Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Brailsford, Mr Alec Hill and Dr Rebecca Johnson.

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2016 be approved by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no actions arising from the minutes of the last meeting in addition to those already listed on the agenda for consideration.

(To receive a presentation from Caty Collier (Area Co-ordinator North Kesteven, Voluntary Centre Services) concerning Charitable Incorporated Organisations)

The Forum received a presentation from Caty Collier (Voluntary Centre Services), which provided Members of the Forum with detailed information on setting up a charity.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       Members recognised that a considerable amount of responsibility came with being a Trustee;

·       It was hoped that a joint charitable incorporated organisation could be established consisting of other local access forums from the East Midlands areas.  This possibility would be discussed at the next meeting of the East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting;

·       Although there was not a fee associated with registering a charity, there were certain potential ongoing costs for example, the annual cost of accountants for accounting purposes.  It was noted that there was a fee to register with Company's House;

·       One of the benefits of the Local Access Forum establishing a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was that it would make it easier to access funds and to hold its own funds, unlike the current arrangement where the two county councils hold funds on behalf of the Local Access Forum;

·       It was confirmed that if the Local Access Forum was to establish a Charitable Incorporate Organisation (CIO), the Forum and the CIO would operate as separate entities;

·       It was suggested that this matter should be discussed further at the East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting, prior to the Local Access Forum given it further consideration a future meeting.

AGREED

(1)  That the presentation be noted.

(2)  That further consideration be given to the possibility of establishing a Charitable Incorporated Organisation at a future meeting, following its consideration at the East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting.

(To receive a report from Roger Ranson (South Kesteven District Council), which invites Members to consider information in relation to the South Kesteven Local Plan)

Consideration was given to a report and presentation by Roger Ranson (Planning Policy and Housing Manager), which provided an update on the technical and supporting documents prepared as part of progress with the new Local Plan for South Kesteven.

Members were advised that the new Local Plan would need to set out South Kesteven District Council's planning strategy and related policy proposals for the district for a period of 25 years, from 2011 to 2036.  It would provide the overall strategy for sustainable growth and development, establishing a clear framework of policies to guide the scale, location and details of new development and managing change within the district. The South Kesteven Local Plan would replace the Core Strategy, Site Allocation and Policies and any remaining saved policies from the 1995 Local Plan.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       Members were advised that there was evidence to support the need for additional housing;

·       Policies were in place for affordable housing and it was anticipated that approximately 20% of all new homes would be 'starter homes';

·       The impact on existing infrastructure would be taken into consideration.  Further to this, it was noted that the district council worked closely with the County Council on such issues;

·       Reference was made to the plans for the Grantham Southern Relief Road;

·       Members were assured that consideration was given to green/open space; and

·       Members were also assured that the district council encouraged developers to factor in plans for cycle paths.

RESOLVED

That the report, presentation and comments be noted.

(This is a discussion item on Sub-Groups, further to Minute 33 from the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2016)

A discussion took place regarding the possibility of establishing a Sub-Group specifically to respond to consultations which fall between meetings of the Local Access Forum.

Officers advised that in such situations, Members could be emailed a copy of consultation documents by the Forum's Secretary and submit any comments to the Secretary for collation.  Or, alternatively, a Sub-Group could be established to undertake the role of responding to consultations on behalf of the Forum.

It was suggested that this issue should be discussed further at the next scheduled meeting of the Forum.

AGREED

That an item on 'Sub-Groups' be added to the Agenda for the meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 6 July 2016.

(To note the response of the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board in relation to the report on Walking for Health – The Future, Minute 29 refers)

Members were advised that a report on 'Lincolnshire Walking for Health – The Future' was submitted to the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration and her response was detailed at page 21 of the agenda.

Although the response had detailed that it was not possible to continue the funding, the Forum was advised by its Vice-Chairman that Public Health Lincolnshire would wish to be kept informed on any developments.  The Vice-Chairman also advised that the Disability Sub-Group was in the process of developing a Project Proposal, based on the information contained within the report, to present to key stakeholders with an aim of receiving funding.

It was queried whether the Wolds Walking Festival scheduled to be held on 21 May to 5 June 2016 was still taking place, as certain Members understood that it may have been cancelled.  Therefore the Team Leader for Countryside Services agreed to make some enquiries.

AGREED

 That the report and verbal update be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum), which provides an update of the work of the Sub-Group)

Consideration was given to a report from the Vice-Chairman of the Local Access Forum on the work of the Lost Ways Sub-Group.

A discussion took place regarding the planning application in relation to the New Livestock Building, The Avenue, Exton, Rutland.  It was noted that the Chairman had not yet received a response from Rutland County Council to the letter he had submitted on behalf of the Forum in relation to this planning application.  The Public Rights of Way Officer agreed to take this matter forward.

AGREED

That the verbal update be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum), which updates Members on the most recent East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting)

The Chairman of the Forum thanked his Vice-Chairman for attending on his behalf the most recent meeting of the East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting.

The Vice-Chairman provided the Forum with a brief update on the work of the East Midlands Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting and agreed to circulate the minutes of the meeting, once they were available.

AGREED

That the verbal update be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum) on Statutory Requirements)

A discussion took place regarding the statutory requirements for Countryside Access and Rights of Way.

During the discussion Members were advised that the Countryside Access website, which was managed by Lincolnshire County Council, provided a good summary of the statutory requirements for this area of work.  Further to this, Members requested a training refresh on this topic, prior to the start of a future meeting. 

AGREED

That the Team Leader for Countryside Services and the Public Rights of Way Officer be requested to provide the Forum with a training refresh on the statutory requirements for Countryside Access and Rights of Way.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum) concerning Local Access Forum Training)

It was agreed that this item was no longer necessary as it had been covered under Minute 43 – Statutory Requirements.

AGREED

That the item be removed from the agenda.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum), which seeks the views of the Forum)

The Vice-Chairman advised Members that he had not yet had chance to produce the letters for the Parish Councils, as he had been focusing on the various projects which had been discussed earlier on in the meeting.

The Vice-Chairman advised that it was unlikely that he would be in a position to process the letters and therefore sought volunteers to undertake this role for him, or alternative, it was deferred until next year.

AGREED

That the letters to the Parish Councils not be processed this year and be deferred to 2017.

(To receive a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum), which provides an update on the work of the Joint Disability Sub-Group)

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;

·    Dementia Friendly Walks;

·    Choice Unlimited;

·    Funding Bids;

·    Budget Implications on Health Walks and Dementia Friendly Walks;

·    Accessibility Ambassadors; and

·    National Website for Countryside for All Routes.

It was queried whether Hubbard's Hills roadside car park could have the disabled car parking bay repainted as it had faded and was not easy to recognise. The Team Leader for Countryside Services agreed to take this suggestion forward.

A particular concern was raised regarding the signage to the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve and in response; Members were assured that there was signage from the main road to the site.  A concern was also raised in relation to the number of potholes on the road leading to the site.  However, Members were advised that this was a bridal way and therefore the County Council was not required to fill the potholes.

The Vice-Chairman expressed his gratitude for the hard work of Debby Braund (Lincolnshire County Council) in relation to her support with bids for funding.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that a large kissing gate had been installed at Gibraltar Point.  Further to this, it was suggested that Gibraltar Point was publicised in the local media.  The Team Leader for Countryside Services agreed to raise this suggestion at the meeting of the Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Joint Advisory Committee scheduled to be held on 21 April 2016.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from Chris Miller (Countryside Access Manager, Lincolnshire County Council) in relation to the Coastal Country Park Diversion Proposals)

The Team Leader for Countryside Services referred to the email which all Members had recently received from Robin Carr Associates, in relation to the proposed alterations to rights of way in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park.  The Forum was reminded that comments had to be submitted by 14 May 2016.

During a discussion on this matter, the following points were noted:-

·       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; and

·       Members were advised 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.

It was noted that one of the Members of the Forum, who was not present at the meeting, had specific issues with the proposals and it was therefore suggested that the Team Leader for Countryside Services emailed this Member of the Forum to address his concerns.

Members were encouraged to submit any individual comments by the deadline of 14 May 2016.

AGREED

(1)  That the work being undertaken by Robin Carr Associates be noted.

(2)  That all Members be reminded to submit individual responses to the proposals by the deadline of 14 May 2016.

(To receive a verbal update from Alec Hill (Member of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum))

As this item was added to the agenda by a Member of the Forum who was not present at the meeting, it was suggested to defer the item to the meeting scheduled to be held on 6 July 2016.

It was also suggested that the Forum's Secretary emailed the Member requesting further information on the item so that the Team Leader for Countryside Services could respond to the matter.

AGREED

That the item be deferred to the meeting of the Forum scheduled to be held on 6 July 2016.

(To receive a report from Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer, Rutland County Council))

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council.

Members were comfortable with the content of the report and raised no additional questions or comments.

AGREED

That the update report be noted.

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Countryside Access Manager, Lincolnshire County Council))

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

In response to a question, Members were advised that a decision in relation to Case No. 364, as detailed on page 34 of the agenda, was expected imminently.

AGREED

That the update report be noted.

(To receive a report by Stuart Crook (Public Rights of Way Officer, Rutland County Council))

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council.

Members were comfortable with the content of the report and raised no additional questions or comments.

AGREED

That the update report be noted.

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Countryside Access Manager, Lincolnshire County Council))

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

Members were comfortable with the content of the report and raised no additional questions or comments.

AGREED

That the update report be noted.

(Future Meetings of the Local Access Forum are scheduled to be held on the following dates and times: - 6 July 2016 at 6.00 pm – venue to be confirmed; and 26 October 2016 at 2.00 pm at Rutland County Council)

It was noted that future meetings of the Forum were scheduled to be held on the following dates: -

·    6 July 2016 at 6.00 pm – venue to be confirmed; and

·    26 October 2016 at 2.00 pm at Rutland County Council.

AGREED

That the dates of the future meetings be noted.