MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
HELD 4th July 2005
AT 7.15 p.m. IN THE BUSH ROOM
PRESENT: - Councillor
B Davis, (Chairman), Councillor J Head, Councillor J Cutland, and Mr M Watson
Mr R Fergyson (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: -
Councillor P Taylor (
2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
3. SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL FOOTPATHS
REPRESENTATIVE ANITA WALKER.
Anita Walker attended the meeting after this committee had requested a
meeting with South Gloucestershire Council (SGC).
The main objective from Alveston Parish Council’s (APC)
point of view was to find out what South Gloucestershire Council were doing: -
With the reports Alveston Parish Council sent the Rights Of
Way department?
What action was taken to clear any obstructions?
What enforcement policy South Gloucestershire Council had
and how it was enforced?
What facilities and services were provided to farmers?
Following the presentation and discussion the outcome was
The information on the footpaths reports prepared for APC
were entered into the departments data base along with all the other problems
reported by, the public, walking groups, other local authorities and any other
interested party. The database had become so large that only issues, which put
the public in danger, were tackled. The lack of field officers meant that other
reported problems were not dealt with either. A member of the team of 6 was
leaving soon and the post was to be filled by a field office. A field officer
is responsible for assessing the problems and decided on what action to take if
any. This increase of staff will benefit the operation of the department in the
future.
Action is being taken on only the most severe problems. In
order to carry out work for all councils the formation of an SGC Volunteer
Parish Warden Scheme is being introduced. (Copy of handout attached). The
benefit to both the APC and SGC is that one point of contact with a
knowledgeable and trained person is maintained. The top two priorities can then
be given to the department and when cleared another priority given. In that way
the parishes get action. Alveston Parish Council has a member of the public who
has access to other people who would be willing to inspect and possibly do some
other work, but the main contact must be this committee through the parish
clerk.
Enforcement is a time consuming area and although SGC has
an enforcements policy (copy attached) there has not been many cases tackled.
SGC would prefer to discuss the problems with the offender and sort matters out
on a one to one basis. Even so this is a long and resource consuming process.
If enforcement action is taken then DERA is informed and the farm subsidy could
be affected. APC thought this is a good thing as it would take only a single
case of money being with held and all the farmers in the area would soon
comply. The parish councils committee thought that a stern letter sent to the
farmer or land owner requesting obstructions were dealt with quickly and
leaving the recipient in no doubt that the next action would be enforcement
would bring some response and thus reduce the overall problem and the backlog.
South Gloucestershire Council works with farmers and
landowners, offering advice, producing leaflets and where possible encouraging
the kissing gates to be installed when styles need to be replaced. Where the
budget allows the style or kissing gate is provided free of charge, but the
installation is at the landowner’s expense (as would the installation of a
style). APC requested when a replacement has been identified then if SGC have
some earmarked for APC then there would be no replacement problem due to lack
of stock or funds.
The main points APC wanted to get over to SGC was that
reports sent to them need to be acknowledged, and information given of what
action is to be taken. The contact with the SGC is the Footpaths committee via
the Clerk, and Mr Mike Watson in reality carries out the work of the Volunteer
warden along with members of Thornbury Ramblers. Where possible hedges are
trimmed, overgrowth cleared and access maintained. However where SGC is
required is where contact with the landowner is required and where enforcement
is needed.
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARRISING
The Minutes of the
meeting held on 9th May
were approved and signed by the Chairman.
SCHOOL BUS USE OF DAVID’S LANE.
The bus traffic is being monitored and
no recent reports made.
5
Footpath
Reports
None
6
Ten Trails
With the imminent departure of Tom
Vincent from SGC the status of the 10 trails is unknown.
The budget provision of £750 to be places in a fund for bus shelter replacement will need to start in the next financial year.
The Committee recommend that provision start in the financial year 2006 –2007.
The
clerk will contact SGC to see if they have people who can clean these shelters
now the seats have been painted
8 Any Other Business
None
The meeting was closed at 8.25 pm.