PRESENT:
Cllr J England, G Hoey, M Jenkinson, S Ball, K Hammond, H Armstrong, F Ross, E Anderson, D Dukes, S Jackson and G Dixon
Also in Attendance: T Allen (Environment Team Manager), C Wilkinson (Environment Team), A Harrison (Secretary to the Forum) and D Lilley (Democratic Services) North Lincolnshire Council.
APOLOGIES: R Alderson, A Towns and Y Holmes.
57. 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.
58. MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 18 May 2005, having been circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
59. TO IDENTIFY ANY URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS – There were no urgent items of business to be discussed.
60. MATTERS ARISING –
(i) Rights of Way Improvement Plan (Minute 52) - The Chairman had written a letter to both the Chief Executive and the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council to request that staffing resources be increased for the Environment Team, replies had been received. Although there was unfortunately still problems with lack of resource, the council was still committed to producing a Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The forum would be kept informed of any changes.
It was agreed – That the Rights of Way Improvement Plan remain on the agenda as a standing item.
61. NEW MEMBERS AND RESIGNATIONS – The Chairman welcomed two members Suki Jackson and Giles Dixon, who had recently been appointed to the forum. Yvonne Holmes had also been appointed but was unable to attend the meeting. The vacancies had arisen due to two previous resignations and the removal, due to non-attendance, of J Orton.
62. ALKBOROUGH FLATS – T Allen, Environment Team Manager attended the meeting to update the forum on the progress of Alkborough Flats. The project was a partnership between North Lincolnshire Council, English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency and was identified in the Shoreline Management Plan. The estuary was the fifth most important in the UK and 10th in the world.
The aim of the scheme was to flood the area, create new habitats and then create sufficient flood protections. Issues with footpaths were still to be addressed; potential problems with tourism also needed management. The ability to avoid the disturbance of bird life was required – the hope was to create permissive paths.
North Lincolnshire Council was working with the Ramblers’ Association and the landowner regarding the proposed bridleway link – the matter was currently in limbo.
The area had been risk assessed for Avian flu.
63. RISBY WARREN – E Anderson informed the meeting that some progress had been made on the site. He produced a map showing the three parcels of land in question.
The Countryside Agency had proposed that the fenced off High Risk Area
(Area A) was granted a full long term direction to exclude the public for a period up to 31 October 2999.
The Local Access Forum was asked to respond with its views on this proposal by 26 October 2005.
With regard to Areas B and C the Agency had proposed an outline direction to exclude the public if and when the area was predicted high risk. The area referred to as Area B was close to the open flooded gullet at Crosby Warren and Area C included a public footpath adjacent to Area A.
Resolved – That the proposal for closure be accepted and the Local Access Forum submission be sent to the Countryside Agency.
64. LOCAL ACCESS FORUM CONFERENCE, YORK - FEEDBACK – C Wilkinson fed back to the meeting on the conference that he and four other members of the group had attended. A summary of the day had been produced by Emma MacDonald of the Countryside Agency, the forum agreed that it would be useful to have sight of the summary.
Concern was raised regarding funding that had been missed out on for the Rights of Way Improvement Plan due to staffing limitations.
It was agreed – That C Wilkinson would forward the summary to the Secretary of the Forum in order that it could be distributed with the minutes.
65. DEFINITIVE MAP OFFICER – STAFFING – The advertisement for the Definitive Map Officer had gone out and the closing date for applications had been 10 October. The response had been reasonable and interviews were to take place in the next couple of weeks. C Wilkinson hoped to be able to report further at the next meeting.
The forum felt that a second Definitive Map Officer post was very much required.
It was agreed – That C Wilkinson would look into this and bring an update back to the next meeting.
66. REVIEW OF LOCAL ACCESS FORUMS – UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTER – A review of Local Access Forums had been carried out by the University of Gloucester. Following this Defra had produced a consultation document Amendment of the Local Access Forums (England) 2002 – to which responses were required by 29 November 2005. The full report was available on the web at www.defra.gov.uk.
It was agreed – That (a) where possible members would pick up a copy of the consultation document on the web, (b) all members would e-mail the Secretary of the Forum with their e-mail addresses, (c) the consultation document would then be e-mailed to members who provided addresses, or posted to those who could not.
67. CONCLUSIVE MAPS OF OPEN COUNTRY – C Wilkinson advised that maps had now been received for Area 8, which was the last area to become operative as of 31 October 2005, although some anomalies were still outstanding, once these were ironed out signage would be required.
The forum felt that the launch should have had some publicity – perhaps a non-controversial area could be chosen to hold an event on? C Wilkinson informed the group that the Countryside Agency was handling any publicity.
68. DEFRA PLANNING FOR SPORT – C Wilkinson had received a letter from Defra and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which was seeking collaboration between Local Access Forums and recreation and sport.
D Dukes proposed that the letter be noted but nothing more be done on it at present.
Resolved – That the proposal be carried.
69. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- Quiet Lanes Project
- Signage and Access to open access areas
- Flagship project for Rights of Way Improvement Plan funding
70. DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – Resolved – a) that due to several apologies an attempt be made to rearrange the next meeting which was due to be held on 18 January 2005, and b) that the dates for the next three meetings be arranged.