Suffolk Local Access Forum
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Suffolk Local Access Forum Title: Agenda Meeting Date: 20 October 2011 Author/Contact: Jill Christley Venue: Assington Village Hall, The Street, Assington, CO10 5LW Paper Number 1. 3.00 Welcome, apologies and housekeeping 2. Minutes of previous meeting LAF 11/23 3. Declaration of interest 4. 3.10 Local Nature Partnerships Presentation Genevieve Broad, Biodiversity Officer Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Local Nature Partnerships – summary LAF 11/24 5. Future of the Public Forest Estate SLAF meeting with Norfolk LAF LAF 11/25 SLAF invitation to Independent Panel on Forestry LAF 11/26 SCC response to Call for Views LAF 11/27 6. SLAF Annual Report 2010/11 LAF 11/28 SLAF Annual Report feedback LAF 11/29 NE LAF Annual Report LAF 11/30 7. SCC budget consultation LAF 11/31 8. SCC Countryside Sites (Dedication of Public LAF 11/32 Rights of Way) – Progress Report 9. Rights of Way Road and Rail Crossings – Update LAF 11/33 A11 Dualling Between Fiveways and Thetford 10. Ipswich Fit for the 21st Century LAF 11/34 Ipswich Waterfront Traffic Management LAF 11/35 11. Correspondence • NE review of OA restrictions LAF 11/36 • National Planning Policy Framework LAF 11/37 • DEFRA consultation on registration of town Verbal and village greens • Management of Commons LAF 11/38 • LAF Chair and Vice Chair meeting Verbal • Herts LAF case study LAF 11/39 • East of England LAF meeting dates LAF 11/40 12. 4.50 Any Other Business 13. 4.55 Public question time 14. 5.00 Dates & Venues of Future Meetings LAF 11/23 Suffolk Local Access Forum Title: Minutes of meeting held in Aspall Room, Kerrison Conference Centre, Stoke Road, Thorndon on 14 July 2011 Meeting Date: 20 October 2011 Author/Contact: Jill Christley Venue: Assington Village Hall, The Street, Assington, CO10 5LW 1. Welcome, apologies and housekeeping. Present: Melinda Appleby (MA), Bryan Collen (Chairman) (BC), Barry Hall (BH), Margaret Hancock (MH), Gordon Merfield (GM), Monica Pipe (MP), Norman Southgate (NS), John Wayman (JW), Anthony Wright (AWr). SCC Officers Present: Beth Barham (minutes), David Falk (DF), Andrew Woodin (AW). Apologies – Lynda Foster (Natural England), David Barker, Ann Langley, Sandy Martin, Mary Norden, Alan Moore, Jane Storey, Mike Taylor. 2. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed to be an accurate record. 3. Declaration of interest AWr declared interest in Ipswich Chord where Sustrans are land owners. 4. Natural England (NE) LAF 11/13 and 11/14 refer. AW covered papers and summarised Natural Environment White Paper which concerns how communities can connect better with their natural environment and be involved, appreciate and value the countryside more. In April 2013 an SCC Director of Public Health should be in place to influence local services including accessibility to the countryside. BC commented that nature was often robust giving the example of airfields and the importance of farming in countryside management, which was not recognised in previous White Papers. Under LAF 11/14, DF advised that discussions were being held between SCC, NCC, Wildlife Trusts, Brecks Partnership, AONBs and Biodiversity Partnerships to establish a Norfolk- Suffolk Local Nature Partnership (LNP). The LNP should include at least one representative from LAFs. DF advised that Coastal Access had commenced in Norfolk with a desk exercise in progress. No date had been set yet by Natural England for Coastal Access to commence in Suffolk. ACTION SLAF to request representation on LNP. LAF 11/23 5. Independent Panel on Forestry (IPF) Concern was raised that membership of the panel was mostly land managers and may not include all access users. MA praised the letter on behalf of SLAF to the Independent Panel on Forestry as it may have influenced their decision on where to visit, but highlighted the need for a follow-up letter. MA also mentioned wood fuel project in East Anglia and asked if this could be included in the letter. JW asked if more recent figures on visitor numbers than those presented in the letter were available. AW reviewed the IPF press release and highlighted the intention of the panel to visit a forest in East Anglia. It was agreed that the panel should be invited to visit Thetford Forest as it straddles Suffolk and Norfolk allowing joint representation from SLAF and NLAF. DF highlighted importance of connectivity between Thetford Forest and other areas, including areas of Open Access land, Elveden and King’s Forest. ACTION Confirm that IPF received letter from SLAF. ACTION SLAF to meet NLAF to discuss joint working on this issue. ACTION SLAF to write to IPF to confirm visit to Thetford Forest and invite them to meet representatives of SLAF and NLAF. 6. Divestment LAF11/20 refers. Countryside Sites AW briefed SLAF on divestment of countryside sites highlighting that emphasis had been given to protecting access as follows: • Clare Country Park – dedicate rights of way on 4 routes including former railway line • Lavenham / Long Melford – dedicate rights of way on former railway lines. There had been concern over liability for maintenance of structures. It had been confimed that responsibility for maintenance of bridges would remain with SCC. • Sudbury – to have a dedicated cycle path. • Greyfriars – path to be dedicated. • Thorpeness – dropped RoW along shingle shore. • Iken/Nacton – dedications of OA land. BH queried how SCC sites would be managed if there is no funding. AW confirmed funding was secured to operate sites until they were disposed. GM queried maintenance of commons (citing Knoddishall Common) by Suffolk Coastal District Council and the position of local community to take on their management. MP mentioned a similar issue at Blaxhall Common. Public Rights of Way AW confirmed reduction in the rights of way budget with alternative options to deliver targets being explored with detailed discussions being held with Eye Town Council and other parishes. NS confirmed off-road driving groups had offered assistance but need to know SCC’s standards to work best in partnership and concern was expressed generally about H&S, training, provision of tools, guidance and legal issues. MA suggested contacting parishes to advise what they could do, including minor vegetation clearance on rights of way and BH suggested using SALC and PC newsletters for communication. LAF 11/23 MA highlighted change in culture was needed to encourage communities and individuals to improve their environment. GM agreed the community approach has been lost. AWr advised that Sustrans carry out maintenance with permission of land owners and stressed the importance of covering health and safety and proper use of tools. BC felt it was important for volunteering to be firmly under the control of SCC. ACTION AW to consider the most appropriate way to engage more comprehensively with parishes. ACTION AW to raise management of commons with SCDC. 7. SLAF Annual Report to Cabinet LAF 10/25 refers. DF confirmed that the Annual Report covered the period August to July. BC highlighted the importance of investing in countryside access to address health issues and safeguard access. Key issues were agreed as: • A11 dualling • Future of forestry • Divestment of countryside sites • Divestment of countryside access • Threat to ROW budgets • Severance of rights of way over railways and trunk roads • HLS • Rail crossings 8. A11 AW advised that a meeting had been held on 30 June 2011 and works were due to commence in 2012 and scheduled to last 2 years. Concern was raised over the budget pressures for the scheme, which could include reducing the height of the underpass from 3.7m to 2.7m (resulting in horse riders having to dismount). Concern was also raised over detour of the footpath at Icklingham to the B1112 underpass and HA’s wish to leave this as a natural surface (grass) path without any surfacing. AWr commented on similarities with situation at Bury St Edmunds where the path was left as shingle surface. On a related subject of Network Rail crossing points, SLAF supported SCC’s position to ensure safe crossings, and the closure of a right of way without replacement was a last resort and only if the path was a very low priority. 9. Correspondence / Update Ipswich Chord and other rail issues DF summarised LAF11/21 and LAF11/22 highlighting safety aspect of a tunnel on this route and the possible impact of anti-social behaviour it might create AWr outlined discussion of ownership and management of the sluice and inclusion of a ramp to enhance access. Brantham rail crossings AW discussed a possible closure of a route by Network Rail (NWR) at a crossing at Brantham. Despite being a popular walk NWR had suggested it was unsafe despite lack of maintenance LAF 11/23 of the path bank and furniture. Alternatives to closure including improvements of steps, control measures or a diversion needed to be considered. BC queried if there was a statutory obligation of NWR to maintain routes. SLAF will support SCC recommendations LTP3 DF advised that LTP3 would be implemented next year and draft documents were available online Coastal AW advised SLAF on development of guidance for land managers where there is a risk of flooding and breaching of sea walls. This should be available at a later meeting. AW described the situation in Orford where the river wall will be raised by adding soil to the existing bank. This will raise the river wall height by approximately 2ft. The works would be carried out in the autumn. The scheme was considerably less expensive than other options, although the scheme design may not be appropriate in all situations. Regional LAFs DF advised that Anna Mangini was the new regional LAF co-ordinator. BH requested copy of meeting notes of LAF regional conference held in Ely 15th March 2011.