The Council representative, County Councillor Roger Williams and the Chair of the Local Access Forum, Mr Graham Taylor will present the report.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Mr Graham Taylor Chair, Powys Local Access Forum [LAF], Councillor Roger Williams, the Council’s representative on the Forum and Sian Barnes, Professional Lead - Countryside Access & Recreation. Mr Taylor indicated that there was an excellent group of officers in Countryside Services who do all that they can within the resources at their disposal. He indicated that despite the Countryside Services work the rights of way network is continuing to deteriorate and in his view[CJ1] , is no longer fit for purpose [this was not Covid related and does not include the network in the BBNPA area]. He gave examples of issues on the network including very few signposts from roads, route markers and blocked routes. He advised that there are approx. 7200 reports of issues on rights of ways which had not been dealt with over the last 10 years. However, this is an under reported figure as LAF knows that many users have stopped reporting problems. He noted that the Council’s own survey of the network completed a few years ago showed that only 38% of routes are in a satisfactory state. The LAF understands why the Council focuses its limited resources on key priorities such as education and social care. However, the contribution of accessing the outdoors to health and wellbeing is well known, the tourism economy is a priority in the Council’s 2025 Vision and so a good rights of way network can support both of these. He asked that the Council considers these issues when considering its next budget setting process.
He advised that working in a different way could help transform how rights of way are viewed. All parts of the Council, the users, community and town councils, other public agencies and landowners should discharge their own responsibilities rather than assuming it’s the Councils’ Countryside Services sole responsibility. LAF would be happy to be involved in developing an action plan to fix the network and transform the way it is looked after.
Mr Taylor advised he would be meeting with the Cabinet member and Head of Service and advising them of the above. He would be asking the Cabinet member to maintain the existing funding for Countryside Services and developing a new way to fix our network. He asked that when the Committee considers planning applications that have rights of way at or near the site it should consider how the applicant is proposing to enhance the rights of way, as required in the Local Development Plan [LDP]. When making decisions the Council should also take into account the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. Councillor Roger Williams paid tribute to the work of the LAF membership who do a lot of work to improve the network.
It was commented that although not a direct power of the Committee, it should be putting pressure on the Council at the very least that the funding to Countryside Services should not be reduced. It was noted that in some areas local councils or groups are promoting their local rights of way network and taking on the management of volunteers.
In response to a question, it was noted that the maintenance and replacement of a stile etc would be the responsibility of the landowner, but they can get support from the local authority. Councillor Roger Williams indicated that there needed to be more conversations between rights of way users and landowners. He advised that the new Code of conduct from the Ramblers Association encourages such contact. It was noted that the Definitive Maps would be available on the Council website by the end of this financial year and problems encountered on routes could be reported on this system.
It was moved and duly seconded that the Committee encourages the Portfolio Holder to retain the funding for Countryside Services and engages in work to create a new action plan, as suggested in the LAF report.
RESOLVED |
Reason for decision |
To convey the views of the Committee regarding rights of way to the Portfolio Holder. |
The Chair thanked Mr Graham Taylor, LAF Chair for attending the Committee and Councillor Roger Williams and Sian Barnes for their contributions.
[CJ1]Changes in red made by Colin, but added by me for him
Supporting documents: