Agenda and minutes

Report of the Chief Executive

RESOLVED -             That the constitution for the Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year be noted.

The committee is asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 March 2017.

RESOLVED -             That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2017 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

RESOLVED -      (i)     that a Deed of Dedication be made on Council owned land to dedicate Bridleway Whickham 23 at Derwent Walk Country Park, Whickham, Gateshead as shown on the plan attached as an appendix to this minute from Point A to B to C to D.

                            (ii)    that the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to undertake the following:

(a)  To complete and publicise a deed of dedication to dedicate Bridleway Whickham 23 as shown with a broken black line from Point A to B to C to Point D on the attached plan attached as an appendix to this minute.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee were presented with a report to update the Committee on the current position with the Rights of Way maintenance budget.

In 2008 the Rights of Way maintenance budget was transferred to, the then named Local Environmental Services.  The improvement budget is supported by capital funding from the Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan whilst the maintenance budget is supported by revenue funding.

Following several years of internal discussion the decision was made to return the Rights of Way maintenance budget to Transport Strategy in April 2017 and managed by the Right of Way Officer.

For the financial year of 2017/2018 the rights of way improvement budget is £80,000 and the rights of way maintenance budget is around £42,000 (£22,000 of which is allocated to the annual strimming programme).  The improvement budget is used for capital funded projects on the rights of way whilst the revenue funded maintenance budget is used for day to day expenditure on the rights of way network.

RESOLVED - That the information contained within the report be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance and the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report to provide an update on Completed Matters and Principal Works carried out in regard to the Rights of Way Network.

In terms of completed matters with regards to the extinguishment order for Footpath 14 and 15, the matter was sent to the Secretary of State for confirmation as there was an outstanding objection.  The Secretary of State has appointed an inspector and the inspector has determined to confirm the extinguishment of Footpath Felling 14 but not Footpath Felling 15 because the public may still use it.

Principal works have been carried out in the following areas.

·         Section of Footpath Blaydon 11 – Milkwellburn Wood, Blackhall Mill

·         New bridleway creation, Milkwellburn Wood, Blackhall Mill

·         Footpaths Ryton 41, 49 and 50 – Jacky’s Plantation, Greenside

The Committee were advised that the Annual Strimming Programme is also underway.

RESOLVED - That the information contained within the report be noted.