PRESENT: Sam Roebuck (Chair), Charles Appleby, Edward Anderson, Hazel Armstrong, S Jackson, Mary Jenkinson, Rebecca Messham and Frances Ross.
Also in attendance: Tim Allen and Colin Wilkinson (Environment Team) and Steve Whittemore (Democratic Services).
327 APOLOGIES: Councillors Ron Allcock and Nigel Sherwood, Richard Alderson, Steve Ball, Guy Hoey and Andrew Towns.
328 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST – There were no declarations of interests.
329 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2011, having been circulated among the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair, subject to the addition of Suki Jackson in the list of apologies.
330 MATTERS ARISING - There were no matters arising.
331 SUSTRANS UPDATE – Further to Minute 318, C Wilkinson reported that it had been confirmed that Sustrans did not support the use of cycle ways by horses. The Forum discussed the possibility of the provision of a grass strip for equestrian use at the side of the Ridge Walk.
Resolved – That the Director of Infrastructure be asked to comment on the feasibility of this proposal, including the potential costs.
332 ALKBOROUGH FLATS UPDATE – The Chair and T Allen updated the forum on developments on this site. A car park was to be provided at the bottom of the site for people with disabilities. One of the accesses was to be gated to control anti – social behaviour. They also reported that the car park on the Whitton Road would be completed shortly
Resolved – That the report be noted.
333 CROWLE MOORS UPDATE – T Allen gave an update on proposals for Crowle Moors. An area of land had been acquired by the council and would be administered with Countryside Stewardship funding. There was potential for a circular walk and also a link to Thorne Moors. Car Park works were nearing completion and a wider restoration programme would begin before the end of March
Resolved – (a) That a letter of support for the scheme be sent from the Forum, and (b) that a site visit be arranged in the summer of 2012.
334 REGIONAL ACCESS FORUM – 21 SEPTEMBER 2011 – The Minutes of this meeting had been circulated. It was reported that Hazel Armstrong had stood down as joint Chair of the Regional Forum and nominations were now invited for the post.
Resolved – That Hazel Armstrong be thanked for her work as Joint Chair of the Regional Forum.
335 WINDFARMS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY – It was reported that the council had now adopted a Supplementary Planning Document for renewable Energy Development. Applications for wind farms would have to be considered on a case by case basis. T Allen explained the process for making orders for rights of way affected by such developments under the Town and Country Planning Act.
Resolved – That a Sub- Group be established to consider a policy on this issue. The Secretary to write to members asking for volunteers.
336 POSSIBLE SCUNTHORPE CIRCULAR WALK – Further to Minute325the Secretary submitted a report inviting the Forum to consider asking North Lincolnshire Council to progress a project to create one or more routes in and around the Scunthorpe area to be designated and promoted as a Scunthorpe Round Walk. The report set out two possible routes.
Resolved – (a) That the Secretary be asked to progress the scheme, in liaison with relevant council officers, including investigating any possible funding, and (b) that a working group be established to monitor progress on the project.
337 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES/WORK PROGRAMME - Resolved – (a) That full consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting, and (b) that a possible equestrian route from the north of Scunthorpe to the south be added to the Work Programme.
338 EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK – The Secretary reported that he had now received a response from the Director of Infrastructure Services who was happy to promote the week.
Resolved – That the Forum discuss this in more detail at its next meeting.
