Agenda item

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

Consideration was given to a report from the Vice-Chairman of the Local Access Forum, 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;

·    Inclusive Countryside Access Course;

·    Woodland Trust;

·    Choice Unlimited Event;

·    Funding Bids;

·    Accessibility Ambassadors;

·    Sensory Trails and Green Spaces;

·    Gruffalo Spotters Trail;

·    Visit England Purple Pound;

·    Visit England and the Countryside for All website;

·    Changing Places Toilets; and

·    Approaching Organisations for Annual Funding.

The Local Access Forum was shown a short YouTube video demonstrating the importance of the Changing Places Toilets campaign for fully accessible toilets.  It was agreed that the link to this video was circulated via email.  The costs associated with making such adaptions to public toilets were discussed, and it was highlighted that these adaptions should not impact on public liability insurance. 

Further to the above, it was suggested that the Chairman should write a letter, in consultation with the Team Leader for Countryside Services and the Vice-Chairman, to the chief executives of the seven Lincolnshire district councils and both Lincolnshire and Rutland county councils, highlighting the importance of disabled access both generally and specifically promoting the Changing Places Toilets campaign.

It was noted that the track from Casthorpe Road, Manthorpe, to the Grantham Canal towpath belonged to Lincolnshire County Council.  As it was not yet possible to upgrade the track and access gate, owing to financial constraints, it had been decided to provide a route leaflet to reflect the current state of the route.  The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that he was unsure how long it would take for this route to be placed on the definitive map. However, he would notify the Forum once it had been added.

It was also noted that a meeting was scheduled to be held on 25 July 2017 at Tonic Health in Spalding, commencing at 2.00 pm to discuss the Choice Unlimited event in May 2018.  It was agreed that the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board; the four Lincolnshire County Councillors who represented the Spalding electoral divisions; and Councillor Bob Adams (member of the Local Access Forum) be invited to attend the meeting on 25 July 2017.   

A discussion took place regarding the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve, where it was agreed that the Forum would receive an update on this matter from the Team Leader for Countryside Services at its meeting on 25 October 2017.

AGREED

(1)  That a link to the YouTube video demonstrating the importance of the Changing Places Toilets campaign for fully accessible toilets be emailed to the Forum.

(2)  That the Chairman be requested to write a letter, in consultation with the Team Leader for Countryside Services and the Vice-Chairman, to the chief executives of the seven Lincolnshire district councils and both Lincolnshire and Rutland county councils, highlighting the importance of disabled access both generally and specifically promoting the Changing Places Toilets campaign.

(3)  That the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board; the four Lincolnshire County Councillors who represent the Spalding electoral divisions; and Councillor Bob Adams (member of the Local Access Forum) be invited to attend the working group on 25 July 2017.

(4)  That an item on Ashing Lane Nature Reserve be included on the agenda for the meeting on 25 October 2017.