Minutes:
1. Rights of Way
A book had been received from Natural England entitled ‘Rights of Way – Restoring the Record’, 2nd edition, by Sarah Bucks and Phil Wadey. A letter from Pippa Langford, (Principal Specialist (Commons and Public Rights of Way), Natural England), encouraged local access forums to share their work on the Definitive Map process on Huddle, the local access forum national website. She thanked members of LAFs for the time they give. The book is available to borrow from the Forum Officer.
DCC is in the process of completing its Definitive Map Review on a parish by parish basis and is in a reasonable position to meet the 2026 deadline.
2. Environment Plan
The Twenty-Five Year Environment Plan had been published by Defra. It included a brief mention of recreational access and public rights of way. It included new ways in which people use access, the importance of encouraging young people to connect to the environment, and mental health and well-being.
3. British Standard for Gaps, Gates and Stiles
The revised version of the British Standard was awaited following submission of comments and additional work by the expert committee. This will apply to all new gaps, gates and stiles and enable the Equality Act to be taken into account.
4. Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS)
Simon Clist raised concern about maintenance of SANGS after the initial funding period. Continued funding to ensure sustainability was important. This was primarily a remit for the district rather than County Council. Gordon Guest confirmed there was an ongoing discussion in Cullompton about the funding for green infrastructure associated with 8000 new homes.
Funds needed to be provided in perpetuity to ensure no net loss of biodiversity and, whilst there was recognition of this in some parts of the construction industry, it was not so across the whole industry.
Helen Clayton, DCC, said a lot of development schemes do not specify routes dedicated as public rights of way. Often recreational access proposals are area based. If public rights of way are involved, DCC would ask for a commuted sum for future maintenance.
It was noted all aspects should be agreed at an early stage, at Outline Planning Permission, and this could control the future management. Development offered more Council Tax for authorities. Ways of securing local funding, possibly through the Parish Council precept, were raised.
This would be an agenda item or presentation at a future meeting.
5. Recreational access improvements
Sean Comber, Trail Riders’ Fellowship, raised the importance of improvement work being carried out on public rights of way and unsurfaced unclassified county roads by voluntary groups, such as the Trail Riders’ Fellowship, working with DCC. Funding from the organisation and working with communities, landowners and DCC staff gave the opportunity to help with budget cuts and deliver projects. It was noted many people have useful skills and some people involved with P3 had health and safety accreditation.
Ros Mills, DCC, confirmed that P3 volunteers inspected against set criteria designed for the scheme.