Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor W Cross (Rutland County Council), Mr B Bowles, Mr P Marshall and Mr S Tate.

It was noted that Dr R Johnson had recently tendered her resignation, with immediate effect.  The Forum wished its thanks be noted for Dr Johnson's contributions at each meeting. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Dr Johnson.

It was also noted that Mr Peter Hinton had recently been appointed to the Forum.  The Chairman advised that Mr Hinton had submitted his apologies for absence for this meeting, as he was unable to attend owing to a prior commitment.  It was agreed that a welcome letter be sent to Mr Hinton.

During consideration of the minutes, it was noted that the resolution for Minute 6 – 'Statement/Questions from Members of the Public' should read: -

That the Vice-Chairman of the Local Access Forum, in consultation with Mr Paul Marshall (Member of the Local Access Forum), be requested to outline their concerns to Natural England.

It was also suggested that two minor amendments were made to Minute 10 – 'Unmade Roads – Failure to protect and assert the Public's Right of Use'.

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2016 be approved by the Chairman, subject to the above amendments being made.

Further to Minute 10 – 'Unmade Roads – Failure to protect and assert the Public's Right of Use', it was noted that the Chairman had not received a response to the Forum's letter to the County Council's Chief Executive.  Further to this, it was agreed that the Forum's Secretary be requested to chase for a response to the letter.

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the responses received to the guidance issued on Countryside for All)

The Vice-Chairman advised that he had received a response from the relevant officer to the Forum's concerns relating to the Hubbard's Hill Trust and Ashing Lane.

It was noted that the parking area at Hubbard's Hill did not form part of the highway, and therefore it was believed to be managed by the Hubbard's Hill Trust.  Any suggested alternations to the parking area should be passed to the Trust.

It was also noted that the local Highway Officer would inspect the access road at Ashing Lane and arrange for the filling of potholes in accordance with the Council's procedures.  However the response stated that Ashing Lane was a Hierarchy 5 road, and its maintenance was prioritised accordingly.

AGREED

That the response be noted.

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman of the Forum) in relation to Countryside For All.  Also attached is an article which has appeared in the most recent publication of County News)

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;

·    Dementia friendly walks;

·    Choice unlimited event;

·    Wolds walking festival;

·    Funding bids; and

·    Accessibility Ambassadors.

The Forum was directed to Appendix A of the report, a copy of an article on Countryside for all, which had recently appeared in County News.  The Vice-Chairman thanked the work of Debby Braund (Countryside Access and Community Project Officer) on the article. The article also sought volunteers to become Accessibility Ambassadors.

During a discussion on the role of an Accessibility Ambassador it was agreed that officers would ascertain whether there was a need for the role to be covered by public liability insurance. The Team Leader for Countryside Services agreed to investigate this issue.

The Chairman advised that he had attended a Royal Visit where the Duke of Gloucester visited Belton House and Londonthorpe Woods on 29 September 2016.  Further to this, the Chairman suggested that Charlotte Johnson of the Woodland Trust be invited to attend a future meeting of the Forum to discuss the work of the Trust.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that he had recently attended a meeting which involved the Executive Director for Environment and Economy; the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT; relevant executive support councillors; and the Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust, where Countryside Access Routes was given as an example of best practice.

AGREED

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Charlotte Johnson of the Woodland Trust be invited to attend a future meeting of the Forum to discuss the work of the Trust.

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

Consideration was given to a report from the Vice-Chairman, which provided an update on the introduction of Accessibility Ambassadors for parks, green open spaces and the countryside in Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his comprehensive report.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman), which presented the Accessibility Ambassadors Application Pack)

Consideration was given to an Application Pack for the role of Accessibility Ambassadors.

The Vice-Chairman presented the pack to the Forum and in doing so, highlighted that the person specification should be amended to include 'or previously a carer'.  A minor amendment on page 39 of the Agenda Pack was made, where a reference to Lincolnshire County Council was changed to North East Lincolnshire Council.  It was suggested that the Forum's Secretary be requested to circulate a revised version of the pack to Members of the Forum for circulation.

The Forum stressed the importance of the role working in collaboration with organisations, including local authorities.  It was not intended that the role would be used to criticise the work of local authorities. It was also stressed that the training must be mandatory.

AGREED

(1)  That the application pack be approved, subject to the necessary amendments being made.

(2)  That the Forum's Secretary be requested to circulate a revised version of the Pack to all Members of the Forum for circulation.

(To receive a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman), which provided an update on the Health Related Walks from April 2017)

The Vice-Chairman provided an update on health related walks after April 2017.

The Vice-Chairman advised that he aimed to secure three years' worth of funding and had asked the providers to provide targets and costs for year 1, 2 and 3. 

It was noted that a list had been prepared of local organisations to explore possible funding opportunities.  It was suggested that Siemens and Flora (following its national advertising campaign at Rutland Waters) also be contacted.  The Vice-Chairman requested that any further suggestions were emailed to him.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman), which provides an update on the recent meeting of the East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting)

The Vice-Chairman advised that the minutes from the recent East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting would be circulated, via email, once they were available.

AGREED

That the Forum's Secretary be requested to email the minutes from the recent East Midlands Regional Local Access Forum Chairs Meeting, once they were available.

(To receive an update from John Laws (Vice-Chairman) on the Making Our Needs Known and Permissive Access Consultation Returns)

The Vice-Chairman presented the responses from the Making our Needs Known and Permissive Access consultation.

It was suggested that the recommendations in relation to Making our Needs Known and to the proposals for future permissive access (Payment for Permissive Access) were not taken forward, owing to the lack of interest.

AGREED

That the recommendations in relation to Making our Needs Known and to the proposals for future permissive access (Payment for Permissive Access) not be taken forward, owing to the lack of interest.

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services), which provides an update on the English Coast Path – Sutton Bridge to Skegness)

Consideration was given to a report by the Team Leader for Countryside Services, which provided an update on the latest situation of the English Coast Path, Sutton Bridge to Skegness.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that Lincolnshire County Council continued to work with Natural England on the provision of the English Coast Path with the sections from Sutton Bridge and from Skegness to Mablethorpe already progressing. 

Officers stated that Natural England was confident in finding the necessary funding to build a bridge over the River Steeping, but the issue was the County Council finding the necessary funding to maintain any bridge. There were options for the County Council to find funding but there would be a need for the Council to find the first 25%.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Consideration was given to a report from Rutland County Council.

The Public Rights of Way Officer provided an update on the latest position with regards to Brauston.  It was noted that the landowner had made an agreement with the Parish Council not to re-submit the order, as the current path would continue.

AGREED

That the update be noted.

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

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services provided an update on Belton and Navenby.  It was noted that with regards to Navenby, Lincolnshire County Council's had made a decision not to make an Order.  This was owing to there being insufficient evidence to demonstrate the owner's knowledge that they were dedicating a route at Common Law.  The applicant had since appealed and submitted further evidence.

AGREED

That the update 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.

The Public Rights of Way Officer confirmed that with regards to Clipsham, the delay did not owe to the quarry as the application was made a number of years ago.

AGREED

That the report be noted. 

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

The ongoing issues with Network Rail over the Tallington Rail Crossing were discussed, where it was highlighted that although the order for the temporary closure had expired, it would be a health and safety concern to enforce Network Rail to reopen the route.  However, Members were assured that Lincolnshire County Council was continuing to work with Network Rail in relation to a permanent diversion.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

(To consider potential dates for future meetings)

AGREED

That the next meeting of the Forum be arranged for 25 January 2017 at 2.00pm at South Kesteven District Council.