PRESENT: Cllr J England, Cllr D Wells, R Alderson, S Ball, K Hammond, H Armstrong, F Ross, E Anderson, D Dukes, M Broadbridge and Y Holmes
Also in Attendance: C Wilkinson (Environment Team) and D Lilley (Democratic Services) North Lincolnshire Council.
APOLOGIES: G Hoey, A Towns and G Dixon.
71 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR – Resolved - That D Dukes be and he is hereby appointed chair of the Forum.
D Dukes thereupon took the chair.
There were no nominations for the position of Vice Chair.
72 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTEREST – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interest in respect of items on the agenda.
73 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 19 October 2005, having been circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded.
74 TO IDENTIFY ANY URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS – There were no urgent items of business to be discussed.
75 MATTERS ARISING –
Minute 62 – The item had a reference to a risk assessment for Avian Flu. It was questioned what contingency plans were in existence for other areas. The DEFRA guidance was only for the movement of birds and was not relevant to Rights of Way in general.
76 RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN – C Wilkinson informed the meeting that it was hoped to have the assessment finished by the end of May 2006 to begin the 12 week consultation period, which would be followed by a Statement of Action in January 2007. The draft Plan was scheduled for February 2007, and the final Plan for November 2007.
Discussion took place as to what contribution could be made by the Access Forum in its advisory capacity, and at what stage in the process.
Resolved - That a working group, comprising D Dukes, H Armstrong, F Ross, K Hammond and E Anderson, be formed for consultation on the assessment document.
77 RISBY WARREN – E Anderson informed the meeting of the success of establishing the exclusion area up to 2999.
C Wilkinson informed the meeting that the Elwes Estate had recommended an access point from the bridleway into the warren. A map showing the location was circulated.
Resolved - That Forum members were in agreement with the proposed access point.
78 DEFINITIVE MAP OFFICER – STAFFING – C Wilkinson updated the meeting on the latest position regarding the staffing situation. The vacancy was to be advertised again in March.
79 QUIET LANES PROJECT – Discussion took place on what constituted a ‘quiet lane’ and what contribution the Forum could make to the project without creating an overlap with the Local Transport Plan and the work done by CPRE.
Resolved – That an officer from the CPRE be invited to speak to the forum.
80 SIGNAGE AND ACCESS TO OPEN ACCESS AREAS - The right of access came into effect across the whole of England on Monday 31 October 2005 with the implementation of the CROW Act.
Signage was now necessary for certain areas, but it was felt that something more informative than the standard ‘brown man’ (below) was required for Risby Warren. This would give guidance and protection for the walker, the landowner and wildlife.
Publicity could be given to the area in the council’s Direct magazine, this would be an opportunity to raise the profile of the Access Forum.
81 ANNUAL REPORT – The time was now appropriate for the preparation of the 2005 annual report. The chair agreed to collaborate with the secretary.
82 DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Resolved – That the dates for the next three meetings be as follows:
17 May 2006
27 September 2006
24 January 2007
and that these be widely publicised.