near his property to behind a hedge on farmland with the farmer being compensated for allowing the diversion to take place.

 

Officers stated that the managed realignment of the coastal sea defence at North Somercotes had been difficult to manage and an appeal had been lodged with the Secretary of State. The Council had yet to be informed if an Order had been made.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

 

 

55.

North East Lincolnshire Progress of Public Path Orders (PPOs) pdf icon PDF 8 KB

(A report by Nicola Hardy, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, N E Lincs Council, in connection with the latest situation with their Council's PPOs))

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor I Colquhoun stated that route PPO 14 (Ashby Cum Fenby) was expected to have been installed as a new route following the withdrawal of the objection by the objector.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

56.

Date and Time of the next meeting

(6.00pm on Tuesday 19 July 2016 at Huttoft Village Hall)

Minutes:

The date and time of the next meeting of the Forum was noted as 6.00pm on Tuesday 19 July 2016 at Huttoft Village Hall.

 

 
 
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