Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the current Chairman, the meeting was opened by Vice-Chairman who welcomed all present to the Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre.

Nominations for the position of Chairman of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum were invited.

AGREED

That Councillor R Wootten be elected as Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman of the South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum were invited.

AGREED

That Mr John Law be elected as Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman took the Chair.

JOHN LAW (VICE-CHAIRMAN) IN THE CHAIR

Apologies for absence were received from Mr B Bowles, Councillor D Brailsford, Councillor W Cross, Dr R Johnson, Mrs A Morley and Councillor R Wootten.

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2016 be approved by the Vice-Chairman.

Further to Minute 38 - 'South Kesteven Local Plan' it was noted that in the development of neighbourhood plan, consideration would be given to green open spaces.

In relation to Minute 41 – 'Lost Ways Sub-Group', it was noted that permission had been granted for the New Livestock Building at Exton, Rutland.  In response to a question, Members were advised that the Lost Ways Sub-Group could submit an application for a lost way as a possible way forward.  

It was noted that Mr A Hill had recently been appointed as the Chairman of the Lost Ways Sub-Group.

Further to Minute 43 – 'Statutory Requirements', it was agreed that refresh training for the Members of both Forums would be provided within twelve months, with the intention of incorporating training on the new legislation once it had been released.

A member of the public raised concerns in relation to Lincolnshire County Council's decision on case 364, Skegness.  The Forum was advised of the history behind the case and the danger members of the public were faced with whilst walking the route, owing to the proximity of the golf course.   

In response to the concerns raised, the Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that all of the evidence which had been submitted to support the case was taken into consideration when making the decision.  The Team Leader also explained that the evidence unfortunately did not prove that a public right of way was in existence.  The view that the alternative route that may be used by the English Coast Path was dangerous was supported by the Team Leader and Members of the Forum. Further to this, it was suggested that the Local Access Forum, or alternatively the Lost Ways Sub-Group, could submit its concerns to Natural England.

The member of the public was thanked for the information.

AGREED

That the Vice-Chairman of the Local Access Forum, in consultation with the Chairman of the Lost Ways Sub-Group, be requested to outline their concerns to Natural England.

(A discussion item about a planning application in South Witham to extend the limestone quarry)

A member of the public raised a number of concerns in relation to the proposed eastern and western extensions to South Witham Quarry, particularly the proposed diversion of a right of way number 12 in South Witham. 

Some of the concerns raised had included: the removal of mature trees and hedges; impact on local wildlife; loss of views and the intrusion of quarry workings; the increase in noise and dust levels; the personal effect on users; the safety of users; the inaccuracy of the proposals particularly around the final restoration showing that the path would be put back to its original line; lack of proposals to increase path network; lack of consideration to other possible alternatives; and consultation processes.

The Local Access Forum agreed to give due consideration to the plans which were currently published for consultation by Lincolnshire County Council and respond accordingly.

The member of public was thanked for his information and was asked to email the Vice-Chairman with an outline of his concerns.

AGREED

That Members of the Forum be requested to consider the Planning Application in South Witham to extend the limestone quarry and to respond by the consultation deadline of 29 July 2016.

(To consider the content and formulate a response to the Natural England – LAF Annual Review 2016)

The Team Leader for Countryside Services guided the Forum through the form for the Natural England – Local Access Forum Annual Review 2016 seeking answers to each question.

During the discussion, it was suggested that there should be a recruitment drive to fill the vacancies on both the South Lincolnshire and Rutland and Mid-Lincolnshire Local Access Forums.

AGREED

That the Team Leader for Countryside Services be requested to submit the completed review form to Natural England.

(This is a discussion item on Sub-Groups, further to Minute 39 from the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 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.  Alternatively, a Sub-Group could be established to undertake the role of responding to consultations on behalf of the Forum.

AGREED

That the Forum's Secretary be requested to collate the Forum's responses to consultation documents.

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

A Members of the Local Access Forum raised concerns regarding 'unmade roads'. 

It was noted that in Lincolnshire there were a number of highways shown on the countryside access map as 'unmade roads' which were currently blocked, had locked gates or were ploughed out. Concerns were also raised that the highways department at Lincolnshire County Council had no funds to take remedial or enforcement action.  It was requested that the responsibility for sealed routes was transferred to the countryside access team and those which were not sealed became the responsibility of the highways team.

Further to the above, it was suggested that Mr Hill (Member of the Local Access Forum) provided the Chairman with information on the issue so that he could write a letter to the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council outlining the Forum's concerns.

AGREED

(1)  That Mr Hill (Member of the Local Access Forum) be requested to provide the Chairman with information on his concerns with 'Unmade Roads'.

(2)  That the Chairman be requested to write a letter, on behalf of the Local Access Forum, to the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council outlining the Local Access Forum's concerns and recommendations.

(To receive a report by John Law (Vice-Chairman, South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forum), in relation to Countryside for All)

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; and

·    Funding Bids.

During discussion the all-ability access gate at the Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre was referred to and it was agreed that the Team Leader for Countryside Services would email details of the gate to the Vice-Chairman, for his information.

AGREED

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Team Leader for Countryside Services be requested to provide details of the all-ability access gate at the Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre to the Vice-Chairman of the Forum.

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

It was agreed that the responses to the consultation on 'Making our Needs Known' would be circulated by the Forum's Secretary.

AGREED

That the responses to the consultation on 'Making our Needs Known' be circulated by the Forum's Secretary.

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

The Vice-Chairman agreed to continue to take this forward and would circulate electronically, via the Forum's Secretary, information on the schemes.

AGREED

That further information on the schemes be circulated electronically.

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

The Vice-Chairman of the Local Access Forum provided an update on health related walks after April 2017.

It was noted that the Vice-Chairman was scheduled to meet with the Ramblers' Association to take this matter forward. The Vice-Chairman agreed to notify Members of the outcome of the meeting.

It was also noted that unfortunately the number of health related walks nationally was in decline.

AGREED

That the update be noted.

(To receive a verbal update on the work of the Lost Ways Sub-Group)

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

Members were advised that Mr Alec Hill had recently been appointed as Chairman of the Lost Ways Sub-Group.

A discussion took place regarding training for Members of the Local Access Forum, which should cover lost ways.  It was also suggested that Members of the Mid-Lincolnshire Local Access Forum and any sub-groups should also be invited to the training. However, Members were advised that if the training was to be opened up to external agencies then those organisations would be expected to contribute to the cost of the training.

AGREED

That the Team Leader for Countryside Services and the Public Rights of Way Officer be requested to make the necessary arrangements for a training event for Members of the Local Access Forums and their sub-groups.

(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.

The Public Rights of Way Officer provided an update on the latest position with regards to the application in Wardley.  It was noted that Rutland County Council had been directed to make a Legal Order by the Secretary of State after the Council had turned down the British Horse Society's application. It's possible a Public Inquiry would follow, should someone object to the Order.

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 (Team Leader for Countryside Services))

Consideration was given to a report from Lincolnshire County Council.

A Member of the Forum expressed his complete dissatisfaction in Lincolnshire County Council's decision on case 364, Skegness.  The Member also explained the history behind the case and also explained the negative effects on the local economy. 

In response to the concerns raised, the Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that all of the evidence which had been submitted to support the case was taken into consideration when making the decision.  The Team Leader also explained that the evidence unfortunately did not prove that people had consistently walked the same line, as the sand dunes had drifted over the years.  It was advised that the applicant could appeal the decision, but it was only possible for that individual to appeal.  Alternatively, if additional evidence could be sourced, a new application could be submitted.

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.

A discussion took place regarding Path Reference D85, Langham, where the Forum was advised that the British Horse Society had objected to a proposed footpath diversion on the basis that they were of the opinion that it should be a bridleway.  Further to this, the Public Rights of Way Officer advised that if they had evidence of bridleway status then it should be submitted to the Public Rights of Way Officer so he could take a view on it, rather than just objecting to the proposal.

AGREED

That the update 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.

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

AGREED

That the update report be noted.

(26 October 2016 at 2.00 pm at Rutland County Council)

It was noted that a future meeting of the Forum was scheduled to be held on the following date: -

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

AGREED

That the date of the next meeting be noted.