The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Code of Conduct –

The Forum will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2015.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2015 are confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

·         Minute 20 (h) ‘…Mount Baton Ferry’ to read ‘Mount Batten Ferry’

·         Minute 31 read that ‘Natural England was due to look at the Devon Coast Path at the end of the year; it was hoped that this would lead to a better path around Millbay Docks’ however Members clarified that two sections of the Devon Coast Path around Lyme Regis and Kingswear would be looked at, and not the entire coast path.

There were no items of Chair’s Urgent Business.

Members discussed the tracking resolutions document and updates were provided upon the following:

For Forum Members to agree any Working Groups and provide an update on the following:

·         Morrison’s to Beechfield Grove Working Group

·         Plymouth Plan Part 2 Working Group

An update was provided on two recent working groups namely the walk from Morrison’s to Beechfield Grove and the Plymouth Plan Part 2 session.

Members confirmed that the walk from Morrison’s to Beechfield Grove had been undertaken and that a fence had been installed; Members also looked at another path linking to Wrigley’s Field (Collins Park) which was in poor condition however they considered merited being classified as a public right of way in the future.

Agreed that –

1.    Mr Pawley would write a letter to Plymouth City Council on behalf of the Forum requesting that the path in Wrigley’s Field is identified as a public right of way;

2.    Liz Wells would circulate all responses to Forum Members, in relation to the Plymouth Plan Part 2, before being submitted as part of the consultation process.

For Forum Members to be provided with an update on Modification Orders.

Liz Wells, Public Rights of Way Officer, informed Forum Members that the Kloof Modification Order was due to be discussed at 17 December 2015 Planning Committee; Members had been emailed a copy of the agenda for their information.

Members will be provided with a verbal update on the Public Path Diversion Order Application – Former Downham School Site, Horn Lane, Plymstock.

Members discussed the Public Path Division Order Application – Former Downham School Site. Members were advised that there had been an application for the diversion of a public right of way for this site; the applicant confirmed that it was necessary to divert the footpath in order for the development of 31 houses to take place. If the footpath was to remain in its current position it would be unsafe from a reduction of crime viewpoint.

To receive the Forum’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

Members noted the work programme and discussed priorities for the following year.

Agreed that the LAF Secretary would organise a working group in the New Year along the path linking Weston Park Road with Church Way as well as lesser known paths in Central Park.

The Chair advised Members that he had sent a letter to Tracey Lee, the Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, regarding the closure of Plymouth Hoe to the public in July 2015 however had not yet received a response.

It was agreed that a copy of the letter would be sent to Mr Skinner for his information.

The next meeting will be held at 10.30am on Monday 22 February 2016 at the Council House.

Agreed that the next meeting of the Local Access Forum would be held at 10.30am on Monday 22 February 2016 in the Council House.

Mr Curno raised under this item that the Council was involved in running a Friends Forum that was in the process of setting up blue spaces as well as green spaces in and around Plymouth. Members were advised that the Friends Forum, which was soon to be Independent from the Council, was looking to hold an environmental festival.