Under the constitution the term of office for Chair and Vice-Chair shall not be for more than two years, subject to annual re-appointment. Jane Ing was elected chair last year. If there is more than one nomination for the post of chair then voting shall take place by secret ballot with all members present being entitled to vote.

Mark Weston was elected Vice-Chair last year. The only candidates eligible to stand for the position of Vice-Chair are those drawn from a different category or type of interest to that of the elected Chair.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 24 January 2011 (Attached marked: A) • Contra flow cycling on one way streets (para 5) • Walking for health sponsorship (para 6) • English Access Forum and position of LAF regional co-ordinators (para 6) • Shropshire Council budget 2011/12 and organisational changes (para 10) • Lea Quarries update (para16)

To receive any questions, statements or petitions of which notice has been received from members of the public.

Shropshire Council have published a provisional Local Transport Plan (LTP) covering the period 2011-2031. The views of interested parties on expenditure priorities have been requested. The provisional Local Transport Plan (LTP) sets out the proposed approach to transport objectives, policies and programmes for Shropshire. The plan covers all aspects of transport and highways with a specific emphasis on provision determined at a local authority level, including walking, cycling, public transport and car based travel and freight together with the management and maintenance of highways. The provisional Local Transport Plan Core Strategy sets out Shropshire’s transport objectives and policies for the next fifteen years. The provisional Implementation plan covers detailed transport priorities and capital programme for the next four years. Full information on LTP3 and consultation is available at: http://shropshire.gov.uk/traveltransport.nsf/viewAttachments/AMOS-8GJFM4/$file/provisional-ltp-core-strategy-april-2011.pdf A presentation will be made by Jan Cook, Team Leader Traffic and Transport Studies

Jan Cook has also agreed to talk about the subject of Quiet Lanes at this meeting.

Following concerns raised at the last meeting Steve Brown, Head of Environmental Maintenance will be attending to explain the Council’s new policy and to give an update.

A presentation will be given by Phil Holden, Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership Manager. (A report on the scope of the contract for the production of a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the Shropshire Hills AONB and surrounding area was submitted to the last meeting).

An update will be given by Evelyn Stabler of Natural England

The attached letter (marked: B) from Richard Benyon MP, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, has been circulated to all Local Access Forums.

The following minutes/papers are provided as updates for members: Minutes of the Byways Liaison Group meeting held on 10 March 2011 (attached marked: C) Minutes of Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Groups held on 4 October 2010(attached marked: D) Access newsletter issue Nos. 48 and 49 (attached marked: E) The minutes of the Shropshire Walking Forum meeting held on 20 January 2011 will be circulated at the meeting. Shropshire Ramblers’ Area AGM Alison Parker has asked that the following motions, which were passed at the last Shropshire Area AGM, should be brought to the attention of the Forum. “a. While this Area of the Ramblers’ Association welcomes the Shropshire Council policy of responding to local opinions of the rights of way network, it urges the Council not to ignore the value of the network to walkers from further afield, other parts of the county, and other visitors, especially considering the value of tourism to the local economy. b. This AGM of Shropshire ramblers is greatly concerned by Shropshire Council's decision to substantially reduce the County's public transport budget, leaving little option but to propose off-peak services from one hourly to two hourly intervals. While the county is in recession and petrol prices are escalating, it would seem self defeating to further reduce funding which will result in the remaining services being used by fewer people, thus potentially triggering further cuts to the bus services, if the Council is unwilling to subsidise increased losses by the operators. Increased use of cars is likely to raise the costs of highway maintenance, will generate more pollution and over time will cost the Council more than it will have saved by this exercise.”

An away day for members will be held on Thursday 9 June with a Meres and Mosses focus. The venue is still to be agreed. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 July 2011 at Craven Arms Community Centre. Members are asked to suggest agenda items for the next meeting. The photocopied Agenda papers have been produced on recycled paper