Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Councillor James Cairns, who represented North East Council, to his first meeting of the Forum.

There were not any questions asked by the public.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor W J Aron and Sheila Brookes.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 October 2018, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

David Salkeld stated that he was now a representative on the Green Lane Association and would be assisting and working with responsible vehicle users.

The Chairman gave a brief explanation of the project for those members who had not attended the presentation adding that the project involved collaboration between the County Council and the Wildlife Trust to use surplus grass cuttings from verges for biomass. The Chairman stated that he had volunteered to represent the Forum on the Working Group and had attended the first meeting of the Group at which technical issues had been discussed.

The Chairman stated that the issues raised by the Environment Agency at the last meeting had now been resolved.

Comments by members included:-

·         Could a wider cut of the verges be made which would improve conditions for horse riders and walkers? The Chairman stated that this was a pilot project and if it proved successful then there would be an opportunity to expand the project in the Wolds and he had raised the advantages of expanding the cut at the Working Group.

·         Concerns had been expressed by the Wildlife Trust about the effects of the cutting of the verges during the bird nesting season and the Chairman agreed stating that cuts were subject to the approval of the Wildlife Trust.

·         Where were the Anaerobic Digesters (Ads) located? The ADs were located in the Spilsby area which had three. It was hoped to encourage the growth of wild flowers which had been depleted in recent years due to the loss of meadow land.

·         It would be a huge undertaking to cut all of the verges in Lincolnshire and some verges were cut by owners which were welcomed by the Working Group.

·         Many verges were not suitable for cutting as they had potholes and ruts.

·         Because of the summer drought last year there was a shortage of silage this winter.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from Chris Miller, Team Leader for Countryside Services, on the reorganisation of Local Access Forums for Lincolnshire since the matter was discussed at the meeting on 23 October 2018)

The Chairman reminded members of the current on-going discussions to create one Local Access Forum (LAF) for Lincolnshire excluding Rutland County Council and that once it had been agreed to have one Forum then it would be necessary to appoint new members.

Comments by members included:-

·       Why was Rutland being excluded? Officers stated that the majority of members on the South Lincolnshire and Rutland LAF were from Rutland and many items on the agenda were for Rutland.

·       Having one LAF for Lincolnshire which was geographically very large would create, amongst other issues, logistical issues for travel to meetings. Officers stated that it was hoped to arrange meetings in a central part of Lincolnshire and to make more use of maps and photographs at meetings.

·       It was hoped that the new LAF would comprise more volunteers than representatives from local authorities.

·       The role of the LAF needed to be publicised to attract more representatives.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and the Forum be kept updated.

(This is a regular report from John Law, a representative on the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum. This report is for noting)

The Forum received the standard report from John Law, a representative on the South Lincolnshire and Rutland LAF, in connection with Countryside for All.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report from Matthew Chaplin, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, in connection with the latest situation of the Plan)

The Forum received a report from North East Lincolnshire Council in connection with the latest position of their ROWIP. Officers stated that the Plan had been sent to interested parties for consultation, was progressing well with five different themes being considered and objectives being examined.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report by Matthew Chaplin, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, in connection with progress of the Orders)

The Forum received a report from North East Lincolnshire Council in connection with the latest position of their Definitive Map Modification Orders. Officers stated that there was no update to provide to members on the various Orders since the publication of the report.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report by Matthew Chaplin, Public Rights of Way Mapping Officer, in connection with the progress of the Orders)

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

Officers stated that with regard to footpath 72 (Waltham) an application to relocate a sub-station had been received by the Council from Babcock International which was controversial.

Officers stated that an Extinguishment Order was being used in connection with the diversion of footpath 90 (Ashby cum Fenby) and was currently being consulted upon.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report from Chris Miller, Team Leader for Countryside Services, in connection with the latest situation of the Orders)

The Forum received a report from Lincolnshire County Council in connection with the latest position of their Definitive Map Orders.

Officers stated that since the publication of report the Public Footpath at School Lane to Dogdyke Road, Coningsby had been confirmed in part. The Public Footpath from Caistor Road to Gatehouse Lane, Middle Rasen had gone to the Planning Inspectorate and it was hoped that any issues could be dealt with by written representations and that the claimed bridleway from Common Lane to Cow Lane, Heapham had been submitted to the Secretary of State to determine.

Comments by members included:-

·       There was pressure on the County Council in connection with the footpath at Middle Rasen (Caistor Road to Gatehouse Lane) as there was soon to be development which would affect the route of the footpath.

·       A member stated that he had attended West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee when this planning application had been considered and had spoken against the application and could not understand why this footpath had not been taken into account in the Local Plan.

·       A member stated that he had submitted written comments against the application and had also spoken to Chestnut Homes about the issues.

·       A similar problem had occurred at Tetney where a footpath had been illegally blocked. Officers agreed to ask Jonathan Stockdale, Senior Highways Officer for this area, to examine this problem. Officers stated that the public needed to report such incidents to the County Council.

·       It was suggested that the Parish Council should be asked to send a letter to the person blocking the footpath.

·       Officers explained the process for the removal of an obstruction from a footpath.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and that Jonathan Stockdale be requested to contact Sandra Harrison in connection with the blocked footpath at Tetney.

(To receive a report by Chris Miller, Team Leader, Countryside Services, in connection with the progress of the Orders)

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

It was agreed to add an item to the agenda for the next meeting in connection with why the County Council was not supporting its own Orders it had submitted to the Secretary of State for a decision.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and that an item be added to the agenda in connection with why the County Council was not supporting its own Orders it had submitted to the Secretary of State for a decision.

(The next meeting is normally arranged to take place in April 2019)

The next meeting of the Forum would be arranged for 2pm on Tuesday 23 April 2019.