Local Access Forum
Tuesday 13 December 2011 6.30 pm
ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
13 December 2011
ATTENDANCE LIST
| Name | Interest area |
| Peter Thorn | Chairman, Land management |
| Harry Hancock | Vice Chairman, Walking, Open Spaces |
| Dorothy Allard | Land Management, Shottesbrooke Estate |
| Councillor Beer | Walking, Cycling, Old Windsor Parish Council |
| Margaret Bowdery | Walking, East Berks Ramblers’ |
| Lynn Cassells | Land management, National Trust |
| Sara Church | Horse Riding, British Horse Society |
| James Copas | Land Management, Copas Farms |
| John Foulger | Walking, Bray Parish Council |
| Helen Howard | Horse Riding, Bray Parish Council |
| Julie Mason | Strategy, Planning & Marketing |
| Andrew Randall | Land management, Royal Berks Agricultural Association |
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| Gail Kenyon | Planning Infrastructure and Transport Policy Manager |
| Andrew Fletcher | Local Access Forum Secretary |
| Tanya Leftwich | Clerk to the Forum |
APOLOGIES
Name
Councillor Stretton
Hilary Essen
Christine Gadd
Christopher Westacott
ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
13 December 2011
MINUTES
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
13 December 2011
MINUTES
| | ACTION |
| 1 | Welcome, Apologies and Introductions, Declarations of Interest | |
| In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chair Harry Hancock welcomed everyone to the twenty-fifth meeting of the Local Access Forum. RESOLVED: It was agreed unanimously that Peter Thorn would remain Chairman and Harry Hancock Vice Chairman of the Local Access Forum. Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Stretton, Hilary Essen, Christine Gadd and Christopher Westacott. Councillor Beer declared a personal interest in Item 8 ‘Easy Going Routes’ as it was in his parish area where he was a Ward Councillor. The Forum approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 05 July 2011 subject to the following change:
Margaret Bowdery asked why it was necessary to delay the review of the Alley Gating policy, and asked whether the response to the consultation on this review would be delegated to the Fast Response Team as the Local Access Forum was not due to meet before the planned revision date. Andrew Fletcher explained that the delay was due to an ongoing Alley Gating proposal and agreed to pass Margaret Bowdery’s comments onto Brian Martin, the Community Safety Manager. Andrew Fletcher mentioned that it was down to the Forum to decide whether they wished for the Fast Response Team to deal with this on their behalf. Margaret Bowdery requested that the existing list of Developer Contribution projects be distributed to the Forum for consideration as the next review was due in September RESOLVED: The Forum Recommended to the Council that the ‘Boundary Walk’ waymarking project be funded from Developer Contribution funds. A letter to be sent from the Chair to Ben Smith, Group Manager for Highways Services. | Peter Thorn / Andrew Fletcher |
| 2 | Members’ Update | |
| Margaret Bowdery explained that in conjunction with the Maidenhead Rights of Way and Rotary Club the Ramblers Association were intending to secure funding for waymarking the Maidenhead Boundary Walk which would be available in the New Year. It was noted that the Boundary Walk which dated back to 1582 was a highly successful walk however people walking the route often got lost due to a lack of signage. Councillor Beer offered his strong support as he believed this was something practical which needed wide spread support. In Hilary Essen’s absence Andrew Fletcher read out a statement she had submitted “This year East Berkshire Ramblers have undertaken 400 man hours to survey, monitor and undertake minor clearance work. I am pleased that RBWM have planned to repair Cookham tow path, FP 60, this month so that wheelchair users will be able to use it. There is a nearby nursing home and so it will really improve the wellbeing of residents if they can now be taken out along the Thames.” | |
| 3 | Membership Update | |
| Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that the current Chairman, Peter Thorn, had been due to retire but had since decided to remain a member of the Forum. Andrew Fletcher went onto explain that Loren Eldred had left the Woodland Trust to work for the Exmoor National Park Authority. It was noted that whilst Loren Eldred’s replacement did not wish to join the Forum they were happy to be consulted on matters relating to the Woodland Trust. | |
| 4 | Multi-use paths | |
| Sara Church consulted the Forum on the conversion of cycle tracks to multi-use paths in order to allow horse rising. Sara Church distributed leaflets which explained the health benefits of horse riding. It was noted that one of the benefits of the proposal was that taking horses off the main roads made it safer for all involved. Peter Thorn apologised for his delayed arrival and took over the role of Chairman. Sara Church explained that her report included in the agenda stated that a cycle wheel was constantly in contact with the ground and therefore was believed to be more damaging to the path itself than a horse. John Foulger stated that he believed that in bad weather horses could ruin footpaths by creating dangerous holes for cyclists and dog walkers. Gail Kenyon, the Planning Infrastructure and Transport Policy Manager, suggested that a small working party be formed which included a member from the Local Access Forum and a member from the Cycle Forum to discuss a particular route and the possibility of taking part in a joint trial on the Jubilee River paths if the landowners and Environment Agency’s consent can be acquired. It was suggested that contact be made with both Buckinghamshire County Council and Slough Borough Council to see if they would be interested in joining the working party. Sara Church agreed to attend the Cycle Forum in January 2012. Andrew Fletcher requested any other members who wish to be involved to contact him directly. | Sara Church All |
| 5 | Local Sustainable Transport Fund | |
| Gail Kenyon, the Planning Infrastructure and Transport Policy Manager, informed the Forum that a scoping bid for approximately £5 million had been placed back in June 2011 and distributed a copy of the ‘Promoting Sustainable Transport’ headlines that were being compiled for the bid. It was noted that the majority of funding was revenue funding which meant that it could not be spent on physical projects and was to be based around the Maidenhead Area Action Plan to see if travel behaviours with regard to walking and cycling could be changed. Gail Kenyon explained that if the Council was successful in winning the bid the Forum’s help would be appreciated taking the proposals forward. Gail Kenyon informed the Forum that the Council was focusing its attention on sustainable travel, like a one-stop centre which people could contact for information on sustainable travel activities. The Forum was informed that more information on the headlines would be provided if the Council was to win the bid. Gail Kenyon went onto explain that STaRS was a schools travel incentive scheme which was focused at children under the age of eleven who were awarded stars, then a sticker and finally a reward if they were to use another form of transport that did not include the use of a car. Peter Thorn suggested that private schools be approached and encouraged to take part. RESOLVED; It was agreed unanimously that the Forum supports the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Bid and will help drive the proposals forward wherever it is able. A letter to be sent from the Chair to Gail Kenyon accordingly. | Peter Thorn / Andrew Fletcher |
| 6 | Milestone Statement 2012/2013 | |
| Andrew Fletcher consulted the Forum on the priorities, targets and service standards to be included in the Milestones Statement & Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Annual Review 2012/13. It was noted that the target on page 19 of the agenda (EN 1 – To resolve enforcement issues) should read 23, rather than 24. Margaret Bowdery informed the Forum of her concern with regard to the type of work the volunteers were being asked to undertake and referred in particular to the work that had taken place to cut back hedges at Legoland in Windsor and the ‘ditching’ work being done on behalf of Royal Borough landowners. Andrew Fletcher explained that the landowners had not had the resources which was why the ‘ditching’ work had taken place and that the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers had been undertaking general clearance work along the bridleway at Legoland and had cut back overhanging branches etc as a matter of course whilst they were there. Margaret Bowdery stated that she believed that if progress was to be achieved by 2015 the Section 106 funding needed to be more fairly distributed. RESOLVED; It was agreed unanimously that;
Ø That the same priorities, targets and service standards be included in the Milestones Statement & Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Annual Review 2012/13. To be reported to the Rights of Way and Highways Licensing Panel on the 12th March 2012. | Peter Thorn / Andrew Fletcher |
| 7 | The Footpath 15 Shottesbrooke/44 Waltham St Lawrence Definitive Map Modification Order 2011 (Pundles Lane) | |
| Andrew Fletcher gave an update to the forum regarding the publication of the Footpath 15 Shottesbrooke/44 Waltham St Lawrence Definitive Map Modification Order. It was noted that the Council had published the Footpath 15 Shottesbrooke/44 Waltham St Lawrence Definitive Map Modification Order 2011 on the 15 November 2011 and that a copy of the order, notice and explanatory statement had been attached as an Appendix in the agenda. It was suggested that anyone interested in developments contact Anthony Hurst, Principal Officer - Rights of Way. | |
| 8 | Easy Going Routes | |
| Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum about the progress of the Windsor Great Park Easy Going Route and the website version of the Cookham Easy Going Route. Andrew Fletcher explained that with regard to the Windsor Great Park Easy Going Route one of the targets set out in the ‘Milestones Statement 2011/12’ was “To produce 1 leaflet publicising access opportunities for people with special needs”. It was noted that the Council had been working with the Crown Estate to produce the Windsor Great Park Easy Going Route leaflet this year towards this target. Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that the descriptive text for the leaflet had been drafted and was presented to the Forum for comments. It was noted that in preparation for the route the Crown Estate had made modifications to the electric gates in Windsor Great Park to enable the activation buttons to be easily reached by wheelchair users. It was noted that the Council would be creating specific webpages in order to provide additional and enhanced information about both the Easy Going Routes. Andrew Fletcher explained that the Cookham Easy Going Route had been published in 2008 and had proven to be very popular. It was noted that the Council had developed content towards creating a ‘virtual tour’ of the route where users would be able to click on part of the route and see high resolution photographs of the area. Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that there had been a number of technical restrictions and problems that had delayed the project but that the Council was currently investigating ways to resolve these issues. James Copas requested that public transport information be added in order to deter people from driving which Andrew Fletcher agreed to include. Following discussion it was requested that information with regard to not leaving valuables on display in vehicles, dog littering and livestock on common land be included. It was also suggested that when the website and the leaflets were the Council should talk to the Maidenhead Advertiser to promote the routes. The Forum was asked to provide any other comments directly to Andrew Fletcher. | Andrew Fletcher All |
| 9 | LAF Monitoring Items | |
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Andrew Fletcher explained that with regard to the missing link between Lower Cookham Road and Thames Path National Trail discussions were currently taking place with the landowners to hopefully agree the alignment for the rest of the route. It was noted that a funding contribution of £50,000 towards the cost of creating the footpath had been secured through a Section 1069 Planning Agreement relating to the re-development of the former ‘Stiefel Laboratories’ site off Lower Cookham Road. The Forum was informed that this funding would not become available until commencement of the development and the implementation of the footpath project was therefore dependent upon the timing of the development. Margaret Bowdery expressed her concern about the viability of this development and asked whether other Section 106 funding might be available. RESOLVED: The Forum recommended that alternate options for funding the route be investigated. A letter to be sent from the Chair to David Oram, Strategic Director of Environment & Deputy Chief Executive. Andrew Fletcher explained that the missing link between Hurley Footpath 18 and Bisham Footpath 20 (Speen Hill) would be completed soon thanks to a permitted path agreement between the East Berks Ramblers’ and the Berkshire College of Agriculture coupled with works by the Council to create a walkway opposite the golf club on the Henley Road. It was noted that funding was available via the Councils capital programme for 2011/12 and that in addition partnership funding contributions for the project has been offered by the East Berkshire Ramblers (£1750) and Maidenhead Civic Society (£750). Andrew Fletcher explained that preparatory works for the permitted footpath across the Berkshire College of Agriculture land had been completed on site. It was noted that an agreement had been put in place that the route would be trialled in its current form for six months so that the level of risk could be checked and that highway works at Henley Road had been scheduled to start on the 9th January 2012. It was also noted that if any safety issues were discovered along the BCA permitted path the route would be re-aligned rather than closed.
Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that following its previous recommendations the Council had been working this year with the Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers (WMCV) and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV). In addition the Council had continued to work closely with the East Berkshire Ramblers with respect to path surveys and on occasion maintenance and signage works.
Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that Julie Mason had worked closely with the Public Rights of Way team to provide an updated an enhanced website for the Local Access Forum and had developed a template and content which was currently being put in place. A new version of the Local Access Forum website was shown at the meeting and Andrew Fletcher requested that any information the Forum would like included be sent directly to him. It was noted that the code of conduct for dog walkers would be added to the site along with advice on how to handle cattle. Andrew Fletcher explained that a Local Access Forum members’ online discussion website had been set-up to encourage and enable members to raise ideas and discuss topics of interest outside the formal meetings. It was noted that unfortunately this had not been as successful as hoped and that the Council was considering changing the system to a ‘blog’ based system instead of the ‘web forum’ based system. RESOLVED; It was agreed unanimously that the Local Access Forum website be published. | Peter Thorn / Andrew Fletcher All Andrew Fletcher |
| 10 | Activities of the LAF Fast Response Team | |
| Andrew Fletcher informed the Forum that this report considered the proposal to install a raised walkway across the Town Moor in Maidenhead and also looked at the Maidenhead Waterways scheme which had been very well received. Margaret Bowdery congratulated Andrew Fletcher on the excellent reports he had compiled on the Planning Applications which the Forum echoed. Margaret Bowdery commented on her pleasure in discovering that the proposal for the elevated escape route had been thrown out by the Royal Borough’s Councillors. It was noted that the key objection to the elevated walkway was the damaging impact to the Town Moor, the Green Way and the whole surrounding network of public footpaths. Margaret Bowdery went on to draw the Forums attention to the failure by the Planning Department to identify the definitive map number of rights of ways in agenda reports which she explained had been a source of complaint for many years. RESOLVED: The Chair of the Forum would write to the Simon Hurrell, Interim Head of Planning and Development, to highlight the importance of including full details of public paths in Development Control reports and ask that these are included on all future plans sent to the Panel. | Peter Thorn / Andrew Fletcher |
| 11 | A.O.B. | |
| Andrew Fletcher welcomed Martin Gilchrist from Natural England to the meeting and explained that he was the Forum’s link to Central Government. Martin Gilchrist informed the Forum that Natural England had recently re-organised, had a new business model and had reduced its staffing levels. It was noted that Natural England was now made up of one team with small sub teams which looked at areas such as open access, coastal access and national trails. Martin Gilchrist explained that his role covered green space, diversity, etc and that he currently worked with a number of Local Access Forums. It was noted that Martin Gilchrist would be the Forums primary contact for Natural England. Martin Gilchrist highlighted that a new streamlined format for submitting Annual Reports to Natural England had been produced. In addition to this a new online collaborative website called ‘Huddle’ had been launched for all Local Access Forum members across England, and encouraged all members to sign up to this service, adding that this is intended to be the main communication link between Natural England and forums. Julie Mason mentioned that she had already signed up to the service. The Forum was informed that a series of workshops would take place in addition to two conferences due to be held in Newcastle and Bristol where issues for discussion could be raised. Martin Gilchrist stated that the Bristol conference was due to take place in March 2012. Martin Gilchrist explained that a new grants scheme ‘Paths for Communities’ had been announced and would shortly be posted on the Natural Englands website. Martin Gilchrist agreed to pass this information, once available on to Andrew Fletcher along with his contact details for distribution to all members. Peter Thorn thanked Martin Gilchrist for addressing the Forum. | All Andrew Fletcher |
| 12 | Activities of neighbouring Local Access Forums & Date of Next Meeting | |
| Harry Hancock informed the Forum that he had attended as an observer at the last Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum meeting on the 2nd November 2011 and had found there to be a passion amongst its members for the land they represented. It was noted that one topic the Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum were concerned about was budgets and whilst the subjects of cuts had not been raised at the meeting Harry Hancock had noticed that uncertainty remained amongst the officers. Andrew Fletcher requested that volunteers who were willing to observe Local Access Forums in other authorities should contacted him. The date of the next meeting of the Local Access Forum, once confirmed, was to be confirmed by the Clerk. The meeting which started at 6.30pm, ended at 8.30pm. Peter Thorn wished the Forum a Merry Christmas. | All Tanya Leftwich |