Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive the Chair’s opening remarks.

The Chair noted that there were a number of items on the agenda and Members were asked to focus on the main points which the Forum was concerned with.

In accordance with Regulation 6(8) of the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 Members of the Forum are required to declare any direct or indirect interests. A direct or indirect interest might reasonably be regarded as one which might affect a Member’s well being, financial position, or business (direct) or that of a relative or friend (indirect) to a greater extent than that of other council tax payers, ratepayers or other inhabitants of the area.

There were no interests declared.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting of the Leeds Local Access Forum held on 1^st December 2009.

The minutes of the last meeting of the Leeds Local Access Forum held on 1^st December 2009 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment to minute 33 that the alley gate was to be paid for by the local Area Management Board and that the local authority were trialling a self closing mechanism to the gates.

RESOLVED - That the minutes be approved subject to the above amendments.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

Following the last meeting the Secretary had circulated details of the alley gates in place in Leeds which had been provided by the Alley-Gating Coordinator. The Chair noted that from the information provided there were 40 alley-gates in place without Gating Orders. The Alley-gating Coordinator informed Members that the intention was to revisit these 40 alley-gates and submit an application for a Gating Order however this programme had been limited by the availability of staff.

RESOLVED - That the update be noted.

To consider the Annual Review of the following Gating Orders:

• The Nancrofts, Armley
• The Nowells, Burmantofts
• Oakham Way, Osmondthorpe

The Forum were in receipt of three reports from the Alleygating Coordinator in relation to reviews conducted on Gating Orders in place at Nancroft Mount (Armley), Back Nowell Place/Back Nowell Mount (Gipton and Harehills) and Oakham Way (Killingbeck and Seacroft).

Nancroft Mount

The Forum first considered the Review for Nancroft Mount and noted the information contained in the table of considerations. Crime in the area had decreased in the twelve months preceding the installation of the alley-gates and the alley-gates had been strongly supported by the local residents. There were approximately 20 properties which backed on the gated area all of which had been consulted during the Review process. The consultation received 10 responses all in favour of maintaining the gates. When the Gating Order was initially installed one landowner had objected to the Order however in the latest consultation round the landowner had responded favourably to the alley-gates.

The following issues were addressed in questions:

• The Alley-Gating Coordinator hoped that the crime statistics could be further improved in the future however this was reliant on staffing levels.
• When looking at designs to the alley-gates 6-7 years ago Officers had considered access through the gates for the disabled or those with restricted mobility. There had been no complaints to officers regarding access through any of the gates.
• The issue of self-closing mechanisms was being trialled by the local authority although there were a number of outstanding issues including health and safety concerns which needed to be addressed.
• The alley-gate for Nancroft Mount had been designed by two of the residents adjoining the gates.
• All alley-gates were galvanised however there was a budget for maintenance. All future Gating Orders would be costed with an £107  five year maintenance figure which would be held in a central pot. It was anticipated that this pot would cover the costs of maintenance for the five year period and beyond.
• Members suggested that Officers should consider the Authority’s obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act when considering the suitability of gates.
  
  
  

Back Nowell Place/Back Nowell Mount

In relation to the Gating Order already in place in this area crime within the gated area had decreased. There had been an issue with one resident who continually left the gate open but this had been resolved. Whilst there were still problems within the area agencies were working together to carry out improvements. Following a recent visit to the area the level of fly tipping within the gated area had decreased which had impacted on the perception of the area.

The following issues were addressed in questions:

• There was no evidence to suggest that there had been a displacement of crime within the surrounding areas.
• There were concerns that there had been an increase in anti-social behaviour which Members were advised that there were a small number of families who were a cause for concern. It was also noted that it was possible that the recording methods could be responsible for the increasing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To respond to the above consultation. Further details of the consultation are available at www.leeds.gov.uk

The Forum considered a consultation on Natural Resources and Waste which formed part of the Leeds Local Development Framework. In considering the consultation document the Forum resolved to only respond to the sections which were within the forum’s remit. The following responses would be made to the consultation:

Question

1            Yes

2            Yes

3 Yes

4            Yes

5            Yes

6            Yes

7            Yes

8            No response

9  No response

10 No response

11          No response

12 No response

13          No response

14 Yes

15 No response

16          No response

17          No response

Further comments

Para 1.20 - UDP Policy N10 Public Rights of Way and Development should be added to the table. It is relevant to all chapters.

Policy Land 4 - In relation to wharves, every opportunity, where possible should be taken to provide walkways and cycleways.

Policies Minerals 1, 2, 4 & 6 - Any development of safeguarded areas or extensions of safeguarded sites should seek, where appropriate, to maintain and enhance the public right of way network. 

Policy Minerals 9a - The LLAF agrees that alternative uses for quarries should be considered. Opportunities should be sought on restoration to enhance the rights of way network by adding new paths and the retention of any diverted paths. The LLAF supports the examples cited in the Policy.

Paras 4.9 - 4.12 - The LLAF would welcome, wherever possible, the incorporation of footpaths on top of flood defences.

Policy Energy 2 - The LLAF suggests the addition of recreation to the bullet list, in particular, in relation to public rights of way and users thereof.

General comment - Any development should have regard to the statutory Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP), prepared in accordance with section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and adopted by the Council in 2009.

RESOLVED - That the above response be given in response to the consultation.

To consider a response to the above consultation.

(Copy Attached)

The Forum received a copy of the draft document on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and structures  (gates, gaps & stiles) on Rights of Way. The Countryside and Rights of Way Officers provided Members with an overview of the Good Practice Note which reiterated a variety of points. Members welcomed the document but noted that the requirements of the DDA could sometimes conflict with maintaining the inherent characteristics of some gates and stiles. Members suggested that Officer should bring to the Forum the Authoritiy’s policy on gates, stiles and DDA  in the future. Officers noted that the document did not include any commitments which would be impossible for the Authority to introduce or comply with. Members suggested that a level of public consultation in relation to style and accessibility of stiles or gates should be considered by the Authority.

RESOLVED - That the document be noted and that policies relating toe stiles, gates and the DDA be brought to the Forum in the future.

To receive Natural England’s Good Practice note on the Local Transport Plan and ROWIP Integration.

(Copies Attached separately for Members)

The Forum noted another Good Practice document from Natural England in relation to the integration of the Local Transport Plan and the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Officers noted that the deadline for integration was April 2011 but there had been little contact between to Departments at this stage. Despite the integration of the two policies there would still be funding issues in relation to the works incorporated under the ROWIP. Members suggested that an appropriate level officer was invited to a future meeting of the Forum to discuss this matter further

RESOLVED - That the document be noted and that an appropriate level officer be invited to a future meeting of the Forum to discuss the Integration of the ROWIP and Local Transport Plan.

To receive the Revised Rights of Way 01/09.

(Attached Separately for Members)

The Forum received the latest version of the Rights of Way Circular 01/09 which had recently been revised.Officers noted that the new document was easier to read than previous documents and para. 4.35 provided a change of opinion on the use of paths wrongly recorded on the definitive map.

RESOLVED - That the document be noted.

To receive an update from Officers on matters concerning rights of way in Leeds.

The Countryside and Access Manager provided Members with an update on rights of way issues in Leeds. The Forum noted that the Authority anticipated that the during the summer a map of the Excluded area would be published. Work would then be completed to look at the List of Streets and to include these to the Definite Map.  It was hoped that maps could be consolidated into one map and that paths could be renumbered. In relation to the online version of the Definitive Map the Parks and Countryside Team were in the process of bidding for funding to purchase a countryside management system which would no only provide officers with an integrated database but would assist with publishing the Definitive Map online.

In relation to St. Aidan’s officers had continued to discuss the suitability of a particular path with UK Coal. A recent development meant that UK Coal had agreed to create a more level path. Progress had been made on Skelton Lake footbridge with a costed design in place however the work was yet to be completed. Legal orders had still not been made in relation to the paths however there was a September 2010 deadline for opening.

An application had been made for a Pegasus crossing on the A647 however a decision was yet to be made.

A bridleway resurfacing scheme would take place in Breary Marsh in March thanks to funding from the local Area Committee.

The Adel Dam disabled access path had opened and officers were looking at complimenting the existing paths to ensure wheelchair and pushchair access.

RESOLVED - That the update be noted.

To confirm a date, time and items for the next meeting of the Leeds Local Access Forum.

The date and time of the next meeting was confirmed as 18^th May 2010 at 18:30.