61.1    The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He introduced Anne Suffolk from the Telford and Wrekin LAF and Karl Hounsell from WSP

61.2    Apologies for absence had been received from Stewart Pickering and Jack Tavernor

To receive any questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Shropshire Council Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 10.00am on 6 February 2019

62.1    Thwere were no questions from members of the public

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.

63.1    There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2018 are attached for confirmation

64.1    The minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2018 had been circulated.

            RESOLVED: -

That the minutes of the meeting of the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy Board held on 25 October 2015 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

It was agreed that Agenda item 7 would be taken next.

Anne Suffolk (Telford and Wrekin LAF) will lead a discussion about walking, cycling and riding aspirations for the Ironbridge Power Station redevelopment.

Chris Hill, Shropshire Council Economic Growth Team, will share the aspirations for the site from an economic growth perspective

Attached is a draft letter and members are asked to decide on whether a formal response should be sent from Board and T&W LAF.

65.1    Anne Suffolk addressed the meeting and commented that there was an opportunity for leisure tourism in and around the Ironbridge site and that it was important that this should be built into plans as they were developed.  She added that she had attended a stakeholders meeting and that her suggestions had generally well received.

65.2    Chris Hill, Shropshire Council Economic Growth Team updated Members on the Councils aspirations for the site. He commented that there were many constraints on the site but that a mixed use for the site giving 1000 houses and creating 1500 jobs was proposed.

65.3    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage commented that there was a need to stress the importance of leisure and tourism

65.4    Members agreed to support the content of the proposed letter to the developers

To receive an update form Dan Wrench, Biodiversity Officer, Shropshire Council on the Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation

Members are asked to agree whether a formal response from the Board is required.

66.1    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage updated the meeting on a consultation being carried out by DEFRA on proposals to see a net gain from planning and development.

66.2    A Member commented that the NFU had concerns regarding the proposals as there were lots of practical issues to be addressed.

66.3    A Member commented that the costs of the proposals should be kept to a minimum as the increased costs may make schemes unsustainable.

66.4    It was agreed that a copy of the Local Nature Partnerships response to the consultation should be circulated to Members and that any comments should be fed back to the  Interim Head of Culture and Heritage

To receive a presentation from Karl Hounsell, WSP on the findings of the consultation and the next steps.

Members are asked to discuss the implications of the new plan on priorities and delivery

67.1    Members received a presentation from Karl Hounsell (copy attached to the signed minutes) which updated them on progress with the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and the findings of the consultations carried out through an online questionnaire and a stakeholder engagement event.  He also outlined the next steps in the process and advised that the LTP and associated documents should be finalised by February 2020

67.2    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage advised the meeting that a new cycling and walking strategy was being developed as part of the LTP and that she would be setting up a working group to progress this.

67.3    A Member commented that walking and cycling routes should be made attractive for use at all times not just travel to and from work.

67.4    The Chair thanked Mr Hounsell for his presentation.

To receive a presentation from the Interim Head of Culture and Heritage on master planning aspirations for new developments.

A report which was taken to a meeting of the Place Overview Committee is attached for information

66.1    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage updated the meeting on proposals around green infrastructure planning.

66.2    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage reminded Members that as part of the Local Plan review the Council was developing a green infrastructure mapping system that would enable green space need to be assessed on a wider catchment area rather than on individual development boundaries and that a programme of mapping and categorising open space had enabled a complete record of open space in Shropshire to be produced.  She added that the mapping clearly showed the coverage and gaps in each settlement and the specific requirements or opportunities in particular locations.

66.3    A Member asked whether it would be possible to link gain from 2 or 3 developments.  The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage stated that this may be difficult to enforce and that the right incentives would need to be in place to allow this to happen.

66.4    The Chairman thanked the Interim Head of Culture and Heritage for her update

The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage will update members on the recent visit by Julian Glover and the Glover Review of Designated Landscapes in England. There has been some community discussion about the AONB becoming a National Park.

Members are asked to agree whether any actions are required at this stage

69.1    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage reminded the meeting that The Glover Review of Protected Landscapes had arisen out of the 25-year Environment Plan and was looking at the future role of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

69.2    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage advised that as part of the review Julian Glover had visited Shropshire and held meetings with stakeholders in the Shropshire Hills AONB and that these meetings had been very productive.

69.3    The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage commented that there was now a better working relationship between the AONB and Shropshire Council and that a lot of good work was taking place.

69.4    The Chair thanked the Interim Head of Culture and Heritage for her update

The Rights of Way Mapping and Enforcement Manager will give an update on the Local Plan Site Allocation Consultation

Members are asked to agree whether a formal response from the Board is required,

70.1    The ROW Mapping & Enforcement Manager advised the meeting that the Outdoor   Recreation Department had made a response to the Local Plan Site Allocation consultation.

70.2    The ROW Mapping & Enforcement Manager informed Members that the response had consisted or a number of general points and then comments regarding each proposal within the plan.

70.3    It was agreed that copies of the submission should be circulated to Memebrs.

The Chairman will give an update on progress with the Transition Programme

71.1    The Chairman gave an update on progress with the Agriculture Bill. He advised that the bill had completed its Committee stage and would be coming back for third reading at a date to be confirmed.

71.2    The Chairman advised the meeting that it was proposed that payments would be made through the LEP and that it had been proposed that a Rural Board be created.

71.3    A Member commented that there was need to ensure that the LEP are aware of the needs of the rural areas, and that there was need for the development of a national “rural strategy”.

71.4    The Chairman was thanked for his update

To receive short updates from Members on key activities/priorities/issues

72.1    There were no updates from Members

·         Wild Teams Update

·         Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Forum ( The notes of the last meeting are to follow for information)

73.1    Wild Teams

The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage advised that she was still trying to secure funding for the Wild Teams for the next financial year and asked Members to advise her of any potential source of funding.

The Interim Head of Culture and Heritage advised that a new Director of Public Health had been appointed and would commence work in April

73.2    The notes of the last meeting of the Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Forum were circulated for information

Members are reminded that the next meeting will be held on Thursday 6 June 2019 at 10.00am

74.1    Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on Thursday 6 June 2019 at 10.00am