PRESENT: Councillor Ron Allcock, Edward Anderson, Charles Appelby, Steve Ball, Suki Jackson, Mary Jenkinson and Frances Ross
Also in attendance: Colin Wilkinson (Environment Team) and Steve Whittemore (Democratic Services).
338 CHAIR – In the absence of the Chair and Vice–Chair, Edward Anderson was elected to chair this meeting only.
339 APOLOGIES: Councillors Mashook Ali and Nigel Sherwood, Richard Alderson, Hazel Armstrong, Guy Hoey, Rebecca Messham, Sam Roebuck and Andrew Towns.
340 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR– Resolved - That Sam Roebuck be and he is hereby appointed chairman of the Forum with effect from the next meeting.
341 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST – There were no declarations of interests.
342 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR -Resolved - That Richard Alderson be and he is hereby appointed vice chairman of the Forum.
343 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2011, having been circulated among the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
344 MATTERS ARISING - There were no matters arising.
345 PRESENTATION ON WALKING YOUR WAY TO HEALTH - STEVE MERCER (HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER) – In view of the large number of members unable to be at the meeting this item was deferred to a future meeting.
346 FORUM MEMBERSHIP- - It was noted that, following the resignations of Lois Webster and Clare Ladlow, there were now vacancies on the Forum., which was now particularly underrepresented in terms of land owners/managers.
Resolved – That North Lincolnshire Council be asked to consider recruiting new members.
347 FUTURE AGENDA STRUCTURE – In the absence of the Chair it was agreed that he and the Secretary would discuss this prior to the next meeting and that the item be placed on the agenda for that meeting.
348 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES/WORK PROGRAMME – Further to Minute 323, the Forum considered the Strategic Objectives/Work Programme. It was noted that works were pending on the car park at Alkborough Flats.
Resolved – That the items on the Work Programme remain on the list.
349 WINDFARMS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY – The Forum noted that since this item had first been considered by the forum, the council had published its Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Renewable Energy. So far as Public Rights of Way were concerned the SPD referred to guidance issued by Natural England and the British Horse Society regarding separation distances between windfarms and bridleways. The forum could consider and comment on applications affecting rights of way on a case–by-case basis.
350 SCUNTHORPE ROUND WALK - The Secretary and members of the sub- group reported on progress with this project. The Secretary and Tim Allen had met other relevant officers and Councillor Nigel Sherwood in his capacity as Cabinet member with responsibility for highways, who was supportive of the project. Subsequently the Sub–Group had met and identified a number of issues to be considered, including a possible alternative route between Broughton and Risby Warren. It had been agreed that future meetings over the summer would take the form of visits to parts of the route where issues had been identified.
351 EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK - The Secretary reported that he and Colin Wilcockson had met with officers from the council’s Directorate of Infrastructure Services who had been charged with progressing the council’s involvement in this week. A progress report would be submitted to the next meeting.
352 ANNUAL REPORT – 2011-2012 - The Secretary submitted a draft Annual Report for consideration.
Resolved – That the report be approved, subject to the addition of a forward from the Chair and minor additions/corrections.
353 NATURAL ENGLAND HUDDLE – The Secretary reported that he and the Chair had now signed up to this interactive web resource. The Forum had one further place available. Any member interested was invited to contact the Secretary.
354 SUSTRANS UPDATE - It was reported that this project was nearing completion. The bridge over Bridges Road was now in place and the final part of the scheme, the West Common Lane bridge, was currently under construction. Frances Ross asked whether bee friendly plants were being planted on the verges. The Secretary agreed to ask about this.
355 FUTURE MEETINGS - It was agreed that the next meeting be held at 2pm on Wednesday 13 June and that further meeting dates be arranged once the council’s timetable had been approved at its annual meeting in May.
