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Agenda item

Minutes:

Jo Burgess reported that she had recorded a public rights of way defect on the online system and had been impressed with the quick response.

 

Ros Mills, Public Rights of Way Manager, gave some general updates:

 

1)    The public rights of way network was busy but not quite as much as in the first lockdown.  Routes were being resurfaced and sides cut back to facilitate use.

2)    A press release had been sent out, following discussions with the NFU, about lambing and livestock.  The website had been updated with this information.

3)    Some sections of the England Coast Path had been approved between Cremyll and Kingswear and Combe Martin and Marsland Mouth.  The team was assessing requirements and bidding for funding from Natural England for infrastructure.

4)    Steve Gardner, Senior Officer, had not had time to do further work on the Pegasus Way.  He was working on bridge installation in and around Colyton following decisions by the Planning Inspectorate.

5)    Over fifty small contractors, spread across the County, had submitted tenders to be part of the Public Rights of Way Framework Contract from 1 April 2021.

6)    Due to COVID-19 there had been some supply issues with materials and some prices had increased by 8%.

7)    Capital budgets for 2021/22 were satisfactory but revenue budgets would be more of a challenge.

8)    The Country Parks had been very popular during coronavirus.  Stover had its Heritage Lottery Fund delivery team in place and Gary Prescod, Project Officer, could do a presentation to the DCAF at a future meeting.

 

Helen Clayton, Senior Officer, Public Rights of Way, gave the Legal and Development update:

 

a)    COVID-19 had impacted on the Legal and Development team. Consultations had been suspended to ensure people did not travel to look at proposals.  Record Offices were also closed which could prejudice staff and others wishing to research routes.

b)    The Public Rights of Way Committee would be in March and the first virtual meeting had been held in November.

c)    Formal working parties by P3 groups had been suspended.

d)    A virtual Planning Inquiry, planned for February, had been postponed until June.  The Planning Inspectorate would be holding some blended inquiries, partly virtual and partly at a venue, which might have implications for how local inquiries can be.

e)    Contact had been made with the coordinator of the Ramblers ‘Don’t Lose Your Way’ project, Jack Cornish.  He had acknowledged that not all the ways identified by comparing old and modern maps will have evidence.  Their next steps would be to carry out checks to identify old paths legally diverted or extinguished, routes on the list of streets and those previously considered through parish reviews. Routes of benefit to communities will then be prioritised for further research.  Mr Cornish had offered to speak at a DCAF meeting.

 

Ros Mills said the uUCR network was taking up a lot of resources but it offered potential to help deliver the carbon plan.

 

In answer to a question about Brexit, Ros Mills said the new Environmental Land Management Scheme was trying to cover income previously received by farmers from the EU. 

 

The National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association had tried to promote prospective new legislation on diverting paths.  It was understood that this had not gone forward for legislation.  Under the proposals, the definitive line had to stay open and the landowner was liable for the temporary route which did not reduce risk.  The chances of legislative time were slim currently.

 

It was suggested and agreed that an agenda item on uUCRs would be useful at the next meeting to cover signage, maintenance, monitoring and extent.  Chris Cole (member of the TRF) said members of the Trail Riders’ Fellowship were available to assist with maintenance, when permitted,and was thanked by Ros Mills for the work they had previously undertaken to make such routes available for all users.

 

Action:  Forum Officer to prepare agenda paper on uUCRs for the April meeting.

 

Cllr Philip Sanders had attended a meeting with the National Park, National Trust, Duchy of Cornwall and others and it had been noted that users were spreading out over moorland paths to avoid mud. Ros Mills confirmed this had been noticed on the urban fringe where paths had become very eroded.  Although this could be managed with temporary closures this would be detrimental to local exercise and health and wellbeing.  This matter had been raised in a BBC news item.

 

The Chair requested any thoughts on this for the next meeting.

 

Action:  Members

 


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