Item No. / LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
Thursday 3rd July 2014, 7pm
Serenity Room 1, Welcome Centre, Coventry / Action
1. / Present:Claire Sangster, Dave Allen, Roger Stone, Joe Carroll, Vaughan Owen, Mike Murray,Annabel Arnold, Gina Rowe, Perminder Balu, Sheila Cooper, Robin Hickin, John Hall,
Apologies:, Steven Wallsgrove, Michael Orlik
Members of the Public: David McCann(HS2), Mike Kelly, Richard Lloyd
Officers in Attendance: Keith Davenport (WCC),Dave Keaney (SMBC), Lex Le Marinel (CCC), Andrew Jackman (CCC)
Notes:Louise Richards (WCC)
2. / Notes from the Chair
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The Chair raised some issues for the Members to think about;
  • Attendance at Regional/National events
  • Request from National England to complete surveys and produce reports
Under the 2000 ROW Act there is nothing to suggest that the LAF should comply with the above. Funding for the LAF is via the 3 LA’s, is this the right way to be spending the funding?
This was discussed under any other business and a vote taken.
3. / Notes from the LAF Co-ordinator
  • Members were asked to let Louise know if they still experience difficulties in opening any files sent via email
  • All are asked to confirm if their contact details have changed in the last 12 months
  • The LAF website has been updated with meeting dates, minutes, relevant information sent via the regional co-ordinator, plus profile updates. All are asked to check their profiles and send any changes through to Louise.
  • The Waymark Newsletters posted on the Website are password protected, the password is - laf member.
  • Warwickshire Public Health and Cycling have been contacted; they will not be able to send a rep to every meeting but will address any issues which arise from the meetings and feedback via Louise.

4. / Notes from meeting on 20thMarch 2014
The notes were agreed as a true reflection of the meeting
Matters Arising
  • Coventry Cycling Club will be contacted for a rep to attend the meetings
  • John Hall submitted a Declaration of Interest to the meeting – circulated with the notes
  • Claire reported that she has received acknowledgement from Warwickshire and Solihull CE’s on the 116 Legislation letter send to the 3 LA’s following the last meeting
  • The amended ‘Walking in the Countryside’ article written by Annabel Arnold was agreed
  • Roger Stone expressed concern at the absence of Solihull in the HS2 discussions
  • Andrew Jackman introduced CCC new ROW officer – Lex Le Marinel to the forum. John Hall welcomed Lex to the group on behalf of the Ramblers
/ LR
LR
5. / Update from HS2
David McCann gave an update to the forum;
  • The Bill is now under consultation, on the 2nd reading, and on Tuesday 1st July the Select Committee (SC) period begins
  • All those who have petitioned will be given a chance to go to the SC
  • HS2 Ltd presented to the 6 members of the SC and will send the Chair’s details to Louise for circulation
  • The timetable is currently being organised – 1st area is Birmingham and Central, then the North, followed by the South of the Country. NWarks – provisionally December, David McCann will keep the forum informed
  • HS2 Ltd no longer have control over the project it is in the hands of the SC
  • The SC will not focus purely on costs, environment, benefit to the community, Health& Safety are also important factors
  • HS2 Ltd counterpart in Solihull will be contacted to ask if they will attend the next LAF meeting in Nov
  • The SC process can be followed via the Government website, link to be sent to Louise for circulation
  • Questions included; Betterment – don’t rely on HS2 Ltdfor this, they are for the railway not LA. Offsetting 2kms – may be considered but it must be in the petition. There is no legal obligation for HS2 to improve any resources when construction starts, only mitigate what is being done.HS2 - Additional Provision. Any HS2 changes made, which change the environmental impact for the negative or positive, will go to consultation again
  • Concerns were raised over the lack of co-operation of HS2 Ltd in the Solihull area.
  • SC will be coming out to inspect the route, exact route to be clarified
  • Richard Lloyd (member of the public) asked if the LAF intended to give evidence to the SC? No – the LA’s will give evidence, the LAF is an advisory body
/ DM
DM
DM
DM
DM
5. / Report from Regional meeting
Dave Allen updated the forum;
  • Minutes of the last meeting have been circulated
  • LAF Survey was discussed and all asked to promote within their LAF’s
  • Share Best Practice - DA mentioned HS2
  • Coventry Way – was praised for its circular routes
  • Plug for Warwickshire – Bridal way signs, walkers, cyclists, horseriders
  • Need for Health involvement / engagement with LAF’s
The next meeting is in September – DA to attend
6. / Deregulation Bill (Michael Orlik presentation)
Michael Orlik was unable to attend the meeting, the Chair wanted to thank Michael for the report he produced.
The Bill has not been signed off by Parliament, and will not be signed off until it becomes an Act.
Marion Borman, WCC will give a presentation at the next meeting in November
7. / Any Other Business
WCC Truckers ERoad – Clarification if this is a statutory duty (LAF not included on the pre consultation list)
Annual ReviewNatural England (NE)
The forum discussed the request from NE to produce an annual report and complete a questionnaire on the work of the LAF. The vote was 10 to 1 in favour of writing an A4 sheet summary to submit to NE with a link to the LAF website where the agendas and minutes are posted.
Attendance at Regional and National Meetings (1 National meeting, 6 monthly Regional meetings).
There is no funding from NE for reps to attend the meetings, they are paid for from the LAF funding via the 3 LA’s. All agreed that Dave Allen should attend the next meeting in September and relay the feelings of the LAF. LA reps should agree (by the next meeting) if funding will continue to be used for attendance at the regional and national meetings. / KD
8. / Suggested agenda items for next meeting
  • HS2
  • Presentation from Natural England / linked to Health

9. / Date and venue for next meetings
Nov 6th , 7.00pm – The Welcome Centre, Coventry / LR to book venue

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