PRESENT: E Anderson (chairman), S Ball, G
Dixon, G Hoey, S Jackson, M Jenkinson, M Nixon, F Ross, Cllr D
Wells, H Armstrong, A Towns, R Alderson and K Hammond.
Also in attendance: T Allen and D Sanderson
(Environment Team) and D Lilley (Democratic Services)
APOLOGIES: Cllr A Smith
146 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL
INTEREST – There were no declarations of personal or
personal and prejudicial interest in respect of items on the
agenda.
147 MINUTES – Resolved – That the
minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2008, having been
circulated among the members, be taken as read and correctly
recorded and be signed by the chairman.
148 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 136 – Sustrans Connect 2 Bid
– T Allen reported that the Sustrans bid had been
successful, further updates would be brought to the Forum for
information as work progressed.
Minute 144 – Alkborough Flats – The
Alkborough Flats site manager would be invited to the next meeting
in September.
149 FEEDBACK FROM VISIT TO CROWLE MOORS –
Prior to the meeting members of the Forum were taken on a site
visit around Crowle Moors by T Allen. A description was given of
the history of the peat extraction in the area, the damage this had
done to the ecological environment, the proposed steps to rectify
the balance of nature and the future plans for access to the
area.
The Forum expressed their thanks to T Allen for a very enjoyable
and informative visit.
It was agreed – That Crowle Moors be a
regular agenda item for updates on progress with the area.
150 RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE
– T Allen informed the meeting that the Rights of Way
Improvement Plan (ROWIP) was to be implemented shortly. D Sanderson
added that Positive signage was in hand for Alkborough and
Winteringham. T Allen gave a brief explanation of funding and the
Landfill Tax process.
It was agreed – That the ROWIP be a
regular agenda item for updates.
151 ACCESS NEWSLETTERS APRIL 2008 – The
two April Access Newsletters were attached to the agenda, both were
in reference to the coastal access provisions in the draft Marine
Bill. It was noted that the consultation process had taken little
heed of comments submitted, in particular with regard to the
definition of the Humber coastline. It was felt that the Forum
should write a letter to the local Members of Parliament, the
Chairman agreed to draft a letter.
152 DISCOVERING LOST WAYS REVIEW – A
bulletin on the Discovering Lost Ways project had been circulated.
Members were disappointed to note that the project was to be
withdrawn. The work was to be incorporated into the Definitive Map.
It was noted that some new ways were in fact lost old ways, and
problems arose from old maps and the thickness and definition of
lines drawn, a common sense approach was needed.
153 DEFINITIVE MAP UPDATE – T Allen
reported that the existing definitive
maps were available and that the new one would be online when
completed. It had been a long process and many new
routes had been identified. Progress was to be made, with anomalies
corrected by 2012 and the deadline for completion was 2026.
154 LOCAL ACCESS FORUM TERMS OF REFERENCE
– Following questions from a member of the public, it was
asked if the terms of reference of the forum, stipulated whether
members of the public were permitted to speak at meetings of the
forum. The secretary agreed to check the matter before the next
meeting.
155 LIST OF STREETS - CURRENT STATUS – T
Allen informed the meeting that the list of streets was available
on the North Lincolnshire Council website.
156 NATURAL ENGLAND UPDATE – The Chairman
reported that he had attended the inaugural
meeting held at Natural England's Headquarters in Sheffield and
contributed to the setting up of the National Access Forum (NAF).
However, it was felt that there was a real danger of the forum just
becoming a 'talking shop' or a best a lobby quango. The
chairman was not impressed with the Natural England Directors and
felt they were just going through the motions of a NAF (because the
Government required them to set up such a body). Furthermore, the
question of how much funding the NAF may be able to influence the
allocation of, was asked, and the answer received was
‘none’. The chairman had therefore decided not to apply
to become a member of that body.
157 CIRCULAR TO PARISH COUNCILS RE LEGAL
ACTION/FOOTPATHS, BRIDLEWAYS – Members of the forum
welcomed what was considered to be a good document. It was a
statutory requirement to consult with Town and
Parish Councils. The consultation ended on 2 June 2008.
158 ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – The 2007 Annual
Report had been circulated with the agenda papers. Minor amendments
were pointed out as being required. The secretary would make the
changes and republish the document on the website.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
159 LOCAL ACCESS FORUM HANDBOOK – Natural
England had produced the Handbook for LAF Members. This document
was shown at the meeting and members were dismayed at the size of
the book. A link to the website would be circulated for members to
access the document, and a CD ROM would be available for those
having difficulty with access.
160 FLOODING – T Allen reported that the
council had been allocated £71,000 to repair bridges and
surfaces on Rights of Way damaged by the floods. There could be
damage that had yet to be identified so it was requested that forum
members report any discoveries.
161 DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS - The
next meeting was scheduled for 24 September 2008, at which the
meeting dates for 2009 would be set. It was suggested that members
could have a further site visit to see progress with the Sustrans
route.
