Notes from Cotswold Trails and Access Partnership Meeting – 30thJanuary 2014

AttendeesJohn Bartram (JAB) (Chair & Wardens rep), James Blockley (JB) (Trails Officer), Nick Holliday (CCB) John Lane (Glos PROW), Mavis Rear (Ramblers), Charles Mann (NFU & Landowners), Richard Holmes (Glos LAF) Tess Jackson (Natural England),

ApologiesJulian Ebbutt (Hotelier), Sally Graff (Cotswold Council Tourism) Harry Acland (CCB & famer)

Agenda Item / Actions / By
Minutes / Future minutes to focus on brief summary of discussions and agreed actions / JB
Delivery Framework / NE to explain the shortcomings of the draft Framework document
Final version of Framework document to be prepared in next 2-3 weeks with new section that explains “How the partnership will meet NE’s quality standards” and “How the NE grant is to be spent in order to achieve NE’s objectives”. Copy to be sent to partners for final comment.
Consider whether participation of Local Enterprise Partnership or other similar organisation could bring anything to our Trails Partnership. / TJ
JB
NH
2013/14 report to NE on Quality Standards / Cotswold Way Wardens to carry out baseline study to record state of trail as of Q1 2013 for use to compare progress since 2008 and as a benchmark for annual surveys
Landowners along the Cotswold Way to be asked to comment on landowners satisfaction, state of the trail and any issues / concerns.
There is a need for some independent assessment of the state of the trail, both now and annually. Volunteer assistance from Rambler groups to be investigated. / JB
CM
MR
Budget & Action Plan 2014/15 / Budget to be focussed on “outcomes”.
Detailed 2014/15 action plan to be prepared with estimated budget for each action. This includes work to be done by CCB staff providing services to the partnership under matched funding.
Comparison of budgeted action plan with funds available and discussions with CCB on final partnership budget. / JB & JAB
JB
JB & JAB
Maintenance of Cotswold Way / Meeting of HA’s arranged asap to agree changed funding arrangements for 2014/15
Warden representation at above meeting with HA’s to be discussed with CW coordinators
Proposals for lower cost waymark posts and other furniture to be discussed (action from Sept meeting not discussed at this meeting) / JB
JAB
JB & JL
Website / Next “Cotswold Lion” to included details of new CW website and call for comments and suggested improvements
Walks Unlimited to be contacted and asked to provide feedback on use of the CW site and as much information as possible on who accesses the site.
Ensure that the website has up to date information on accommodation, car parks etc / JB
JB
JB
Health & Wellbeing / Partnership to be kept informed of progress of Health & Wellbeing proposal sent to GCC and other funding options. / JB
Cotswold Way North Marker project / Check with Wardens Countryside Fund, Friends of Cotswolds and National Trust on level of funding that they might offer to the project.
Meeting to be arranged with JE and Chipping Campden community about the project and initiatives to gain additional funding for the project. / JAB & JB
JAB
Cycle the Cotswold Way project / JE to be asked if he will take the lead on this project. HA to be approached to assist. / JAB
Cotswold Walking Festival / Sheila Talbot to be approached to discuss idea of a Walking Festival either later this year or next.
Discussion with SG regarding optimum timing in terms of other tourism initiatives.
Meeting to be arranged with all “Walkers are Welcome” villages in the Cotswolds to see if there can be some coordination of events to create a Walking Festival. Is the target going to be “walkers” or holiday makers doing some walking? / JB
JB & JAB
JAB, MR, & JB
Cotswold Way Association / Ramblers and Wardens to be contacted to see if anybody is interested in helping establish a Cotswold Way Association similar to the SW Path Association and Offa’s Dyke Association.
Invite reps from SWPA and ODA to a meeting to find out about the issues involved in setting up a Cotswold Way Association and to get an idea of their members profile etc. / MR & JAB
JB, JAB & MR
Mobil Phone App / Investigate the possibility of setting up a mobile phone App for the Cotswold Way which has full GPS functionality. Estimate cost to be included in 2014/15 budget. / JB & JAB
Date of Next Meeting / Doodle poll to be set up to check availability for a meeting in the last 2 weeks of May 2014 / JB