TWJLAF Chair’s Report for meeting on 26 January 2015

Progress and activity since the last JLAF meeting on 13 October 2015

Meetings:

  • Northumberland JLAF site meeting with Natural England (David McGlade) and National Park officers, at Hadrian’s Way, Wylam 15-10 to discuss non-use of countryside access and discussion at National Park Centre, Hexham after. I was invited to give an urban perspective. Issues considered included disability, needs of different age and ethnic groups, interaction between walkers, cyclists, horseriders and others, signage and promotion, maintenance, vandalism, land-owners. Hadrian’s Way was agreed to be a “peri-urban access, highly managed as a linear park but perceived as very safe and welcoming with convenient pubs/cafes/attractions in the Wylam area, giving very high levels of usage.
  • Attendance as an observer at Northumberland JLAF October meeting.
  • Attendance at Consultation Events for Coastal Path (natural England ) and North Tyneside Local Plan: both held at Whitley Bay library 03-12-1.
  • Planning sub-group24-11
  • Pre-agenda meeting 12-01-16
  • Attendance at

Correspondence: mostly email.

  • Emails plus tel call to C Hall re sad news and funeral of former JLAF chair: Lindsay Perks.
  • Emails re Woolsington Park proposed development: secretary of State will not call the application in so no public Inquiry. Application could now be granted but a serious fire over the festive break has damaged the historic hall and the scheme cannot proceed as intended.
  • Some positive replies to letter to Chief Executives of Appointing Authorities and to Local Authority Portfolio holders on access. (Still considering similar letter to local MPs and MEPs to introduce current JLAF,promote website and remind about our statutory role.)
  • Contact made with Local Nature Partnership(s) Northumberland coast and Lowlands now merged with Durham. Emails exchanged with Durham and Northumberland reps on the LNPs.
  • Letter of advice on proposed Newburn housing 15-11-15
  • Letter of advice on proposed Newcastle Community Infrastructure Levy and Planning Obligations 21-12-2015
  • Letter of advice on proposed Whorlton Hall housing - Callerton 24-11-15
  • Letter of advice on proposed Hazlerigg housing 22/11/15
  • Letter of advice on N Tyneside Local Plan 21-12-15
  • Reminders and requests to JLAF administrator.
  • Advice/comments to VC & Chair of Durham LAF re Lambton Hall proposals.

Reports: None

Research:

  • Checking notifications received via Huddle web chatroom
  • Reasons for non – use of countryside and Public Rights of Way.
  • Ramblers’ assoc “Big Pathwatch” surveys in NW Newcastle and Tyne valley Lemington to Wylam.
  • Dementia Walks and accessible routes in some of Newcastle’s parks.
  • Role of Local Enterprise Partnership & Local Nature Partnership

On the “To do list”:

  • Letters to Local Enterprise Partnership,Local Nature Partnerships, Local outdoor sport,running, cycling, walking and horseriding organisations, local health trusts and related organisations, personnel/contacts, based on letter to Chief Executives.
  • Encourage and support participation by JLAF members
  • Initiate a recruitment drive for active new members
  • Ensure our action and correspondence is properly recorded, reported and filed, with all appropriate material available to members and the public on the website and to provide an evidence base for the Annual Report and Annual Review form to be provided to Natural England.
  • Formalise and monitor advice given, recording whether acted upon and if not, reasons for non-action.
  • Have as many JLAF members as possible enabled with access to Natural England’s “HUDDLE” web facility for information sharing.
  • Look at running/jogging role of Rights of Way and make contact with Sports Organisations
  • Continue debate/dialogue with NE/DEFRA
  • Continue active role at Regional Group and explore opportunities for joint working with neighbouring LAFs
  • Address admin/officer support gaps