Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall - Maidenhead

Contact: Nabihah Hassan-Farooq  01628 796345

Items
No. Item

37.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr D Wilson and Cllr C Bullock.

38.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 217 KB

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item to be considered at this meeting.

Minutes:

None.

39.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To confirm the Part I minutes of the Panel held on the 17th July 2017.

Minutes:

That the Part I minutes of the Panel held on the 17th July 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

40.

Public Rights of Way: Milestones Statement 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 345 KB

That the Panel approve the recommendations as set out in the report relating to the Milestones Statement and Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Annual Review (2018/2019).  

Minutes:

 

 Anthony Hurst, Parks and Countryside Team Leader outlined the report on Public Rights of Way; Milestones statement 2018/19.

 

The Chair wished to place a vote of thanks on record for the support and work of volunteers from BCA(Berkshire College of Agriculture) and the East Berkshire Ramblers(EBR). The Chair shared two emails which had been received by Lisa Davis(BCA) and Steve Gillions (EBR). The emails expressed thanks for all the support received for the students of BCA and  the work of the Path Wardens  referenced in the progress report. Councillor Samantha Rayner updated the Panel that a new footbridge to be constructed across The Cut at Braywick Park in Oldfield was to be named in honour of Margaret Bowdery. The Panel welcomed the naming of the bridge in honour of the hard work carried out by Margaret whilst  she was a leading member of the East Berks Ramblers.

 

The Panel discussed volunteering hours that had been undertaken and it was noted that there had been 180 hours of volunteering service, with a contribution saving of over £3000. Members wished to thank the volunteers for their contributions.

 

Action- That the Mayor write a letter of thanks to all volunteer groups within the Borough.

 

Anthony Hurst outlined specified targets taken from the consultation with the Local Access Forum (LAF) and Local Parish Councils. Recommendations included an increased target from 5 bridge repairs to 7 repairs. Within the presentation there were several photographs of bridges, bridleways and footpaths which evidenced the work and repairs that had been carried out. Members welcomed the photographs and that these were a great addition to the milestones statement. The Panel were informed that objective AC2, ‘physical access improvements’,  had been decreased from 15 to 10 which would include the replacement of stiles with gates or gaps which would facilitate use by those with special needs, the elderly, people with pushchairs, etc.

 

There had also been two priority amendments from the Local Access Forum (LAF), which had included Planning Position Statements and exploration of opportunities to extend, create and promote multi-user routes.

 

The Chair stated that under Map Reference HA22 in the Planning Position Statements information had contradicted itself by stating it was “open access land.. and that it was not being accessed or used”, and that she was aware that this particular piece of land was in use by residents, particularly for dog walking. Anthony Hurst stated the land may be used informally but that there was no formal access on the site and that this  should be taken into account at the time of consultation on any proposed development, as the site   had been designated as open access land by  Natural England in the Countryside and Rights of Way(CROW) Act 2000.

 

Councillor Werner raised a query relating to  the Thames towpath  in Cookham, and a proposed new link through the Odney  Club and whether  the proposal had been removed from the Milestone Statement. Anthony Hurst informed the Panel that the  proposed improvement was still listed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

41.

Public Rights of Way: 6 Monthly Progress Report pdf icon PDF 132 KB

That the Panel note the 6 Monthly Progress Report.

 

 

 

Minutes:

Anthony Hurst gave a verbal update on the Public Rights of Way six monthly progress report. The Panel were reminded of Diversion Orders that had been  approved by the Panel in June 2017 and that  the changes to the footpaths had now been implemented. Previous barriers which had proved difficult for those with pushchairs and wheelchair access had been removed and had been replaced with easy access barriers at Lightlands Lane and Westmead (entrance to cycle way). Members discussed who paid for the barriers and it was confirmed that all costs had been met by landowners and the access improvements had been achieved as it was beneficial to both the land owner and path users.

 

Members discussed ways in which motorcycles had previously accessed pathways and commended the new barriers which did not allow motorcycles access. Members also queried whether there were any of the  old style barriers still in  place and it was confirmed that all of the old barriers had been replaced with the new accessible barriers. 

 

 

42.

Dates of Future Meetings

·         To be confirmed.

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting was to be confirmed.