ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the YATELEY COMMON MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held in the Rose Rent Room, The Tythings Community Centre, Reading Road, Yateley on Tuesday 18^th June, 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: A.P. Collett; J.K. Glen; R.P.C. Hutcheson; J.W. Stocks.

Yateley Town Council

Councillors D.T. Benham; E.J. Dawson; R.E. Harward.

Observers

Mr. P.J. Tipton.

14 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor R.E. Harward, Yateley Town Council, be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.
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COUNCILLOR R.E. HARWARD IN THE CHAIR
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15 CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

The Chairman welcomed Councillor D.T. Benham to the Committee. He congratulated Councillor Hutcheson on his appointment as Chairman of Hampshire County Council and it was noted that the appointment marked the first occasion that a representative from North East Hampshire had received this appointment.

16 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February, 2002 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon

Minute No. 3 - Yateley Common Country Park - Site Manager's Report - October, 2001 to February, 2002

The Environment Agency were praised for the successful prosecution of a person for dumping a car outside the Simmsmetals site and subsequent fine of £1,000 including costs. Members enquired whether a press release could be issued publicising this prosecution and acting as a deterrent.

17 SITE MANAGER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Sites Manager (Item 4 in the Minute Book) outlining work undertaken on Yateley Common between February to June, 2002. The rangers had spent a considerable amount of time improving and expanding their education packs and more schools had been visiting the common particularly from the Aldershot and Farnborough areas. Discussions were at an early stage with the County Surveyor's Waste Management Section, regarding the possibility of financial assistance for the removal of fly tipping waste from the common. The County Council's Estates Practice were congratulated on successfully resolving an encroachment at the Casa des Cesari Restaurant.

Concerns were again expressed regarding the danger existing from the use of motorcycles on the common. Although offenders were known to the Authority difficulties had been experienced in taking action against them. The Committee supported the suggestion that the police should be involved and that a multi-agency approach be tried. A police initiative PRIME sought to gather information on incidents, so that a picture could be built up, thus making any action easier to take. Councillor Collett reported that Yateley Police had given higher attention to specific incidents in what they called a "Hot Spot of the Week". Officers would then pay particular attention to these areas in an effort to clear up individual problems as they occurred. Councillor Collett was to contact Ms. Ellam, Chief Executive's Department regarding this initiative and a briefing paper requested on the law relating to cycling on the common.

Councillor Benham sought information regarding any financial support which might have been forthcoming in the way of sponsorship from local haulage companies for the repair of rights of way. The Northern Sites Manager was requested to approach these companies requesting their assistance, which if forthcoming would be acknowledged on the site.

Summer 2002 Work Programme

Mr. Davis reported that he had revamped the format of the work schedule and had set three priority objectives which was felt would benefit the greatest number of users of the common or be regarded as the highest priority on nature conservation objectives.

Members supported the report in general and felt that these tasks should be tried for 12 months and be reviewed during the ninth month. The objectives were as follows:

(i) Resolving the issues relating to the rights of way network on Yateley Common by reinstatement of overgrown rights of way and/or by application for diversion or closures (this was regarded as an annual task).


(ii) Ensuring that the existing rights of way and permissive paths were in good condition that were free from encroaching vegetation and not excessively muddy.


(iii) Restoration of the remaining areas of heathland.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That the Committee approves the shortlist of priority objectives set out in the Summer 2002 Work Programme.

18 ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACEMENT COMMON LAND

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on retrospective adjustments to be made to the "land bank".

A report to the last meeting of the Committee highlighted an area of 5,751 square metres of land remaining in the land bank. Concerns had been raised over a number of areas which had been clarified with the co-operation of Mr. Peter Tipton. The areas are defined below.

· Pond Farm - Darby Green (additional 353 sq metres)

· Hall Lane/327 roundabout (additional 128 sq metres)

The above sites were in the ownership of Hampshire County Council and subject to land bank arrangements.


· Minley Road roundabout scheme (no changes recommended)

This scheme did not involve County Council land.


Mr. Tipton was thanked for his invaluable help and agreed that to the best of his knowledge the information was now complete. Changes were to be noted in the commons register. Members were reassured that the situation had been addressed and clarified.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the changes to be made in making and recording the necessary adjustments to the land bank areas be endorsed.


(ii) That appreciation be expressed to Mr. Peter Tipton for his assistance in clarifying changes to the land bank figures.

19 RIGHTS OF WAY - YATELEY COMMON

The Committee considered the report of the Northern Sites Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) proposing certain changes to rights of way on Yateley Common.

A number of rights of way on Yateley Common had become overgrown and unusable. In order that the entire network could be properly maintained and conform to the definitive map, and in some cases on safety grounds, a number of diversions had been proposed.

Mr. Davis explained that initial discussions with Ramblers Association representatives had led to some modifications to the proposals set out in the report. Councillor Collett declared an interest that he was a member of the Ramblers Association.

Mr. Tipton pointed out that Footpath No. 31 had existed as an ancient trackway and had been surveyed by the Commoners and they would be reluctant to lose the use of this pathway. Mr. Davis pointed out that there were difficulties with the terrain as part of the footpath was through a permanently boggy and wet area.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That approval be given for public consultations on the proposed diversions of Rights of Way on Yateley Common, set out in the report.

20 HEATHLANDS CEMETERY, STEVENS HILL, YATELEY - ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) regarding access arrangements at Stevens Hill, Yateley.

The report sought to regularise use of Bridleway 19 over land in part in the County Council's ownership. A number of issues relating to ownership and consent would need to be resolved including possibly, the consent of the Secretary of State. Approval in principal had been obtained between the County Council and Yateley Town Council in respect of 50/50% funding whilst recognising the sensitivity of the access to the cemetery, and local feelings in the matter; the need to regularise this access and maintain it in a condition suitable for funeral vehicles, was supported. It would be necessary to find replacement land from the land bank in this instance. Assurances were given that the road would be kept in good working order whilst the legal work proceeded. It was understood that English Nature supported the proposal, providing no material changes were proposed and they wished to be consulted regarding any changes that were made.

The Chairman of the County Council thanked Mr. Davies and his staff for work on the common.

RESOLVED:

(i) That, approval of the Executive Member Recreation and Heritage and Executive Member Policy and Resources, be sought with a view to an Appropriation Order being obtained, in respect of the land in the County Council's ownership, and part of the road leading to Heathlands cemetery being adopted in due course; and


(ii) That, other options continue to be pursued in respect of those parts of the bridleway not in the County Council ownership with a view to either reclassification orders being sought and the surface being improved or other solutions as necessary being secured.

21 DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND SUMMER SITE VISIT

A site visit was to be held on Tuesday 2 July at 6.00 p.m. The assembly point was to be the gravel pit car park of the A30 site (a location plan would be forwarded to members).

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Tuesday 22 October, 2002 at 7.00 p.m. in the Rose Rent Room, The Tythings Community Centre, Yateley.

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