Issue - meetings

Reports from Members round the table

Meeting: 28/09/2010 - Local Countryside Access Forum (Item 12)

Reports from Members round the table

Minutes:

  • Michael Abbott queried whether any funds from the sale of council properties in the area could be used towards access schemes. It was reported that this money had already been used for affordable housing in the borough, amongst other schemes.
  • Innes McEwen reported that he had been offered HLS funding for educational access enhancement to the farm. Mr McEwen received over thirty school visits to the farm per year at present and was working with the charity LEAF. It was hoped to make the Jealotts Hill Bird Race an annual event. Keen bird watchers would spend time at the farm and report what they had seen, which was useful information for the farm. The neighbouring farm would possibly be opened one day a year with a focus on the livestock.
  • Steve Searle reported that there was an open day in July at the Crown Estate. Measurements were being taken at present in order to make improvements to disabled access. Felling and thinning had been undertaken in the area going up to the Fernhill roundabout on the A332; with felling on the east side of the road and thinning on the west side of the road.
  • Peter Radband reported that cows had been too close to the gate over the bridge and dog walkers had been unable to get through the gate. There was a need for interpretation aimed at informing walkers (particularly dog walkers) about how to behave at sites where there were cattle grazing. It was reported that a first draft of an information sheet had been produced, which could be adopted at other sites.