PRESENT: Councillor D Wells (Chairman) , G Hoey (Vice – Chairman),
R Alderson, G Anderson, H Armstrong, M Broadbridge, D Dukes, Councillor J England, K Hammond, M Jenkinson, and A Towns.
Also in Attendance: C Wilkinson (Environment Team) and S Whittemore (Democratic Services), (North Lincolnshire Council).
The forum met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
20. DECLARATIONS OF PREJUDICIAL OR NON-PREJUDICIAL PERSONAL INTERESTS– There were no declarations of prejudicial or non-prejudicial interests in respect of items on the agenda.
21. MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 7 April, 2004, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chairman.
22. MATTERS ARISING
(i) SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS - Arising from Minute 15, the Secretary stated that legal advice had been obtained to the effect that, as members were appointed by the council as individuals rather than as representatives of groups, there was no scope for substitutions. Minute 15 (b) could, therefore, not be implemented.
Resolved - That the position be noted.
(ii) DRAFT IMPROVEMENT PLAN - Arising from Minute 18 (i), Mr Wilkinson reported that he had recently attended a seminar on this issue. There was no template for such plans and it would be up to each council to develop their own. As the plan would need to be in place by 2007, there was a need to start work on it quickly.
Resolved - That the position be noted.
23. COUNTRYSIDE AND RIGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000 - PROVISIONAL MAPS - Further to Minute 8 , copies of the provisional maps for the area had been available for members of the forum to inspect prior to the meeting.
It was reported that the deadline for objectors to the maps had been 6 September, 2004. The council had objected to the inclusion of Risby Warren, as requested by the forum but it had still been included. In order to attempt to get the area permanently excluded from the map it would be necessary to make an appeal to the inspectorate.
Resolved - That Risby Warren be included as a standing item on future agendas.
24. DEFINITIVE MAP ANOMOLIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR DEFINITIVE MAP ORDERS - Mr Wilkinson gave a presentation on this subject and answered questions from members of the Forum.
25. ALKBOROUGH FLATS - The Forum gave consideration to a number of proposals in relation to Alkborough Flats
Resolved - That in respect of Element 6, North Lincolnshire Council be requested to contact the Environment Agency to ascertain whether it is proposed that this is to be a bridleway.
26. DeFRA CIRCULARS - The following circulars had been distributed.
(i) Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Part 2 - Public Rights of Way and Road Traffic - This circular set out the provisions of the Act that had come into force.
Resolved - That the circular be noted.
(ii) Access Management Grant Scheme - This circular advised that the Access Management Grant Scheme was to be extended for a further two years frrom March 2005.
Resolved - That the circular be noted.
27. USE OF SIGNS ON ACCESS LAND - This Countryside Agency publication had been circulated. Examples of the signs were tabled.
Resolved - (a) That the guidance be noted, and (b) that it be noted that the guidance appears to conflict Health and Safety and Mines and Quarries legislation.
28. NUISANCE ALLEYWAYS - This DeFRA circular had been distributed with the agenda papers.
Resolved - That the circular be noted.
29. GREENWAYS AND QUIET LANES PROJECT - The Forum noted with concern Government proposals, under the provisions of the Countryside And Rights Of Way Act 2000, to impose a deadline for the addition of Byways Open To All Traffic to Definitive Maps.
30. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Resolved - That the following items be placed on an agenda for a future meeting : -
- Lost Ways Project
- Report on parish responses.
- Definitive map anomalies and applications for orders.
- North Lincolnshire Council proposals for inclusion in Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
- Risby Warren
31. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING - Resolved -That the next meeting be held at 2.30 pm on 16 February 2005.