North Essex and Saffron Walden Bridleways Group minutes

NE&SW Bridleways Committee Meeting

Date

Monday, 22^nd October, 2007

Time

2000 hours

Venue

The Plough, Radwinter

Attendees

Carol Grant

Rebecka Price-Smith

Ray Cleaver

Jane Cleaver

Hannah Collins

Karen Fisk

Garron Baines

David Haylock

Jan Rennie

Apologies

ITEM

Action

Minutes & matters arising

The group is now affiliated to BHS. GB stated that The tabards were in the process of being distributed to yards and relevant associations. GB had forwarded a letter of thanks to the sponsors.

Waldegraves Farm Ride Report

RPS said that the ride had been very successful. Feedback from participants had been very positive. Some riders had suggested there could have been more markers but RPS said that Katy Haynes had advised keeping the markers to a minimum. Catering and photographs had been excellent and the caterer was willing to attend future events. JR suggested that under fourteens be given a discount on future rides. RPS indicated that she was willing to organise two rides per year. GB offered a vote of thanks to RPS and her team on behalf of the committee.

Future events

The next event would be a ride in April 2008. GB stated that Wimbish Hall Livery were happy to be the venue. The ride would make use of the newly surfaced byways in the area and would be about 12 miles in distance. The committee discussed the possibility of organising a talk for members. JR suggested this should be arranged for the evening of the AGM to ensure a good attendance. This would be 2 weeks before the April ride ensuing maximum publicity for the event.

RPS to check April dates to ensure no clashes with other local events

RPS and DH to research speakers

Byways Funding shortfall

GB said that 18k of byways had been completed and half a million pounds had been spent. ECC had now run out of funds. GB had suggested that the remaining byways to be renovated should be kept closed but ECC wished to reopen them. CG asked whether closure to all was the right answer, was it possible to just close it to motorised traffic? It was suggested that bollards could be installed on the remaining byways as had been done several years ago on Dark Land, Hempstead.

GB to discuss with ECC

ECC Highways meeting, Oct 18

GB stated that the ECC Rights of Way department was being reorganised One manager would be in overall charge. Paula Cheesman was the acting manager. There would be a big push on bridleways creation; ECC was very pleased with the new bridleways created on Mr Hingston's farm. The ROW improvement plan could be inspected on the ECC website. Tony Ciabarro had said that an extra 365,000 funding had been secured for projects.

ROW Appeals process

GB stated that Uttlesford ROW would be looked at next year. It was essential that all claims should be submitted before June, 2008. As many witness statements as possible needed to be submitted for each disputed route. JR stated that the forms were complicated and this would discourage submissions. It was agreed that people may need to be mentored through the process of completing the form. Mike Brash of EBA had a lot of experience of the procedure. It was agreed that a form should be put on the website and perhaps a completed example for reference.

Membership Report

CG stated that there were now 62 registered members with more likely to register. The forms obtained from the public meeting had still to be processed. JR volunteered to try to extract as much useful data as possible from the forms.

JR to process public meeting forms. CG to supply up to date membership list to JR

Website Update

The website is now up and running. Committee members should submit any news or information they had to keep it as current as possible. Links would be created with other relevant websites.

P3 and United Riders

HC said that P3 would be up and running soon. Committee members should let HC know of any likely projects which could be completed under P3. GB suggested the Wimbish bridleway may be a good project.

Hingston Bridleway Creation

These were almost agreed. GB had a map with the new routes marked showing their linkage to other ROWs

Borley Bridleways Dispute

RC said that 38 witness statements had been submitted in support the route's long term use as a bridleway. GB suggested that Mick Brash of EBA be consulted for advice as to the correct procedure.

GB to contact Jackie Millward as to the status of the submissions

Data Protection Act

BHS had emailed information about the group's responsibilities under the act. It appeared that members would have to consent to their data being held by the group. It was agreed that the membership form should be amended to allow for this. BHS would issue a form stating that the group was compliant with the act. GB suggested that obtaining charitable status for the group might attract donations as tax could be recouped. HC and JR pointed out that this would involve committee members becoming trustees. It was agreed to consider charitable status at some later stage.

CG to amend membership form

Code of Conduct

JR had obtained copies of various organisations' codes of conduct. She agreed to write up a draft code of conduct for the group for the consideration of all members of the committee. Once committee members had agreed the draft, it would be submitted for inclusion on the website.

JR to draft Code of Conduct and circulate

Death of Gordon Hands

GB stated that Gordon Hands had died some months ago. In view of the immense work that Mr Hands had done in connection with ROWs in the area GB suggested that he write a letter of condolence on behalf of the group. This was agreed.

GB to write letter to Mrs Hands

AOB

The treasurer's report was held over until GC could attend a meeting

Next Meeting

The next meeting would be in January 2008, date to be advised.