Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Brailsford, Councillor W Cross, Mr A Childs and Mr S Tate.

The Chairman took the opportunity to welcome Mr P Hilton and Mr R Linford to the meeting, as it was their first meeting since their appointments at the end of 2016.

The Chairman also reported Mr B Bowles and Mr P Marshall had resigned from the Local Access Forum, since the Forum's last meeting.  The Chairman had sent a letter of thanks to them both for their work on the Forum.

AGREED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that at the meeting of the Community and Public Safety Scrutiny Committee held on 25 January 2017 consideration was given to the Council Budget for 2017/18.  During this discussion the Chairman highlighted the Local Access Forum's concerns relating to the Council's reduction in funding for Health Related Walks.  The Chairman also requested that should the Council's finances improve in future, that consideration would be given to reinstating this funding.

(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 advised that there had been a new case submitted at Langham, which was currently under investigation and it was hoped that a view could be formed by April 2017. Following a discussion on the case, Members were advised that the current line of the footpath was unsuitable for a bridleway and work would need to be undertaken to convert it into a bridleway.  Members were advised to await the outcome of the definitive map modification order.

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 Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that the Countryside Services would commence work on the application at Aunsby and Dembleby shortly.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised the Local Access Forum of the staffing changes within his team, following a recent restructure. Similarly, the Public Rights of Way Officer advised Members of the staffing within his section.

AGREED

That the 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.

The Public Rights of Way Officer advised that there had been a new application submitted located at Manton.  The application was to re-route a path around the edge of a field.

It was noted that the application located at Hambleton was on hold indefinitely.

AGREED

That the report be noted.

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

Consideration was given to a report by Lincolnshire County Council.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services advised that a package of eight diversions to realign routes in the Coastal Country Park area, including the potential dedication of a bridleway over a current footpath. It was noted that the diversions had been out to consultation and the next steps was for the County Council to progress this work.

It was agreed that the Team Leader for Countryside Services would provide information to Mr Hinton on what steps a parish council must follow to reinstate a permissive path; how a path can be created; information on the required design of signage; and whether there was any funding available to parish councils to improve signage within their area.

It was also agreed that the Team Leader for Countryside Services would investigate an issue with a permissive path in Castle Bytham, where a landowner had indicated support for a public right of way to be diverted through their land.

It was confirmed that the upkeep of stiles and gates on private land were the responsibility of the landowner.  Reference was made to a particular issue and the Member was requested to provide the Team Leader for Countryside Services with details on the matter so that it could be investigated.  Similarly, a Member raised a concern regarding the signposting of routes and it was requested that details of the issue were emailed to the Team Leader.

AGREED

That the report be noted. 

(To receive an update from John Law (Vice-Chairman of the 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;

·    Funding Bids;

·    Accessibility Ambassadors;

·    Lincolnshire Health Related Walks from April 2017;

·    Sensory Trails and Green Spaces;

·    Disability Sub Group Change of Name and Logo.

It was noted that East Lindsey District Council had recently issued a consultation in relation to the Louth Navigation Trust and a proposed cycleway.  It was suggested that the Vice-Chairman contacted the district council to establish when the consultation was due to close, as the Forum had not yet been consulted.  It was suggested that the Forum should provide feedback suggesting that a surfaced path was installed as part of the scheme.

Following a discussion in relation to the parking arrangements at the canal in Grantham, it was agreed that the Chairman would provide the Vice-Chairman with information in relation to the Community Fund at South Kesteven District Council.  It was hoped that the Community Fund could be used to fund required changes to the laybys to ensure they were accessible by all.

The Forum supported the proposal to rename the 'Disability Sub Group' to 'Countryside for All'.  Further to this, the Forum also supported the proposal to change the colour of both the Mid-Lincolnshire and South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forums from light green to an alternative colour.  It was acknowledged that this change would make the logos more visible on any promotional material. It was confirmed that Members of the Mid-Lincolnshire Local Access Forum were also supportive of these recommendations.

The Chairman also sought volunteers to assist with the creation of a logo for the Countryside for All Sub Group.

In response to a question, the Public Rights of Way Officer advised that he would confirm with the Vice-Chairman, via email, whether Rutland County Council would fund the travel expenses, as set out on page 12 of the agenda pack.  It was also agreed that the Public Rights of Way Officer would confirm whether the Council could fund a table at the Choice Unlimited Event.

It was suggested that the Forum's terms of reference were changed to amend the membership requirements, which would remove the need for representatives from specified groups.  It was agreed that the Forum's Secretary would take this action forward.

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

AGREED

(1)  That the Terms of Reference of the Local Access Forum be reviewed and presented to a future meeting.

(2)  That the proposal to rename the 'Disability Sub Group' to 'Countryside for All' be supported.

(3)  That the proposal to change the colour of both the Mid-Lincolnshire and South Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Access Forums from light green to an alternative colour be supported.

(4)  That any Member wishing to volunteer to assist with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

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

The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his attendance at these meetings.

The Vice-Chairman provided an update on the meeting and 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 a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the Path by Skegness Golf Course)

The Vice-Chairman provided an update in relation to the Path by Skegness Golf Course.

The Vice-Chairman advised that there was a possibility that there could be a public right of way at a site known as Granny's Opening.  However, as a piece of work would be required to establish this, the Vice-Chairman sought volunteers to assist with this.

AGREED

That any member wishing to volunteer be requested to email the Vice-Chairman.

NOTE: After the meeting, the Team Leader for Countryside Services provided the following update: Granny's Opening is already recorded as highway maintainable at public expense.

(To receive a verbal update from John Law (Vice-Chairman) on the Payment for Permissive Access)

The Chairman provided an update in relation to payments for Permissive Access. 

It was suggested that the Forum's report on Making Our Needs Known and Permissive Access was published on Huddle, as there had recently been a number of requests for funding posted to Huddle.

The Public Rights of Way Officer advised that he was currently in the process of writing to those landowners where their schemes were shortly due to expire.  It was also noted that officers were anticipating a consultation on access to be issued during spring 2017.

AGREED

That the update be noted.

(Future meetings are of the Local Access Forum are scheduled to be held on the following dates and times: -

5 April 2017 at 6.00 pm – Venue to be confirmed;

12 July 2017 at 6.00 pm – Venue to be confirmed;

25 October 2017 at 6.00 pm – Venue to be confirmed)

AGREED

That future meetings of the Forum be held on the following dates, times and locations: -

·    5 April 2017 at 6.00 pm – Stamford;

·    12 July 2017 at 6.00 pm – Gibraltar Point; and

·    25 October 2017 at 6.00 pm – Rutland.