Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness Local Access Forum held in Ross Institute Halkirk on Monday 11th December, 2006 at 7.00pm.
Present:
Mr Ken Butler (Chairman)
Councillor John Green
Mr David Hall
Mr Chris Hobson
Mr William Bruce (Vice Chairman)
Mr Robert Coghill
Mr Peter Blackwood
Mr George Walker
Mrs Elena Koponen-Baikie
Councillor Graeme Smith
Cath Clark, Paths For All Partnership
In Attendance:
Mr Geoff Robson, Head of Environment, HC
Mr David Barclay, Access Officer, HC
Mrs Fiona Sinclair, Area Solicitor/Administrator, HC (Clerk)
Business
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Stephen Fraser, Willie Beattie, Cath Whittles and David Shaw of SNH.
2. Chairman’s Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Cath Clark of the Path For All Partrnership.
The Chairman expalined that he had circulated an SRPBA paper to the Forum Members for their consideration.
3. Minutes Of Meeting Held on 21st August 2006
The Minutes of the last meeting were held as read and were approved.
4. Caithness Transport Strategy
Mr David Barclay circulated a note on the Forum’s suggested amendments to the Strategy for final approval before submission to Anna McConnell of the Caithness Partnership. The Forum agreed that the words “the basis” should be changed to “a basis” in the first sentence.
5. Railway Level Crossings
Mr Barclay explained that railway level crossings have become something of a bone of contention locally. A number of level crossings in Caithness are not on the public highway and Network Rail regard these as private. Mr Barclay circulated maps showing by means of colour coding the crossings which Network Rail did not wish to be included on the area’s list of core paths. Mr Barclay drew attention to the crossings at Altnabreac and Bilbster as being likely to present the Forum with some difficulty. Mr Barclay said that he would have a map available for the next Forum Meeting.
Network Rail had carried out risk assessments of the various crossings and while it would be inappropriate for the Forum to dictate the terms of these risk assessments Mr Barclay submitted that there would be some scope for the Forum to make suggestions as to how the crossings could become safer and to comment that the crossings should be included in the core path network. Mr Barclay also circulated a letter from Network Rail. Mr Robson commented that the fact that Network Rail did not regard the crossings as suitable for inclusion in the core path plan should not be seen by the Forum as an impediment to the core path planning process.
The Forum agreed to progress the core path planning process and noted that the railway organisation is governed by the Railways Acts which means that it has slightly different legal status.
6. Access Officer’s Report
Mr Barclay circulated his report to the meeting. In relation to core path planning he said that he would have liked to have received more questionnaire returns from land owners and from some of the user groups.
In relation to the storm damage he advised that this had been verging on the catastrophic for Caithness and he highlighted various funding issues. He said that there had been few complaints from access users because the storms had taken place at the end of October. He predicted that there would be more complaints when the weather gets better. The estimated cost of repairing the storm damage for Caithness was £340,000 and there is no obligation on the Council to step in where land is not in their ownership. He said that it is a difficult situation to address particularly as there is a further risk of flooding in the future. The Forum agreed to send a letter to Jamie Stone and the other Highland MSPs asking the Scottish Executive for funding for the necessary repairs. It was agreed that David Barclay and the Chairman work together to produce a letter.
Harmsworth Park, Wick – Mr Barclay explained that there had been a problem with vandalism which was proving to be very costly for the football team to remedy. The Forum discussed alterative routes if Harmsworth Park was to be closed to members of the public for access purposes.
At this point Mr Blackwood submitted his apologies for the remainder of the meeting and left.
Reay Golf Club – Mr Barclay explained that signage had been sent to SNH for approval and that comments were awaited. He had been impressed by the Golf Club’s efforts to look at this problem positively.
Access Week Event – Mr Barclay said that he had discussed this with the Rangers Service and that the Rangers had suggested staging an event by Loch More to Dalnawillan which could be supported by the Forum. Cath Clark undertook to find out if funding would be available for this type of event. It was also suggested that the Forum have a stand at the Caithness County Show and perhaps share a tent with the Dunnett Forest.
7. SRPBA
The Forum welcomed the document. Mr Robson explained that he had asked for clarification of the definition of the word “sufficiency” and undertook to report back to the Forum.
8. Dates of Meetings
It was agreed that instead of having a meeting in January, the Forum would meet on 5th February. The other dates suggested for future meetings were agreed. Suggested items for discussion at the February meeting included forestry type issues.
Mr Robson explained that it was proposed that a Pan-Highland Access Forum meeting would take place in the Council Chamber on 9th March 2007 in the Highland Council’s Chamber, Glenquhart Road, Inverness. Mr Robson invited the Forum to give suggestions for themes for the day. There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting.