Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Mr A Baldwin, Access Rossendale and Lorraine Mellodey, Blackburn with Darwen.

The minutes of the above meeting are attached.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2024 be confirmed as an accurate record.

Item to be introduced by the Chair.

The Chair presented an overview of the Forum's membership to the Forum. It was noted that there were several user groups not represented on the Forum and that there were several vacancies available. An advertisement to recruit new members of the Forum had been published via the county council's channels. The Chair highlighted the need to ensure the representation on the Forum was diverse and including as many user groups as possible.

It was suggested that the Forum write out to all relevant groups and organizations regarding the recruitment to encourage applications.  It was also noted that organizations such as the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, National Farmers Union, and the Country and Land Business Association should be approached to advertise the vacancies.

It was further noted that representations on the Forum should be a named individual with knowledge and experience in a dedicate area, and should not represent any organization.

Resolved: That

i.)  The Forum membership be noted; and

ii.)  External bodies, such as the National Farmers Union, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and Country and Land Business Association be contacted and asked to advertise the Lancashire Local Access Forum's vacancies.

It was noted that a document had been circulated with the agenda from Northwest Bridleways Association, regarding the River Lune Millennium Park. It was noted that David Goode, Public Rights of Way Manager, had provided a response to the association, and it had been requested by the Northwest Bridleways Association for the matter to be included in the agenda.

Resolved: That the matter raised by Northwest Bridleways Association, be noted.

Item to be introduced by David Kelly.

David Kelly, Ramblers Association, requested a progress update on the King Charles III England Coast Path. It was noted that Julie Paton, Lancashire County Council, had provided a correction to the information circulated with the agenda. This was that although the vast majority of the Cleveleys to Pierhead stretch had existing access rights the approved line of the path between Tarleton and Lytham has not come into being. The Coastal Access Rights will not come into being until all the establishment works/improvements have been undertaken and the route is signed.

It was asked when progress would be seen with the path from Much Hoole to Cleveleys. It was noted that no timescales could be given, but progress was continuing to be made.

Further updates included that the route on the bank of the River Ribble in Preston was facing significant obstructions and the route could change, and that there was no information to suggest that the July 2024 general election and the formation of a new government would have any negative impact on the implementation of the path.

Alison Boden requested clarification on the path and its boundary in Cleveleys South, and it was noted that the information could be circulated to the Forum at a later date.

Regarding the section of the path in Tarleton, a concern was raised over the lack of access over the weekends. It was noted that a solution was being sought to the lack of a bridge over the Douglas River and that the issue was due to resources and funding.

Resolved: That the update be noted.

Item to be introduced by the Chair.

It was noted that this item had previously been discussed at a previous meeting of the Forum.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, noted that there was a glitch with the LoveCleanStreets app, which was being fixed.

It was also noted that the LoveCleanStreets app was a helpful tool for Public Rights of Way issues, and for the Forum.

Resolved: That the update be noted.

Item to be introduced by the Chair.

An update on the areas of outstanding natural beauty was included within the agenda, and it was noted that the new name for Areas of Outstanding National beauty was Natural Landscapes.  However, it was clarified that their functions remained unchanged. It was also noted that Tony Lund had been appointed as the Forest of Bowland Manager, and it was recommended that he be invited to a future meeting of the Forum to provide information on the Bowland area, including any new responsibilities within the area that related to the work of the Forum.

In relation to the signage along the Active Living Route on the River Lune, it was noted that this covered a stretch of the Forest of Bowland area, and a concern was raised over the colour of the signage being similar to motorway signs, which could impact on the natural beauty of the area. It was highlighted that there was no control over the colour of the signage and any guidance on signage would come from central government.

Resolved: That

i.)  The update be noted; and

ii.)  Tony Lund, Forest of Bowland Manager, be invited to attend a future meeting of the Forum to provide information on the Bowland area, including any new responsibilities within the area that related to the work of the Forum. 

Item to be introduced by the Chair.

The Chair raised an issue in relation to the Labour Party Manifesto's commitments to Public Rights of Way, specifically referencing the 9 new river walks in each region of England. It was proposed that a letter be sent on behalf of the Forum to Steve Reed OBE MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to lobby for the river walk in the Northwest region to be on the River Ribble. The Forum commented that there were several rivers in Lancashire that deserved to be recognised, notably the River Wyre and River Lune, both of which should be considered.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, suggested that the Forum's letter should also lobby for any river in Lancashire to be considered for the Northwest region's river walk.

Resolved: That

i.)  A letter be sent to the Steve Reed OBE MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the reasons outlined above.

The Chair raised an issue in relation to the Labour Party Manifesto's commitments to Public Rights of Way, specifically referencing the 9 new river walks in each region of England. It was proposed that a letter be sent on behalf of the Forum to Steve Reed OBE MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to lobby for the river walk in the Northwest region to be on the River Ribble. The Forum commented that there were several rivers in Lancashire that deserved to be recognised, notably the River Wyre and River Lune, both of which should be considered.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, suggested that the Forum's letter should also lobby for any river in Lancashire to be considered for the Northwest region's river walk.

Resolved: That

i.)  A letter be sent to the Steve Reed OBE MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the reasons outlined above.

The next meeting of the Forum will be on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 1.30pm.

The Forum is asked to agree its next meeting dates as follows:

·  Tuesday 08 July 2025 at 1.30pm

·  Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 1.30pm

Meetings to be held at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meetings of the Forum would take place on the following dates at County Hall, Preston:

·  Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 2pm

·  Tuesday 8 July 2025 at 2pm