Agenda item

To receive and respond to the following correspondence:

• National Access Forum
• Ramblers’ Association – Asset Management Grant Scheme
• British Horse Society – List of Street
• Equestrian Access Forum – Discovering Lost Ways
• Waymark  - Institute of Public Rights of Way Management
• Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs – Letter from Jonathon Shaw MP
• Natural England – Funding or Rights of Way – Presentations to the Institute of Public Rights of Way Management Conference

a)  National Access Forum

The Forum received a letter from the Chairman of West Yorkshire Pennine Local Access Forum in relation to the establishment of a National Access Forum. A further update from the Chair of Cumbria LAF, Duncan Graham, following a meeting of 16 LAF chairs and representatives from Natural England was tabled at the meeting. The Forum noted from the second letter that an agreement had been reached for a National Access Forum to be established and the basic purpose and structure had also been agreed. The Forum welcomed the establishment of a National Access Forum and looked forward to receiving further information regarding the Forum.

RESOLVED – Noted.

b)  Ramblers’ Association

The Ramblers’ Association had written to the Forum requesting that the Forum write a letter of support for the Asset Management Grant Scheme (AMGS) to Natural England. The Rights of Way Development Officer had previously updated the Forum that he believed that the AMGS had been frozen. The Forum resolved that the current situation should be clarified and a letter of support in the scheme should be written to Natural England.

RESOLVED – That support of the Asset Management Grant Scheme be conveyed the Natural England once the current situation was established.

c)  British Horse Society

The British Horse Society had written to the Forum seeking a response to questions which related to the list of streets maintainable at public expense prepared under section 36(6) of the Highways Act 1980. The Forum was advised that in relation to question 1 the current review of the Definitive Map and Statement included checking the List of Streets on a regular basis. Officers also had extensive historical resources open to them including information held by the West Riding of Yorkshire as well as being in regular contact with street registration.  In relation to questions two and three in the letter the Assistant Countryside and Access Manager would not be able respond accurately without looking at each individual file. The Forum wished to respond to the Society to express that Lists of Streets was an issue officers were sensitive to.

RESOLVED – That a response be provided to the British Horse Society regarding the List of Streets.

d)  Equestrian Access Forum

The Equestrian Access Forum had circulated to all Local Access Forums a letter sent to Natural England regarding Discovering Lost Ways. A Member of the Forum advised that she was aware that it may be the case that the Government removes the 2026 deadline for Discovering Lost Ways.

Whilst supportive of the work done to discover Lost Ways the Forum also welcomed the work done by Sustainable Transport (Sustrans) to establish new and more meaningful routes to link the city with other areas within Leeds. These routes were included in the Local Transport Plan and the ROWIP and the Forum’s remit may cover some of the new routes.

RESOLVED – Noted.

e)  Waymark

The Forum received information from the Institute of Public rights of Way Management regarding subscription to their journal ‘Waymark’. The Chair recommended that the Forum saw previous issues of the journal before subscribing to the publication. The Rights of Way Development Officer advised that there was also an alternative publication which could be circulated to Members produced by the Byways and Bridleways Trust which may also be of use.

RESOLVED – That previous copies of ‘Waymark’ and Byways and Bridleways Trust Magazine be circulated to Members

f)  Minister of Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs

The Forum received an introductory letter from Jonathon Shaw MP, Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs and Minister for the South East. The letter was noted by the Forum.

RESOLVED - Noted

g)  Natural England

The Forum received details of a presentation provided by Natural England to the Institute of Public Rights of Way which outlined various sources of funding for public rights of way and open access. The Forum noted that organisations such as ‘Friends of’ groups were able to apply for funding which was not available to the Council, and officers in Leeds were working with outside bodies to access this funding. For organisations, including parish councils, who wanted information of what funding was available to them Sustrans would be able to advise them.

RESOLVED - Noted