Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair advised the committee that, following discussions with officers, the background papers pertaining to items on future Public Rights of Way agendas shall not be made available in hard copies by default. Each report shall include pertinent information from the background papers alongside details of who to contact to arrange viewing of the background papers.

The Chair also welcomed Mrs A Mayes MBE who was attending (remotely) in her capacity as a Co-opted Member of the Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council’s ethical governance framework.

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 3 November 2022, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2022 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2022 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Minutes of the meeting of 20th October 2022 and draft minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2023, attached, for noting.

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of 20 October 2022, which were not available in time for the previous meeting of this committee. The committee also received the draft minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2023.

A councillor highlighted that the minutes of the 20 October meeting raised concern about why it was necessary for the design proposals for the A379 bridge to include a step to resting areas which impacted on those with limited mobility. It was expressed that access for those with limited mobility is very important and that Devon County Council should be proactively demonstrating inclusivity in this respect.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/12), attached, and background papers

RESOLVED that

(a) a Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 1; and

(b) that no Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 2.

(Councillor J Bailey attended (remotely) in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke in support of the officer recommendation for Proposal 1).

Mr R Swan, the applicant for Proposal 1, attended the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation scheme and spoke in favour of recommendation (a) regarding Proposal 1, and against recommendation (b) regarding Proposal 2.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/12) on two proposals arising from the Definitive Map Review in the parish of Newton Poppleford & Harpford.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hellyer, SECONDED by Councillor Brook and

RESOLVED that

(a) a Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 1; and

(b) that no Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 2.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/13), attached.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/13) which examined the Definitive Map Review in the parish of Bickleigh in the South Hams District. The review had been completed for the parish of Bickleigh and no modifications had been identified.

Members noted the report.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/14), attached, and background papers

RESOLVED that no Modification Order be made to modify the Definitive Map and Statement for the addition of a Bridleway A – B – C - D as shown on drawing number HIW/PROW/22/17a (Proposal 1).

Mrs K Duckett and Mr S Brooking attended the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation scheme and spoke in favour of the officer recommendation.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/14) which examined the route referred to as Proposal 1 that had arisen out of the Definitive Map Review in the Parish of Washfield in Mid Devon. A report on Proposal 2 would be brought to the next committee meeting in July 2023.

It was MOVED by Councillor Chesterton, SECONDED by Councillor Hellyer and

RESOLVED that no Modification Order be made to modify the Definitive Map and Statement for the addition of a Bridleway A – B – C - D as shown on drawing number HIW/PROW/22/17a (Proposal 1).

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/15), attached, and background papers

RESOLVED that no Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 1.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/15) which examined one proposal arising from a Schedule 14 application in the parish of Honiton in East Devon district.

It was MOVED by Councillor Thomas, SECONDED by Councillor Chesterton and

RESOLVED that no Modification Order be made in respect of Proposal 1.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/16), attached.

RESOLVED that a Public Path Diversion and Definitive Map & Statement Modification Order be made to divert Bridleway No. 6, East Anstey from the line A – B – C – D to the line A – G – F – E as shown on drawing no. CCET/PROW/22/15 and that if there are no objections, or if such objections are made and subsequently withdrawn, it be confirmed as an unopposed order.

(Councillor J Yabsley attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke in support of the officer recommendation).

Mrs L Moore, the applicant, attended the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation scheme and spoke in favour of the officer recommendation.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/16) examined a landowner application to divert a public bridleway in the parish of East Anstey.

The proposal was made to facilitate improved privacy, and to enable the applicant to better enjoy use of their garden and paddocks. The diversion would also benefit users of the bridleway by improving ease of access. The proposal was shown on plan no. CCET/PROW/22/15.

Members agreed that the proposed modification order would likely facilitate increased usage of the bridleway as users would not have to move conspicuously past the applicant’s house and near their garden, which would be likely to discourage use.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hellyer, SECONDED by Councillor Brook and

RESOLVED that a Public Path Diversion and Definitive Map & Statement Modification Order be made to divert Bridleway No. 6, East Anstey from the line A – B – C – D to the line A – G – F – E as shown on drawing no. CCET/PROW/22/15 and that if there are no objections, or if such objections are made and subsequently withdrawn, it be confirmed as an unopposed order.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/17), attached.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/17) which outlined decisions received from the Secretary of State since the last meeting of the Committee.

Members noted the report.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/18), attached

The Committee received the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/18) which informed that since the last meeting a Definitive Map Modification Order (Footpath No. 38, Newton Poppleford & Harpford) had been confirmed as unopposed.

Members noted the report.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/19), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/19) on the Public Path Orders made and confirmed under delegated powers.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/20), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/20) on the Public Path Orders made, confirmed, and certified by local planning authorities, under powers through the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/21), attached

RESOLVED that options to utilise the Community Payback Scheme to help with repair and maintenance of Devon’s public rights of way network be explored.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/21) which provided an update on progress in reviewing two key plans setting out priorities and actions pertinent to management, maintenance, and development of the public rights of way network.

Members highlighted the importance of the maintenance of Devon’s public rights of way which residents often feedback on, including where additional work would be beneficial. Councillors considered that consideration should be given to increasing community giving.

The next meetings are scheduled for:

13 July 2023, 2.15pm

23 November 2023, 2.15pm

7 March 2024, 2.15pm

Dates of future meetings were noted as:

13 July 2023, 2.15pm

23 November 2023, 2.15pm

7 March 2024, 2.15pm