Please ensure you sign the attendance record.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 23 January 2012 (attached marked ‘3’). Matters Arising Jim Stabler will provide an update on the following matters:  Walking Forums (paragraph 3.2)  Yammer – registration of members and training issues (paragraph 3.3)  Definitive Map of Highways (paragraph 12.1)

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

Emma Smith, Economic Research Officer, will be in attendance to provide feedback following an exercise to pull together useful date to show the value of walking to the local economy, and which will be used to inform the Countryside Access Strategy.

To receive a report from Jim Stabler and note the priorities as agreed by the Working Group on 1st February 2012.

Jim Stabler to provide an oral update.

To note the arrangements for the visit to Plowden Hall on Thursday, 14th June 2012.

Jim Stabler to provide an oral update on the results of the Outdoor Recreation User Survey.

Madge Shineton to provide an oral update on the National Local Access Forum held on 6 March 2012 in Bristol.

(i) Independent Panel on Forestry Policy in England: To note the progress to date of the Independent Forestry Panel, which was established on 17 March 2011 by the Secretary of State to advise government on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England. A Progress Report was published in December 2011 and the Final Report will be published in June 2012. From an access point of view the main paragraph can be found at page 24 of the Progress Report as follows: “A public forest enjoyed by the public – We believe that at least the current level and quality of access to the public forest estate should be maintained, for the long term, and for the benefit and health of the nation. There is a challenge to make this more financially sustainable. We want to approach this topic with an open mind, recognising that access already comes at a cost, and that greater or enhanced access will inevitably cost more.” Further information can be found via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/forestrypanel The Progress Report can be found via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/forestrypanel/files/Independent-Panel-on-Forestry-Progress-Report.pdf (ii) Natural Environment White Paper Implementation Update To note the position to date regarding the Natural Environment White Paper Implementation. A second Update has been published which looks back over six plus months of implementation, and can be found via the following link: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/documents/newp-imp-update-120131.pdf (iii) Wat’s Dyke Way Association - Update The Wat’s Dyke Way Association has researched and set up a long distance route from Maesbury Marsh in Shropshire to Basingwerk Abbey at Greenfield Holywell with the co-operation of three Councils over which the route runs. The Shropshire Local Access Forum also gave its support and Jane Ing has been on the Committee since August 2005. The route and Guide Book were launched in September 2008. Trevor Allison joined the Committee as a Shropshire representative three years ago. The Association now meets 2/3 times a year and there is an annual spring check of the route. The three Councils have confirmed their continued support to with maintenance work and the route will now be printed as a regional route on OS maps as they come up for reprinting. (iv) The following minutes / papers are provided as updates for members: (a) Shropshire Cycle Forum – 6 December 2011 (attached marked ‘11a’) (b) Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Groups – 3 October 2011 (attached marked ‘11b’) (v) Chairman and Vice Chairman – 2012/13 At the meeting scheduled for 9th July, it will be necessary to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2012/13. The current Chairman has been in post for two years, but has stated that she would be willing to carry on for a further 12 months if Members were happy for her to do so.

 The next meeting will be held at 10.00 am on Monday, 9 July at Acton Scott Working Farm.  Members are asked to suggest agenda items for the next meeting.  Future dates for 2012/13 starting at 10.00 a.m. are as follows: 2012 Thursday, 18 October 2013 Wednesday, 30 January Tuesday, 14 May