Minutes of the Cambridgeshire Local Access Forum (LAF) Meeting Held on Tuesday 25 November 2014 at 7 pm at Ely Cathedral Centre Present: Members Mary

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Cambridgeshire Local Access Forum (LAF) Meeting Held on Tuesday 25 November 2014 at 7 pm at Ely Cathedral Centre Present: Members Mary Sanders (Chairman), Erika Wedgwood, Jill Tuffnell, Lynda Warth, James Babington Smith, James Winter and Peter Topping. In attendance: 1 member of the public, Kate Day (Project Manager, Economy, Transport and Environment, Cambridgeshire County Council) (CCC) Laurence Smith (Asset Information Definitive Map Manager, (CCC) Philip Clark (CCC) and Mrs A Griffiths (Minutes Secretary, LGS Services). Questions from the Public A member of the public spoke to his and expanded on his concerns regarding fly grazing on the Aldreth Causeway. He described the damage caused to the surface of the byway, and the impact on other users, especially cyclists. The tethering of the horses by a rope and a stake made them difficult to see in the dark, and was dangerous to cyclists. It was also believed that a four wheel drive vehicle was being used to tend the horses, resulting in further damage to the surface. Photographs showing the damage and the difference between grazed and non-grazed areas, were circulated. Kate Day expanded on her letter detailing the problems in dealing with this issue and the action taken to date. CCC had taken legal advice on the correct action to be taken to remove animals grazing on the highway. The legislation applicable depends on establishing ownership, and identification, of the animals, without which risk assessment cannot be undertaken. This is difficult as the animals are frequently moved around and the risk varies according to the location. Whilst some removals have in the past successfully been negotiated with known owners, removing animals presenting a significant risk is complex and expensive. Costs can amount to some 3000 per animal including court costs and the costs of seizing, stabling and disposal. The Council was working with the Police to identify a Green Pound where animals seized by bailiffs can be taken to ensure their health and welfare. However there were no resources to cover this, and the risk had not reached the level where such expenditure would be justified. It was observed that young tethered stallions and mares with foals could cause concerns. The Council had carried out surveillance, made visits and contacted the District Council, but the action taken had not so far been successful. Legislation regarding fly grazing did not include Highways and there was no duty to maintain the condition of the surface of a byway with private rights. The difficulties of reporting issues on the CCC website were highlighted. It was felt that participation in the Green Pound scheme, as used in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire with shared funding, could present a way forward. LAF agreed to write to the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, with a copy to Kate Day and the Director, asking him to liaise with neighbouring counties with a view to joining the scheme. Kate Day will pursue the issue of the gate. 1. Apologies for absence Apologies were received from Roger Buisson, John Heading and Mike Irving. The Minutes Secretary apologised for late arrival due to traffic. Peter Topping, County Cllr for Duxford was welcomed as a member of the LAF. He is a keen cyclist, whose wife rides, and he has an interest in access to the countryside. 2. Declarations of interest None. 3. Minutes of meeting of 19 August 2014 Correct Record

2 The minutes of the meeting of 19 August were agreed as a correct record. It was noted that the statement on Page 1 that the LAF was supportive of the proposed new access at the Great Fen related to the Northern route, which was subsequently dropped. 4. Matters arising from the last meeting not covered elsewhere on the agenda Jill Tuffnell reported that she had attended a further meeting regarding the East Coast main line. Preferred route options for replacement of crossings following a consultation period had been shown, and some options were still to be decided. There had been some concerns about the Great Fen access. Proposals that this should now be from the South, with a new bridleway created alongside the railway to provide access, are still under consideration and due to go to formal consultation. Concerns had also been expressed about the replacement of the Yaxley level crossing. 4.1 Secretary s report to note The Secretary s report was noted. Camilla Haggett s response to LAF s request to be consulted on Definitive Map matters, and LAF s role as a statutory consultee, had just been received and is to be circulated. Laurence Smith provided a summary to the effect that having taken legal advice, there was no requirement for order-making authorities to consult LAFs on the making of individual orders. The legislation setting out statutory consultees was listed. Ms Haggett s reply stated that it was for the Order-Making Authorities to decide as they consider appropriate who should be consulted in addition to the statutory consultees. However the wish of LAF to have an opportunity to be involved was noted, and it was suggested that it could be helpful to consult the LAF in cases where in the case officer s opinion this would add value to the process, for example for agreed projects such as the Lost Highways Project. CCC would therefore modify its procedure and monitor its progress. It welcomed LAF s engagement on the strategic outputs of the service, which can be taken forward now that a new Definitive Map Manager has been appointed and a team in place. An update on the Lost Highways Project will be an agenda item for the February meeting. 4.2 (4.1) S106 funding allocated for ROW works response to complaint Dearbhla Lawson s response was considered. Queries were raised about the nil balances shown against expenditure for funds received for major developments such as Trumpington Meadows and Clay Farm. LAF resolved to reply to Elsa Evans asking what the monies received are to be spent on and asking why they had not yet been spent, in view of the time that had passed since the funds had been received. A list of the proposals for spending and the relevant costs is to be requested. 4.3 (4.4) LAF request to be consulted on Definitive Map matters and LAF s role as a statutory consultee guidance from Lob Leake and response from CCC Taken earlier. 4.4 (4.7) Report back from Northstowe Access and ROW meeting with SCDC planners The meeting had been attended by Mary Sanders, Jill Tuffnell and Philip Clark. Tam Parry had circulated a list of schemes to be ranked for potential S106 expenditure. The new planning application for Northstowe Phase 2 incorporated quite a number of routes which looked sensible but it had been hoped that a green route through the centre would be included. The next step involved consideration of priorities for money required for commuter links and sustainable travel. LAF considered that the old airfield road at Oakington should be made a Right of Way and agreed to write to James Stone, Principal Planner at SCDC, expressing LAF s request for it to be made a bridleway. 4.5 (5.2) Travellers fly grazing on ROW response from Kate Day

3 Dealt with earlier. 5. Members reports and items 5.1 Report on correspondence sent to the National Trust Jill Tuffnell reported on correspondence with Mark Bradshaw at Wicken Fen and Chris Hurcomb at Wimpole Hall seeking to have more permissive paths developed by the National Trust shown on Ordnance Survey maps as permissive paths or Rights of Way, and to seek to improve knowledge of the permissive paths on the estates. It is difficult to find information about routes on the websites. It was agreed that the maps on the National Trust websites should be improved and that organisations like the Ramblers should carry links on their sites. Jill Tuffnell will report back to the next meeting on a forthcoming meeting with Chris Hurcomb. It was agreed that the LAF website should have links with the ROW information, and that LAF should endeavour to show links from as many sources as possible. 6. To consider speakers for the future meetings and future site visits The speaker invited to speak on County Farms had since left CCC. It was agreed that one speaker per meeting was sufficient. Philip Clark is to arrange for invitations to be issued, in order of priority: to Dearbhla Lawson and/or Elsa Evans to come and speak on S106 funding; to Tanya Sheridan, the new Head of Planning; and to another speaker on County Farms. Future site meetings Philip Clark is to contact Martin Baker to arrange a visit to Trumpington Country Park in the Spring. 7. County Council Items 7.1 CCC update report CCC restructuring The Community Engagement department is to be restructured but Philip Clark will be relocated and the LAF budget will continue for next year. He was asked to report back on the outcome of his meeting with John Onslow on Monday Lost Highways Map Project LAF members were invited to visit Shire Hall to shadow the Definitive Map Team for half a day. Four possible dates were suggested. LAF members were asked to notify Laurence Smith when they would like to attend to view the records. Laurence Smith spoke to his report, circulated at the meeting, outlining the history of the Lost Highways Map Project and LAF s involvement to date. A final list of Lost Highways consisting of 316 routes had been produced. Some orders have been made to complete some gaps. LAF members were invited to bring any routes known to them to the attention of the Definitive Map Team for checking. Whilst work on identifying which routes were supported by sufficient documentary evidence to warrant a full investigation had been carried out, due to restructuring of the department there had since been little progress. There was insufficient capacity to investigate which cases are to be taken forward so a project plan is to be drawn up to use an external consultant to investigate the routes that had been identified as having sufficient supporting evidence. A business case for this objective is to be drafted and LAF s steer will be sought. This will be brought to the next meeting at which it will be an agenda item. Completion of outstanding LEMOs to enable the republication of the Definitive map has been the priority for the last year but as this nears completion work on recording lost highways will be the next priority. It was noted that only those routes for which the sole documentary evidence was pre-1949 were at risk of extinguishment at the 2026 deadline; currently used routes are not affected.

4 LAF felt that the business case should be progressed as soon as possible. A draft will be circulated to members showing the criteria and what is required. One member of the public left the meeting Website Philip Clark reported that the LAF pages had been reinstated and a micro-website had been set up on the Cambs.net platform. However it was likely this would be removed and it might be necessary to develop a Wordpress site, for which there were currently no funds. It was suggested that the web pages should have links to the Definitive Map. Concerns were expressed regarding the CCC website and the difficulty of reporting a problem on a PROW. It was felt that the reporting system was inaccessible to the public. Laurence Smith and Kate Day undertook to look into this. Philip Clark undertook to fine tune the LAF pages, place links from the LAF web pages to the Wordpress site, and add the permissive paths onto the CCC website LAF web pages. 7.2 LAF budget review Philip Clark had circulated the LAF budget covering Secretarial support, expenses and training, together with his forward forecast. He reported that there was a balance of remaining. He was asked to notify Peter Topping when the change of department and situation for next year was known. 7.3 CCC CST budget review Kate Day spoke about the previously circulated CST budget. A capital allocation of approximately 140,000 is received through the Local Transport Plan, together with a revenue budget. About 200,000 is received for path improvements and maintenance work. Cuts of 50,000 have to be found through service redesign. A consultation is underway for the removal of a management post and a reduction in staff from four Rights of Way officers to three, but there are still 10,000 of cuts to be found. The enforcement officer and trees officer are to be retained. CCC was informed that it was very difficult for landowners under farmers contracts to maintain gates, etc, and that it was important for CCC to tell landowners that they will do what they can to help where possible. LAF s views were sought on further cuts. It was suggested that liaison with the health service could be beneficial and that routes could be promoted for health and well being. Links to walking groups, health groups and U3A were not currently listed on the website. Publicity for recreational/health walks could be promoted in the Cambridge Evening News. Publicity was felt to be critical and it would be useful to collate a list of all the groups for promotion. LAF expressed strong concerns at the loss of experience and expertise on the ground and of personnel who had been extremely effective in responding to maintenance problems, and getting people to fulfil their responsibilities, which was a critical role. The opening of Rights of Way made the maintenance schedule even more important. LAF agreed to write to Steve Count, Leader of the Council, to express its concerns. 7.4 ROWIP review and Local Transport Plan Kate Day had issued the annual update for the ROWIP, providing an update against targets. The final version had been issued today and will be circulated. The first publication of ROWIP in 2006 is due for review by March This will be led by Dearbhla Lawson. The draft plan for the project had been circulated. CCC wished to use LAF as a consultative body for a view on the format of the review and process. Rather than re-write the plan, it was suggested that a light touch review, giving a summary of what has been achieved so far, an update on the Statement of Actions and policy framework, would be advisable.

5 Strengthening the links with the economic, health and well-being agendas, an update on the asset information records, especially for cycling, and enhanced links with planned maintenance works, should also be included. LAF was asked to consider whether the eight original themes were still appropriate. LAF felt that if they still covered areas of interest to LAF they should be retained. The County Council would like to refresh the themes and would prefer a few achievable priorities. LAF was asked to look at the ROWIP plan and feed views back to CCC in order to meet the deadline. LAF felt that it would be a shame to lose the original document, but rather that aspects such as access to woodland, provision for cyclists, equestrian and disabled users, and the forthcoming DfT Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan, should be added on. LAF was asked to consider whether it was happy with a light touch and whether it felt that the existing document should be dispensed with or used as a starting point. It was suggested that consideration be given to where Health and Well being could be incorporated, in order to provide access for all. 8. Correspondence and Consultations 8.1 Cycling Delivery Plan consultation to note any response made between meetings The response made between meetings expressing concern about people cycling too fast, was noted. 8.2 Kings Dyke level crossing consultation Mary Sanders undertook to speak to Peterborough LAF to obtain their views before a response is made. 8.3 North Ely Park consultation It was felt that some of the access was quite strange. Lynda Warth agreed to respond on behalf of LAF on the equestrian aspects. Members were asked to send their comments to the Secretary to collate and respond. 8.4 Ouse Washes meeting Mary Sanders reported on a meeting regarding the Ouse Washes which she attended along with Erika Wedgwood and Kate Day. It had been useful to hear about the RSPB work at Needingworth quarries. Mary Sanders undertook to attend a meeting at Whittlesford. 11. Any other business for the next agenda and Closure of meeting Jill Tuffnell raised the closure of the Paths for Communities Scheme. LAF was pleased that the bridge leading to the Coton Countryside Reserve had obtained funding and was a very successful scheme, and expressed regret that the P4C scheme was not continuing. Philip Clark reported that he and James Babington-Smith were attending a meeting on funding bids for nature reserves to improve access for people with limited mobility at the Ouse Washes. Kate Day declared an interest as a director. Venues for 2015 Philip Clark suggested four possible dates for 2015: 24 February, 19 May, 18 August and 24 November. These are subject to change as some could not attend and venues have not yet been found. Jill Tuffnell reported that 2015 would be the 80 th year of The Ramblers and they hoped to inspect every Right of Way in the country. The Ramblers General Council will be held at Robinson College in 2015.

6 Philip Clark was asked to check whether there were plans for the Huntingdon bypass to pass through the Godmanchester nature reserve SSSI. Laurence Smith reported that all CCC s requirements for the Rights of Way network in the A14 upgrade had been met, and a meeting would take place with the Highways Agency shortly to agree the widths of routes and final details of diversions. The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.25 pm.