Apologies were accepted from Robert Boyd and Michael Lear.

None, other than those already notified to the TLAF.

- to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting of the TLAF held on 1 December 2011 were accepted and agreed as an accurate report of the meeting.

Action:

Teresa Buckley to arrange for agreed Minutes to be shown on the TLAF Webpage.

18/5.4 - Astra Zeneca

The Chairperson referred to an email received from past LAF Chairperson, John Gibson, forwarded to him by Robert Boyd, informing that the work agreed at Astra Zeneca, that should have been completed by Christmas 2011, had not been carried out.  John Mellor informed, having recently walked this area, that this work had now commenced.

Action:

Secretary to email Mr. Gibson with this information. 

21 - Land near Edginswell (Tesco)

James Nicholas (JN) informed there would be cycle access to the site, although there was none at present; trees had already been cleared for this.  The cycle track would be part of the National Network.

Cycle Routes

Further discussion took place at the meeting on cycle routes.  The Forum was informed that, as this was a Government initiative, some cycle routes had been discussed at a Full Council Meeting and the Byelaw amendment had the approval of the Full Council.

Regarding the approval, the Forum requested that the following be fed back to the Council:

• The Forum felt that the Council should have sought the LAF’s comments regarding the cycle routes concerned before taking to Full Council.
• What was the source of the funding for the designated areas to be used for cycling and who would be enforcing this use?
• The TLAF fully supported cycling on designated routes only.

Action:

Secretary to request Teresa Buckley to feedback above comments to appropriate Council Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Meetings

It was agreed that Margaret Forbes-Hamilton (MFH) and Wanda Hollingworth (WH) would represent TLAF at these meetings.

27 - Any Other Business - ‘Old Maid’s Perch’ Gardens

MFH reported on a meeting with Garth Millard from Torbay Council who informed that the small area of land in question was a very narrow strip next to the building needed for supporting columns.  The Forum therefore supported this disposal of land, subject to stipulation that if existing palms were removed they would be replaced like for like. 

Action:

Secretary to email Mr. Millard of Forum’s support and stipulation together with support for the remaining seven disposals of land applications discussed at the 1 December 2011.

JN informed meeting that the Rights of Way (RoW) were now on line atwww.torbay.gov.uk/torbaygis/Torbayinteractivemap.aspx.  This link would open a map window from the Council’s website.  There is a drop down menu where the Public Rights of Way can be viewed.  More comprehensive information would be added in the future, including statements, etc. 

Action:

Secretary to send link to all Forum members on email.

JN tabled ‘Statement of Actions’, stating that he had been working with JustinCox of TCCT on this and would like to concentrate on:

·               Torquay Harbour to Daddyhole Plain signage

·               Bishop’s Walk signage

·               Disabled access to The Grove / Fishcombe Cove

Members were asked to feedback on the Statement of Actions, raise any queries or inform on anything else they would like to see included.

Comments made by the Forum:

·               Suggested JN investigate whether any PROW in the vicinity of the Vincent Hill, Woodland Trails Project, needed improving.

·               Key Action No. 9 – Seymour Drive – Old Stables + footpath down to Brunel Woods.

·               No sign-posting at Warwick Close from Babbacombe Road.

The Forum felt that, as its members did not have absolute knowledge of RoWs, it agreed that, in order to generate a more meaningful plan for the whole community, Community Partnerships and the Neighbourhood Plan should also be asked to feedback on this.  JN agreed to send a letter to Community Partnerships requesting suggestions for priorities for 2013-14 Statement of Actions, and include the link shown above to the on-line map for information.

Torquay Co-ordinator

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton updated:

• On report at previous meeting regarding Application for Scotts Meadow: this will now go to Appeal, commencing 20 March 2012.  Previous TLAF Chair, John Gibson, had checked past maps and records, and raised issue through email dated 9 February 2012 sent to RB and forwarded to the Chair as to whether the LAF could issue formal advice on this.  MFH agreed to formally represent the TLAF at the Enquiry and talk to John Gibson regarding same and make a case for presentation of the area as an Open Space.  Secretary to inform Mr. Gibson of response.
• Planning process commenced for the development of hotel on Marine Car Park; developing Cary Parade as small shops, etc.  Pedestrian access would always be in place here.

JN informed he had received a query on Sladnor Park regarding public right of way and areas being blocked off.  If evidence available of public use for twenty years, RoW could be applied for.

Paignton Co-ordinator

Wanda Hollingworth raised issue of whether ALL the RoWs through Oldway Mansion grounds would be retained once development of the Mansion commenced.  The Forum agreed that a letter should be written to the Planning Department requesting the implication of all RoWs now in place in the grounds of Oldway Mansion once the development of Oldway Mansion commences.  

Action:

Secretary to write to the Planning Department.

Brixham Co-ordinators

Co-ordinators Rob Boyd (RB) and Mick Lear were not present at the meeting therefore no report made.

Tesco Development, Brixham Town

Previous TLAF Chair, John Gibson, had raised issue through email dated 9 February 2012 sent to RB and forwarded to the Chair that this development would result in loss of open area.  The Forum felt that this issue was not within the LAF’s remit as not an Open Space.

Action:

Secretary to inform Mr. Gibson of response.

Bob Harvey (BH) reported he had sent a Report to the Regional Co-ordinator.  The Panel, that has a range of well represented organisations and interests, was looking carefully at this with an open mind.  Relevant parts of the official report were highlighted to the Forum.  Underpinning this was a UK Eco-System Assessment and the proposals for Reform of Agriculture Policy.  Concern had been raised that the LAFs had not been included in the UK-wide representation.

To consider the attached draft new TLAF Logos.

The Forum agreed the borderless logo to be used for all future TLAF paperwork. 

Action:

Teresa Buckley to email letterhead layout to all members for information.

Dominic Acland informed of the position of TCCT and that it would be difficult for him, in the circumstances, to continue his membership of the TLAF and Chairing same, therefore he would need to stand down as Chair as from this meeting.  The Forum requested its thanks be recorded to Dominic highlighting how professionally he had led the Forum throughout his time as Chairperson.  DA said that the work of the TLAF was very relevant to that of the TCCT and the possibility of another member of the Trust’s staff attending future LAF meetings would be looked into, but that the TCCT’s first priority at the present time was to focus on its own business at a very difficult time. 

Action:

Teresa Buckley to send letter to DA on behalf of the Forum thanking him for his support to the TLAF as Chairperson.

New Chairperson

John Mellor agreed to take over as Chairperson until the AGM on 19 July 2012.  The Forum thanked John for taking over the role as Chair. 

Action:

Agenda item for 24 May 2012 meeting : Election of Vice Chairperson to replace JM.

Accepted.

·         National LAF Conference in February & March – Bob Harvey to attend

·         WH to attend Green Connect, a free event on 25 February 2012 organised byGreen Space South Westand sponsored by Natural England with a combination of speakers, workshops and networking opportunities interspersed with a private tour of the restored Walled Gardens of Cannington.

·         BH attended AONB Annual Meeting.

·         Land Owners Clarke Willmott on Localism Bill – reference assets of community value and disposal of these – BH suggested this should be kept in mind for the future.

The Chair informed the Forum that the Secretary’s role with the TLAF and Torbay Council would end at the end of March 2012 due to Torbay Council’s reorganisation.  The TLAF thanked Valerie for her work with the LAF over the past four years. 

Members asked for re-assurance that the Council would continue to support the Forum in the same way and have the same time allocated to its work once the present Secretary had finished employment.  The Secretary informed that Wendy Collins from the Governance Support Team would take over the role of Secretary from 1 April 2012; contact email wendy.collins@torbay.gov.uk.

Action:

Teresa Buckley to send a formal letter of thanks to Valerie on behalf of the TLAF and to confirm the future support arrangements to the LAF.

Thursdays from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. at Oldway Mansion, Paignton: 24 May 2012 in Ballroom, Oldway Mansion; 19 July 2012 in Cecil Room, Oldway Mansion; 25 October 2012 - venue to be confirmed.

All members noted the following dates of future meetings which would all be held on Thursdays from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

·         24 May 2012 in Ballroom at Oldway Mansion.

·         19 July 2012 in Cecil Room, Oldway Mansion (AGM).

·         25 October 2012 – Venue to be confirmed.

The Chairperson thanked all those that attended and closed the meeting at 7.40 p.m.