Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR RECREATION AND HERITAGE

PART II

INCREASED BUDGET FOR COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM - SMALL GRANTS SCHEME

1. The Executive Member has approved an additional allocation of £10,000 to the Countryside Access Forum - Small Grants Scheme, which results in the budget being doubled to £20,000. This will be funded by redeployment within existing resources.

2. This scheme, managed in partnership with the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum, enables parish councils and landowners to design and deliver improvements to the countryside access network, mainly rights of way. The result is a substantial amount of matched funding and volunteer time in return for a modest input of County Council resources. The grants scheme has been popular with Parish Councils as it enables them to achieve improved access to the countryside and rights of way which meet local needs and aspirations. The types of schemes undertaken include path resurfacing and drainage, provision of benches, replacement of stiles with kissing ages and the provision of map boards and leaflets.

3. The enhanced grants scheme will enable a larger number of projects to be undertaken during the coming year and will contribute towards the corporate strategy by maximising wellbeing and enhancing quality of place by promoting improved access to the countryside. It is also a good example of partnership working with parish councils and other interested bodies. It will enable the County Council to help with the delivery of even more schemes which will meet local priorities and aspirations.

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DIVERSION OF RIGHTS OF WAY - NEW GUIDANCE

1. The Executive Member has approved the publication of new guidance for the diversion of rights of way, which will take the place of the existing diversion policy. Copies of the new guidance have been placed in the Members' rooms.

2. Policy needs to be reviewed to reflect changing circumstances and to encourage the making of improvements to the rights of way network. In particular:

    · The new definitive map of rights of way was published in January, 2008.

    · Countryside Access Plans improvements are being sought and implemented.

    · The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 contains provisions whereby owners and occupiers of land used for agriculture will have the right to apply for a diversion: as a framework for any such applications, a proper and transparent process is needed so that the County Council can meet its obligations.

    · The existing policy contains tensions in determining where the interests of the public lie when applications for diversions are being considered.

3. The new guidance governing diversion of rights of way is intended to:

    · Maximise the quality of proposed new routes.

    · Manage landowners' expectations.

    · Discourage applications with little prospect of success.

    · Encourage the making of improvements to the network.

    · Take a positive attitude to the prospect of change.

    · Promote the quality and accessibility of diverted routes.

4. The guidance is designed to provide a framework for the management of increasing numbers of applications to divert rights of way which are expected from landowners under the new legislation. Applications will continue to be the subject of detailed reports to the Regulatory Committee as at present. No additional resource implications for the County Council are expected.

5. The revised guidance will contribute to all three aims of the corporate strategy, and in particular will enhance quality of place by means of improved accessibility to the countryside.

          MARGARET SNAITH

          Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage

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