Apologies were accepted from Margaret Forbes-Hamilton and Dot Isgrove.

- to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2012 were accepted and agreed as an accurate report of the meeting.

John Mellor proposed Phil Collins, seconded by Bob Harvey.  Phil Collins duly elected as Chair.

None, other than those already notified to the TLAF.

·         The Vice Chair wished to extend thanks to Wendy Collins for taking over from Valerie Simpson as secretary of TLAF.  Thanks were also extended to Teresa Buckley for all the work she carries out on behalf of the TLAF.

·         Item 46 from Minutes of 24 May Town Square, Brixham/Tesco issue – Robert Boyd updated that he had spoken to James Oram, Solicitor at Torbay Council who confirmed there are no legal issues.

·         A discussion took place regarding the need to have statutory advice at the start of the letter template.  Robert proposed and Bob seconded, proposal accepted.  Robert to provide wording to secretary.

·         Bob Harvey would like to make more contact with other Forums and would like to encourage others to attend Forums.  AONB works with some local access forums, National Trust, Dartmouth and Kingswear.  It was agreed that this should be extended to Torbay.  It was also agreed that other LAFS should be looked at to see how they work.

Vice Chair

Co-ordinators

·         Vice Chair

Mick Lear nominated John Mellor, Councillor Doggett seconded.  John accepted.

·         Co-ordinators

Torquay – as Margaret Forbes-Hamilton was not present at meeting it was proposed that subject to her agreement she should continue as co-ordinator for Torquay.

Paignton – Wanda Hollingsworth agreed to continue.

Brixham – Mick Lear and Robert Boyd agreed to continue.

The Annual Report was considered. 

The following comments were made:

BH raised a query on the answer to the question “Do you have any issues with recruitment of members from particular interest groups”.  He did not agree that there was a balanced membership and suggested there should be more landowners – at present he is the only one.  Bob has tried personal contacts with no success.  It was suggested that TCCT should be approached and asked to provide a representative. 

Action:  Secretary to write to Chairman of TCCT. 

Forward look:

What are your priorities for next year?

·         Balance of membership

·         Co-ordination with outside bodies

What support/training will you need to be able to deliver these priorities?

·         Briefing on new planning regulations

Do you perceive any barriers to delivering your priorities?

·         To bring awareness to others of who the LAF is and what it does.

Any other comments:

·         Expectation of LAF

·         Training day held at Occombe was good – to look at doing this again – Hilary Winter and Dot Isgrove to be approached to provide training.

Action:  Secretary to contact Hilary and Dot.

Torquay Co-ordinator

In Margaret Forbes-Hamilton’s absence John Mellor updated:

·         Scotts Meadow – planning enquiry has now accepted limited number of houses to be built (approx 155).

·         Hiflyer balloon rental issue is still ongoing.  Councillor Doggett confirmed that the Councillors would like recompense for the money owing but there are legal technicalities at present. The grass at the site is going back to normal although there is still some rubble underneath.

·         Edginswell Tesco planning consent was turned down.  There may be an appeal.

·         Neighbourhood Planning Group has been set up – this will look at the plans for the future of Torquay.

Paignton Co-ordinator

Wanda Hollingsworth updated:

·         No issues to update at present.

Brixham Co-ordinator

Robert Boyd updated:

·         Right of way round Astra Zenica now reinstated satisfactorily.  Tarmac paths to the benches were requested but this is not possible.  RB asked if a hardened area could be installed next to the benches for wheelchairs.  This has gone to Highways but no response received as yet.  He is also pushing for wheelchair access at the Grove but no response received yet.

James Nicholas said he would bring the Rights of Way Improvement Plan to future meetings.

Mick Lear updated:

·         Wishings Field has got restrictions on the pathway, namely fencing that allows only an 18” wide gap for people to pass through and a style at the coastal path end which makes it difficult for wheelchairs.  JN explained that this is not owned by the Council.  However he would arrange for an inspector to have a look at it to ensure there is adequate access.

Dot Isgrove

Dot Isgrove from Natural England had sent apologies but had sent a note which was considered:

Paths for Communities

·         A heritage walk around Waterhead Creek, Kingswear - BH will follow-up on this item.

·         Improved access to Easton Tor and Down from North Bovey – JM would be interested to visit.

Action:  Response to be sent to Dot but to query if it was intended that the North Bovey issue should be sent to TLAF as it is so far from Torbay and to ask if Devon is doing anything.  There are resource issues with TLAF getting involved in issues out of the area – secretary to action.

Natural Connections Demonstration Project

Action:  Dot Isgrove to be asked the names of any schools in Torbay who are involved – secretary to action.

Email and attachments from Karen Hughes, Green Space considered.  TLAF had been asked to support the Make Parks a Priority campaign by sending a proforma letter to local MPs.

Phil Collins asked if this was an issue that the TLAF should respond to as it is not a pressure group.

Councillor Doggett suggested that it should be up to individuals to send this letter to the MP if they wished to do so.

Action:  Secretary to respond to Karen Hughes saying LAF would not respond but individuals may do so.

-       To note response from Senior Planning Officer

TLAF noted the response from Planning regarding the questions raised by RB.

Discussion item

BH said he had a set of booklets which may help the TLAF to formulate specific questions to ask when consulted on planning issues.  He will bring them to the next meeting.

Suggestions:

·         Does it conform to the Local Plan

·         Does it interfere with rights of way or bridle ways

Action:  It was agreed that Hilary Winter should be asked if there is already information/guidance available regarding this issue that can be discussed at the next meeting – secretary.

The TLAF considered the Information Sharing sheet.

Independent Panel on Forestry

Hilary Winter had asked LAFs if they wanted to make further representations to DEFRA regarding how the stakeholder engagement will work following publication of the Independent Panel on Forestry’s final report published in July. 

BH briefed the TLAF further. 

Action:  Bob Harvey to draft response to Hilary Winter.

To agree frequency and month for 2013.

It was agreed that meetings in 2013 should continue to take place quarterly and would take place on the second Thursday in the months of February, May and September:

Dates for 2013:

Thursday, 14 February at 6.00 pm

Thursday, 9 May at 6.00 pm

Thursday, 12 September at 6.00 pm

TLAF will be informed of the venue for the meetings in due course.

Final meeting of 2012

The next meeting due to take place on 25 October 2012 is to be moved to 29 November 2012 at 6.00 pm in the Ballroom at Oldway.

·         Planning application P/2012/0869

Proposal – vehicle entry and erection of packing shed, glasshouse and polytunnel and horticultural trial ground – land to east of Occombe Farm car park, Preston Down Road, Preston

TLAF had no objections.

·         Countryside Management Association (CMA) Study Day – 12  September 2012

Information regarding this study day was circulated .

·         JN had received a letter from Strategic Planning regarding applications by Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Peninsula Forms for designation as Neighbourhood Forums and Neighbourhood Areas under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 – comments to be received by 7 September. 

Action:  Secretary to circulate letter