Meeting documents

Local Access Forum
Tuesday 30 June 2009

Web Agenda/Minutes Summary Document

Meeting Name:
Local Access Forum

Meeting Date:
06/30/2009 Pick

Meeting Time:


Location:


Sub Committee / User Forum etc (if required):




Members Present:

Non-Members Present:

Confidentiality: Part I


Document Type: Agenda


Document Status: Final



* Items must be notified in advance of the meeting

Local Access Forum : 30th June 2009 Meeting

6:30pm Desborough Suite 2 & 3 Town Hall Maidenhead

Agenda

    Item
    1.Welcome, Apologies and Introductions
    Declarations of Interest, Minutes
    1 minute updates from each Member    		(15mins)Peter Thorn
    All
    All
    2.LAF Fast Response Team Terms of Reference(10mins)Andrew Fletcher
    3.Millennium Walk progress and constraints(10mins)Andrew Fletcher
    4.Annual Report 08/09(10mins)Andrew Fletcher
    5. Work Programme for coming year(15mins)All
    6.Stile Removal Priorities(15mins)Andrew Fletcher
    7.National Trails – Quality Standards, Management Policy, Aims and Objectives, S.106 Funding(10mins)Margaret Bowdery
    8.Disabled Access – Priority Routes(10mins)Margaret Bowdery
    9.Path Maps on the Borough website(10mins)Andrew Fletcher
    10.Membership update(5mins)Andrew Fletcher
    11.Any other business*(5mins)Andrew Fletcher



LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 - AGENDA ITEM 2

7

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: 30th JUNE 2009

DRAFT LAF FAST RESPONSE TEAM TERMS OF REFERENCE: DECISION ITEM

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

To consult the Forum on the draft terms of reference for the LAF Fast Response Team.

2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

2.1 The LAF Fast Response Team was set up by the Forum in 2008, primarily to develop guidelines and position statements for the LAF for responding to consultations and dealing with alley-gating orders, and to deal with consultations on behalf of the LAF.

2.2 The members of the Fast Response Team are as follows:
    Curly Carver
    Harry Hancock
    Margaret Bowdery
    Peter Thorn

2.3 The Fast Response Team met on 21st April 2009 and developed draft Terms of Reference for review and approval by the Local Access Forum. The terms of reference are included as Appendix 1.
*******************************

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 - AGENDA ITEM 2 – APPX. 1

8

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: 30th JUNE 2009

DRAFT LAF FAST RESPONSE TEAM TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. MEMBERSHIP
    The members of the LAF Fast Response Team shall be appointed from within the existing LAF membership so that they shall represent an equal balance between land management interests and user interests.

    The total membership of the FRT must be equal and shall not exceed 4 members.

    A meeting of the FRT shall be if a minimum of 1 member representing land management interests and 1 member representing user interests is present.


2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
    1. To respond to consultations sent to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead where the response deadline falls before the next full Local Access Forum meeting.

    2. To examine agenda issues prior to a full Local Access Forum meeting if necessary, and report findings to the forum.
    3. To develop guidelines and position statements on particular issues for approval by the Local Access Forum.

3. PROCEDURES
    1. The FRT shall meet as necessary depending on the level of consultation requests and need to discuss upcoming agenda issues.

    2. Members of the FRT must declare any vested interests in advance of the discussions.

    3. Meetings of the FRT that are intended to lead to the submission of advice directly to a section 94(4) body without being reported back first to the full forum meeting will be conducted in full accordance with the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007; the meetings, agenda and reports will be advertised and published in advance, and will be open to the public.
    4. Where a consensus cannot be achieved, the FRT will report all points of view in its advice.
    5. Where advice is supplied directly to a section 94(4) body, the advice will be copied to all members of the Local Access Forum as soon as possible.
    6. The Local Access Forum may alter or amend the Terms of Reference if required by the Forum provided that the Terms shall at all times comply with the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 or any replacement Regulations.

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 - AGENDA ITEM 3

11

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: 30th JUNE 2009

MILLENNIUM WALK: PROGRESS AND CONSTRAINTS – INFORMATION ITEM

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

To inform the Local Access Forum about the progress and constraints regarding establishing the Maidenhead Civic Society’s Millennium Walk project.

2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

2.1 Proposed by the Maidenhead Civic Society and the East Berks. Ramblers’ Association in 1997, the Maidenhead Walk is a long distance walking route from Hurley to Maidenhead Riverside, connecting at each end with the Thames Path.

2.2 Much of the route uses existing adopted highways and public rights of way, but there are 3 missing links that are holding up the creation of the route in full. This report details the progress made, and the constraints encountered with each link.

2.3 PROSPECT HILL TO TEMPLE GOLF CLUB, HURLEY
    This link would connect Hurley Footpath 18 at Berkshire College of Agriculture to the A4130 opposite the entrance to the Temple Golf Club.

    The main issue with this link is securing a safe crossing across the A4130 for users of the path.

    A map of this link is included as Appendix 1

    Progress made
      The Berkshire College of Agriculture are prepared to enter into a permitted footpath agreement with the East Berkshire Ramblers Association for the creation of a path across their land. This agreement has been drafted and specific details are being negotiated between the two parties.
    Constraints
      Legal liabilities prevent the Council from approving a crossing point at this location without some measures being taken to address the safety issues.
      The crossing point over the road has been assessed by the Council’s Traffic and Road Safety Engineer and is deemed to be unsafe. The 85th Percentile speeds along the road are 45.7mph, which require a Stopping Sight Distance of 93.5 metres according to the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. This is not obtainable due to the geography and alignment of the road.
      Options regarding building a new pathway adjacent to the A4130 to allow the necessary sightline have been examined but are not feasible due to the geography of the highway verge. The banks of the verge would require a large retaining wall, the costs of which would be prohibitively expensive and would also require the purchase of land from the adjacent residential property. In addition to this the crossing point is next to an electrical substation and subterranean electrical cables prevent necessary excavation to build a path.

    Options
      Additional funding could be investigated to construct the retaining wall necessary to build a pathway at the crossing point, contingent on land acquisition.
      An alternate route could be investigated to allow for a safer crossing point for users (perhaps a few hundred metres east)

2.4 WIDBROOK COMMON TO THE THAMES PATH, MAIDENHEAD
      This link would connect Widbrook Common and the Green Way promoted route to the Thames Path, using land at White Place Farm, Maidenhead and land owned by the Environment Agency and Royal London Asset Management Ltd (Steifel Laboratories).

      The progress on securing this missing link has stalled because sufficient landowner permissions have not been achieved.

      A map of this link is included as Appendix 2

      Progress made
        The Environment Agency have agreed to sell the land compulsorily acquired as part of the flood defence scheme with a path along a specific route.
        Royal London Asset Management were considering purchasing the land above and had supplied a planning application for redevelopment of the Steifel Laboratories site with a £25,000 contribution towards the path.
        The sums of money available for a permitted path under the Countryside Stewardship scheme was not considered tempting by the owners of Whiteplace Farm although they were considering giving permission for the path as a goodwill gesture. However, they are currently awaiting the outcome of the sale of some of the listed buildings on White Place farm and at present do not want to commit to a ten year scheme.

    Constraints
        Planning permission was recently refused for the plans to redevelop the Steifel Laboratories site; it is not known whether any revised application will be submitted, and whether any offer of financial contribution will still be included.
        Negotiations with the owners of White Place Farm have failed as yet to secure an agreement for the path.

    Options
        The Council and the Maidenhead Civic Society continue negotiations with the landowners to secure the route. This may achieve the desired result, depending on all outstanding issues being resolved and all parties agreeing to the route.
        The Council could choose to make a Path Creation Order to compulsorily create a path, however if objections are received the Order would need to be referred ti tge Secretary of State and the decision on whether or not to confirm the Order would be made by a Planning Inspectorate Inspector following a public inquiry. In addition to this all affected parties will be entitled to claim compensation for the path, and substantial legal costs would be incurred.
        An alternate route could be investigated to avoid land where permission cannot be obtained.



    2.5 MAIDENHEAD ROAD TO THE GREEN WAY, MAIDENHEAD

    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 – AGENDA ITEM 5

    15

    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM ANNUAL REPORT

    DECISION ITEM

    1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

    To inform the Local Access Forum about the preparation of the Annual Report for its activities over the past year, and to seek approval for it to be published.

    2. OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION
      That the Forum consider and approve the publication of the Local Access Forum Annual Report 2008-2009.

    3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
      Under the Local Access Forum regulations, the LAF must publish annually a report of its activities throughout the year. This text of this report is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. The report text will then be put into the same template as the previous year and it is proposed that the same pictures are used.

    *****************************
    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 - AGENDA ITEM 2 – APPX. 1

    16

    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: 30th JUNE 2009

    DRAFT LAF ANNUAL REPORT
    ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD

    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM ANNUAL REPORT 2007 - 2008

    Introduction from the Chair

    To be confirmed

    Peter Thorn
    Chairman of the Local Access Forum.

    What is a Local Access Forum?

    The Local Access Forum (LAF) is a statutory advisory body set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to provide advice to the Council and other organisations as to the improvement of public access to land for open-air recreation and recently under new guidelines, improvement of public access to land for any lawful purpose. This widens the Forum’s remit and allows it to consider issues such as utilitarian routes to/from urban areas etc.

    The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Access Forum was formed in April 2003, and seeks to achieve a balance of views between ‘user interests’ such as walking, cycling, horse riding, carriage driving and recreational motor use; landowner and land management interests; other interests including local government, education, and environmental interests.

    The vision statement of the Forum is “a partnership to promote and develop sustainable access for the growing benefit of the environment and all in our community”.

    Since June 2002 the Royal Borough has had its own LAF Officer based in Maidenhead within the Public Rights of Way Team; Andrew Fletcher is the main point of contact for Local Access Forum matters, and can be contacted on 01628 683800 or prow@rbwm.gov.uk.


    Membership of the Forum

    The forum is expected to achieve a reasonable balance of members’ interests. The current membership of the Local Access Forum is listed below.

    NameRepresentingOther interests
    Dorothy AllardLand & Estate Management
    Guy BadmanCycling Interests
    Cllr. Malcolm BeerRBWM CouncillorWalking; Cycling; Caravanning; Member of Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve Management Committee; Rights of Way
    Margaret BowderyWalkingEast Berks Ramblers' Association; Disabled Access; Cycling; Conservation; Marketing
    June BrayneWhite Waltham Parish CouncilParish Paths Initiative
    Mike BrutonDisabled UsersRBWM Councillor; Disabled Rambling; Access for the Disabled; Is involved with Countryside Access on a national level
    Curly CarverLand ManagementCommon Land, Commons and Estate Management
    Bill CathcartLand & Estate ManagementCrown Estate; Windsor Great Park; Management of Trees in Open Spaces
    Margaret CubleyWalking, Open SpacesCampaign for the Protection of Rural England, Bisham Parish Council
    Loren EldredLand ManagementWoodland Trust
    Hilary EssenWalking, Health Issues
    John FoulgerWalkingOpen Spaces; Rights of Way; Bray Parish Council
    Christine GaddSunningdale Parish CouncilRights of Way; Walking; Cycling
    Harry HancockWalking, Open SpacesMid Thames Ramblers
    Clair Harding-BrownHorse RidingWalking; Environment; British Horse Society; Public Relations; Marketing; Graphic Design; Pet Caring; Event Management
    Gordon HarrisFootpaths, Cookham Parish CouncilOpen Spaces
    Geoff HillLand Ownership and Management, Hurley Parish CouncilLocal Government
    Cllr. Asghar MajeedRBWM Councillor
    Cllr. John StrettonRBWM Councillor
    Peter Thorn (Chair)Land Management and EducationEstate Management; Management of the Countryside; Management of Education and Training

    Meetings of the Forum

    The Local Access Forum meetings for 2008-2009 were as follows:

      10th June 2008, Desborough Suite 4, Town Hall, Maidenhead
      23rd September 2008, Bisham Abbey, Bisham (Informal Meeting)
      20th January 2009, Desborough Suite 2&3, Town Hall, Maidenhead

    Activities of the Forum

    Rights of Way Improvement Plan
    The Local Access Forum has continued to have close involvement with the Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan by monitoring the progress of implementing the plan, in particular, the forum has monitored progress on proposed paths at Dungrove Hill Lane and a proposed extension of the Thames Path at Cookham. It also discussed proposed diversions of the Thames Path at Bridge Gardens in Maidenhead, and sent a letter to the Council in support of a Path Creation Order.

    Milestones Statement
    The forum were consulted on the Milestones Statement and Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Annual Report 2009-2010, and in particular recommended that the Council increase the percentage target for paths that are “easy to use” to 97%, reduce the target for resolving errors on the Definitive Map to 1 from 10, increase the target for removal or replacement of stiles to 27, and to add two new targets: resolve 24 enforcement issues per year, and seek to complete the missing links in the millennium walk. All of these suggestions were incorporated into the Milestones Statement by the Council, with the targets for the millennium walk being listed as a priority as opposed to a target.

    Overgrown vegetation
    After discussions with the Council, the Local Access Forum worked to develop a leaflet to remind landowners about their responsibilities to look after hedges adjacent to rights of way as many overgrowth issues arise through lack of knowledge about responsibilities. This leaflet will be published by the Council and will be posted to properties adjacent to a public right of way where a problem is identified.

    Discovering Lost Ways Project
    The Forum discussed the closure of the Discovering Lost Ways project and discussed whether a local version of the scheme would be viable. The LAF decided to write to all Parish Councils regarding this issue to encourage submission of any claims where necessary.

    Permitted Path Pack
    The Forum endorsed the publication of the “Permitted Path Pack”, a joint effort between the Forum and the Council to develop a simple, easy to use pack for landowners in order to encourage the creation of permitted paths.

    Millennium Walk
    The Forum continued to monitor the progress towards the creation of the Millennium Walk, and wrote directly to the Council in support of Developer Contribution funds to be allocated to the project.

    Paths around River Thames Locks
    The Forum discussed the issue of unrecorded public rights of way around River Thames locks, and wrote directly to all Parish Councils to encourage them to submit claims where such unrecorded public rights of way exist in order to protect them for the future.

    Other issues that the LAF discussed:
      Health Walks
      Publication of the updated Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way
      LAF Fast Response Team

    Finances

    Total Cost (£)
    Room Booking:RoomRefreshments
    Bisham Abbey
    23rd September 2008    		8525110
    Other Expenses:
    Subscription to “Waymark”236
    Members’ Expenses:
    Dependent Care---
    Mileage---
    Other Expenses---
    0.00
    Grand Total£346.00


    How to get involved

    For more information about the Local Access Forum and how you can get involved, visit the Local Access Forum web pages at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/local_access_forum.htm, or contact Andrew Fletcher, Public Rights of Way Officer on (01628) 683800 or email prow@rbwm.gov.uk

    Plans for the coming year

    To be updated following discussions by LAF on 30th June 2009.


    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM REPORT – 30th JUNE 2009 - AGENDA ITEM 6

    20

    LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: 30th JUNE 2009

    STILE REMOVAL PRIORITIES

    1. PURPOSE OF REPORT
      To inform the Local Access Forum about the number of recorded stiles in the Borough, and to seek advice as to which particular stiles would be a priority to seek removal or replacement with more suitable furniture.

    2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

    2.1 At it’s last meeting on the on 20th January 2009, the Local Access Forum recommended to the Council that it increase its target to make physical improvements to paths including replacement of stiles with gates or gaps, from 25 to 27 for the coming year.

    2.2 The Council accepted this advice and the target AC 2 was amended in the Milestones Statement and Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2009-2010 accordingly.

    2.3 There are currently 112 recorded stiles listed on the Council’s Public Rights of Way database. This is not a complete figure and there may be many more stiles that have not currently been mapped and recorded. A large scale map detailing the location of the recorded stiles will be tabled for the meeting on 30th June 2009.

    2.4 Removal or replacement of a stile usually requires negotiation and agreement with the landowner. In the past many stile replacements have been achieved through both strategic plans, and taking advantage of opportunities that have appeared during day-to-day maintenance and enforcement work.

    2.5 The Council is seeking the advice of the Local Access Forum as to what stiles they consider to be the highest priority for removal or replacement, in order that resources can be directed accordingly.

    2.6 The Public Rights of Way Team will also continue to investigate existing stiles we are aware of and seek replacement with gaps or gates where possible.

    2.7 It should be reiterated that the Council is often not in a position to force a landowner to remove stiles and replace with gates, and the priorities as suggested by the Forum does not guarantee a successful outcome of subsequent discussions with the landowner.
    ***********************