NOTES OF A MEETING of the YATELEY COMMON MANAGEMENT COMMITTES held in the Rose Rent Room, The Tythings Community Centre, Reading Road, Yateley, on 22 October 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor A. P. Collett.

Yateley Town Council

Councillor R. E. Harward ( Chairman ).

Observers

Mr. P. J. Tipton

The folowing officers were in attendance : -

Mr. J. Tickle - Head of the Countryside Service

Mr. A. Davidson - Sites Manager (North)

Mr. A. R. Knight - Chief Executive's Department.

Miss A. Saunders - Assistant Town Manager, Yateley Town Council.

21 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

22 MINUTES

The meeting being inquorate, it was not possible to confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2002.

The meeting continued as a Working Group of the Yateley Common Management Committee.

23 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman paid tribute to Tony Davis's achievements over twelve years as Site Manager. Tony had always displayed a high level of care of the Common and his dedicated service was acknowledged by the Committee. He was praised for his participation in the Cobbetts Lane and Fox Farm Inquiries and the achievement of Special Protection Areas for Wild Birds status for land adjoining the Common. Members wished him well for the future.

24 DEPUTATIONS

No Deputations had been received.

25 YATELEY COMMON SITE MANAGER'S REPORT

The Conservation Stewardship Scheme had continued and a survey had been carried out by an MSc. student from Reading University on the distribution of the Solitary Bee - a nationally rare species.

Visits from schools had increased following the end of the Foot and Mouth Disease.

A letter was to be sent from The Vice-Chairman to Hart District Council regarding the expiry of the six month compliance period attaching to the refusal for change of use of a residential property to a limousine business, impinging on the Common, and seeking the re-instatement of the area concerned. The District Council were to be urged to take immediate enforcement action, as an appeal by the owners had been turned down and two extension periods had expired.

Further complaints had been received about the dangers caused by horse riding on footpaths and picnic areas. Work was in hand to bring these problems to an end , but it would be necessary to complete the Rights of Way review as part of this process.

Motorcyclists had also continued riding on the Common , and ways were being investigated to bring this practice to an end. The public were urged to report incidents to the Police so that the full extent of the problem was recorded, and action would be more likely to be taken by the Police. It was emphasised that firm evidence of persons committing offences would be required for legal action to be taken.

Councillor Collett reported that he had been briefed by the Legal Section on the legislation relating to use of the Common and prohibition of cycling, other than in specifically designated areas. It was suggested that prohibition signs setting out the Bye-laws be prominately displayed on the Common for the wider knowledge of legitimate users, who might then be encouraged to report breaches to the Police.

Fines of up to £500.00 could be imposed under the present legislation.

Track repair work had been carried out on resident's accesses and tracks within the site. Work had begun on a Tree Safety Policy and the Common had been zoned for the monitoring of danger areas. It would be necessary for consideration to be given to the possible conflicting aims of the County Council's corporate responsibility and good ' wild-life ' practice. Health and Safety responsibilities would be an important factor.


Carole White had carried out an archaeological survey of an area south of the A30 road and looked at areas of the Country Park. She wished to undertake a surface survey of the area, and excavations. She had submitted proposals, and these were to be circulated to Members.

26 WINTER WORK PROGRAMME 2002 - 03

The Winter Work Programme 2002 - 03 was discussed.

Consideration was being given to the review of the Right of Way network. It was felt that the designation of paths would help recognition and assist people walking on them. The accuracy of maps was being checked in the public consultation by the Countryside Agency under the CROW Act arrangements for access to the countryside. Any management issues arising from the exercise would be discussed with the Countryside Agency.

The position of exchange land at Penny Hill was raised by Mr. Tipton. This land bordered the road and the question of a fence sited back from the road boundary, by permission of the Secretary of State was to be raised with the County Council's legal section.

27 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was to be held on Tuesday 18 February 2002 at 7pm in the rose Rent Room, The Tythings Community Centre, Yateley.

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