Minutes of the Caithness Local Access Forum Held in the Band Room, Thurso Town Hall, Thurso on Monday, 14th November, 2005
Present:
Mr Ken Butler (Chairman)
Mr William Bruce (Vice Chairman)
Mr Peter Blackwood
Mr Robert Coghill
Mrs Elena Koponen-Baikie
Councillor Graeme Smith
Mr Terry Keatinge
Mr George C Walker
In Attendance:
Mr Geoff Robson, Head of Environment, The Highland Council
Mrs Fiona Sinclair, Area Solicitor/Administrator, The Highland Council (Clerk)
Mr David Barclay, Access Officer, The Highland Council
Mr Adam Streeter-Smith of the Paths For All Partnership
Richard MacNicol, North Highland College
1. Apologies For Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms Gail Baker, Mr Steven Fraser, Councillor John Green and Mr Chris Hobson.
2. Chairman’s Remarks
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised for the change of date, which had been a source of irritation for a number of people.
The Chairman also referred to a meeting of the National Access Forum, which had taken place in Pitlochry recently, and reported that due to a communication breakdown, and short notice of that meeting, the Caithness Forum had not been represented there.
3. Minutes Of Previous Meeting And Actions Arising
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 August 2005 were held as read and were approved, subject to the amendment that the locus of the meeting should read Assembly Rooms, Wick rather than Town Hall, Thurso, and a correction to the spelling of the name of Mrs Elena Koponen-Baikie
The Chairman advised that arising from the minute of the last meeting, Forum members had been asked to send a note of stakeholders to the officials, and this had not happened
4. Presentation On Deer Management Issues
The Chairman introduced Mr Richard MacNicol of North Highland College who had attended the Meeting to talk about deer management in relation to access issues.
Mr MacNicol is now an employee of Thurso College and has more than twenty years experience as a deer stalker. He said that he had considerable involvement in access issues through the Association of Deer Management Groups, although there are not many current access issues involving deer management. The Northern Deer Management Group covers the ground north of Helmsdale up to the north coast. There are now approximately 8,500 red deer on the local hills, which is less than there used to be. The Northern Deer Management Group has been in action for approximately 20 years. In the late 1980s there were problems with too many red deer. The Red Deer Commission then piloted the Northern Deer Management Group which radically reduced the number of deer from approximately 12,500 to its current number.
Mr MacNicol said that any access problems involving deer are centred around the Morven area. The number of people who access Morven per year have increased from approximately 200 per year to 1,200, and this number is expected to increase. This can lead to problems of disturbance during stalking and deer culling. Because of the topography, rolling moorland rather than high hills, deer can be disturbed from greater distances, and as a result move considerably further. Particularly in the short winter days, this can lead to problems for stalkers as if the deer are regularly disturbed, culling is more difficult.
Mr MacNicol said that a large number of people now go walking on the Ben Griam and often they do so without telling the gamekeepers which is a matter of great concern, as during culling it is useful to know whether people are out walking on the hills. He said that there is a lack of appropriate signage for Deer Management Groups, and that very few estates in the northern area use the National Access Forum concordat signage. He said that throughout the Strath of Kildonan, on the Suisgill and Torrish Estates there are few access difficulties, the main problems being focussed around the Morven and Ben Griam Beg areas.
Terry Keatinge commented that the Ben Griam area is unusual in that there is no one point from which walkers begin, as opposed to Morven where virtually everyone starts from Braemore, and consequently Braemore is the obvious place for signs. Mr MacNicol explained that there are a couple of main tracks leading to the Ben Grahams. He said that it is sensible to have contact points on signs, most gamekeepers being welcoming as long as they are told that people are on the hill. He said that this is a big health and safety issue, and that it is important to keep the Keepers informed.
Mr Bruce advised the meetings that walkers do not always contact the keepers if they do not expect there to be shooters on the hills. He said that it is likely that walkers and keepers will differ as to their choice of preferred routes for walkers to use. Mr MacNicol said that although people say that deer get used to hillwalkers, there are often conflicts between stalkers and walkers, and it is hoped that compromises will be found. Mr Bruce emphasised the need for dialogue between walkers and stalkers, and expressed concern at suggestions that there may soon be deer stalking on hills at any time of year. Mr MacNicol said that there would be no extension to stalking times for a five year period, although this may change after that time. He said that deer are causing a lot of damage and that because of the topography in this area, stalking is very difficult.
In response to an enquiry regarding hill telephone systems, Mr MacNicol said that there was no such system proposed for the area covered by the Northern Deer Management Group, although such a system could be useful around the Morven area. He said that any recorded message on such a system would require to be updated daily to give the system any worth.
With regard to signage, Mr Robson said that the signs designed to date do not adequately cover stalking, but that it is hoped that this problem will be addressed nationally, as currently each individual estate has its own version of signs. Mr Barclay stressed the requirement for signage to demonstrate a willingness to accommodate people while managing the needs of the Estate too. The meeting agreed to note this as an ongoing issue, and to encourage estate owners to give more thought to how they might accommodate access takers in future.
Mr MacNicol said that the Access Concordat was issued in 1996. At that time a lot of thought went into the framing of the wording on the signs for deer management access, but now the signs would be regarded as offensive to certain people. Mr Robson advised that it would be necessary to check these signs against the requirements of the new legislation and the Access Code. Mr Robson said that currently there are approximately two fatalities per year due to accidents during stalking, which made the issue of access during the stalking season all the more serious.
The meeting agreed to accept an invitation from Mr MacNicol that David Barclay attend the spring 2006 meeting of the Deer Management Group to explain the work of the Access Forum to the Group, and to further the links between the two organisations. The Chairman thanked Mr MacNicol for his attendance at the Meeting.
5. Access Officer’s Report
Altnabreac Level Crossing. Mr Barclay said that he understood that Network Rail had suggested that padlocks might be fitted to the gates at the Altnabreac Level crossing as the gates had been left open on a number of occasions. He said that there was no evidence that the culprits were access takers, and that he hoped that the problem might be resolved by other means than fitting a padlock. He said that there were similar problems with gates in other parts of Scotland. It was suggested that the route might be made a Core Path, or “access friendly” gates be installed in order to help solve the problem. A copy of an SNH policy briefing on private railway crossings was circulated. It was noted that a current Nation-wide review of access over level crossings was underway at twenty test sites located throughout Scotland. The Forum expressed general concern at the restriction to access that this may pose and wished to be kept informed of developments.
Land Management Contract Scheme. Mr Barclay explained that Option 15 of the Land Management Contract Menu Scheme (under the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department) is to improve access, and that farmers can claim set amounts for improvements to paths, stiles, bridges etc. However, although the take up rate had been high, there are few checks on the scheme at present. He said that it is important that farmers liaise with the local Access Officer regarding various issues including safety, the expectations of the public etc. He said that a number of farmers had already been in direct contact with him, but that these were very much in the minority of cases where grants had been applied for or received. He invited the Forum to note the success of the Scheme. In response to Councillor Smith’s suggestion that paths which had been grant-aided should go on to the Core Path network, Mr Robson explained that information on the exact locations of paths receiving grants could not always be readily obtained from SEERAD. Mr Streeter-Smith explained that the Scottish Executive will soon publish the Scottish Rural Development Plan which will guide single farm payments. In terms of this document, Core Path Planning and Local Access Strategies will have to be considered in each farm’s Land Management Contract. The Forum noted the success of the SEERAD scheme, expressed concern about the lack of information on grant-aided paths, and noted that Single Farm Payments will represent significant access investment as time goes on, and agreed that David Barclay should continue to use meetings to inform farmers of the benefits of obtaining advice from him on access issues. A meeting to discuss the issues further is to be held between the Access Officer and SEERAD staff.
Motorbikes. Mr Barclay referred to the huge increase in the use of minimotos and quadbikes among children in the area, and reminded Forum members that these cannot be used on the highway, on footways or on paths, and that they fall completely outwith the access legislation. There was inconclusive discussion as to the best way forward, but it was suggested that instances of these “toys” being used should be reported to the Police.
6. Disposal Of Actions Arising
Remit – In the absence of any comments since the last meeting, the Forum agreed to adopt the draft remit of the Forum.
Launch of the Forum – the Launch at Rumster had taken place, and it was noted that a picture had appeared in a local newspaper.
Identifying Stakeholders – Mr Robson stressed the importance of identifying the people and groups which the Forum should consult on topical interests. He circulated a list of National Park stakeholders which he hoped would encourage members of the Forum to begin thinking about this Forum’s stakeholders.
Core Paths Plan – Mr Robson said that Core Paths Plans were being developed as part of the Local Development Plan process in some other areas of the Highlands, and said that there had been some difficulty in identifying the demand for access in these areas which had required different techniques in different areas. He said that the project is ongoing and that it is important to ensure consistency across the areas. He showed the Forum members a booklet which would be useful in explaining the procedure for designating core paths, and in particular the procedure for holding a Public Local Inquiry initiated by Scottish Ministers if there are unresolved objections. Mr Robson hoped that the first Core Paths Plan in the Highlands will be completed by the spring of 2007, and that the procedure would commence in Caithness in spring 2006.
PR Strategy Development – Mr Robson advised that he is continuing to work on this and is currently seeking ways to find out the aspirations of visitors to the area.
Code of Conduct – it was agreed that this would be considered at a future meeting of the Forum.
7. Future Programme
Suggestions for speakers for the January meeting included a talk by the Police or a talk from a local group for disabled persons. It was agreed to leave it to the Chairman and Mr Barclay to finalise a speaker.
The Chairman asked for suggestions for site visits which could be linked to a meeting. It was suggested that visits take place in the daytime during the working week, and that a suitable idea for a site visit would be to a farm on the edge of the town, eg Noss Farm, with a talk by the farmer. It was also suggested that the National Farmers Union access officer be invited to attend a future meeting.
8. Date And Place Of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday 16th January 2006 at 7 pm in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, subject to the venue being available.
9. Any Other Business
Paths For All Partnership - Adam Streeter-Smith circulated copies of the Annual Review of the Paths For All Partnership. He advised the Forum that he will seek to attend alternative meetings of each of the Highland Council Local Access Forums, but would be available for comment in between times. The Chairman thanked him for his assistance to date.
Retirement of Terry Keatinge – Mr Keatinge intimated that he will be retiring in February 2006. The Forum agreed that it would be appropriate for the agency to appoint another representative to take Mr Keatinge’s place on the Forum, and agreed that David Shaw of Scottish Natural Heritage take Mr Keatinge’s place, and accompany him to the January meeting of the Forum.
Liaison between National and Local Access Forums – It was agreed that there was a need for improved liaison between the National and Local Access Forums. A paper from the National Access Forum seeking response to consultation was circulated, and it was agreed that Forum members make contact with the Chairman or with Mr Barclay should they wish to respond to the consultation document. It was further agreed that the matter would be considered at the next meeting of the Forum in January.