Meeting documents

Apologies of absence were received from Richard Pushman, Brenda Jennings and Alan Lambourne.

The Chairman welcomed observers from Oxfordshire County Council, Chiltern Society and BHS.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2010 were confirmed subject to the following:

It was commented in relation to page 9, Item 4, Forestry Commission proposal to charge for horse ridings in its woods that charges had in fact been in place for a number of years.

Page 5, paragraph 16 – an error was raised in the meeting and it was asked that Public Footpath No 20 should be amended to No 29. This amendment was made but it has since been clarified that the original statement was correct and that it should read ‘The path links Public Footpath No 20, Little Marlow with Footpath No 1 Marlow’.

Viv Lynch advised that she was no longer able to write a report on access to Wendover Woods. She informed the Forum that she had experienced difficulties contacting the Forestry Commission as her phone calls were not being returned. She said she would continue to try and contact them.

Neil Harris informed the Forum that the National Trust were going through a process of internal re-organisation.

Report by Mark Bailey, Natural Environment Team Leader

Mark Bailey, Natural Environment Team Manager provided an update on the work being undertaken by Planning and Environment Services and its partners.

The key points were as follows:

• The Council has appointed the Land Use Consultants (LUC) to undertake Landscape Character Assessment and HS2 Landscape Sensitivity Assessments.  All of this work will provide a better understanding of potential impacts as a result of any development proposals (in this case HS2). The Council has also been undertaking its own baseline environmental and public access audits relating to high speed rail.  
• Proposals for HS2 through Buckinghamshire will, without adequate crossings, have substantial negative impacts on the public rights of way network; affecting route connectivity, amenity and the public’s quiet enjoyment of the countryside. Any of the three proposed routes will cut-off green, non-vehicular transport corridors between communities, their services and routes to school and work. The many trails promoted by the County Council and other organizations would be greatly affected, including the Ridgeway National Trail.

• Baseline access audits have been carried out on the 3 proposed routes, which looked at the network and the impact of the options on the Rights of Way network.
• The 3,300km network of public rights of way in Buckinghamshire is a considerable public and economic asset, an important part of the county highway infrastructure and a key element within the county’s tourism sector.

• Maintaining a fully integrated network is essential to protect opportunities for the public to both safely enjoy the countryside for recreation and health; and for non-vehicular access to services and between communities.

Severance and impacts to the ROW network as a result of

proposals for HS2 Route 3 (preferred route)

• Officers would like to take the assessment further and put a cost against the impact and also consider how routes could be taken across the corridor.
• Land Use Consultants have been commissioned to undertake a landscape character assessment. This can assist in managing the change in the landscape and looking at landscape sensitivity to HS2 proposals.
• Looking at a 5 stage level of impact to include looking at the routes and infrastructure such as gantries (whether in tunnel/cutting, etc), also access routes, ventilation shafts and sheds, etc. The full assessment should be completed early next year.

David Briggs asked what the sensitivity to change was? Mark Bailey said that true ‘sensitivity to change’ can only be assessed in relation to the specific proposed impact. Thus, certain proposals or developments might have more or less impact than others and this will also vary in accordance to local landscape and features. Some landscapes and features are more able to hide or take a specific impact whilst others will be far more sensitive.

·         The outputs of this work were discussed and were summarised as being:

o       To produce a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report by Joanne Taylor, Operations Team Leader

Joanne Taylor outlined the current impact of the budget cuts, the freeze on recruitment and the affect on the Rights of Way teams and delivery of the service.

1. Rights of Way Structure and Staff

1. As a result of two recent resignations Joanne advised that it had been necessary to re-organise both the Definitive Map Team, working out of Hampden Hall and the Rights of Way Operations Team, working out of Wycombe and Winslow Area Offices. The Officer discussed Appendix 1 which highlighted the new Rights of Way Group Structure.

2. Sue Burchell, Definitive Map Officer has left the County Council. Her duties and responsibilities will be shared between remaining Officers in the Definitive Map Team and Helen Beevers will be taking a more senior role.

3. James Mawson, Area Rights of Way Officer has left the Council. It has therefore been necessary to re-organise and reallocate the 4 current divisions of the County to 3. The Officer discussed Appendix 2 showing the redrawn Area Officer Map. It was commented that by re-allocating the divisions it had increased the mileage of the network from 500-1000 km for each Area Team, which was a large increase for Officers.

4. Due to the reduction in staff, the group’s targets need to be reviewed, particularly the target to reduce the number of issues outstanding on the network by 8% annually and managing public expectations in terms of target times to resolve problems.

5. The team will work hard to reduce the backlog of maintenance issues, however due to a reduction in staff there has been steady build up of issues, something the Team has actively targeted over previous years. It is inevitable that the response to issues will become totally reactive and certain types of work only carried out after a problem has been reported.

6. The Definitive Map Team also has a steady build up of work following the departure of Sue Burchell.

7. Due to further cuts in the maintenance budget the Council will also need to review its current practice of offering ‘free of charge’ assistance to landowners when structures are repaired. Where a task is seen as being the responsibility of the landowner, the Council will require the owner to do it or will carry out the repair and recover reasonable costs. This is likely to result in more enforcement work to ensure landowners carry out their duties.

8. It may further be necessary to reduce the number of contractor teams for this financial year. Due to budget shortfalls only urgent works, which pose a danger to the public will be carried out over the winter months.

9. The Group hope to continue with the donate-a-gate scheme.

Mike Walker advised that this was the current situation, but said that this may not be what happens next year as the outcome from the Comprehensive Spending Review is still awaited. The Group Manager said that the Planning & Environment Portfolio is to go through a restructure to achieve some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report by Helen Beever, Definitive Map Officer;

Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer; and

Joanne Taylor, Operations Team Leader

A) Definitive Map Update

Rights of Way Applications

1       A public inquiry was held in August 2009 into an Order to upgrade Public Bridleways Nos. 40 and 40A Great and Little Kimble and No. 62 Ellesborough to Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT). We are still awaiting a decision and, following further representations about the alignment of the route, the Inspector has called a second inquiry, to deal with issues of alignment only. This has been arranged for 19 October 2010.

2       A public inquiry was held into an Order to add two footpaths at Amersham College to the Definitive Map and Statement. The decision of the Inspector is awaited.

3       The Secretary of State directed us to make Orders upgrading to BOAT status routes at Little Missenden and Stowe/Lillingstone Dayrell. These Orders are in the process of being made.

4       The Secretary of State also directed us to make Orders for BOATs in Great Missenden and Wendover. These Orders are in the process of being made.

5       The Secretary of State confirmed an Order to add a Public Footpath to the Definitive Map and Statement at Dunsmore, Ellesborough.

6       An Order to add a Public Footpath to the Definitive Map and Statement in Whitchurch is in the process of being made. An Order has been made for a Public Bridleway in High Wycombe and one objection has been received. The Order and objection will be sent to the Secretary of State for determination.  

7       Applications for a claimed footpath in Shabbington, a claimed bridleway in Great and Little Hampden; and a downgrading of a bridleway to a footpath in Ashley Green have been rejected and the applicants have appealed against these decisions. Directions from the Secretary of State are awaited.

8       Applications for claimed rights of way are currently in progress: claimed footpaths in Fawley, High Wycombe, Lacey Green, and Marlow; claimed bridleways in Taplow, West Wycombe and Downley; and a claimed Restricted Byway in Gerrards Cross.

Village Green Applications

9       There are currently five village green applications in progress. Public Inquiries have been held for the applications at Pinewood Fields, Iver Heath and Daly Way, Aylesbury. A recommendation to accept or reject the applications from the Inspectors who held the inquiries is awaited.

David Briggs said that a couple of years ago there had been a rush of BOAT applications. The Officer advised that these applications were dated back to 2006 and that they are ongoing.

B) Rights of Way Operations Update

10     Over the summer period extra surface clearance gangs were taken on from June to September 2010. Paths to be cleared were targeted, ensuring that only those, for example, on school routes or with recent complaints of surface growth were undertaken.

11     Structure maintenance works are on target but overall not as many structures were replaced or improved compared to last year.

12         ‘Walk Your Local Paths’ – this has been well received and it is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Buckinghamshire County Council – Comprehensive Spending Review

1. Members were advised that The Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review took place on 20^th October 2010

[Addendum: Post Meeting Note provided by Richard Pushman

‘The Government's Comprehensive Spending Review CSR, will not manifest itself in respect of local government until after we know what the final settlement of the rate support grant is.   We know it will be reduced but the actual value will not be known until possibly later this month.

Cuts to the council's budget, in anticipation of the indicated government spending cuts, have already been incorporated in the forward budgets.
As you will know these will have a serious impact on some of the services associated with the Local Access Forums activities.
I am unable to be more precise at this time’.]

Members noted the information

The Big Debate

 2. John Elfes attended one of the meetings held in Chesham and said that Rights of Ways was one of the biggest single issues raised from the process.

3. The Chairman, The Chiltern Society and The Ramblers supported the Rights of Way service by attending the events.

Members noted the information

Coombe Hill Monument

4. Neil Harris showed Members with photographs of the new ‘Access for All’ track from the Coombe Hill car park to the Monument. He said that a grant of £14k had been received from Natural England and the National Trust put in the remaining £6-7k. The new track will enable all year round access to the hill and monument. Neil Harris thanked Mark Bailey for his work on the Monument.

Members noted the information

The 2012 Olympics

5. Peter Challis said that there are a number of walking and cycling improvements being made to paths in Buckinghamshire. He said that he hoped these would be a lasting legacy after the Olympics.

Joanne Taylor said that it was hoped that some maintenance on the Thames Path could be funded by Olympic monies, however it was also proposed that the Thames Path be closed and a diversion put in place just before the games and for the duration of the event.

Members noted the information

Bourne End to Wooburn Green walking and cycling route

6. Peter Challis said that negotiations are still ongoing regarding the opening of a walking and cycling route along the disused railway line from Bourne End to Wooburn Green.

Members noted the information

Grand Union Canal – Wendover Arm

7. Gavin Caspersz tested this route on his on mobility scooters for disabled users between Wendover and Halton Village and reported the following:

The route was really nice and safe. There were signs at the start with a recommendation regarding suitability for disabled and/or scooter users. He said there could be more information within the existing structure to ensure users were safer and to stop them from getting stuck.

Mr Briggs highlighted that the needs of those with children and pushchairs would be similar to those experienced by disabled and scooter users and said that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

None

The next meeting is to be held on 9 March 2011, 10am, Mezzanine Room 1, County Hall, Aylesbury.

The next meeting is to be held on 9 March 2011, 10am, Mezzanine Room 1, County Hall, Aylesbury.