The committee is asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on xxxxxx

RESOLVED -              that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2021 be approved.

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

The Committee received an update on Principal Works carried out on the Rights of Way Network between November 2021 and March 2022.

Work has been carried out at Highfield, Blaydon 34, Marley Hill, Whickham 99, Chopwell, Blaydon 98, Leam Lane, Felling 44.

The Committee were advised that a bigger undertaking has been made in the Whitehills area, Gateshead 1 and 16, Felling 33,41,42 and 43.  This was due to a number of agencies working together to make major improvements.  The paths in parts were barely passible and lots of fly tipping had taken place including a number of tyres.  Officers working together with and not inclusive of the Countryside Ranger, the Ecologist team, the Neighbourhood Housing Officer, Community Safety Officer, The Police, Probation Service and Larkspur Primary School as well as Street Scene team, the Fly Tipping and Environmental Improvement Team.

Funding was sourced through a number of avenues, tree planting is to take place and over 74,000 trees will be planted.  Litter picks were arranged and further picks have been arranged.  Several skips were hired and information was sent out to residents to encourage them to bring any rubbish rather than dumping on the pathways.  The area will be fenced with various access points and it is hoped similar schemes will be able to be made possible in order to create an environment where fly tipping can be alleviated.  It is hoped that once the boundary fence is up it will be easier to maintain and it will be easier to track if there are any further incidents of fly tipping.

Members have asked if it is possible to be made aware in advance of any future works.  It was also requested that Members receive a report on incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour on the Rights of Way Network on a regular/ routine basis.

It was noted that officers should be thanked for the work that has been put into the scheme.  It was noted that this was Brendan’s last meeting and he was leaving the Council and that thanks be placed on record for Brendan’s contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED                that the information presented be noted.