Apologies were received from Bob Harvey.

Phil Collins was duly elected as Chairman until the next Annual General Meeting in 2014.

·         Vice-Chairman

·         Co-ordinators

Vice-Chairman

Members wished to nominate John Mellor, however did not feel it was appropriate to nominate him in his absence therefore deferred the appointment until the next meeting.

Co-ordinators

Torquay – Margaret Forbes-Hamilton agreed to continue.

Paignton – Wanda Hollingsworth agreed to continue.

Brixham – Mick Lear and Robert Boyd agreed to continue.

- to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2013 were accepted and agreed as an accurate report of the meeting subject to Wars Hill being amended to Walls Hill.

·         Members sought an update on the right of way at Hawkins Avenue.

·         Members received an update on the diversion of the coastal path at Oddicombe.

·         Members were also advised that Natural England were undergoing another reorganisation.

Torquay Co-ordinator - Margaret Forbes-Hamilton

·         Advised that planning permission for a Tesco store at Edginswell had been refused.

·         Informed the Forum that a ‘Friends of Abbey Meadows and Kings Garden’ is being formed and that planning applications for Marina Development and Cary Green were due to be submitted.

Paignton Co-ordinator – Wanda Hollingworth

·         Queried whether there would be a right of way at Clennon Valley.  The Forum was advised that there was an intention to create a right of way which would circumnavigate the football pitches.

Brixham Co-ordinator – Robert Boyd

·         Advised that the steps had been replaced and walkway had been raised at St Mary’s Bay.

Members considered the Annual Report 2012-13, Members provided comments that they wished included and agreed for the Annual Report to be submitted to Natural England.

Members noted the report that set out the findings of the ‘Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment’ survey.  Members were advised that an instant access tool was being developed in order to drill down to area specific data.

·         Paths for Communities

·         CAP Reform

·         National Trails Update

·         Local Access Forum National Survey Results (attached)

·          South West Local Access Forum Action Plan and Engagement Plans

Phil provided an update from the South West regional meeting and explained that an action plan for the region had been agreed.  The action plan set out four key areas, major planning applications and the implications of changes made to the planning regulations, extreme weather, the implementation of the coastal path and public sector cuts.

Members were also advised of the need to engage with Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Action: Councillor Doggett and Wanda Hollingworth to invite a representative from the Health and Wellbeing Board to the next meeting of TLAF on 14 November.

Phil circulated a letter from Natural England which was to be sent to all Section 94 Bodies, the letter set out the role and the statutory responsibility to consult with Local Access Forums.

Action: Lisa Antrobus to include letter on the Councillors Information Bulletin and forward a copy to the Harbour Authority.

Members noted that there wasn’t any opportunity for Local Access Forums to comment on the Common Agricultural Policy Reform.  However, Local Access Forums could comment on the separation of the forestry estate from the forestry commission.  Members felt that the proposed separation was not a priority for Torbay and therefore declined to respond the consultation.

Members were advised that a regional conference was being organised, date to be confirmed, however it was anticipated that each Local Access Forum would be allocated places.

Phil advised Members that there were more licences available for Huddle if Members were interested in joining.

In response to minute 69 a discussion will be held on ‘how to consider planning applications and co-ordinate responses’.  Attached is guidance from another local authority, a guidance note from a Rights of Way Review Committee.

At previous meetings Members had requested an opportunity to discuss and formalise an approach when considering planning applications.  Members felt that due to improvements in the relationship between planning and the Local Access Forum, members no longer felt it was necessary to have such discussions.

South West Regional Conference.

This item was discussed under minute 95.

Using Huddle.

This item was discussed under minute 95.

Members were made aware of a letter that had been printed in the Herald Express regarding the lack of disabled access around Princess Gardens and the Banjo.

Action: Robert Boyd to visit the area and draft a response on behalf of the Local Access Forum.

Thursday 14 November 2013, 6 pm, Meeting Room 10, Paignton Library

Thursday 20 February 2014, 6 pm, Meeting Room 10, Paignton Library

Thursday 15 May 2014, 6 pm, Meeting Room 10, Paignton Library

Thursday 4 September 2014, 6 pm, Meeting Room 10, Paignton Library

Members noted the dates and venue of the Local Access Forum.