TYNE AND WEAR LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
16 FEBRUARY 2006
PRESENT: Lindsay Perks - Chair
Kathleen Atkinson
Bryan Attewell
Councilor Chris Boyle
David Haigh
Charlie Hall
Keith Lauderdale
Alan Pollock
Nuala Wright
IN ATTENDANCE: Mike Aynsley
Roy Deane
Neil Frier
Brian Harwood
Kelly Lauderdale
Stephanie Ord
Ingo Schüder
Kevin Vigars
James Widdop
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Ken Dawson, Tim Ducker, John Hamilton, Keith Lauderdale, Emma
McFarlane, Vicki Sixsmith and Suzanne Smith
2. WELCOMES
The Chair welcomed:
Stephenie Ord and Ingo Schüder from the Countryside Agency.
Councillor Chris Boyle from Newcastle upon Tyne Council to his
first meeting.
Kevin Vigars who was attending the meeting for the first time in
his new role as Access Development Officer. He said he hoped
Kevin would enjoy his new post and added how much he was
looking forward to working with him. He stressed that Kevin’s job
was to assist in the production of the Rights of Way
Improvement Plan as well as servicing the Local Access Forum.
1
3. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 24 November 2005
were approved as a correct record, subject to minute 14 being
amended to read “David Milburn”.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Tripartite Cycle Forum
The first meeting of the South of Tyne Cycle Forum will be held
in Sunderland on 11 May 2006.
5. ACCESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The Chair advised members that Kevin Vigars, the Access
Development Officer, had held meetings with him and the Rights of
Way Officers to discuss his role.
Kevin reminded members that there were two aspects to his role. One
was to service the Forum and the other was to produce the Rights of
Way Improvement Plan.
With regard to the administration of the Forum meetings, the
Secretariat of Gateshead Council will provide an officer to prepare
agendas and minutes. It was envisaged that the minutes of meetings
would be prepared and circulated to all members within two weeks of
meetings (three weeks in exceptional circumstances). Kevin will
produce an action list following each meeting which will be circulated
within five working days. The action list will be re-circulated before the
following Forum meeting so officers and members give an update on
the progress achieved.
Kevin will ensure that stationery (such as letter headed paper,
compliment slips etc) is produced for the Forum. He will also prepare
annual reports on the Forum’s work and achievements.
He will address members’ attendance levels at meetings, in particular,
those of the local authorities representatives. The Rights of Way
Officers will revisit their contact lists with a view to Kevin approaching
potential members from the land owners/managers sector. He had
already contacted a representative of the Land Restoration Trust.
Members’ terms of office expire in November 2006 and Kevin will
approach them to ascertain whether they are still keen to be involved in
the Forum. If they are, then they can re-apply and their applications will
be considered together with those of new applicants.
2
Kevin will attend a number of events throughout the summer and will
undertake a membership drive at these. He will also arrange for a
display to be produced which can be used at these events.
He stated that he intends to revisit the contact details of members and
this will be attached to the minutes of this meeting when they are
circulated to members.
Pre-meetings will be held with the Chair and Vice Chair two weeks
before full Forum meetings. Any member wishing to add an item to the
agenda for meetings will have to notify Kevin before this two week
period. Forum meetings will be advertised and the Forum’s website
revamped. It will have links to the minutes and agendas of Forum
meetings, together with links to local authorities websites. The website
will contain the contact details of members, particularly those of the
Chair and Vice Chair.
Kevin will try to act on behalf of all users in Tyne and Wear. However,
he will need the support of members to achieve this.
It was pointed out that the review of attendance by local authority
representatives should examine the possibility of rotating the roles of
members and observers. The possibility of having a rolling membership
should also be examined at the time the appointment procedure is
looked at in detail.
At this point in the meeting the Chair handed over to Stephenie Ord
and Ingo Schüder.
Ingo explained that the Countryside Agency wanted to use the
appointment of the Access Development Officer as a PR opportunity.
The Agency would pick up all costs associated with this proposal. He
stressed that it was important that Forums were seen to be active and
were given the opportunity to publicise their messages. The publicity
could explain the work of the Forum and assist the Forum’s search for
new members.
Stephenie pointed out that there was a need to raise the profile of
urban forums. These were fairing less well than the rural LAFs.
Ingo stated that there was a need to sell the LAFs to local authorities
and that an aspect of this could be the health benefits associated with
their work.
The publicity would take the form of a press release which would be
submitted to the appropriate local newspapers. In future, they might
consider preparing another press release, if necessary. The Agency
had employed consultants to advise on this process and was confident
that the press release would be effective.
3
The Chair then handed back to Kevin.
Kevin stated that he had started work on the Equestrian Strategy.
Kathy Atkinson was gathering information to assist him. Kevin needed
to speak to Keith Lauderdale about aspects of the strategy.
A steering group has been established consisting of Kevin, the Chair
and Vice Chair, the Rights of Way Officers and Mark Wilson to assist in
the direction of the Access Development Officer post.
Kevin has arranged a meeting to set up a regional officers group
consisting of his opposite numbers in the region.
He will prepare a presentation to the Joint Working Group on his role
and future work.
AGREED - (i) That the information be noted.
(ii) That the publicity work being undertaken by the
Countryside Agency be supported.
6. SUB GROUPS
(a) Minutes of Meetings
The minutes of the following meetings were submitted:
Information and Increased Tolerance Sub Group – 24 January
2006
Integrated User Friendly Network Sub Group – 1 February 2006
AGREED - That the minutes be approved.
(b) Matters Arising from Sub Groups
Letterheaded Paper
Following a question on the timescales for the production of
letterheaded paper, it was agreed that the proposal to hold a
schools competition to design a logo for the Forum should
proceed.
Request for a Pegasus Crossing at the Marquis of
Granby Public House on the A692 at Sunniside
The physical works will start next financial year. Although the
Pegasus crossing will be installed, it is uncertain whether it
will be in the first phase of works.
4
Request to replace the lights at the cattle crossing with a
light control crossing at Kyobog Lane, Crawcrook
Bypass and for horse warning signs
An initial investigation will be undertaken to ascertain the
usage of the crossing. A further report will be given at a
future meeting on this matter.
Leamside Line Bridge
Gateshead Council is in the process of buying this bridge
from Network Rail. The bridge does not form part of the
rights of way network. It will remain closed until it is upgraded
following its purchase.
(c) Future Direction of Sub Groups
The Forum agreed that the existing sub group structure should be
replaced by project specific working groups. Members will be asked to
submit suggestions to Kevin for specific issues which the working
groups can address. The working groups will consist of no more than
three or four members.
AGREED - (i) That the existing subs groups be replaced by
project specific working groups as set out above.
(ii) That members should submit their suggestions for
specific issues which the working groups can
address to the Access Development Officer by the
end of March 2006.
7. LOCAL ACCESS FORUMS WORKSHOP, 8 FEBRUARY 2006,
BRISTOL
The Chair gave feedback from this event. It had been an exciting and
revealing occasion. He reported that DEFRA intends to issue new
regulations, information and guidance on LAFs.
Most LAF people attending the event had experienced similar problems
to the Tyne and Wear LAF. There was a lack of clarity on the role of
the Forums, and concerns at their powers, budgets and relationships
with local authorities, especially with elected members and senior
officers.
The LAF representatives at the workshop indicated that it was difficult
to maintain the support of members due to their perception that Forums
are powerless. The new guidance will ensure that local authorities
recognise the contributions of LAFs.
5
There had been a very open meeting with representatives of DEFRA
and the Countryside Agency.
One of the common themes was a lack of commitment from appointing
authorities including elected members and senior officers. There were
also concerns at the resources and budgets available to LAFs.
A discussion then took place on budgetary and financial issues. The
Chair had been advised that DEFRA had made money available to
local authorities to support LAFs. However, this funding had not been
ring-fenced for LAF purposes. Members expressed their strong
dissatisfaction with this situation.
Officers had discussed the budget for the Tyne and Wear LAF. It was
proposed that, if possible, £1,000 each should be contributed this
financial year by the local authorities. This would enable Kevin to make
some progress on issues should as stationery and displays. For the
next financial year the authorities would contribute £3,500 each to the
Forum. A proposed budget would be submitted to the next meeting of
the Forum following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair.
Although members were not satisfied with the explanations given about
the funding of the Forum and the level of funding for this financial year,
they agreed to the proposed course of action on the budget in order to
progress the future work of the Forum.
Copies of expenses forms will be available at the next and subsequent
Forum meetings.
The Chair stated that in future all reports for the Forum should be
written reports and not verbal, unless this was absolutely unavoidable.
AGREED - (i) That the report on the workshop be noted.
(ii) That the proposed course of action on budgetary
issues be approved.
8. LOCAL ACCESS FORUMS EVENT – NORTHERN REGION
The Chair reported that the Countryside Agency intended to arrange a
regional event for all of the Local Access Forum members in the
northern region. The event would probably be held in early July or
September. The Agency was seeking views on issues such as the
agenda, venue and location for a site visit.
AGREED - That the event be discussed at the Authority’s special
meeting on Monday 27 February 2006 at 6.00pm.
6
9. MONKTON MINERAL LINE
The Integrated User Friendly Network Sub Group agreed that issues
relating to this mineral line should be pursued further.
The Chair had consulted the Local Government Ombudsman who had
indicated that it was unlikely that maladministration could be found
against South Tyneside Council or that they had caused personal
damage. Also, as the Forum was a statutory body, it would not be able
to take action through the Ombudsman but an individual or individuals
could.
It was proposed that South Tyneside Council should be requested to
respond to the Forum’s previous correspondence. Once a response
was received the next course of action would be considered by the
Forum.
However, any individual could raise this matter with the Ombudsman, if
they so wished.
AGREED - That the above proposal be approved.
10. ACCESS MAP
A special meeting of the Forum will be held on Monday 27 February
2006 at 6.00pm in the Lamesley Room, Gateshead Civic Centre, to
consider this matter.
A representative from Lovell John Ltd (the consultant) will give a
presentation on the map.
The Chair stressed the importance of members attending this meeting.
AGREED - That the information be noted.
11. MISSING LINKS/ACCESS POINTS, SIGNAGE ETC
The Integrated User Friendly Sub Group has identified a number of
missing links and other improvement works (access points, signage
etc) which could be raised with local authorities with a view to them
undertaking work when finance was available.
The list is almost complete. It will then be forwarded to each of the five
local authorities for their attention.
AGREED - That the information be noted.
7
12. RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN/LTP 2
The Access Development Officer reported that the LTP2 was being
reprinted in March prior to its submission to GONE. A couple of
amendments will be made to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Statement of Intent. These relate to Kevin taking up the post of Access
Development Officer and a reference to the timetable for producing the
Equestrian Strategy.
AGREED - That the information be noted.
13. PROGRESS/UPDATE REPORT
A progress/update report was presented on issues identified previously
by members of the Forum.
AGREED - (i) That the information be noted.
(ii) That a report be prepared giving details of the
performance indicators for each local authority
area and giving comparative data to previous
years.
(iii) That any members wishing to be acquainted with
the performance indicators exercise should advise
the Access Development Officer accordingly.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
Issues in Gateshead
Roy Deane reported that he would be undertaking an
experiment with a new surface material on a short section of
path possibly in Derwenthaugh Park. The material consisted
of coir fibre and sand.
In the Kibblesworth area during the last twelve months 12-15
stiles have been removed and replaced with kissing gates.
As a result the paths have been made more accessible. The
exercise may be undertaken on other parts of the network in
Gateshead.
The Chair suggested that kissing gates (their design etc)
could form the topic for a working group to examine.
Stopping up of Paths
Kathy Atkinson reported that she had received two
notifications from GONE regarding stopping up of paths. She
will raise these with the appropriate Rights of Way Officers.
8
Testo Rounabout
Neil Frier reported that the Highways Agency had announced
plans to progress works on the Testo Roundabout. The
proposals would affect bridleways etc and both Gateshead
and South Tyneside Councils had raised objections. The
Access Development Officer will raise the Forum’s concerns
with the Highways Agency.
Tyne and Wear Rural Transport Partnership
It was reported that John Dodd, the Tyne and Wear Rural
Transport Officer, had moved to another project. The funding
for the project will finish at the end of March so there was no
scope to replace the officer although it is hoped that the
Partnership will continue in some form.
AGREED - (i) That the information be noted.
(ii) That the problems associated with the misuse of
motorcycles to be placed on the agenda for the
next Forum meeting.
15. SITE VISITS
The Forum agreed that site visits should be resumed now that lighter
evenings were approaching. Members felt that it was important for
them to visit examples of bad practice as well as good.
AGREED - That the next site visit by the Forum be undertaken to the
Sunderland area.
16. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the date of the next ordinary meeting of the Forum
should be changed. It will now be held on Thursday 8 June 2006 at
6.00pm in Gateshead Civic Centre.
9