Local Access Forum
Tuesday 1 December 2009
ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
1 December 2009
ATTENDANCE LIST
| Name | Interest area |
| Peter Thorn | Chairman, Land Management |
| Dorothy Allard | Shottesbrooke Farm |
| Guy Badman | Cycling, SUSTRANS |
| Teja Bains | User Interests (Running & Jogging) |
| Councillor Beer | Walking |
| Margaret Bowdery | Walking |
| Bill Cathcart | Land Management |
| James Copas | Land Managment |
| Loren Eldred | Woodland Trust |
| Harry Hancock | Walking, Open Spaces |
| Gordon Harris | Footpaths, Open Spaces |
| Helen Howard | User Interests (Horse Riding) |
| Andrew Randall | Land Management |
| Christopher Westacott | Hurley Parish Council |
 | |
| Andrew Fletcher | Local Access Forum Secretary |
| Tanya Leftwich | Clerk to the Forum |
APOLOGIES
Name
Mike Bruton
Margaret Cubley
Hilary Essen
John Foulger
Christine Gadd
Councillor Majeed
ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
1 December 2009
MINUTES
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
1 December 2009
MINUTES
| | ACTION |
| 1 | Welcome, Apologies and Introductions, Declarations of Interest, Minutes | |
| Peter Thorn welcomed everyone to the twentieth meeting of the Local Access Forum. Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Majeed, Mike Bruton, Margaret Cubley, Hillary Essen, John Foulger and Christine Gadd. There were no Declarations of Interest. The Forum approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 June 2009 subject to the following changes:
Page 2 – To read “[5.1]. Margaret Bowdery expressed concern that officers were not currently able to process outstanding path claims.” Page 3 – To read “In relation to Town Moor, Andrew Fletcher reported that he had met with the leisure department who ran the consultation and agreed that all future public consultations would include the LAF.” Page 5 – To read “Margaret Bowdery quoted the Natural England National Trails Policy that ‘National Trails were the flagship of the Public Rights of Way Network and the needs of users should be considered foremost.’” Page 5 – To read “The Local Access Forum RECOMMENDED to the Council that the Disabled Ramblers’ Association be consulted before paths were upgraded for easy access routes” | |
| 2 | Membership Update | |
| Andrew Fletcher reported that five people had recently joined the Forum:
James Copas (land management interests) Helen Howard (user interests – in particular Horse Riding) Andrew Randall (land management issues) Christopher Westacott (Hurley Parish Council) Andrew Fletcher explained that the current balance of the Forum was 12 user interests, 7 land management interests, 2 appointed Councillors and 1 other interests. It was noted that total membership of the Forum was 22 which was the maximum permitted by the Local Access Forum regulations. Andrew Fletcher confirmed that a contact list would be distributed to all Members of the Forum in due course. It was noted that the previous Vice-Chairman had a user interests background and Andrew Fletcher asked everyone present to consider whether they would be interested in putting themselves forward for the position, which would be elected at the meeting in June 2010. Andrew Fletcher explained that Curley Carver was a member of the ‘Fast Response Team’ which responded to requests between Local Access Forum meetings, and requested all LAF members with land management interests to consider if they would be willing to be a member of the Fast Response Team. It was AGREED that all members with Land Management interests would consider whether they wish to be a member of the Fast Response Team and contact Andrew Fletcher after the meeting It was AGREED that all members would consider whether they wish to put themselves forward as a candidate for the Vice-Chairman position in June 2010. | Andrew Fletcher All All |
| 3 | Update from each Forum Member | |
| Andrew Fletcher explained that due to the outcome of the Local Access Forum survey it had been requested that each member of the Forum be given the opportunity to give an update on anything affecting their interest area that was not already listed as an agenda item.
Members noted that the ‘Horses for Heroes’ event was approaching, that it hoped to raise £1million and was in conjunction with Ascot Racecourse and Horse Power. Why was this information not released to the Rights of Way and Highway Licensing Panel until 2l September 2009 long after the Panel decided to go ahead with the double road crossing on the 3 August 2009? Why did our LAF members, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Rights of Way Panel not take part in the discussions with the National Trails Officer from Natural England on the l7 July 2009? Why were both these LAF members absent from the specially convened meeting on 3 August 2009, and this important case delegated to other Councillors? Members noted that the double road crossing was not going to go ahead due to the unanimous opposition of the Ward Councillors. Margaret Bowdery asked how this issue was being resolved when the next Rights of Way and Highway Licensing Panel meeting having been cancelled due to lack of business. In response Peter Thorn suggested that a report be prepared and looked at by the Rapid Response Team in the early New Year. Councillor Beer felt that with regard to the Bracknell boundary there was no formal path that extended into Ascot.
| Andrew Fletcher / FRT Mike Bruton |
| 4 | Feedback from LAF advice | |
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Andrew Fletcher confirmed that the Fast Response Team had responded to the Forestry Commission consultation on behalf of the Forum and that no feedback had been received to date. (b) Hedgerow leaflet Andrew Fletcher confirmed that the Hedgerow leaflet would appear in the January addition of the Around The Royal Borough newsletter. Members congratulated both Andrew Fletcher and Hilary Essen on the production of the Hedgerow Leaflet.
Peter Thorn explained that the Ordnance Survey produced a leaflet which explained how to the use read maps, and stated that this was very useful. Councillor Beer suggested that a link to the Ordnance Survey leaflet be included to explain how to read maps. Members noted that the above information had already been distributed to all LAF members. | |
| 5 | Milestones Statement 2010-2011 Consultation | |
| Andrew Fletcher explained that the Council had produced a Milestones Statement & Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Annual Review which set out priorities, targets and service standards for public rights of way work for the coming year and also reviewed progress made in the previous year. Peter Thorn informed the report was an ongoing document and that the Forum needed to be realistic in the targets it set, and ensure it took into account the available resources. Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that with regard to the milestone targets for 2009/10 the following had been achieved:
WM1 – the target was 95% and it was noted that just over 90% had been achieved to date. It was felt by the some members of the Forum that 95% would not be achieved, as a few paths would not pass the test. WM2 – the target was 10 and it was noted that 10 had already been completed this year showing an improvement on previous years. WM3 – the target was 5 and it was noted that a new bridge on F/P 38 had been completed.
Legally Defined LD1 – the target was 4 and it was noted that Andrew Fletcher was currently dealing with 2 applications and the Principal Rights of Way Officer was also dealing with 2. LD2 – the target was 1. It was noted that it costs between £1000 and £2000 plus officer and legal time per resolution which if there were 20 a year could cost up to £20,000. Well Publicised WP1 – it was noted that the target of 1 had been achieved. WP2 – the target was 1 new publication, it was suggested that local companies could sponsor publications after the recession. Improving Access and Connectivity AC1 – the target was 1 and it was noted that no new routes had been completed to date. AC2 – the target was 27 and it was noted that 10 had been completed to date. Members were informed that, on average, 19 stiles had been replaced with gates every year and that by the end of 2015 it was thought that 50 stiles would remain in the Royal Borough. Members were informed that this work had been done in close consultation with the East Berks. Ramblers’ Association. Andrew Fletcher explained that in general the Public Rights of Way team approached landowners to see if they would be prepared to remove the stiles and replace them with gates, with the Council funding the cost of the gate if the Landowner were to install the gate. This approach had worked reasonably well to date. The Forum were informed that Eton College had agreed to replace all their stiles which would hopefully be completed by the end of the financial year. Margaret Bowdery explained that West Berkshire and the Chilterns Society set up a partnership in 2006 where members of the public are invited to donate a gate costing £250 on a buy-one-get-one free basis with volunteers doing the installation and the Council paying for the second gate. This has generated over £25,000 worth of income and replaced well over 300 stiles with gates in the first 3 years of the scheme. She felt Andrew Fletcher could investigate further. It was noted that the Principal Rights of Way Officer felt that a target of 19/20 was reasonable.
Enforcement EN1 – the target was 24 enforcement issues and it was noted that this target could possibly currently be exceeded by 4.
The Forum noted that the new targets agreed today would go to the next Rights of Way and Highway Licensing Panel for agreement. It was requested that any other suggestions or comments regarding the priorities and service standards be emailed to Andrew Fletcher as soon as possible. Peter Thorn requested that the Disabled Ramblers Association be added under the Service Standards section. | Andrew Fletcher Andrew Fletcher All Andrew Fletcher |
| 6 | LAF website | |
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Members noted that the Council had recently undertaken a survey of the LAF web pages from a variety of other Local Authority websites and made some suggested improvements, which had been distributed, to the Forum. Peter Thorn suggested adding links to our website to other authorities and/or private websites which Andrew Fletcher agreed to look into. Members were requested to send Andrew Fletcher any useful links that they would like added to the RBWM website.
Margaret Bowdery stated that with regard to the potential online Forum people with no access to computers would be excluded. Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that currently the website was not being heavily viewed at approximately 20 hits per month and that the membership was made up of half who had the agenda link emailed to them and half who had a hard copy posted to them. Members noted that Andrew Fletcher was the officer who updated the website and that he planned to programme in suggested improvements in order for the website to become more effective. It was AGREED that all members give comments and feedback to Andrew Fletcher by the end of the week with regard to:
New Pages – any additional pages that needed to be added. Potential online Forum – whether it would be a useful and effective way for LAF members to communicate with each other / discuss ideas and whether the Forum felt the Council should implement such a system. It was AGREED that a code of practice for dog owners when walking across land be added to the RBWM LAF webpages. | Andrew Fletcher All All Andrew Fletcher |
| 7 | LAF Members’ Survey outcome | |
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Andrew Fletcher explained that the Council had recently conducted research into how the Forum could be improved and developed to make it a more effective advisory body. Members noted that the outcomes of the survey had been circulated to all members and had included:
Agenda items frequently ran off target. The Forum needed regular feedback as to the outcome of its recommendations. The LAF should hold more site visits.
Andrew Fletcher requested that all members give comments and feedback to him in advance of the next meeting in June 2010. Margaret Bowdery felt a permanent display of the LAF information needed to be put on display in the Town Hall to help generate new interest. Members noted that health issues, in particular with regard to children’s BMI’s, were an interest area that people could contribute to during a future meeting. It was suggested that this be added as a standard agenda item and it was agreed that this would be added to the work programme for the coming year. Councillor Beer expressed his concern that a themed meeting could deter interested parties and he felt the Local Access Forum should remain within its current format.
Nothing new was reported. It was AGREED that all members give comments and feedback to Andrew Fletcher in advance of the next meeting in June 2010 with regard to:
Themes for future LAF meetings and reasons why. Future site visits to be scheduled for the Forum and reasons why. | All Andrew Fletcher All |
| 8 | Millennium Walk | |
| Andrew Fletcher updated the Forum on the outcome of the recent Millennium Walk missing link site visits along with an update on the expected Planning Application at Whitebrook Park. Members noted that at the meeting in June 2009 the Forum had decided that the Millennium Walk would be a priority for 2009-2010 and two site visits were therefore arranged in order to look at the main missing links of the Millennium Walk. Andrew Fletcher explained that a site visit to missing link 1 (Lower Cookham Road to the Thames Path at Whitebrook Park) was made on the 4 October 2009, whilst the path was opened for the annual Maidenhead Boundary Walk. It was noted that it had been useful for Members to see the link in person where various issues had been discussed. Andrew Fletcher went onto explain that a site visit was made on the 4 November 2009 to missing link 2 (Hurley Footpath 18 to Henley Road) and was led by the Chairman. Members noted that the entire proposed link could not be walked, but the particular issue of the road crossing at Temple Golf Club was examined and discussed. It was explained that various options were discussed at the meeting that had led to a potential solution being developed for a crossing point, subject to a bid for capital funding. Peter Thorn felt that the crossing would reduce the risk of what was potentially a dangerous path and Margaret Boundary suggested building the path halfway. It was requested that Andrew Fletcher send a map of the Millennium Walk to Christopher Westacott and James Copas. Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that a revised planning application was expected to be submitted for Whitebrook Park and that Margaret Bowdery had suggested this be examined by the Local Access Forum Fast Response Team and be fed back to a future meeting. Members noted that it was felt that potential gains could be made by an agreement with the developer. Margaret Bowdery requested that a land valuation took place and suggested that the environmental agency surveyors could possibly supply this information. Andrew Fletcher was requested to look into this further, discuss with the Principal Rights of Way Officer and report back at the next meeting. It was AGREED that:
The Forum did not wish to be involved in planning applications unless they affected Rights of Way issues. | Andrew Fletcher Andrew Fletcher |
| 9 | Date of Next Meeting | |
| The next meeting of the Local Access Forum was provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 15 June 2010. The meeting which started at 6.30pm, ended at 8.20pm. The Forum wished to give a vote of thanks to Andrew Fletcher for all his hard work with regard to the Local Access Forum. | |