• Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Sutherland Local Access Forum held in Ben More Assynt, Drummuie, Golspie on Thursday 16 May 2013 at 2pm.

 

Present

W G Johnstone, Scottish Rights of Way Society/Access User
H B Field, Sutherland Walkers Group/Access User
J Gall, Landowner/Crofter
P Olson, Access User
J Ross, Scottish Canoe Association/Access User
W Sutherland, Crofter

 

In Attendance

M Dent, Access Officer, Highland Council
A Macrae, Committee Administrator, Highland Council

 

1. Welcome to the Forum

 

The Access Officer extended a welcome to all parties to the meeting.  He also welcomed Mr P Olson to his first meeting of the Forum.

 Thereafter, and pending the appointment of a Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Forum AGREED that Mr G Johnson take the Chair for the meeting.

 

2. Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr G Farlow, Mr M MacDougall and Mr J McGillivray.

 

3. Membership Standing Orders and Paperwork

 

In response to a question the Access Officer confirmed that the Standing Orders approved by the Forum in October 2005 continued to apply, and he circulated a copy to those Members requiring a copy.

 

The Access Officer further reported that the intention would be to re-launch the Fora at a Pan Highland event.

 

As a starting point the Chair requested that a list of the Forum’s membership be circulated to all Members for information.  In regard to the Standing Orders he noted that these did not make any reference to the method of appointing a Chairman and Vice Chairman, nor the frequency of meetings.

 

The Access Officer clarified that Members were invited to submit written statements for the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman in advance of the next meeting at which appointments to those positions would be agreed.

 

In regard to the frequency of meetings it was suggested that to provide continuity, and allow Members to be updated regularly on access issues across Sutherland, it would be beneficial for the Forum to meet three times per annum i.e. every four months. 

 

Thereafter, the Forum AGREED that three meetings be held annually, on a four monthly basis.

 

During further discussion it was confirmed that arrangements would be made to circulate the minutes from the last meeting of the previous Forum. It was also requested that the minutes of the Forum meeting be prepared within 21 days of the meeting.

 

A point was also raised regarding the importance of ensuring the Forum was represented at the annual meeting held between the National Access Forum and Local Access Fora.

 

Thereafter discussion followed on the membership of the Forum and the opportunities to have a wider range of interests represented, with specific reference being made to landowner and mountaineering interests. Other potential interests also included conservation organisations such as the RSPB and the John Muir Trust. In this regard the Access Officer encouraged all Members to approach any potential applicants with a suitable interest to apply to become a member of the Forum. Mr H B Field confirmed that he would approach the Factor of Sutherland Estates in this regard.

 

4. Core Path Plan Review

 

The Access Officer confirmed that would arrange for all Members to be provided with copies of the existing Core Path Plan. He also confirmed that he would circulate a checklist of all publications relevant to the Forum to ensure all Members had a complete set.

 

In response to questions the Access Officer confirmed that the existing Core Path Plan had been approved by the Council in September 2011.  In terms of the Forum’s locus in any review of the Plan, he explained that the Council’s intention was to review core path plans in conjunction with local development plans. A new Caithness and Sutherland Development Plan was currently being prepared and, with this in mind, he had been conducting a desk top review of the Core Path Plan in conjunction with the Countryside Rangers. The proposal was that Members would undertake a similar desk top exercise at the next appropriate meeting. 

 

In the meantime the Access Officer suggested that if Members had any comments on the Core Path Plan then they contact him directly.

 

Thereafter, the Forum NOTED the update on the Core Path Plan Review.

 

5. Review of Work of Access Officer

 

The Access Officer provided an update of his main duties which included:-

 

• Consultation responses to planning applications;
• Dealing with general access issues enquiries and complaints, referring to a number of specific examples at Rogart, Camore Wood, and Ardgay Hill;
• Reporting to the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee in regard to any breaches of access rights in terms of the Land Reform Act 2003;
• Dealing with general comments from members of public in regard to path and bridge maintenance and condition;
• Applying for funds through sources such as the Leader Programme towards path and signage work around Sutherland; and,
• Dealing with enquiries in relation to public rights of way.

 

Arising from this item the Access Officer encouraged Members to contact him directly if they were aware of any outstanding access issues. He also reported that he proposed to circulate the Forum with a bi-monthly update on access issues and any other relevant matters if the Forum so agreed.

 

The Forum AGREED to the proposal that the Access Officer circulate a bi-monthly update on access issues.

 

Alladale Estate

 

Arising from this item reference was made to the previous Forum’s consideration of matters relating to the Alladale Estate in connection with its proposals to keep wild animals and the associated impact on access rights, particularly in regard to its Dangerous Wild Animals Licence and application for a Zoo licence.  The Access Officer advised that on his last visit to the Estate the gates around the enclosure had been opened and the relevant signage removed.  It was also reported that there may have been changes to the management of the Estate.

 

Following further discussion on this matter the Forum AGREED that the Access Officer provide an update on this matter to the next meeting.

 

Big Burn, Golspie

 

Reference was made to the fact that a core path (Ref:812:004) at the Big Burn, Golspie had been blocked due to a landslip and rockfall.

 

The Access Officer reported that Golspie Community Council had funding in place to repair the path and were progressing works in conjunction with Sutherland Estates.  He understood that the area where there had been a rockfall was safe, but significant works may be required to stabilise the area where there had been a landslip.

 

The Forum NOTED the position.

 

Tutim and Braelangwell Bridges

 

Mr P Olson reported that the above Bridges were in urgent need of repair, noting that they provided important access points for walkers and cyclists in this part of Sutherland to the wider area.  He reported that the Tutim Bridge had been closed due to the condition of the wooding decking which needed to be replaced.  He explained that the Highland Council had confirmed that the Bridges were not in its ownership and therefore it was not the Council’s responsibility to undertake the necessary repairs.

 

Mr Olson further reported there was an opportunity to secure wind farm funding to repair the Bridges and clarification was sought on whether there was a mechanism for funding to be obtained from this source by a local group on the basis that the Council supervised or acted as conduit for the works.

 

Discussion also followed on the legal issues in terms of whether any group applying for funding would require to have title or a lease for the land on which the structure was located to meet the relevant funding criteria.  A point was also raised in regard to responsibility for future maintenance liabilities. 

 

During further discussion it was suggested that both structures had previously been listed on the Council’s bridges register. Mr J Ross AGREED that he would check the current status of the Bridges with the Council’s Transport, Community and Environmental (TEC) Services. 

 

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A number of further issues were also raised during which the Access Officer AGREED to provide an update on access issues in respect of Rispond Estate in his first bi-monthly report.

 

In discussion on complaints and problems with dog fouling which had been experienced in the area, it was suggested that an effective mechanism in dealing with the problem was to highlight the problem in the local press by raising the issue at community council meetings.  The Access Officer also confirmed that he would circulate the Forum with the contact details for the Council’s Education Enforcement Officer, based in Dingwall, who had enforcement powers in regard to dog fouling.

 

6. Date of Next Meeting

 

On hearing from the Chair, the Forum AGREED that the next meeting be held on Thursday 19 September 2013, time and venue to be confirmed.  (Note: Following the meeting the date was amended to 25 September 2013).  

 

The meeting ended at 3.35pm.