To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Judith Diment (Councillor John Story agreed to sub) & Lynda Yong (no sub was available).

It was announced by the Chairman that the meeting was being recorded.

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

None received.

To confirm the Part I minutes of the Panel held on the 7 March 2017.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 7 March 2017 be approved.

By the Parks and Countryside Team Leader (Anthony Hurst).

The Parks and Countryside Team Leader, Anthony Hurst, informed Members that the report sought the Panel’s authorisation to publish Diversion Orders for Maidenhead Footpaths 12/16 (part) and Maidenhead 19 (part), in response to an application received from the owner of the land crossed by the footpaths. Members were informed that there would be no cost to the Council as all costs associated with the footpath diversions, (including legal and administration costs, the cost of newspaper advertisements, and the costs of works carried out on the ground) would be met by the applicant.  It was noted that indicative plans showing the proposal could be found in Appendix 1. 

The Parks and Countryside Team Leader showed Members some photos of the footpaths:

• Footpath 12/16 from point A looking south – existing route and proposed route.
• Footpath 12 – existing entrance (point B) and existing route (looking north). 
• Footpath 12 – proposed entrance (point C) and proposed route (looking north). 
• Footpath 19 – point A (looking south) and point B (looking north).
• Existing barriers to be replaced with “K” barrier – footpath 13 barrier and footpath 13 gate.
• Existing barrier to be removed – permitted cycleway link to Footpath 19.
• Existing barriers to be replaced with “K” barriers – West Mead & Strande Lane.
• Examples of “K” barriers at the Green Way (Braywick Park) and at Moores Lane (Eton Wick).

Members were referred to pages 16 & 17 of the agenda which explained who had been consulted:

o  The Local Access Forum had confirmed that in principle it had no objection to the proposed diversions, subject to a number of detailed comments (see Appendix 2).

o  Maidenhead Civic Society had confirmed that in principle it had no objection to the proposed diversions, and had submitted a number of detailed comments (see Appendix 2).

o  The East Berks Ramblers had confirmed that they supported the proposed diversions, subject to a comment about the width of the proposed new barriers (see Appendix 2).

o  Ward councillors (Maidenhead Riverside) had been consulted, and had raised no objections to the proposed diversions.

The Chairman made reference to the Local Access Forums response which could be found on page 24 of the agenda and their request that the new K barriers be set to 600mm width between the squeeze plates.  The Parks and Countryside Team Leader explained that the Local Access Forum were concerned that the new K barriers were more accessible and confirmed that they would be set at 600mm in order to keep out motorbikes but still allow access to cyclists and disability buggies.  The Panel was informed that the barriers were adjustable which meant that the steel plates could be adjusted, if needed, after the barrier had been installed.

The Parks and Countryside Team Leader confirmed that complaints regarding the existing barriers  had been received to say that some cyclists and people with pushchairs were unable to get through.

Councillor Mohammed Ilyas stated that whilst the Footpath 19 proposed diversion was ‘not on his patch’ he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

·         14 September 2017

·         4 December 2017

·         5 March 2018

 Future meeting dates were noted to be as follows:

• 14 September 2017
• 4 December 2017
• 5 March 2018

Councillor Mohammed Ilyas congratulated the Clerk on her forthcoming wedding, which the Panel echoed.

The Chairman explained that this was the Clerks last meeting of the Right’s of Way & Highway Licensing Panel before she left the Council at the end of August.  The Chairman thanked the Clerk for everything she had done for the Council over the years, which the Panel echoed.