Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from William Cross and Peter Hinton.

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2018 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor R Trollope-Bellew's attendance as an observer.

There were no outstanding actions arising from the meeting held on 24 October 2018.

(To receive a verbal update on the Eyebrook Reservoir – Access for Walkers)

A verbal update was provided by Councillor Ray Wootten (Chairman), Councillor Gale Waller (Forum member) and John Williams (Forum member), who advised that they had recently met with a representative of Fishery Management UK Ltd to discuss access for walkers at Eyebrook Reservoir.

It was advised that Fishery Management UK Ltd had developed an application form for walking groups to complete, should they wish to walk around the reservoir.  It was requested that a copy of the application form be emailed to members of the Forum for information.

In addition, Fishery Management UK Ltd had advised that any walking groups wishing to walk around the reservoir would be required to have their own public liability insurance.  In response, it was advised that Councillor Waller was pursuing the possibility of whether there was anything Rutland County Council could do to assist with the issue of public liability insurance for individuals wishing to walk around the reservoir. 

The Forum was pleased with the progress that had been made on this issue and the arrangements that had been put in place by Fishery Management UK Ltd and it was suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to the officer concerned. It was concluded that no further meetings were required.

AGREED

(1)  That the update be noted.

(2)  That the Application Form for organised walking groups to visit the Eyebrook Estate be emailed to members of the Forum.

(3)  That a letter of thanks be sent to the contact officer at Fishery Management UK Ltd.

(To receive verbal update from officers)

The Forum received an update from the Public Rights of Way Officer and the Team Leader for Countryside Services regarding any progress made with the future of the Local Access Forums, Minute 18 of the last meeting refers.

At the meeting of the Forum on 30 July 2018 and reiterated at the meeting on 24 October 2018, the Forum had resolved to recommend 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.

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

A discussion took place regarding how the proposed changes would be implemented and it was agreed that the Chief Legal Officer at Lincolnshire County Council would be requested to liaise with his equivalent at Rutland County Council to agree a way forward.

The Forum reiterated its support for the establishment of a single local access forum for Lincolnshire and for Rutland County Council to establish its own forum.  The benefits of Rutland having its own local access forum were discussed by members.

The Forum expressed a wish that the changes to the Forums be implemented by the next annual general meeting in July 2019, although this was flexible. 

AGREED

(1)  That the update be noted.

(2)  That the Forum's support for the establishment of a single local access forum for Lincolnshire and for Rutland County Council to establish its own forum be reiterated.

(3)  That the Secretary to the Forum be requested to ask the Chief Legal Officer at Lincolnshire County Council to liaise with his equivalent at Rutland County Council to agree a way forward on the process in implementing (2) as detailed above.

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

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;

·       Riding for the disabled; and

·       Choice Unlimited Events.

It was noted that the training for the walk leaders for Dementia Friendly Walks in Rutland would be held on 6 February 2019.  It was suggested that the Chairman of Rutland County Council be asked to present the certificates to those who had completed the training.

It was requested that with regards to the Choice Unlimited Event in Rutland for 2019, that the new Head of Communications at Rutland County Council be contacted to assist with the promotion of the event.

The Forum supported the action, as detailed in the report, to divert funding from the Local Access Forum requirements to the Rutland 2019 Choice Unlimited Event and for the Vice-Chairman to seek approval from the National Lottery. The Forum requested that the Public Rights of Way Officer advised the Director of Places at Rutland County Council of the actions taken.

AGREED

(1)  That the update be noted. 

(2)  That with regards to the Choice Unlimited Event in Rutland for 2019, that the new Head of Communications at Rutland County Council be contacted to assist with the promotion of the event.

(3)  That support be given to the action, as detailed in the report, to divert funding from the Local Access Forum requirements to the Rutland 2019 Choice Unlimited Event and for the Vice-Chairman to seek approval from the National Lottery.

(4)  That the Public Rights of Way Officer be requested to advise the Director of Places at Rutland County Council of the actions taken, as detailed at (3) above.

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

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

It was reported that of 151 outstanding DMMOs, 19 were actively being worked on.

It was noted that the case at Mablethorpe and Sutton had been considered by the Planning Inspectorate, which had declined to confirm the order, owing to a lack of sufficient evidence.

It was also reported that the case at Coningsby had been considered by the Planning Inspectorate, which had partly confirmed the case.

AGREED

That the verbal update 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 with DMMOs.

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

It was advised that the Public Inquiry scheduled for the case at Clipsham had been adjourned and would reconvene in September 2019.

AGREED

That the update be noted.

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

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

The Team Leader was currently working on seven cases, of which three were in the coastal country park area.

It was advised that the Team Leader was scheduled to meet with Network Rail in the coming weeks to progress with the matter of the crossing over the mainline at Tallington.

It was confirmed that there had not been any objections received on the order at Colsterworth.

AGREED

That the verbal update 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 with PPOs.

It was advised that the order at Langham was to be abandoned and discussions over the route would be scheduled. It was also noted that the order at Seaton was due to be published.

A member highlighted an issue with accessing a particular public rights of way in Wardley.  It was suggested that the member writes to Rutland County Council with their concerns so that it can be taken forward.

AGREED

That the update be noted.

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

The Forum was advised that 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.

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

It was advised that as per the minutes of the previous meeting, that any comments outstanding from individual members of the Forum would be accepted until 19 January 2019.  It was requested that the comments be submitted to the Public Rights of Way Officer at Rutland County Council.

AGREED

That any outstanding comments from individual members of the Forum be sent to the Public Rights of Way Officer by 19 January 2019.

24 April 2019 at 2.00 pm  - Court Room, Stamford Town Council, Stamford

The Chairman advised that the next scheduled meeting of the Forum on 24 April 2019 at 2.00 pm in Stamford was set to be the last meeting of the Forum, should the proposed changes to the Future of the Local Access Forums (as referred to under Minute 31) be approved. 

It was confirmed that the meeting on 24 April 2019 would be held in the Court Room at Stamford Town Council at 2.00 pm.