Name

Subject

Reason

Interest

Mr Pawley

South West Coast Path Update

Representative for the South West Coast Path Association

Personal

(1)

the Chair would thank Hillary Winter, on the Forum’s behalf, for her dedication to the role of Regional Coordinator for the South West Region Local Access Forum’s;

(2)

the Chair, whilst noting that Natural England have observer status on all LAFs, would invite John Holmes to a future meeting of the Local Access Forum.

(a)

an update on the Local Nature Partnership, deferred from the 15 December 2014 LAF meeting, had been added to the agenda and Kat Deeney (Natural Infrastructure Manager) would be in attendance;

(b)

several Forum Members met on 29 January 2015 to walk footpaths in the vicinity of St Budeaux; it was confirmed that two of the three sections of the footpath belonged to the Kloof and that they were not a public right of way;

(c)

with reference to minutes 39 ‘Huddle Hot Topics’ and 41 ‘Work Programme’ from the 15 December 2014 LAF meeting, the Vice Chair confirmed that he hadn’t yet contacted Dean Blagdon (Community Physical Activity Worker)  regarding the Walking for Health Scheme however would do so shortly;

(d)

with reference to minute 43 ‘Issues Arising from Forum Members’ from the 15 December 2014 LAF meeting, Mr Harvey confirmed that he was a potential candidate for the Chairmanship of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Committee therefore had not yet ascertained the future plans for local AONB groups. Mr Harvey highlighted the importance of the relationship between LAFs and AONBs, especially during a period of significant funding cuts, and questioned the impact this was having on other organisations such as the National Trust. A suggestion was made that a representative from the Dartmoor National Trust was to be invited to a future LAF meeting to advise Forum Members how budgetary cuts were affecting their service.

(a)

Professor Jon Shaw was a Lecturer in Transport Geography at Plymouth University.   Approximately 160 students graduated in geography every year at the University spanning the full range of both human and physical geography;

(b)

the University had an ‘expert directory’ of which Forum Members were welcome to use if they required advice or an opinion regarding a specific issue such as footpath erosion or access to the countryside; Members simply had to contact the University’s switch board and speak to the press office who in turn would transfer calls to the appropriate person;

(c)

for larger issues Plymouth City Council had launched a research connection with the University of Plymouth;  for transport related research Phil Heseltine was the Council’s main point of contact;

(d)

undergraduate and postgraduate students were required to undertake large scale dissertation projects; it was considered that approximately 20 dissertations each year related to transport issues or an area which might be of interest or use to LAF Members. The Forum itself could be highlighted to students to benefit the work of both;

(e)

a series of public lectures were due to be advertised on the big screen on North Hill, near the University, relating to the issue of improving transport links, specifically the HS2 railway line and how this would benefit Plymouth; the lecture was scheduled for 20 October 2015.

(f)

undergraduate students undertook a one year dissertation project whereas postgraduate dissertations were shorter starting in January with completion by September; it was considered that the LAF and students working on their dissertations could work together to mutual advantage;

(g)

the transport lectures would be properly advertised once the University’s timetabling had been completed; regular interested parties, including local MPs, would be invited to attend. Information relating to the lecture would be circulated with the minutes of the LAF meeting;

(h)

Professor Jon Shaw confirmed he was not aware if and how the UK National Ecosystem Assessment 2011 affected Government Policy;

(i)

ecologists and environmental scientists formed part of the Geography remit;

(j)

Rosie Starr (Smarter Choices Manager) had already spoken to University students regarding Plymouth’s Local Access Forum however the University was willing to facilitate another meeting with new students in September 2015 at the start of the academic year. Rosie advised Members that the Plymotion Team had a stall at the University’s Fresher Fair and LAF Members would be welcome to be affiliated with the stall, or have their own, to promote the LAF and its aims;

(k)

research areas and areas of knowledge for students as well as the University ‘expert directory’ exceeded Plymouth’s boundary;

(m)

the Council had non-formal ‘open discussions’ with Professor Jon Shaw  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

(a)

a briefing note upon the Local Nature Partnership (LNP) was submitted to the 15 December 2014 LAF meeting;

(b)

Local Nature Partnerships were set up as part of the Natural Environment White Paper 2011;  the intention of the Partnership was to be a strategic lead for local environmental issues;

(c)

there were 43 LNPs across the country, each having had to apply to DEFRA for approval. There was a huge variety in LNPs across the country as some were larger covering a number of different regions whereas Plymouth’s was one of the smallest. It was considered that all LNPs worked very differently as they were locally determined;

(d)

Plymouth’s LNP had a mixed partnership with a representative of Plymouth City Council currently acting as interim Chair. Other members included representation from the Environment Agency, South West Water and Plymouth Marine Institute; it was hoped that Public Health would be represented on the board shortly;

(e)

Plymouth’s LNP meetings were scheduled quarterly; the focus of the LNP itself was to be the Champion and Strategic Lead for the Partnership’s three themes: growth, water and health & wellbeing;

(f)

the LNP had a good link with the Local Economic Partnership; it was considered that this link provided greater influence on local projects, especially the Growth Plan;

(g)

Kat Deeney (Natural Infrastructure Manager) and a representative from Somerset LNP had secured a seat on the Leadership Group of which they shared and alternated their attendance;

(h)

policies included in the Plymouth Plan had been proofed by the Local Nature Partnership; planning authorities were required to engage with LNPs;

(i)

South West Water had invested £120m for the water treatment works at Roborough in Plymouth. The current focus was the modelling work for the project with the end product of significantly increasing the quality of water in the Sound by 2020;

(j)

the health themed focus of Plymouth’s LNP concentrated upon linking with the Health & Wellbeing Board to target the reduction in activity levels of Plymouth residents; it was considered that the natural environment had a huge role to play in improving this issue. A joint bid for funding with Public Health for the Active Neighbourhoods Lottery Scheme had successfully achieved stage 1 and it was considered that there was approximately a 75% chance of receiving funding at stage 2; the outcome would be announced in September 2015.

(k)

Plymouth LNP was currently working on a short film detailing the role of the Partnership; it was expected that this would be completed within three to four months’ time.

(l)

LNPs were not provided with funding from Government, unlike Local Enterprise Partnerships, therefore resourcing of the Partnership was an issue. Plymouth City Council provided the secretarial role and representation at meetings however this was provided in-house;

(m)

the Assistant Director for Strategic Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

(a)

the South West Coast National Trail had experienced significant funding reductions; this was having an affect upon the role of its Members;

(b)

he was responsible for monitoring 10-14 miles of the South West Coast Path however others had 60-70 mile stretches to cover;

(c)

This is work previously carried out by Mark Owen however splitting the work amongst  volunteers saved money;

(d)

Mark Owen designed a framework for surveying the coast path;  this model also assessed the coast path furniture, including benches and signposts, all of which had to be inspected on an annual basis;

(e)

Cattedown Rail Spur had been strimmed recently; officers were unaware as to why this site had been cleared;

(f)

the damage to the Breakwater Hill wall had been cleared and repair works appeared to have commenced

(1)

Forum Members would be contacted when the modification orders were due to go to the Planning Committee;

(2)

the LAF Secretary would publish the electronic link to Cornwall County Council’s digital accessible map as part of the Forum’s minutes for meeting.