Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

The Chairman welcomed and introduced everyone. 

Officers Present:

Apologies for absence were received from:

Members

GarephBoxley, Alex Carson-Taylor, Chris Chillingworth, Richard Cotham, David Cowell, Pauline Dee, Margaret Markland,  Alison Parker and Les Winwood.

Officers

Claire Fildes, Deb Hughes, Tim King and Dan Wrench.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 1 May 2014.

          RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the last meeting held on 1 May 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

Minute No. 35 (paragraph 2) to read: “…………..DEFRA as and when permissive access schemes came to an end……….”;

Minute No. 40 (paragraph 1) to read: “The number of wind turbine applications had increased and they responded to relevant applications on an individual basis……..”;

Minute No. 40 (paragraph 2) to read: “….general access and tourism and how it might deter people coming to Shropshire.”; and

Minute No. 41.3(b) to read: “there was a list of listed buildings but no record of important landscape and historic features.”.

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

There were no public questions.

Adrian Pickles, Head of Centre, will be in attendance and provide an overview of the work of the centre.

Mr Adrian Pickles, Head of Centre, Field Studies Council, Preston Montford was in attendance and provided an overview of the facility and their current and future project work. A question and answer session followed.  Ideas and views were exchanged on how the Centre, this Forum and Shropshire Council could work closer and how the Centre could interact and be involved with the wider community and the following issues/suggestions were raised (see also Minute No. 47):

Suggestions and comments included:

Creation of nature corridors;

Make more use of the local history, i.e. important landscape features and Drovers Roads;

Improved signage on roadside to advertise and make people more aware of the centre;

Provision of more dog friendly walks/activities;

Provision of accommodation/afternoon teas for those undertaking the longer routes;

Camping provision; and

Increased contact with the farming community.

In response, Adrian Pickles explained that there were many issues and challenges associated with dog walking on the site and these would have to be taken into account before any decision was made.  The centre would like to have an increased contact with the farming community in the future.  They currently offered land and farm management courses and the aim was to include low intensity farming and hedgelaying in the future.

Mark Blount, Outdoor Partnerships Team Leader – Parks, Shropshire Council will be in attendance.

Mark Blount, Outdoor Partnerships Team Leader – Parks and Green Space, Shropshire council was in attendance and provided an overview of the service following the recent financial cuts and staff restructure.  He explained that the vision was to improve people’s wellbeing and to support local communities, the local environment and tourism economy, through the management and development of recreational access via the Public Rights of Way network, Countryside Parks and Sites, Green Spaces and Play areas.

A question and answer session followed and a discussion ensued on how the role of volunteering could be encouraged and embraced within the Outdoor Recreation service and how better connections could be made with local charities/bodies doing similar work in the community so that they could all work together.

In response to comments, it was noted that it would be possible to provide appropriate training/equipment for willing volunteers.   Following a reduction in staff numbers, other ways of working were currently being reviewed, ie the formation of local community groups who would volunteer their time to help with the management of sites.  Discussions with parish councils to take over the running of sites were ongoing. 

7.1       Items for Noting

7.2       The following minutes/papers are provided as updates for members:

(a)          Shropshire Cycle Forum – 11 February 2014 (marked ‘A’)

(b)          Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Forum – 17 February 2014 (marked ‘B’)

(c)          Central Walking Forum – 7 March 2014 (marked ‘C’)

(d)          South Walking Forum – 25 April 2014 (marked ‘D’)

(e)          North Walking Forum – 28 April 2014 (marked ‘E’)

7.2       Future Meetings

(a)  Members are asked to suggest agenda items for the next meeting.

(b)  Future dates for 2014/15 starting at 10.00 a.m. are as follows:

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Date in May 2015 – TBC

48.1    Items for Noting

Stuart Morgan reported that following a Public Inquiry the footpath at Spunhill had reopened.  The meeting acknowledged the input of all those involved and specifically Alison Parker who had spearheaded a campaign to get the path reopened.

Stuart Morgan also drew the meeting’s attention to the potential risks associated with the lack of a local policy to protect against the potential risks of oilseed rape obstruction.

48.2    Minutes/Papers

The following minutes/papers, which were circulated with the agenda for information, were noted:

(i)            Shropshire Cycle Forum – 11 February 2014

(ii)          Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Forum – 17 February 2014

(iii)         Central Walking Forum – 7 March 2014

(iv)         South Walking Forum – 25 April 2014

(v)          North Walking Forum – 28 April 2014

48.3    Future Meetings

(a)          The following agenda items were suggested for consideration at a future meeting:

(i)            To consider the impact of the Site Allocations and Management Development (SAMDev) Plan on countryside access; and

(b)          Future meetings for 2014/15 as follows:

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Date in May 2015 – TBC

All meetings to commence at 10.00 am at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury unless stated otherwise.