To elect a Chairman/woman for the meeting.

Ian Doggett was elected Chairman for the meeting.

Members were advised of a change to the Membership of the Forum, John Mellor and Robert Boyd had resigned.  The Forum welcomed new Member, John Gillett.

- to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Torbay Local Access Forum on 17 September 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Andrew Gunther

The Forum received a presentation from Andrew Gunther, Strategic Planner working with Public Health on the Healthy Torbay Agenda.  Andrew advised Members that Torbay faces significant challenges regarding inequality and deprivation, data over the last 10 to 15 years has shown that deprivation in the Bay had worsened considerably, with any improvement being unequal.

Andrew advised that the Local Plan was a key changer in terms of health, for examples a development of 30 or more homes or 1000sqm and above would be required to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA).  The HIA’s aim to provide a practical approach to judge the effects a proposed development may have on the health and wellbeing of different groups of people.  Permitted development rights does cause an issue for Healthy Torbay as the planning department has very limited powers therefore the Healthy Torbay agenda could be adversely affected by negative development as a result of permitted development.

Andrew proceeded to inform the Forum of a Green Space Audit, officers were looking afresh at the green spaces in Torbay, the audit would look at access, safety, visual appearance, facilities, features, identity and purpose.  It was hoped the audit would lead to the establishment of ‘what’s a good space and what is a bad space’, what actions would be needed to improve the space.  A survey had been sent to three schools, one in each town, the survey found that the children surveyed spent very little time outside and when outside they didn’t necessarily use what would be considered a designated green space e.g. grass bank near to their house.  Members welcomed the audit and felt that there could be potential for community groups such as Play Torbay and Dangerous Dads to be involved in completing the audit.

Members looked forward to the opportunity to be able to comment upon the templates that would be used for evaluating the green spaces.

To note the feedback provided by the Bob Harvey.

Bob Harvey presented his feedback from the Local Access Forum National Conference and responded to Members questions.

The Forum considered the contents of the Annual Review Form and agreed for its submission subject to:

i)       Torbay Local Footpath Improvement Plan and Healthy Torbay Greenspace Audit being included in the section titled ‘Priorities for the Forthcoming Year’.

ii)      The ‘Chairman’s comments’ being completed by Ian Doggett.

Torquay

Margaret informed the Forum that Edginswell Station had been granted planning permission.  A planning application for the B&Q site in Torre was expected and may result in closure of some footpaths whilst the site is developed.

Paignton

Ian informed the group that the Paignton Neighbourhood Plan has not identified anywhere for development, should the plan remain without identified sites there is a risk that the area will have sites imposed upon them.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Bob informed the Forum of his concerns regarding the AONB, he advised that the AONB has the same status as national parks however the status of AONB is, in his opinion, being weakened by local authorities and the planning inspectors by allowing development in these areas.  Bob explained that the AONB only receives 10% of the funding that it used to therefore officers are busy with bidding for additional funds rather than protecting the AONB.  Bob advised that he would be attending the next AONB partnership meeting and would circulate the date once confirmed.

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) - Hedges

Bob informed the group of a CPRE project on hedges.  Pupils at Blackawton Primary School, had been asked to rate the hedges on their journey to school, using a leaflet as a guide to rate the quality of the hedges.