B To agree actions by the Clerk as necessary following discussion at the meeting.

At your October meeting I reported an objection the diversion of Footpath 1 to enable the Bowling Club extension. I am pleased to report that this has been resolved by increasing the gap in the car park fence to 1.5 metres. I was initially informed that the Order would come into effect on the date on which the Council (Kerrier) certifies that the alternative route is in place. The gap was widened on 6^th November thereby ensuring that the alternative route is in place and Kerrier were informed on that date. On the same day, however, I was informed by Kerrier that, because the order involved a modification (changing the specified width of the path from 1 metre to 1.5 metres), it would have to be confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate. I am led to believe that the necessary paperwork was submitted on 6^th November with a request for an early turnaround because of the expiration of planning permission on 29^th November. I shall report any further progress at your meeting.

I regret that I have not been able to find time to follow up with the County Council matters relating to Kennall Bridge.

The schedule for the maintenance of fingerposts and milestones has been updated and will be issued asking for quotes from three if not four suppliers of this service as soon as the Clerk is able. To date, this has still not been possible.

As reported at the last meeting, Mr Fletcher had offered dates for a meeting about footpaths. Unfortunately, the Clerk has still been unable to rearrange this meeting due to other commitments. I shall now delay this until Cllr Biscoe returns. As reported at your October meeting, however, I have been in contact with Mr Fletcher and have sent him a copy of all the anomalies that have been identified. It is anticipated that these will be taken into account within the review of the Definitive Footpath Map for Kerrier which is currently being reviewed

No progress with Mill Lane and the planings because the Clerk has still not had time due to other commitments.

As reported to the last meeting, an order has been issued by Coastline housing for the works in Crellow Hill to be done but I still have no knowledge as to whether the work has been carried out.

As previously reported, the Environment Agency have agreed that the old channel of the river at Foundry where it runs through the gardens of Tremenhere and Riverside is part of the enmained river and their duty to maintain and repair. Mr Newing was seeking confirmation of this in writing from EA and the Clerk has not as yet heard whether this has been forthcoming, although Mr Newing has again asked them. I reported to your last meeting that there is now a further issue in that Leonard Barter, who previously maintained some of the riverbank in this area, now finds himself unable to do it. I contacted Mr Newing on the whole issue and reported that he would endeavour to let me have an update before your meeting. In the event, he didn’t and, not having had a response, I sent him a reminder on 7^th August. He responded on 12^th saying that he had once again sought a written response from the EA and hoped to have it by 1^st September. Not having heard, I sent another reminder on 2^nd September. As reported at the October meeting, Mr Newing was to consult riparian owners with a view to establishing an appropriate course of action. He hoped to have more information by mid-November and with this in mind I sent him a reminder on 6^th November.

Members are aware that, at the end of May, Cllr J Biscoe emailed Cllr Ms J Tisdale, as assistant Portfolio Holder, details of the portfolio and, with the assistance of the Clerk, it was her intention to look into the portfolio and provide a more detailed report for this month. Due to other commitments, however, both hers and mine, this has still not proved possible.

I have nothing further to report as regards traffic in Longdowns.

I do not at present have anything further to report on the Footpath Grant from the County Council or on their deliberations over bronze footpaths that should possibly be either gold or silver.

B To agree actions by the Clerk as necessary following discussion at the meeting.

Notices have finally been posted for the diversion of Footpath 1 to enable the Bowling Club extension. The objection period ends on 20^th October after which time, assuming that there are no objections, Kerrier will formally make the Order.

I reported to your May meeting on a letter from the County Council re Tretheague Bridge but there has still been no response as regards Kennall Bridge. I shall follow it up once again, time permitting.

The schedule for the maintenance of fingerposts and milestones has been updated and will be issued asking for quotes from three if not four suppliers of this service as soon as the Clerk is able. To date, this has still not been possible.

As reported at the last meeting, Mr Fletcher had offered dates for a meeting about footpaths. Unfortunately, the Clerk has still been unable to rearrange this meeting due to other commitments. I shall probably now delay this until Cllr Biscoe returns.

No progress with Mill Lane and the planings because the Clerk has still not had time due to other commitments.

As reported to the last meeting, an order has been issued by Coastline housing for the works in Crellow Hill to be done but I still have no knowledge as to whether the work has been carried out.

As previously reported, the Environment Agency have agreed that the old channel of the river at Foundry where it runs through the gardens of Tremenhere and Riverside is part of the enmained river and their duty to maintain and repair. Mr Newing was seeking confirmation of this in writing from EA and the Clerk has not as yet heard whether this has been forthcoming, although Mr Newing has again asked them. I reported to your last meeting that there is now a further issue in that Leonard Barter, who previously maintained some of the riverbank in this area, now finds himself unable to do it. I contacted Mr Newing on the whole issue and reported that he would endeavour to let me have an update before your meeting. In the event, he didn’t and, not having had a response, I sent him a reminder on 7^th August. He responded on 12^th saying that he had once again sought a written response from the EA and hoped to have it by 1^st September. Not having heard, I sent another reminder on 2^nd September.

Members are aware that, at the end of May, Cllr J Biscoe emailed Cllr Ms J Tisdale, as assistant Portfolio Holder, details of the portfolio and, with the assistance of the Clerk, it was her intention to look into the portfolio and provide a more detailed report for this month. Due to other commitments, however, both hers and mine, this has still not proved possible.

I have nothing further to report as regards traffic in Longdowns.

In August, I received a letter from the County Council advising that the Footpath Grant payments for 2009/10 are to change. They are now to be based on "how much cutting the Gold paths actually need" – their words, not mine! This is because the gold paths have gone through the Public Path Improvement Scheme and so should only need the vegetation cutting back during the growing periods. They have therefore assessed this cutting regime so that they "can spend their money more effectively by targeting at where the cutting needs to take place". Again, their words. Because silver paths have not been subject to the PPIP, a grant will be paid based upon the lengths we have, as a present. There will, however, be no payment for bronze paths.

The letter was accompanied by a plan upon which they had marked the lengths of gold paths and the frequencies with which they considered they should be cut and also the stiles that they thought should be trimmed out and how frequently. Almost without exception, the frequencies for both paths and stiles were once a year.

Roger Strick and I pored over the map long and hard one evening and rapidly came to the conclusion that the proposals bore little resemblance to reality and that there were many stiles omitted. They had asked for the map to be amended in felt tip pen and when we had finished, it bore little resemblance to their original proposals.

I have returned it along with a strongly worded letter expressing considerable concern and emphasising that I do not expect any reduction in the overall grant payment as we have a contractual obligations to meet.

He has responded as follows:

Gold Paths – he will change the map in line with our comments and generate the grant offer accordingly.

Silver Paths – in due course a cutting regime will be produced . In the meantime, a flat grant rate for all silver paths will be calculated and added to the grant for gold paths.

Bronze Paths – In theory, he says, bronze paths should be those that end in dead ends or have no use at all and should therefore require no cutting. He suggests that if this is not the case, they should be upgraded to silver or gold. Roger informs me that all our bronze paths are fairly well used and therefore cut, some once and some twice a year. I have informed Mr Fletcher of this and await his response.

Mr Fletcher informs me that the amount of grant should be determined by Christmas. He could not say if there would be a decrease but did, encouragingly, say that it is open to negotiation – it never has been before!

B To agree actions by the Clerk as necessary following discussion at the meeting.

B To agree actions by the Clerk as necessary following discussion at the meeting.